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Clothes for school

38 replies

notenoughhoursleft · 14/10/2015 22:23

Strange question. I'm going back to school after a long time out being 'mum'. I've lived in jeans for years and spent 3 hours today looking for suitable clothes. Failed miserably. Where do you get the bulk of your teaching wardrobe from? Just curious.

OP posts:
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DaimYou · 14/10/2015 22:34

I'm not a teacher, but work in school. My current work wardrobe is whatever White Stuff dresses were in the sale with a smart cardi or jacket and comfy boots. It probably is mumsy, but it smart enough, comfy, washable and not too expensive.

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notenoughhoursleft · 15/10/2015 00:01

Absolutely perfect. Thank you!! Went in about 15 shops today looking for exactly what white stuff do. I've never heard of them so a huge thanks. You've saved me a huge headache Smile

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BackforGood · 15/10/2015 00:16

Primary or secondary?
IME, secondary tend to do less crawling about on the floor / painting / demonstrating thins in PE / glueing / climbing on desks to put up displays / joining in at playtime / moving furniture / etc than Primary, so may well wear a nice dress and jacket, but generally Primary (esp. Early Years) tend to go a lot more for trousers and easily washable clothes Smile

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TheSnowFairy · 16/10/2015 22:13

Secondary, also not a teacher and always wear a suit.

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Considerphebas · 17/10/2015 11:07

I teach in a special school so more relaxed than many schools, my uniform is always:
Leather 'country' boots- flat, waterproof and very comfy!
Black jeggings
Long black vest
Dark t-shirt with cardi, hoodie or dark jumper
Uniqlo for jeggings and t-shirts or tkmaxx is always good!
Layers for warmth, easy to take off if a student grabs at one and dark to help with signing and low arousal.
I wore pretty much the same teaching early years but with a bright necklace and earrings.

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Olivo · 18/10/2015 13:28

I am secondary. In winter, I wear suit trousers with a smart top/ cardi( m and s bottoms, tops from anywhere from supermarkets to white stuff) . In summer, I wear smart dresses. I only wear a jacket for formal things, soooooo hot in our school!

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Pooka · 18/10/2015 13:32

Check out mistral online too. They're very white stuff but sometimes cheaper.

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rollonthesummer · 31/10/2015 19:47

Primary here and tend to err on the shabby side, but I either go for either a Fat Face/White Stuff/H+M skirt or dress with tightish top and little cardigan and boots, or black/brown trousers with boots and a jersey top.

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calzone · 31/10/2015 22:00

Navy trousers
Tops
Cardigans
Flat shoes

Black trousers
Jumper

Dresses and boots
Scarves and nice jewellery

I quite like my school clothes.

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Roseformeplease · 31/10/2015 22:09

Boden, White Stuff or Fat Face dresses in stretchy jersey fabric over tights, leggings or skinny black trousers (more for tunics). Flat boots or mid height heels. Same in summer but with flesh coloured tights.

School is really, really hot so I don't vary much for winter.

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overthemill · 31/10/2015 22:09

I also wear white stuff / boden sale dresses and cardies. Plus black trousers, shirt or top ( not low cut at all) and bright cardigan. For smarter days eg parents/ open days I'd put on jacket.

When I started it was a mix of old corporate career stuff plus cardigans! Comfy shoes, no heels. Look for white stuff discounts

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TheHumanSatsuma · 31/10/2015 22:12

primary

linen trousers and loose cotton tops for summer

trousers and a loose blouse/jumper for winter..or cotton/denim skirtboots and cardi

trackie bottoms and t shirt twice a week for PE lessons

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Tidypidy · 31/10/2015 22:21

I'm in the same position OP as I've just gone back into school after 6 years out though as TA rather than teacher this time. I bought black trousers from m and s and wear them with mostly Mantaray tops and a cardy. I found some lovely comfy black shoes in Clarks which are great for all day. New look have nice lightweight cardis for about £12 which go with everything and don't make me too hot!

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BelindaBagwash · 31/10/2015 22:40

I'm in primary and almost everyone wears either dresses or black trousers and top. Usually cardigans too, as the temperature can be very variable - janitor doesn't know how to work the heating!

Everyone seems to get their school clothes from Next so sometimes a couple of us turn up in the same thing

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calzone · 31/10/2015 23:15

Check school policy though on denim and leggings.

Also, no low tops, tattoos showing or open toed sandals in summer.

That is all at my school anyway.

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rollonthesummer · 01/11/2015 11:57

No tits, toes and tummy is generally a good role to follow Grin!

We are allowed leggings and smart denim skirts though.

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BelindaBagwash · 01/11/2015 13:03

Interested to know why some people are not allowed to wear open-sandals?

i've never heard of schools having a dress code/policy for its staff.

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overthemill · 01/11/2015 20:43

Dress codes standard I would say. Open toe sandals are a trip hazard

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calzone · 01/11/2015 20:48

A colleague tripped over a tray when she was wearing sandals and broke her toe.....

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sky1010 · 01/11/2015 20:55

Primary, but we have a secondary-style dress code.

I get knee length or just above work dresses from Sainsburys, or Uniqlo sale (I have never spent more than fifteen quid on a dress). Or a black pencil skirt with brightly coloured sweater. I would get way too hot wearing a cardi or jacket.

80 denier tights or above

Blocky heeled Chelsea boots or comfy patent clarks loafers

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Forgetmenotblue · 01/11/2015 20:55

I'm in primary. Black trousers, a top with a fitted vest underneath so no gaping when you bend over. A cardigan on top. Ballet flats in warm weather. Ankle boots or flat lace ups in cold weather. Warm waterproof coat for playground duty.

I buy everything from primark and bin it regularly...I'm in early years so the snot/glue/paint/vomit quotient is high.

I never wear my 'real clothes' to school. I see my primark stuff as my uniform.

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sky1010 · 01/11/2015 20:56

We are allowed to wear open toes shoes as long as they are fitted around the ankle, so no backless sandals or flip flops.

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Forgetmenotblue · 01/11/2015 20:57

And we're not allowed open toe shoes or backless shoes. No denim. Nothing low cut or too much bare flesh (eg no spaghetti straps).

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pestilence13610 · 01/11/2015 21:01

Colleague opened bottom drawer of photo copier and removed her entire big toe nail, Ouch.
The much flouted no open toes rule was strictly upheld after that.

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MurlockedInTheCellarHelpUs · 01/11/2015 21:25

Primary here.

Gap trousers in black/grey/navy.
Floaty blouse from Dorothy Perkins, Debenhams or occasionally New Look.
Primark seam-free camisole underneath - they come in every colour, wash well and are super cheap - good for crouching/leaning over.

A nice necklace and flat Clarks shoes and I'm done.

If I'm being observed or need to look smart, I'll chuck a blazer over the top.

I never pay full price for trousers/blouses/shoes, instead I stock up in the sale. It galls me to ruin nice things with glue/paint/sick etc!

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