Teachers, what do you wear?

[Thenthatsthatthen]

DD starts her teaching placement in 2 weeks but has no clue what to wear (she wasn’t told about a dress code and doesn’t have a contract as she’s a volunteer so nothing to check in there).

So what would you recommend for a young (early 20’s) lady to wear? Size 14-16 depending on the style and rather conscious about her stomach so nothing tight. She likes sleeves and would rather avoid tight trousers. I was thinking tunic dresses with tights and cardigans. Does that sound about right?

So the general consensus is long dresses are fine. I’ll get her to get some cardigans of various thicknesses (I think she’ll like the waterfall style and it seems like it can be done to look quite smart) and maybe some leggings instead of tights. She’s really not a fan of trousers, I don’t think I’ve seen her in a pair of formal trousers since she was at school so I doubt i’ll be able to persuade her towards those. Meanwhile I’ll find her some nice shoes- off to look at the oak ones

For shoes, Toms are amazing. They're not good for outdoor break duty in the rain but the classics feel like slippers on.

Wellies are the outdoor duty shoe of choice round here! (Certainly today ) Another reason we wear leggings!

In fact we got in today and I supervised the proper hanging of coats, children changing back to shoes and was halfway through the next lesson before I realised I'd not changed out of my own wellies!

I am a Deputy Head and would not think it appropriate if a trainee teacher turned up in leggings. Even our bus chaperone manages to wear proper trousers.

I think our swimming teacher wears them in the autumn, but other than that we are a legging free zone (Reception to Yr 8 pupils)

I'm a teacher! I own a whole variety of blazers/more formal jackets in different colours (black, tan, pink, blue etc). I usually wear a plain dress underneath

Or I have a paired of cropped trousers and at the minute I team it with a top with a lace collar going up the next a bit and puffy sleeves (seems to be a trend at the min?)

I agree that you can get away with being slightly more relaxed, DH works in a primary school and they definitely are there. I work in a big secondary and prefer wearing more professional clothes anyway but people definitely dress quite casual here too

I agree with the no leggings though, go for thick tights to start with and test the waters then see if leggings would be acceptable once shes settled

I’m an assistant head and I wear leggings!

Definitely try Popsy!

yellow
I also wear leggings.
Leggings are not a substitute for trousers. They are a substitute for tights (and are actually thicker than tights).

Leggings as trousers wouldn't pass the bend and stretch test.

Leggings are perfectly acceptable in school, when coupled with a tunic. Can’t bear ‘business dress’ in the classroom with staff done up like kippers - totally unnecessary (especially when pretty much all the business people I know wear smart-casual for work).