Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Teachers - esp secondary - your advice on work wardrobe is needed please

113 replies

Themumsnot · 31/08/2011 17:18

I am starting a secondary PGCE in a couple of weeks and am having a bit of a wardrobe panic. I have approx £300 to spend on clothes and shoes and want to get the basics to see me through my first teaching practice. I own no formal skirts or trousers and I don't have a suit. I do have several smart knee-length dresses (Boden jersey numbers or similar). Would they be appropriate?
Also I live in flat knee-high boots in winter, and Converse the rest of the time. I cannot wear heels. I did a weeks teaching experience last term and was crippled after one day in quite moderate (2-inch) heels. Is there a way of wearing flat shoes and skirts that doesn't look too frumpy?
Can anyone suggest a sensible way of putting together an appropriate work wardrobe? I guess I need a suit of some kind but I'm hopeless with separates. I'm 47, size 14-16 and hourglass shaped, so it is a bit of a struggle to find trousers that fit well and blouse buttons tend to strain over my amplitudinous norkage, which is never a good look for a teacher.
All advice and suggestions much appreciated.

OP posts:
HauntedLittleLunatic · 01/09/2011 20:36

Please elaborate on the bane of stools (future science here).

I am.guessing it is just the walking into them issue but making sure i am not mission anything important

Original poster
Themumsnot · 01/09/2011 20:57

HLL - I wouldn't have paid £55 either - but I had a 25% off voucher.Code is 593176 if you want to try it online. Valid until Sunday. I think there is free P&P on the website atm also.

OP posts:
HauntedLittleLunatic · 01/09/2011 21:07

My friend had a voucher too, but still more of a going out budget than workwear budget for me....but did ponder it...

Original poster
Themumsnot · 01/09/2011 21:15

I know. I reckon I am going to wear that dress to death though, it is so nice on that I will wear it at weekends as well.

OP posts:
DialMforMummy · 01/09/2011 21:37

I was in your shoes and stocked up in charity shops. But if you are not keen I second supermarkets and Primark. But do buy and break in comfy flatish shoes. You will need a suit for when you go to interviews.
Leggings are a no no in my school.

DialMforMummy · 01/09/2011 21:38

Like the dresses, but probably would wear a vest under the first one.

Original poster
Themumsnot · 01/09/2011 22:32

Yes, I will wear a vest under it for school, although it comes up fairly high.

OP posts:
pamplemousserose · 02/09/2011 06:19

Why are leggings a no when presumably tights under a dress are ok?

mummytime · 02/09/2011 07:11

Stools, when you perch on one it is hard to look lady like, and as you will notice from girls, only too easy to reveal more than you want. Actually when I was teaching I tended to wear trousers, as Science teachers tend to be rather active.

HauntedLittleLunatic · 02/09/2011 07:56

Ah I see. I don't have the legs for anything shorter than mid calf so should be ok there.

changeforthebetter · 02/09/2011 08:27

I did wear my leggings under a long linen shift. I think as an addition to something which others might wear as a dress on its own, plain black leggings surely look fine? With my hips, thighs and tummy I wouldn't wear leggings without a long top when at home, alone, with the curtains closed! Grin

I do think £80 out of my LP student budget on a skirt for work would be misguided. I understand the need to look smart and professional but I am going to wait until I have qualified and got a job before I start spending a lot on clothes.

stellarpunk · 02/09/2011 08:49

Oh all good stuff!

I do echo the point that one suit is needed, I have two. One is my tailored one for interview and another is more causal. I don't teach in mine either but as you are PGCE you will be going to interviews this year.

I generally wear trousers and tops/jumpers. I also have a degree if fruppage, so vests/camis are essentials. A's I am a physics teachers, I just wear my steel toe capped 8 hole docs. Very handy when teaching anything that involves large iron weights!

What I do find very useful is to have all my work clothes in one place in my bedroom so I'm not faffing in the morning. V important if you have small kids! Literally just dress and go!

