Starting teacher training at nearly 40- what to wear?

[CultureAlienationBoredomandDespair]

I’m starting a PGCE in September which will be 3-4 days at placements and then wfh. I’ve spent the last 5 years as a SAHM with the odd bit of wfh that’s mainly been done in PJs so I need a bit of a refresh!

What would you wear if you were 5ft 3, size 18, huge boobs, unhappy with my lower stomach but with a waist (hourglass turned apple). I’m blonde, and pale (a light summer if you believe these things)?

Lots of academies insist on blazers. Thankfully I've never worked somewhere like that! That being said, I do have a jacket I keep in my office in case I need to be a touch smarter!

Dresses (knee length or longer) and a suit jacket. One school I worked at used to send staff/ trainees home if the skirt was above the knee. The same school used to bollock staff if they didn't have a suit jacket on all the time. Other schools are more relaxed.

I mean blazer when I say suit jacket

The more deprived the area, the more they focus on this type of shit - for kids and staff. Private schools couldn't give a shit, in my experience.

Although, I'm not sure if it's food tech. I can't see a blazer being required.

Ugh. I hate it when schools think they can fool parents into thinking formal dress code = good school. I tend to think the opposite. Good schools don't need to focus in window-dressing.

Exactly. The new Head at the school where I work introduced a blazer as soon as he arrived. The kids hate it. I overheard a bunch of them saying 'It makes us look like a chav school'. I'm not defending their language, but it's interesting that they see right through the blazer thing but the Head doesn't!

I know. The shitter the area, the more obsessed they become with uniform.

There are a few ideas from google if you add in teacher's capsule wardrobe. Some time ago on MN a lady put up a post that for work she uses a mix of 5 tops being a mix of blouses and t-shirts and got trousers in black, grey and navy and a jacket that could be used and that was all she was prepared to buy .I agree with other posters who suggested a chef's top as that would protect your tops. I send you best wishes for your new career.

Not many IME but some, and it’s still often expected for parents evening and probably interviews.

Not black!! Uniform for many but it’s so dull.

i wear either joe browns or popsy dresses mostly, all with pockets for pens 😂

if you’re food tech and need to demo etc then get a funky apron too.

If I were you I would develop your own uniform for placement that is considered professional. If you find a pair of trousers that suit you I would buy enough for the days in placement in colours like grey, black and navy and then smart blouses that aren’t low cut or see through and then jumpers ( try Uniqlo perhaps) in neutral colours that go with the blouses and trousers. You’ll have enough to think about when you get in the classroom and being self conscious about what you are wearing is not something you want I imagine. It might be boring and safe but that is the point.