Dress me - I'm a secondary teacher

[helpmeimateacher]

So, I will be going back to secondary teaching! I had to namechange because my current employer is unaware.
I need to really update my wardrobe, because in my current job the dress code is very casual, and the school I will be teaching in is very businessy.

I don't want to buy a polyester suit, and I don't wear dresses. Now what?!

What I'd like to wear is really smart jeans (definitely not an option), white shirt and navy v-neck knit jumper with brogues. Think classic Italian.

How can I possibly translate this into very businessy? I can't wear wool cause it makes me itchy, and I don't really want to wear a jacket all day because I get too hot.

Bootcuts are best for my shape, cigarette trousers or skinnies make my legs look like turnips. They are ok legs, though, I could wear skirts?

I'm an apple shape, 16 bottom (with no bottom), 18-20 on top.

I honestly find a mid heel the most comfortable thing for being on my feet all day. Completely flat shoes give me back ache. High heels I cannot walk in.

Thank you dry white :)

I've got the dress green linked to in red. Very flattering and comfortable to wear. I wear it with chunky tights and boots. I'm not a teacher, but I work in HE

trousers look nice. I have some clarks kendras which are beyond comfy and some with a mary jane strap which look nice with 7/8 trosuers like those

IF ONLY marks trews didnt have such a LONG waist

I may be wrong but I'm not sure they are 7/8ths, I think they've just put the trousers on a really tall model. I'm short and have them in short & they are very much full length. They look nothing like they do on that model in a 16S!

Sorry, Green, I didn't even look at your dress before I dismissed it as floral rubbish, it's actually really nice. But I don't wear dresses

Like your pins, nilby, except for the last one. I think I am warming to the trousers/skirt and cashmere cardigan thing.

I wish I taught food tech or science: apron or lab coat and you're done!
I teach MFL. I suppose I could always go for the authentic look and come in with a Breton, beret and baguette under my arm...

I think if I came in those trousers, Noelle, I'd be escorted off the premises

We're pretty corporate and have to wear jackets. Must admit that sometimes in summer (stifling classrooms) I cheat by shoving a waistcoat over a three quarter sleeved top, and pretending it's a jacket!

Those M&S trousers look nice.

I wear Whistles tube skirts a lot too - smart enough with a blazer, but v comfortable.

Pinterest

seasalt, joules and boden in the sale here - washes well! and a primark vest under everything in case of see-through blouse, too low cut tops, for warmth in arctic classroom.

m and s for cardies

how bad WERE your colleagues before they initiated this rule REemers?

I like your idea of looking authentic! could you have navy smart trousers red shoes and red stripey top (French stereotype / naval chic ideas in action here).

and of course a chain of onions around your neck allo allo stylee

Not bad before - but this was a part of academisation.

but why is it seen as part of it? We managed to avoid this

Oh I know. Clearly I am now a much better teacher!!!! :)

how did they justify it?

I teach Science and only v rarely wear a lab coat. I do when we are dissecting though...

Our head keeps threatening a super smart dress code for senior staff.

thats ok helpmeiamateacher...:) was on a mini rant perimenopause lol...

Justify? Was just presented as a given. It's fine - I don't mind wearing jackets, except when it's too hot.

I think linking to stuff on Pinterest is like the Godwin's law of S and B - if you need to link to willowy supermodels wearing something to justify its stylishness then you probably shouldn't be wearing it.

We're talking about justifying corporate dress code in schools - not about Pinterest links though.

Remus, what kind of jackets do you wear? It just dawned on me that there might actually be a jacket wearing rule in the school, absolutely everybody is wearing one. Need to clarify this!

Can you tell that I last taught pre academisation?

Lots!

Mostly just plain black blazers but I have cropped ones, fabric bikers, Chanel-esque ones, a cotton bomber, as well as more traditional suit-esque ones.

OK, you're an "apple shape" and slightly larger on top. I wouldn't go for pencil skirts. They are impractical (imagine bending over to pick something up or leaning over a desk to help a student with their work ) and I think they only suit figures with defined waist/hips. (Just my humble opinion.)

So, I think you should put some time into finding the most flattering trousers you can find. Once you've spent all day in the mall/high street and find them, buy them in more than one colour if you can! Black, navy and a light colour. Then go buy some flat/low heeled shoes that work with them. Finally, go mad with blouses. They seem to be in fashion, particularly the loose tucked out sort. Very comfortable and covers a tummy, if like me you have one . That would be practical and comfortable, but look polished enough, I think. If you think your shoulders are relatively wide, or your bosom is full, look for blouses with raglan sleeves. They are lovely on apples and inverted triangles, but disasters on pears.

Here's an example of a comfortable blouse worn tucked out of some slim trousers, I think it's not quite what you are looking for and too expensive for me, but it shows the proportion: www.net-a-porter.com/product/460651/The_Row/carlton-oversized-crepe-blouse
or this www.net-a-porter.com/product/533690/Theory/silk-crepe-de-chine-blouse

I think with the right low shoes, this sort of combo as a sort of uniform would be smart enough, but also comfortable enough to wear everyday. (The pros: no squeezed in tummy, no flashing, no tights, no high heels required. It also covers you up enough to look professional to even the most conservative parents, if that matters.)

Our SLT seem to have to wear overly short stretch dresses and naff tights. ANd dont get to wear dress down on TD days

V oDD