Oh and a small sewing jut in your desk for emergencies together with deodorant.

leothelioness · 02/09/2011 09:54

Ok good to know about stools and science teachers (future science teacher too).
the tops I have to wear with treggings
are here is this too see through even worn with a vest?
Is this too casual
This in a rust colour a couple of printed long sleeved tunics from DP and some smart sweater dresses.
Will these be OK?

leothelioness · 02/09/2011 09:56

I don't have a suit at the moment but that will have to wait till I start my PGCE in the spring (hopefully).

Original poster
Themumsnot · 02/09/2011 17:22

That dress I bought two days ago for £99. Look how much it is today, ladies.
Some other amazing bargains too.

OP posts:
talkingnonsense · 02/09/2011 21:13

Reorder it at sale price and send the other one back, or swop it for something else lovely.

Original poster
Themumsnot · 02/09/2011 21:15

I have done that, talkingnonsense - and ordered a skirt and some trousers as well Blush.

OP posts:
Newbabynewmum · 03/09/2011 00:01

Future PGCE student here

I was a cover supervisor last year and wore leggings most days. Do you think I should stop this habit now?

This thread has made me v v worried! Someone said you're judged on ur clothes?

Arggh x

DialMforMummy · 03/09/2011 11:54

Leggings are a no no if worn with short dress/skirt/tunic. Acceptable to wear if worn like tights with "standard" length skirt or dress.
The argument is that it is not smart dress for school.
leothelioness I like your taste but you would not get away with this in our school. The dress/tunics is to short. Sorry. ( Quite glad I am pregnant so I can't binge shop at Next!)

TheFallenMadonna · 03/09/2011 12:28

I'm a science teacher, and I wear dresses. But then I never sit down! I thinkthe cable top looks awfully hot for a science lab TBH. And so do the treggings.

In terms of acceptable smartness, it depends entirely on your school. Mine is very strict. It's a challenging school in an area of high deprivation actually, and looking smart is a big part of our ethos! Others schools are much, much mroe relaxed.

overthemill · 03/09/2011 13:40

this is all very interesting, start first teaching job on monday. I have bought a dress which will go with shoes for now, boots and cardy for wonter. Have 2 other dresses I can use. Also black trousers to go with cardy/jacket various tops. I like skirts too and will wear what I have already.

I actually asked advice from my mentor this week - she said smart, what you are wearing is fine (surprisingly as I was in leggings and top and would not wear that). I used to be always in suits in my old job so have several plus a range of slightly more relaxed clothes likes skirts/dresses so hope to cannibalise those or I may just ebay them!

I think lots of the clothes linked to here are two formal (but it obviously depend son the school). My kids though have told me not to embarrass them by dressing/acting too young!

leothelioness · 03/09/2011 19:24

Ok need to reconsider my wardrobe arghhhh (damn binge shopping at Next sale Wink). Will have to be black trousers with a plain top under a smart cardi for the first few days playing it safe and then see what everyone else is wearing and take a lead from there.

leothelioness · 03/09/2011 19:26

oh and just to mention the tops I linked on do look short on the models but I am only 5'2" so most of these end a about a couple of inches above the knee so not very short on me.

EvilTwins · 03/09/2011 19:30

I teach Performing Arts, and have done so in three different schools. The second school was incredibly casual - teachers would turn up regularly in jeans. The school I'm in now is smart, and the HT gets quite arsey about it - people have been "spoken to" if they're not deemed smart enough. Even though my subject is very active, I tend to wear dresses and jackets, and usually wear heels. It makes me feel more professional, and I do think we get a better response from the students because of it.

I would err on the side of too smart, rather than risk too casual.

tethersend · 03/09/2011 19:40

Check out cheaper places too- my best interview suit (got me the job every time) came from Dalston market and was £25. It's a VW copy and I love it.

This dress from tesco would be a great staple, comes in three colours and could be dressed up with a jacket or down with ballet pumps.

I have to say that I think leggings are a crime against humanity and should never be worn by anyone over 10, but they are MUCH more informal than tights. Once again, depends on the school as to whether or not they are acceptable; but they are not smart.