Secondary school teachers… what do you wear and where from?

[Offandonagain]

I am a geography/pe teacher and last year I had PE on my timetable every day so I just wore pe kit all day.

This year I don’t have as much, so 3 days I need to dress as a geography teacher (although don’t fancy leather elbow padded tweed jacket! 🤣)… or basically a class teacher!

Where do I start?! Which shops do you buy from?

Thanks

my uniform is normally a belted shirt /shift dress, tights and chelsea boots. Tesco, sainsburys and asda can have some very reasonably priced dresses. M&S outlet and next sale also usually serve me well.

I have a knack for accidently drawing on my self with board pen / snagging things so I begrudge spending mega money on work clothes.

Thanks, yeah I don’t want to spend too much. Just a few staples.

I can’t remember the last time I went in to Next!, there isn’t one near us. I’ll have a look online. Thank you.

M&S jersey swing dresses (honestly, I have about 15 now), tights, flat boots, chunky cardi.

This is pretty much my teacher uniform all year round. Sometimes I replace the cardi for a jacket if I'm doing something important.

I'm black or navy trousers with sandals, loafers or boots (depends on the weather). I have various from Kin (John Lewis), Great Plains, M&S, Mango. I like plain stuff with a bit of a twist, so try to get trousers that are a current(ish) cut or modern shape - a few nods to the balloon cut at the moment, as these are a godsend for my chunkier thighs.
But I've also got some that are just tapered.
I quite like Arket too, but none near me, so haven't shopped there recently.
The new season stuff in the Autograph range at M&S is lovely, worth a look in there.
On top I'm usually just a light knit or warmer knit with the odd suit jacket if I feel I need to armour up!

Thank you. I’m more of a trousers and plain colours type. Not really in to patterns or feminine type tops.

I’ve just bought some chinos from Fatface. I’ll have a look in M&S for tops.

It’s a big old building that can get cold, but it’s also an semh school for boys with challenging behaviour so can involve a lot of physical intervention too.

I get really hot and sweaty during these! So I don’t want expensive tops in particular.

Does anyone have any recommendations for thin sweaters?

Most of my thinner knits have come from TK Maxx. I've just looked in my drawers and the ones I've got from there thst I wear a lot are: Great Plains, Minus and Paul Costello Black Label. For some reason the knit section at TK Maxx always has a great range and should be well-stocked now for autumn.
I have also got some Autograph cashmere - plain classics, one black, one navy. They get a lot of wear when it's coldest.
I don't know what the charity shops are like near you. If you can get into ones in a posh-ish market town, you can get some bargains. I have a lovely wool Aquascutum coat that was £7. I always check the men's section too, as small can fit me, but you can find cashmere if you want that oversize look.
I am definitely on the tomboyish side style-wise. One thing that's non-negotiable for me is comfort. I don't want to think about my clothes after I've got dressed, so nothing flouncy or fussy.

You sound like me in style!… Defo function over fashion! I like to be comfortable!

I like tk maxx for shorts wear. I’ll pop in tomorrow. Thanks