work is ditching uniform!

[ChiBox]

Any advice for smart but easy to move in (ie kneeling etc) capsule wardrobe?

I've worn a uniform my whole working life. I'm a community nurse and and have always had a uniform, currently the uniform is blue trousers and a semi-fitted polo. This will be phased out by January.

Normally i'm a jeans kinda person. I do like tunics and leggings. My main thing is I struggle finding shoes for outfits mainly because I just don't know what looks good! Im tall and have skinny arms and legs but a rounded tummy which I am self conscious of. I hate not being able to wear socks but if I have to I will wear those half sock things!

Could you carry on wearing the same trousers and just wear your own polo tops?

the trousers are really ugly lol they cargo pants and they have a stiched front seam. You've made me think maybe chino's and polos.

thick tights and dresses?
black trousers and long tops
leggings and dresses

Its hard choosing clothes daily when you are used to wearing a uniform!

Are you not allowed to wear socks?

thanks for the replies! BikeRunSki I meant with ballet type flats and shoes like that you can't wear socks- which I hate. I'm leaning towards leggings and dresses but struggling with shoes/boots.

I would much prefer if my job had a uniform. I don't have to wear a suit, but the dress code is 'smart, no jeans' which is a nightmare. Either casual (jeans) or else a suit would actually be a lot more straightforward.
Part of my job is quite physical so I don't really wear skirts. Can't wear any tops that might get caught and snag on things. Blooming nightmare!
DH has to wear a suit, shirt and tie for work and he actually prefers it. he has a few suits, shirts that go with each suit and ties that match. As he says himself, he doesn't have to think about what to put on in the morning.

Have a look at these Gap trousers -
www.gap.co.uk/gap/women/clothing/trousers/?tid=gups016600&kwid=1&ap=7&gclid=CjwKCAjworfdBRA7EiwAKX9HeASedCa_pAu6VokLFvd1Szzg9TsCqJhQoMkCV7yN5dSlQeL9z4-qLxoCrkgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

there's lots of options there that could work. You could pair them with a loose, longline blouse - GAP and M&S have lots of those.

I do a sort of similar job in that it’s in the community and we have a similar dress code. I wear an assortment of coloured skinny trousers from Next (I have 2x black 2x navy 1x pink 1x red and 1x dark green). Then I wear a matching jumper or one of those thick checked shirts (they seem to be ‘in’ this year too). In summer I wear coloured chinos and a matching linen blouse usually. On my feet I wear Vans ( can just about get away with them not being trainers) or flat boots. There’s no way I could wear dresses and tights although I love them when not at work, I spend too much time scrambling around carpets 😂.

I got some trousers from Mango recently that are so comfortable. They’re a light fabric and the back of the waistband is elastic so they fit well. Also have pockets! I got them in 3 different patterns.

If you suit brogues you could wear them with socks, otherwise flat boots. M& S has a good selection usually.

Why? it's so odd not to wear a uniform if your a hcp with patient contact. I wouldn't feel professional seeing patients in mufty.

Buy 5 bottoms, 5 tops and some shoes. Job done.

shoeboots, from clarks, very low heel? or i wear loafer with dress / leggings / tights - deichman is your friend, cheap and cheerful

That seems like an odd decision to me, as a former Community Nurse. At least a uniform conveys professionalism to me. Are you getting a clothing allowance?
I'd be looking for easy care, washable clothes that require minimal looking after and that can stand up to frequent hot washes probably similar to your current uniform!

Its very strange not wearing uniform its easier and like Maybugger says they stand up to hot washes. I hadn't thought about a clothing allowance I will ask. Thanks for pointing me in the way of gap and mango i've ordered a few bits. Emailed my manager and they've said trainers are ok! which makes it easier!!

Hotter shoes are really comfy and last years. Frumpy but i'm a podiatrist so I wear what I'd like my patients to wear.

I'm a community nurse too. So they wont provide you with a uniform at all? Or pay for you to have one? I think a uniform looks far more professional. Plus saves time thinking what to wear each day. Also I wouldn't be keen on wearing my own clothes some of the places we have to visit!

This sounds like a potentially terrible idea. Is the Trust attempting to save money with this (as I would assume no clothing allowance)? Of course you don’t need to say on here but if you are a community nurse in the sense of doing dressings, going into houses, kneeling on the floor etc then uniform which can be washed on a hot wash is the sensible option. I would be querying this with infection control.

If you really have to wear your own clothes, one other thing to consider with tops is whether they are ok when you bend over. Even ones that look fine sitting or standing can reveal a lot when bending over (eg if doing a leg dressing). I am in a job where I have to bend / lean over frequently (I am aware of how dodgy that sounds!) and it is really important to try tops on thoroughly before I wear them to work! The added awkwardness of dressing to hide a tummy means I buy anything remotely suitable and get them in different colours. Thankfully I wear a uniform a lot of the time!

Also be careful of low rise trousers revealing a builders’ bum when bending over.

My dress code sounds much more casual but I get stuff from next, M&S and Sainsbury’s. Clarks shoes.

Good luck!

I'm a nurse who doesn't wear a uniform. I wear mostly black tapered trousers with brogues and different simple tops/jumpers/cardigans. I refuse to spend much on my clothes as they are washed to death on higher temperatures than I would my normal clothes. We can also get away with black skinny jeans if they're jegging type so wear my Joni's with flat Chelsea or even riding boots when it's colder.

I buy most of my work stuff in sales when they're on so warehouse, oasis and next are good for work wear. Also buy from primark for cardigans and long sleeved tops.

In the summer I swap to floral/patterned trousers Dorothy Perkins are great for these cheap. I'd never wear them normally but they're comfy when it's very hot with a plain t shirt and ballet style flats.

I second that when trying on tops bend and stretch in every way possible.

I'm a big fan of high waisted trousers I have a c-section pouch I find it helps conceal. High waisted jeans suck it in and the right high waisted trousers skim over that I can even wear tops tucked in.

It might be worth looking on some of the threads on here when teachers have asked for clothing recommendations. Some of the requirements for primary teaching clothes are similar, being able to move, etc.