Teachers! What do you wear?!

[SkyUnicorn]

I'm starting a new teaching job (secondary) next week after being out of the game for a number of years (gulp). I've fallen into a rut - usually summer dresses in summer and jeans/ Breton tops in winter.

The school I'm joining won't expect suits but definitely quite smart dress - and I need some inspiration. I prefer skirts to trousers as I've also put on a lot of weight in the last few years which I'm slowly working to lose

I'm 5'5 and a size 14.

Thanks in advance for telling me what you wear! Pictures very welcome too!

My standard outfit is fitted stretchy black shift dress or long stretchy black patterned jersey dress, with B/w cardi or black jacket and black heels (Clark's so they are comfy) or ballet flats. Also have long stretchy skirt with jacket for smarter days eg parents' eve. Dress is easy tho as no need to think of a top :)

I tend to wear black/ navy trousers or skirt and patterned top or blouse. Nearly everything for school is from Next as I'm in infants and wouldn't want anything too expensive to get paint or glue on it.

As for footwear, anything that's flat and comfortable. Our school has no policy on what we're allowed to wear - thankfully

Yy also to flat knee high boots in winter.

I am secondary btw. Short dresses or skirts not OK IMO tho some of what I see in the staff room makes me go and would deffo not be allowed in some schools (eg a peer at an RC school said short dress plus leggings was a no-no at her school)

I'm a lecturer in a creative subject, and standard outfits for me are:

Black skinny jeans with a nice blouse. In winter I often wear vest/blouse/slightly cropped jumper.
Dress/opaques
Pinafore dress with skirt or polo neck jumper underneath
A-line skirt with fitted crew neck jumper, opaques
Wide legged cropped trousers, Breton top
Midi dresses on really warm days - these are rare here though

Footwear mainly brogues, Chelsea boots and biker boots, dresses and skirts shortish other than if it's very warm and bare legs. I tend to buy things I like and wear them to work after I've worn them at weekends rather than buy specific work clothes, but I think I am lucky in that I can pretty much wear what I like within reason. People who teach more formal disciplines in my place tend to be much smarter - e.g., law lecturers wear suits.

I have just discovered sea salt! I have ordered a tunic in the sale which I shall be wearing first week back with leggings. I teach primary and I live in tunics and leggings and long hoodies when it gets colder. Flats usually including my new glittery doc martens! I am tempted by a sea salt denim tunic that is calling my name!

https://www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/m/women/clothing/dresses-and-tunics/dresses/northdown-cotton-dressinkeddfloralnight.htmm_
_
https://www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/m/women/clothing/dresses-and-tunics/dresses/chapelle-organic-cotton-midi-length-aline-dresss_pontavennpansycobble.htm

Hope these links work!

I love Seasalt - I've got a few dresses and skirts now but no tops as I tend to buy cheaper tops (m&s) but better quality bottoms!

Can anyone link to a pair of nice black brogues-with-a-bit-of-heel?
It's still soooo hot here that tights are a no-no...I'm thinking ballet flats and bare legs until it gets cooler...

Judydreams I'd love to be a lecturer...you sound very elegant but I think I would embrace a messy, graying bun, pince-nez, floaty scarves and loads of chunky silver jewellery a la one of my favourite tutors back at Uni!

I think first link didn't work - second attempt:

https://www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/m/women/clothing/dresses-and-tunics/northdown-cotton-dressinkeddfloralnight.htm

Look in the Boden clearance for some lovely dresses. I really like this wrap dress which is reduced to £40 from £80 and this ivy print dress but there are loads more.

sky that sounds like a good look! I meant to say shirts under pinafores, not skirts, btw.

My go to outfits:
Jersey pencil skirts (as comfy as yoga pants) with chiffon blouses and wedges

Dress/tunic with leggings and boots

Cropped trousers, smart casual top and sandals

I throw on a blazer if I want to smarten it up.