Wardrobe help please....

[Chloecoconut]

I'm taking on a role as a (middle school) class teacher in September, after having spent the last few years mainly teaching PE and living in tracky bottoms. I've been trying to sort my wardrobe out and was just wondering if anyone has any kind of basic work clothes list/suggestions. I know that might sound a bit random, but I live in shorts and jeans out of school and will now have to be wearing 'proper clothes' to work and just wondered how others organised their teaching wardrobe.....Thank you!!

[MissMillament]

I go for dresses and cardigans or black trousers and tops. I have a work wardrobe that is completely separate and make sure I have five clean outfits put together and hanging up every Sunday evening. I hate ironing so everything is non-iron. Flat shoes from Clarks or M&S and I am good to go.

[PotteringAlong]

All of mine is from sainsburys pretty much - whiteboard marker washes out of it!

[ceebie]

Shoes are the key. It can be quite hard to find comfy shoes that work with dresses. Shoes to go with black trousers are a lot easier. A whole load of comfy black trousers, with smart tops for summer and smart jumpers for winter, and flat shoes. I love dresses at the moment, it's great once you work out the style that suits you, and all mine are stretchy material so they're really comfy. Cardi on top. In winter, dresses are great with boots.

[GinandJag]

I have a dress-code at my school - no trousers, décolletage, knees, shoulders.

I tend to wear dresses, or skirt/blouse, with the same black or navy jacket, or suits. I have about 6 outfits on the go at any one time.

[Chloecoconut]

Brilliant - thank you all

[ceebie]

Gin - no trousers? What do the men wear; they can't wear shorts either (knees on show)... Togas?

Or do you mean just your personal rules? But I'm still wondering... why no trousers?

[GinandJag]

The men have to wear trousers. Strict gender separation :)

[MidniteScribbler]

I have a dress-code at my school - no trousers, décolletage, knees, shoulders.

Good grief, how ridiculous. Our summer staff uniform is pretty much sleeveless sundresses lol!

[GinandJag]

Diff'rent strokes. Thank God for diversity.

[ceebie]

Well, personally I wouldn't describe your school as diverse if women aren't allowed to wear trousers. Different strokes, certainly.

[GinandJag]

I don't really give a toss what outsiders think of my school. I'm just glad that there is a school that you are comfortable with.

[MidniteScribbler]

What a fantastic school. I'm so impressed that they are teaching girls the appropriate clothing for a woman and to know their place.

[GinandJag]

Yep

[Rainuntilseptember]

Is it even legal to have a dress code for staff of no trousers? I could never work there it sounds archaic.

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

Acas website suggests that it's probably not enforceable to insist that women can only wear skirts: if you took them to tribunal, they'd be hard pushed to explain a reason for that specific rule that didn't sound discriminatory.

[GinandJag]

Everyone is informed pre-interview. It's not a big deal. I'd wear the same clothes in any job.

[Rainuntilseptember]

I don't think being informed gets past the equality act though. If you informed Sikh men they couldn't wear a turban, or told women they must wear high heels, is that ok? I think they've just never been challenged on it as people need a job
It's not the trousers that's the problem it's the attitude toward women that the trousers imply.

[MidniteScribbler]

Everyone is informed pre-interview. It's not a big deal. I'd wear the same clothes in any job.

I call bullshit. I've never heard of any school expecting female teachers to wear skirts only.

[GinandJag]

They can wear dresses too.

[Tollygunge]

The code is as Gin says at a local Jewish school

[GinandJag]

I'm sure my school is not the only one.