Teacher's work wardrobe

[Marmaladegin]

Returning to teaching (primary) after a decade as a SAHM, and feeling the need to rejuvenate my work wardrobe. Ideally I'd like practical but hip. What are your go-to outfits please?
Specifically:
Trouser cut... high waisted something?
Footwear... is there any chance that smart woven trainer like shoes like this are now acceptable classroom wear...?

https://www.sorelfootwear.co.uk/p/womens-kinetic-impact-strap-trainer-1942121.html?dwvar19421211_color=010&pos=1

Happy to hear any workwear ideas, but teaching has movement/ appropriateness restrictions which differ somewhat from office attire.

My school is pretty relaxed. I wear dresses - with converse in the summer and tights and DMs in the winter. Also wear trousers - I have these:
www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/richmond-trousers-black/sty-t0113-blk (have full length and 7/8) and recently bought these: www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0568597035.html
I wear the trousers with a plain t-shirt or shirt. I teach year one so am always on the floor with them!

Those shoes would be a no at my school but every school I have been in has a different workwear ethos so they might well be fine!

I'm a fan of these trouser, I normally pair them with a Breton-type top https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-straight-leg-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60506862?extid=psps-bplaagglwwwch--UK---grow&gclid=CjwKCAjwx8iIBhBwEiwA2quaqxBgypxIKkEvbB7T7nUOZaVEP2uumyPTkbiRYzQh-3qDn3r7XIi1HhoCWPUQAvDDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Boden jersey dresses are also good- a big variety of lengths and style but not too short or revealing and easy to move in!

My school would not allow those shoes for teachers, no.

I travel in trainers, then change and wear cheap slip ons. Nothing with any sort of heel, even the smallest heel slows you down when you have to hurry

no open toes, either

We wouldn't be able those shoes/trainers or converse either.

Loafers, dolly shoes are fine. Black leggings with a smart tunic-type top or dress over them.

Depending on the age you teach, remember you are likely to come home covered in a variety of paint, glue, marker pen, snot or worse. Don't make my rookie mistake of buying beautiful velour-type trousers to have them covered in Copydex on the first day 😁 Good luck!

**to wear

Excellent suggestions- those H&M trousers look especially great.

I think I need a pair of chunky but not too biker boots, in a colour that's not black.

Yes there is a balance between "Id like to look nice" and "I'll probably be kneeling in playdoh at some point" type considerations!

Boden Hampshires
Boden Richmonds (summer)
M&S wide leg elasticated ponte jersey (£15 and better than high end)
Bretons
Lace up ankle boots in winter, Fitflop Rally sneakers in summer.

We wouldn't be allowed to wear trainers at my school or leggings.
I usually wear either trousers with a blouse/nice top or a dress with opaque tights. Ankle boots in winter, sandals in summer (but many schools don't allow open toes). H&M good for long line cardies that I find useful for work. Last year with all the extra ventilation (I.e. all the doors and windows propped open) the most useful items in my wardrobe were thermal vests!

Agree with PP who said that the dress codes in schools vary significantly.

I have 3 work styles, dependent upon the season.

Winter: jersey / ponte dresses with cardigans, opaques, boots

Spring / autumn: 7/8 trousers, shirts / blouses, pretty floral or print tops etc. Flat shoes (not quite ballet pumps because they hurt but something along those lines)

Absolute height of summer when it's 30 degrees and you're still trying to teach despite losing the will to live: button through shirt dresses.

In shopping for work wear, you might also want to think about a coat with a hood because it's not only playground duty, it's the staggered finishes meaning a lot more standing round dismissing children at the end of the day than there used to be.

Also, check out your school's expectation for staff PE wear. In every school I've worked in, the expectation has been that teachers wear PE kit all day on PE days. The yes/no for this can vary a bit from school to school - a friend was subject to a 'quiet word' in her school about tight Lycra gym leggings, whereas these are accepted in my school.

Also, check out your school's expectation for staff PE wear. In every school I've worked in, the expectation has been that teachers wear PE kit all day on PE days. The yes/no for this can vary a bit from school to school - a friend was subject to a 'quiet word' in her school about tight Lycra gym leggings, whereas these are accepted in my school.

How can a school ask you to wear gym kit, and then complain when you wear what anyone would wear to go to the gym?

As has already been said, you can only consider your school's dress code, because there is no consensus on what is acceptable. In my school trainers are not only acceptable, but what most people wear the majority of the time.

I think I need a pair of chunky but not too biker boots, in a colour that's not black.

How about some Fly London Mes? Blissfully comfortable and available in various colours. Lots of teachers wear them!

Those trainers would not be allowed at my school unless you were teaching PE that day (primary).

Shoes would be mostly flat shoes- although the head and senior staff tend to wear more heels, but teaching staff mainly wear flats in the form of brogues, loafers, ballet type pumps or sandals when warm and maybe ankle boots or even tall boots in winter.

Our staff tend to be smart and practical. Either dresses, tailored trousers and blouses/jumpers, or a skirt and top. Denim, leggings, trainers and pumps and scrappy tops are not allowed.

Can vouch for Fly London!

I'm in the ME so mine only come out between November & maybe March, but they're the best teacher boots ever.

Perfectly presentable, go with anything, & you could march over the Alps at the head of an army of elephants in them. Which is basically what you're looking for in teacher footwear.