Impossible work wear rules

[HereKittyKitty6]

New role and dress code is conflicting! No low necks, no open toes, smart enough to work in council offices but also ‘relaxed’ enough to meet with homeless folk (some on street so plenty of walking). Have been told I look too expensive (?!). My style is quite classic and I struggle with non natural / soft fabrics.
Im pear shaped 10 (have recently developed the love handles so I do seem to look strangely curvy not nice curvy now!), petite 5ft 2, and shoes without a strap just fall off!
So far I have wide legged jersey trousers in navy, black paper bag tapered trousers, and a light cream cashmere cardigan. It’s cold/hot I’m really struggling here! Thinking of budget high street maybe? Please help!

Calm down, do you need to be so rude!

I'm a social worker so similar job where I can be in a very dirty house one min and in online court hearing the next... I wear wide legged Jersey trousers/plain fitted t shirt and then sometimes keep a blazer in the car to smarten myself up. I also have leather trainers and in winter wear a dress jumper combo with flat boots. Lots of my work wardrobe comes from next

This. I mean come ON! You shouldn’t be working with homeless people if you can’t understand this. I do wonder sometimes 😵‍💫

If I were you OP, I'd looking for another job, preferably one where your obvious smartness and sense of style were celebrated rather than criticized. I think it would be almost impossible to be appropriately dressed for both parts of your current role and I certainly wouldn't be making myself look or seem less than I am for anyone!

Not if they're leather???

What they are made out of isn’t really relevant.

Ballet pumps are open at the top of the foot with a strap across. I wear them myself and I have definitely got wet feet from rain.

Anything that splashes will go into the shoe from above.

For this sort of job, I’d want a shoe that actually covers the foot like a trainer or a boot.

I don’t think it would ever occur to me that dressing for the job was making myself seem ‘less’.

I would think someone who regularly overdressed or who didn’t feel confident without being inappropriately ‘done’ at all times was showing a lack of confidence. I wouldn’t say ‘appearing less than they are’ because I think it would say a lot about who they actually were - none of it good.

You do you!! I'm out in all weathers in mine. If you read it properly I said I wear boots in the winter....

I read what you said, I just don’t agree with you.

I’m not quite sure why you think vomit, faeces and the risk of contaminated needles is less in good weather but if you are happy to take the risk, have at it.

As you say, you do you.

Well, you certainly live up to your user name - forthright and prickly! But in your position, I would dress appropriately for the part of the job that is most important, which is the time you spend with homeless people. That would seem to demand practical, washable clothes that deliver sufficient warmth in winter and keep you cool in summer, with rainwear suitable for all seasons and comfortable footwear, such as trainers or boots. I would spend as little as possible on such clothes and if you are then told that they aren't office-appropriate, I'd simply shrug and ignore it. You can be appropriately dressed for one half of your role or the other - never both at once and it is unreasonable for your employers to demand it.

I wonder if they do actually demand it? I mean I get the need for a "court blazer" or an "architect meeting client jacket" and no they probably don't want the vomitted on or poo encrusted shoes in the office, but I'd be really surprised if the office work meeting expectation is cashmere, diamonds and a vintage leather bag!