Please help! Black trousers....Early Years staff, trying to sort myself out.

[gerbo]

I'm really stuck - please help!!!!

I work full time in a school Nursery with 3/4 year olds. Lots of paint, play dough, sitting cross legged on the floor or on tiny chairs, outdoors in all weathers. Clothes must be hard wearing and not precious.....

I'm 43 and 5'4, size 10-12, def a pear shape.

I need help!!! I'm currently wearing daily:
Navy leggings
Brown ankle boots
Tunics/dresses over the leggings.
A navy fleece as its freezing with windows open!!!

I'm aware I look a mess and need to take myself in hand. I'm fed up of all the Breton stripe tunics I wear.

I would like to wear:
Black slim/tapered trousers
A black leather trainer or a loafer?
Blouses/tops with colour involved as I'm greying and also want more colour going on generally (sick of navy)

I suit most colours I think, I have a dark brown bob and brown eyes. I like simple lines and I'm not keen on pattern.....

I feel completely at sea fashion wise....I was thinking of ordering lots of Next black trousers to start and seeing what fits?

Does anyone have any ideas, I don't even know where to start! I've been Googling 'smart casual teacher looks'!

I'd be incredibly grateful for help. I just want to look a little more current and put together. Thank you in advance!

This made me laugh!
I am the same age and have the same job, but I'm a chubbier version.

I too wear similar to you down to the fleece.
I do wear a pair of black skinny jeans and various tops and have a pair of black and gold New Balance trainers or Clarks Griffin loafers.
I still could do with someone stylish to sort me out though, although I haven't yet resorted to black polyester trousers!

Oh!!! Do you think they'd look awful? Black cheapo next trousers?! 😂

Next do black leather plain skater trainers (slip on), I thought they might be ok with skinny black trousers and top?

It's a minefield!

Oh god no I didn’t mean you were heading down the black polyester route!😫
That’s what everyone else I work with seems to wear, sweaty crotch doesn’t do it for me though.😂

I would wear joggers and trainers, with tops and hoodies.

Black trousers will get all shiny because of the amount you are on the floor and you will get sweaty crotch

Thanks lockdownalli, but I have to be smarter than joggers, definitely. Maybe smart black jeans and a pretty blouse or jumper?

I really recommend these trousers from uniqlo, comfy with a half elasticated waist nice flattering length and really hard wearing. Loads of good colours if you want variety. www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-smart-stretch-ankle-length-trousers-429128COL09SMA003000.html?LGWCODE=429128COL09SMA003000;136477;6475&utm_source=Google&utm_term=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&gclid=CjwKCAiAsOmABhAwEiwAEBR0ZnX31a9SYTqxiYE9opxlQEmeTU1ymfdY7TMKrie_FCOh9lez-PtZmRoC9K4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Uniqlo also do lots of heatech clothes, layering tops and jumpers that are so warm but not bulky. Their merino knitwear is also great value.

If you like skinny jeans then black jeggings from next or Dorothy perkins are comfy and fairly hard wearing.

Appreciate the thought though!

Feel like seriously chucking all my old stuff away.

I used to be a teacher so smart trousers and shirts and ballet flats were standard, but this role is a bit more practical...

Was coming on here to recommend uniqlo trousers too!

Ooh thank you both for the Uniqlo recommendations. I wonder about shape- I'm def an English pear, not a willowy shape. I'll def have a look tho!

My DC EY staff wore joggers!

How annoying - I am sure most parents would prefer the staff to be comfortable and warm rather than "looking smart."

Black jeggings are great but I find they fade quickly if you have to wash them lots.

You could have a look at Saint and Sofia for trousers? A bit pricey but people seem to rate them. I’ve got one pair from there that are lovely
uk.saintandsofia.com/collections/bottoms

I second Uniqlo !

Key workers get 40% off at Baukjen, which is a good deal as their stuff is ££. They have some jersey trousers which people rave about, usually £59 so that would bring them down to £35. Is that in your price range?
Here's the link about the key worker discount
www.baukjen.com/blogs/journal/we-are-inthistogether

I love Baukjen. Since lockdown I reckon I’ve comfort-spent every month there.

For other trousers m&s do these (sorry have forgotten how to MN links) which last forever and look surprisingly stylish for £15.

www.marksandspencer.com/ponte-slim-bootcut-trousers/p/clp22469527?color=BLACK

I get my school trousers at Gap. Their website is a pain in the arse to navigate but their trousers are good.

Then I wear a blouse from Sainsbury's usually as they have ones you don't need to iron. In winter a thermal vest under it! The blouse is just so I can have a collar and a bit of colour. Then I wear a jumper from woolovers over the top. I buy two a year. They often have 20%off.

https://www.woolovers.com/womens/jumpers/womens-cashmere-and-merino-crew-neck-knitted-jumper-green-17298

I wear brogues. At the moment I've got boys ones from M&S boys department as they have rubber soles.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/kids-leather-brogue-shoes-13-small-7-large-/p/clp60106424?color=BROWN

I cannot think of a better brand for you job than Boden. Bright colours and fun prints! Wait until they do a discount and then go for patterned shirts and serviceable trousers. M&S do decent tapered trousers but not great cotton shirts and tops. Get some pullovers in cotton - washable. Consider Seasalt too.

M&S do very decent leather loafers or trainers. Very comfortable and long lasting. Ankle boots would work in winter.

Also invest in an apron.

Ha I'm nursery teacher and find leggings and smock dresses the most comfy!

I do wear a lot of wrap dresses too with thick tights and boots and a cardigan!

TA in special ed here..lots of bending and squatting needed!
Also cold with the windows open.
I live in uniqlo thermal under layers..the long sleeve heattec tops are great. Black jeans or uniqlo jeggins with fly calf length boots and a long line jumper on top. Sometimes a big long chunky knit cardigan for extra warmth! Not the most stylish but practical!

Boden Hampshire or Richmond trousers. The former are stretchier and look smart, the latter are more like smarter chinos.

Don't buy Boden tops though. Overpriced cheap material.

I'm so happy that you all replied to help. Thanks. I'll be ploughing through all these websites tonight!

Go onto Massimo Ditto and search Lyocell wide leg trousers in mink. Lyocell is extremely soft. Wide leg with trainers looks smarter than normal joggers.
You may need them taken up, but they'll cover socks and elongate the leg.
A close fitting long sleeve 100% cotton top from H&M and layer a colour t-shirt over it. A zip up fleece or long cardigan over it. I'd create a 'uniform' with 2 pairs of the same trousers in khaki or mink, 5 long sleeve Ts and colour t-shirt for over. Then leave them out at the beginning of the week. No thought or effort required.
Basically, go for the pulled together yoga teacher look. With brown hair and brown eyes, I'd be surprised if black is your ideal colourway.

I wear these Roman originals trousers to work. They are stretchy but don't look like leggings at all as the fabric is thick. High waist, really wash well:

www.amazon.co.uk/Roman-Originals-Women-Stretch-Trousers/dp/B086XM4FZ3

I also have Boden Richmond trousers, they are nice but mine haven't washed well, the black has faded quite quickly.

Tesco had some lovely tapered black trousers in store 3 weeks ago. They had a stretch to them and were thick trouser material rather than thin nylon.
Worth taking a look whilst essential shopping if you can.

If you can get a neutral colour that's not black it will look more stylish.