Dress me - I'm a secondary teacher

[helpmeimateacher]

So, I will be going back to secondary teaching! I had to namechange because my current employer is unaware.
I need to really update my wardrobe, because in my current job the dress code is very casual, and the school I will be teaching in is very businessy.

I don't want to buy a polyester suit, and I don't wear dresses. Now what?!

What I'd like to wear is really smart jeans (definitely not an option), white shirt and navy v-neck knit jumper with brogues. Think classic Italian.

How can I possibly translate this into very businessy? I can't wear wool cause it makes me itchy, and I don't really want to wear a jacket all day because I get too hot.

Bootcuts are best for my shape, cigarette trousers or skinnies make my legs look like turnips. They are ok legs, though, I could wear skirts?

I'm an apple shape, 16 bottom (with no bottom), 18-20 on top.

[tethersend]

How about some wide leg trousers with a polo neck and pendant necklace, crisp shirt or blouse?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Today I'm wearing:
Grey wide legged trousers with a fine pinstripe
Black scoop neck t-shirt, ticked in
Cropped cotton military-esque jacket
Heeled ankle boots

[Greengardenpixie]

Im a primary teacher. Love a simple shift. I got this from white stuff and its lovely.
www.whitestuff.com/womens/dresses/suzanne-textured-dress/

I wear with thick tights and boots and a cardigan. Sometimes a chunky necklace. Its a kind of stretchy jersey. I have the purple fable and the teal one but the teal is thinner. I am very tempted to order in the navy and red as its a great dress!!!

Also a skirt and long sleeved tee would look good and a little cardi and boots.

[Brookville]

Would you consider a smart office-type dress? Next have great workwear and good value. Are you watching Apprentice for inspiration?! You could wear a jacket over dress for the corridor and keep a cardy on hand for colder days in class. Good luck ??

[NoelleHawthorne]

all primary wear White Stuff. Its a kind of law. And secondary English teachers ( Remus excepted)

[NoelleHawthorne]

i hate dresses too. I wear trousers( see Gap or Banana republic) or osme stretch skirts with ankle boots and a shirt/ boxy jumper mix.
Also LOVE my cashemere crew neck cardigan in black. Looks formal but not a jacket/

also boden ravello tops in my overheated room

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I don't own anything from White Stuff.

Yesterday I wore:

Cigarette trousers
Broderie Peter Pan collared shirt
Blazer
Heels

And the day before that -

silk dress
blazer
ankle boots

[nilbyname]

Really no to dresses? A simple wrap dress in a variety of colours/patterns with a blazer style jersey jacket a good uniform with wooly/opaque tights and ankle boots.

What subject are you teaching?

I find the art and humanities depts much more bohemian and erring on the casual side... might that be the same as your school? Thinking a tweedy shortish skirt with a black/navy polo and tights with smart court shoes?


Skirts with polo necks are good. But make sure the quality is good, as it will look a tad casual otherwise?

I like a sift dress with a waistcoat myself.

Also a skirt, crew neck sweater and crisp shirt collar poking out.

[nilbyname]

uk.pinterest.com/pin/219057969350877717/

[NoelleHawthorne]

a shift dress with a WAISTCOAT?

[nilbyname]

uk.pinterest.com/pin/211106301255975881/

[NoelleHawthorne]

i wore nude tights today. I hated myself all day.

[MyOneandYoni]

Depends somewhat on the subject you are teaching...

If it's v classroom based, then all good suggestions above, but if it's something messy like Food Technology then you can be more casual?

If it's Geography, it will EXPECTED that you are scruffy. Can you go to a charity shop?
If it's Art or Drama, can you throw on some mismatched patterns?

(Helping much?)

[helpmeimateacher]

Thanks, Noelle and tethers, will check out some of your suggestions.
White stuff is definitely far too casual. It's all power dressing, being a cutting edge academy etc.

Do I really need to watch The Apprentice now, Brook? Although I have to say I enjoy reading the reviews. Unfortunately dh just shouts to turn that shite off as it is just like work! He looooves his job

[NoelleHawthorne]

lol at this

www.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?cid=1022877&vid=1&pid=000142409000

[TheFallenMadonna]

Today I wore a black pencil skirt, a lightweight crew neck jumper, black opaques and black heeled ankle boots. I wear a variation on that most days. For v smart days, I wear a dress and a short crew neck cardigan.

[nilbyname]

uk.pinterest.com/pin/380976449701493976/

I have one of these in blackk that I wear with jersey shift dresses from h and m and a statement necklace.

[Tiptoeshoes]

Lots of power dressing at my school too and as a geography teacher I resent the scruffy comment above (just kidding, it's true lots of old fleeces and scruffy cord trousers from the older geography teachers)

I mostly wear dresses, smart white stuff, m and s, or next. Then add colourful cardigans, jackets and necklaces.

Heels make me feel smarter and weirdly more in control. I always wear heels for parents evening?!

[Greengardenpixie]

All primary teachers were whitestuff Not where i live!!! Most people say how nice i look and i have never seen anyone with what i have on!!!! I HATE those kind of comments. I think the dress i have pointed out is pretty generic.
I also were clothes from next, seasalt, Toast,
Im sure all teachers i know acutally were next clothes!!!

[Greengardenpixie]

Sorry wear clothes from...

[NoelleHawthorne]

!!!!

[NoelleHawthorne]

Seasalt - same thing really

[andsmile]

heels - no no no

[Drywhiteplease]

Green love that dress.

[Chewbecca]

I rate these M&S trousers that contain some wool and silk and sit really nicely. They're a good shape for bigger legs I think, straight but not too narrow. You could wears these with your shirt, jumper & brogues.