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What do you wear in primary teaching?

22 replies

Moxiechick · 25/02/2017 09:12

Hi, I last taught 4 years ago before taking time off to stay at home with dd and I'll be returning in September.
I feel like being at home I've lost all sense of my own style and what suits me. Although I know I mainly need comfy clothes for getting on the floor ect.
Where do you buy your work clothes from? And what do you usually go for?
Thanks

OP posts:
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thatone · 25/02/2017 10:04

I am in Early Years, tend to wear a lot from H&M as its reasonably priced and durable - so long-sleeved tops with cardigans, when cold and (not blue) jeans. But I feel the cold a lot so need lots of layers. Am outside a lot too so invested in a warm and waterproof hooded coat.

Other teachers wear dresses with tights, smarter trousers with colourful tops or tops and leggings.

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PinkIkeaZippys · 25/02/2017 10:40

Remember- can't see through it, up it or down it!

It depends on what stage I have. Infants I usually buy from Tesco/Sainsbury's/H&M because of the mess, if I am with an older class I normally buy some better-quality things (Joules etc).

I like dresses and tights. We aren't allowed leggings.

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PicInAttic · 25/02/2017 13:30

PinkIkea - that is exactly my clothing mantra too! Pretty much anything 'smart-casual' goes so long as it meets those rules.

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ellesbellesxxx · 25/02/2017 13:31

Not allowed leggings?! I would not have a clue what to wear... leggings and long tops/dresses are my staple work wardrobe!

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emochild · 25/02/2017 13:37

We aren't allowed leggings either and it's a pain as I feel much more confident in a dress with leggings than the same dress and tights

I tend to wear stretchy tube skirts and a blouse or top with a cardigan

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bangingmyheadoffabrickwall · 25/02/2017 15:39

We have a no denim and no shorts rule. That's it.

I prefer sports style clothes. It's comfy and easy to move about it but tend to wear black trousers and a smart/casual top on non PE days.

My shoes are flats though. No heels at all. Feet would kill me after 10-11 hours of being in my feet all day.

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DanyellasDonkey · 25/02/2017 15:59

Never worked in a school that told you what you can or can't wear. I'm with little ones atm so tend to wear black trousers and top or leggings and a long top for PE days, I have about 6 cardigans from M and S and Next that are great as temperature can be variable

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rollonthesummer · 27/02/2017 13:16

I would hate to have a 'no leggings' rule!

I can understand why they might not like you to wear eg leggings and a top, but I wear mine as tights under a knee length dress or skirt usually. They are so much more comfortable (and warm) than tights! I can't imagine my head has even noticed they're not tights!

As long as we don't wear jeans or show the three Ts--'tits, toes or tummies' we're ok!!

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NapQueen · 27/02/2017 13:18

Dds Reception teacher wears black trousers with knee boots and a floaty top. Her TA wears cropped trousers and a tshirt style top and canvas shoes. They always look so neat and together and not bedragled im envious!

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user1483387154 · 27/02/2017 13:19

Black trousers and coloured shirts generally from Next. Cardigan to hand incase it gets chilly but nothing especially fashionable just good quality so it lasts longer.

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DanyellasDonkey · 27/02/2017 21:35

Rollonthesummer I can understand not showing tits and tummies, but toes......?

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OSETmum · 27/02/2017 21:43

Usually a dress with tights but if it's very cold and I'm on duty I can get away with black jeggings and a jumper with a vest top underneath. I usually wear boots or patent heels with a strap across.

On those hot days that I can barely dream of at the moment I wear a floatier dress with cropped leggings and converse.

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jmh740 · 06/03/2017 22:04

We have the no leggings rule too, no toes and also no sleeveless tops or shoulder less tops which seem to be all over could see when I went clothes shopping yesterday! I usually wear trousers then a t shirt and cardigan, our classroom is freezing one minute and boiling the next.

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MrsGsnow18 · 06/03/2017 22:13

We have a smart/casual dress code which is open to a lot of interpretation I think. We wouldn't be allowed leggings as trousers. Bottoms must be covered. No cleavage and no blue denim is allowed.
I mostly wear dresses with leggings or tights. I wear leggings as tights with knee length dresses , I think in this way they cover up a lot more than tights. When I do wear tights they are usually very thick tights.
Some members of staff wear coloured jeans and blouses, some wear chinos.
I just find it much easier with a dress as there isn't much to match together!

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faithinthesound · 12/04/2017 10:15

My sister's rule of thumb is "if you can see up it, down it, or through it, it's not acceptable". (She's a primary school teacher. I'm currently training to be one.)

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DandelionAndBedrock · 12/04/2017 10:56

I used to buy staple dresses from Hobbs but they went very synthetic a few years ago and it put me off. My favourite work clothes at the moment are from Sainsbury's, or (whispers) M&S.

I try to wear things that can be tumble dried at the start of the week in case something goes wrong and I need an extra outfit. I also keep a thin cardigan, a thicker knitted cardigan, a thin scarf, a thicker scarf, a pair of gloves and a pair of sunglasses in my cupboard at school. Drives my TA mad but it means I always have layers to choose from, so in the morning I just pick one of my work dresses, pull on a pair of tights and I'm good to go. I leave my work shoes at work and commute in trainers or flats.

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BringOnTheScience · 12/04/2017 16:06

My primary uniform was:
Black trousers from Tesco.
Long sleeved tees in bright colours from Next & Primark.
Chunky necklaces or floaty scarves for variety.
Cardigans with pockets.
Plain black shoes or ankle boots.

Nothing that you'll be upset about when (not if!) It gets covered in pva / paint / whiteboard marker.

Good warm long coat with a hood for break duty.
Gloves.

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Teatimebear · 14/04/2017 21:26

We can wear pretty much whatever (colleagues wear shorts and t-shirt for eg).

I wear jeans (from normal denim colour to dark blue), plain black trainers and a niceish t-shirt-style top from M&S. Blouses do NOT suit me, and I don't do accessories.

I really never understand bans on sleeveless tops or leggings under dresses. What on earth is the purpose? Things like that make me SO irrationally angry!

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Teatimebear · 14/04/2017 21:29

(in smarter schools where I did my PGCE I wore the same M&S tops, but with black work trousers, and soft laceups from Clarks. Look up 'shoes nurses wear')

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SetPhasersTaeMalkie · 14/04/2017 21:37

No dress code here.

I wear dresses a lot but not with leggings. Cardigan or jacket on or off depending on the weather. I've got quite a few skirts, longer length jersey tube type things with a long sleeved top.

Nothing too tight or tailored.

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Allekoren · 15/04/2017 19:08

Just out of interest, what do male primary teachers tend to wear?

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Teatimebear · 15/04/2017 20:05

In my school (which seems lax by a lot of standards), most men wear jeans/other trousers and a button-up shirt. No ties or anything like that. One in shorts and a t-shirt, but even I wish he would smarten up just a tad!

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