Help! Starting a new teaching job and the dentist has taken my wardrobe budget! Key purchases?

[IHeartKingThistle]

Seriously, help needed over here! I so want to make a good impression and actually feel good but I am lacking in both funds and ideas - I've just left a job I was in 10 years and I feel like I've been teaching in maternity wear for the last few of them - I am by normal clothes!

So, what do I MOST need to buy and any idea where from?

I'm a bit of a beanpole and I like colour, if that helps. Oh and I teach secondary not primary so I don't need to worry about crawling around on the floor (sorry primary teachers, I don't know if that's what you do but I assume you need more practical clothing than me!).

Any advice gratefully received!

crawling around on the floor?

Gercha.

Sorry but I have no idea what that means pointydog - I did apologise though, I was just illustrating the point!

M&S is probably best place. Not expensive and not mad fashion. Next may have good basics, but either love it or hate it. Where did you normally shop before?

As teacher you must avoid New Look/Primark and Top Shop unless you are uber-cool as your pupils will recognise stuff. Buy plain and dress up with scarves/chunky cuffs. short bright skirt and dark tights look great on beanpole (lucky you). Have a nice haircut (and new lipstick if that's you) as helps look polished for new job.

Good luck, I'm saving up for dentist ATM, so no shopping!

what size are you? Have you looked on ebay for phase eight etc. Wrap dresses are handy to throw on with opaques and boots in Autumn/Winter.

This is fantastic advice!

I can't even remember where I used to shop before! Gap I think, and Monsoon when I could afford it (NOT now though!) and M&S and Next, H+M sometimes. I like the idea of doing the opaques and boots thing and dressing up basics. I'm starting to feel inspired...

I'm a 8/10 at the moment cs but look a bit too bony for my frame imo. Ebay is a great idea - I'd like to get stuff that won't fall apart after half a term so that might be a way of doing it!

Oh and good luck at dentist inkyfingers, I have second half of root canal on Thurs, urg.

M&S sale starts today so you may find some smart bargains there

Call yourself a teacher. You need educating. Gercha is a Chas and Dave classic. It means 'get away with ya'. Sort of.

Good luck shopping. Maybe wait for root canal (can't believe we pay £100s for such a miserable time) and buy more later in autumn when you have more idea of what you want and more ££.

Good idea! Root canal done, painless but very painful on the wallet!

Thanks for the new word pointydog!