New dress code for work

[HairyMaclary]

I’ve posted this in the staff room too but am hoping you will be able to help me. I’m a teacher and I’ve just been told we have a new dress code, smart business! In principle I agree, however I teach a SN reception class...

Any ideas for where to get clothes? I need to have some bright colours, mostly trousers, smart but comfortable shoes I can run in if necessary! Apparently they would prefer us to wear blazers but That’s not a requirement, yet. Also, not expensive, I will be spending a lot of time on the floor after all.

I hate shopping for clothes and am a pear shape 14/16 on the bottom. 12 on the top. I have all tomorrow free with no children and am hoping to hit the shops, if only I knew which ones to go to! Help!

What a ridiculous policy!

Anyway... check out shoeaholics for shoes, I got 2 pairs of carvela shoes delivered for £25. I hate spending too much on work clothes.

Gap chinos are smart and usually come in nice colours.

M&S had lots of trousers in various colours when I was last there. They’ll be machine washable. Dorothy Perkins is usually good too.

A colleague has trousers from Uniqulo that look great - look smart but they’re stretchy and have pockets.

I teach in flat Red or Dead Rosie brogues. They’re not cheap but they are smart, comfy, and perfectly practical to run in if needed!

Charity shops for clothes mainly, but you need time to sift.

Uniqlo is your friend! Lots of cheapy tops in nice colours and trousers comfy but smart.

Beware, Uniqlo stuff doesn’t like the tumble dryer despite the washing labels. Drip dry if possible.

That a bit stupid in a primary school. In your place I would get some lace up brouges/Oxford from clarks for your shoes and then a whole bunch of slightly stretchy cigarette trousers from M&S in a various patterns/colours etc and then nicely ironed white shirts on top. I assume that there was a typo and they meant smart/business and go with smart. Smart business is not a thing.

H and M have stretch chinos in a massive range of colours - inexpensive, smart and comfy 👍🏻

Trousers
www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/bottoms/trousers-leggings-sweatpants

Tops

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/tops/shirts-blouses?productSelected=403640COL56

You sound a very similar shape me, and if you are, gap chinos will be awful- sorry to whoever posted them! They tend to be lower waisted and small fitting on the thighs, so they manage to give me a muffin top and look like I'm bursting out of the thighs unless I go a couple of sizes up, which are obviously falling down.

The M&S trousers/ chinos are much better, stretchier but still trousers, not leggings, they're about £25 a pair. They wash well, but I find that as you are wearing them they creep up, like you are wearing pedal pushers.

Are culottes an option? I live in the Zara ones for £20, various colours, really comfy and can be dressed up or down.

Change schools - madness.
I can't imagine it - art and crafts, messy play, water play - out door learning - bodily fluid accidents with 4 year olds in business dress

Has the school changed to an academy or new leadership ?

Anyhow - on a practical note.
Do not get white anything - you will never get the stains out.

Dark washable trousers - M and S, Boden, Cos, Next etc
Patterned tops which won't show the stains
A jersey blazer worn into school and hung on the back of the door/chair until you leave the classroom
Flat comfortable shoes from Clarks.
Sketchers do flat Mary -Jane type shoes

Boden have a few bright blazers in size 12 under £40. You could wear them either end of the day and in assembly and have a cardigan for the classroom.

Agree with everyone else. Brogues or loafers, dark trousers with stretch that can be chucked in the machine, simple woven tops in darker colours or patterns. I'd go for t-shirt top like the Boden ravello so there is no chance of gaping at the bust.

Thanks all, some good ideas here. Yes, we’ve become an academy..

I was thinking of a blazer for hanging in the back of the chair and actually teaching without it!

Good tip about Gap, thanks

Ah the academy curse. My DBro is a teacher in an academy and has to wear a shirt and tie every day - means he actually has to iron!

I love jersey blazers from places like oasis, gap, joules or uniqlo
Can you tell my school has a smart jacket policy!

Yes - you need stretchy clothes, so jersey blazers (I think new look has some in), jersey dresses (boden have some in their sale), I have stretchy wide-leg trousers from m&s, plus some stretchy tops - I bought a collared jersey top from lands end that I intend to wear for work.

With shoes, I'd go for Skechers Mary Janes if you think you can get away with them - especially as you're on your feet such a lot.

My school sounds like they have a similar dress code. We are not allowed chinos. They are deemed too casual. I'd check before you buy them. I buy my work trousers in either next or m and s.