Civil Service - dress code?

[BuwchGochGota]

I'm starting a new role with the CS next month (SEO in a policy department, not public facing). Hybrid working so WFH some of the time and in the office (regional so unlikely to regularly come into contact with ministers face to face) the rest.

Current workplace is very casual, everyone was in jeans before Covid and now pretty much anything goes.

Trying to figure out what to wear on office days, and whether I need to buy some more office appropriate outfits. My interview was online and the couple of chats I've had with my new line manager have been when he's WFH and seemed to be dressed pretty casually, so I have little to go on so far.

If you currently work in the CS, what do you wear to work?

A bit of a mix with me, but much more casual than it was pre-covid. Those who are likely to meet Ministers or other seniors tend to keep emergency smart clothes in the office. I tend to go smart-casual...not jeans (although many do wear jeans), and usually not trainers, but no need for formal office wear.

I used to be more formal but now only when vip or client facing. Even then a smart dress rather than suit now. Some wear jeans and trainers but very few in my dept. I would go for smart casual but that's my preference. I would see how you get on with what you have, I've casualled my work wardrobe down post covid.

Most civil service departments are fairly casual these days. I think ripped clothing and offensive slogans were about the only prohibited items. Still a range of what individuals wear, ranging from what I would call business casual to jeans and hoodies.

I imagine different departments might have different customs and practice though.

There will probably be differences between depts but mine is probably what you would describe as smart casual.

I’ve never seen our female Perm Sec in a business suit even where the Secretary of State is present but she always looks smart. I rarely see a man wearing a tie.
I go into the office once every couple of weeks, I often wear jeans (not ripped).
But there is a huge range of ‘style’ there are a few people who I think look quite scruffy, some are very smart, we have one woman who wears fabulous 1950s style dresses and shoes - she looks amazing, a couple of ultra smart men in three piece suits and ties - its just how they like to dress. Most of us fall somewhere in between. Lots of brightly coloured dyed hair around. A Muslim colleague has a vast array of head coverings, different colours and patterns and looks great.
Play safe on your first day in the office and take your lead from what everyone else is doing.

Very causal when WFH - generally I'm in leggings + nice-ish jumper. On office days, chinos + top + cardigan or a jersey dress + cardigan. I only wear a suit now if i am having an external meeting (eg. a business or NGO etc) or i know i am seeing a minister / the board that day. I wear converse type shoes every day (but wouldnt necessarily recommend that for your first day!) I second keeping a smartish jacket in the office in case you are surprised with an external / minister meeting. It can at least smarten up a pair of jeans.

Mine is very casual. But it’ll vary a bit between departments, so to be on the safe side I’d go smarter on your first day in the office and then take it from there. I wouldn’t bother buying anything new until you know what you might need (and you might not need anything!)

agree with others that it varies to some degree between departments. Even with ministers though, I’ve not been crazy formal.

Wear something decent like work trousers and a nice top and take it from there?

The department I worked in actually dropped their business dress requirement a year after I started working there. I took the change at face value so wouldn't change what I wore even in meetings with directors but lots of others would dress up for those sorts of meetings. I know some colleagues didn't feel comfortable going into formal meetings in snow boots, skinny jeans and a jumper but I hate business dress so I never altered what I wore. It never appeared to be an issue.

Thanks for all your responses!

I was thinking of playing it safe with black tailored ankle grazer trousers, a shirt and loafers on the first day, until I work out what everyone else is wearing.

Other outfits that I already have would be smart dark jeans, shirt and blazer with brouges, or a patterned midi shirt dress with opaque tights and black Chelsea boots. But the shirt and tailored trousers feel safest for the first day.

I think that sounds perfect for your first day - and your other outfits sound great too. I wear very similar in the office (50yo G7) and always feel modern which is nice :) Best of luck

Depends on your dept and location.

Previous office, jeans and trainers were the norm, where I am now you could probably do dark jeans and smarter lace ups trainers as long as top half was smartish.

i don’t think you can go wrong on a first week by planning more businessey outfits (not full suits but skirts, dresses, trousers) and not trainers. You can usually get the vibe by then.

That is exactly what I wore on my first day and sounds fine (SEO, technical role).
All your outfits sound fine. It’s very casual where I am.

Generally pretty causal in my office (regional)
When I go to London I’m smarter in case I bump into ministers. Not OTT, just as you describe, sounds perfect.

Hi OP, I've been in a similar role. Depends on the office, my local one I'd dress down it's usually pretty empty. Bit smarter for one of the bigger offices as ministers tend to be walking around but otherwise what you've described is perfectly fine.

Thanks all, really reassuring.

So I just started out the DWP and I tend to wear baseball caps a lot for a very good reason I got a large lump on my forehead today because it makes me feel very self-conscious I got told by a very abrupt woman that I'm not allowed to wear them even though people are walking around with tattoos on their heads and all of their bodies and turning up like they've just got out of bed so I'm not sure where I stand with this I need to speak to a manager I think

I am in civil service. I used to be in a smarter office than I am now- then I wore neutral coloured blouses with either pencil skirts or cigarette trousers, 'proper' shoes and tidied up my hair.
My current office is significantly more casual which has been an adjustment but also quite liberating. Leggings/joggers and say belly tops or anything tatty would be the only vetos there. Plenty of people just wear (neat , not ripped) jeans and a top and trainers. One lady likes boho dresses and big earrings. Another likes shirt dresses and Docs.
Your first day outfit sounds perfect. On a normal day for me, I'd wear dark jeans and maybe a white shirt, loafers or Chelsea boots and stick a blazer over them to feel more 'worky'. The pencil skirts and heels are no more!