Wardrobe help for an unstylish teacher! (Who wants to be stylish.)

[Murrayflower]

Am a teacher recently promoted to SLT. Dress code at my school is smart(ish). No need to wear full on suit but definitely need to look like you’ve vaguely made an effort. No trainers.
have recently lost a little bit of weight, coming out of other side of dc being tiny, and really struggling each morning to put an outfit together. I have a couple of nice pairs of tailored trousers, about three 3/4 sleeve smart jumpers and one pale pink blazer that I like but is a bit summery. Also one black knee length skirt that I got off Vinted and quite like, but only quite. Am really struggling - can anyone suggest a bit of a capsule wardrobe? Don’t have £££ but want to buy nice things. Think Hobbs has some nice stuff, maybe baukjen and whistles too but can only afford a few things. Or would it be better to go to H&M and just buy a load of stuff which would wear out, but would keep me going? I’m quite slim but an e cup so cheaper tops never look good on me. Help!!!

Is it worth working out what your size would be in the places you want to shop, then going on a Vinted hunt? To my mind it’s better to get the styles/brands your heart yearns for, instead of something that “keeps me going” but isn’t what you really want.

Yes the problem is I’ve had some bad luck with Vinted recently and I’ve sort of gone off it a bit - some clothes not in great condition, spending £40 for something from a really nice brand and then realising when I tried it on at home I wouldn’t have bought it had I tried it on in the shop…

i’m happy to buy things that aren’t fast fashion
prices but can only afford afford a few things so need advice on what to get!

I’d try to replicate what you’ve already got that is working for you.

You like your pink blazer, so look in the same shop to see if they’ve got a similar one in a different colour.

Ditto your smart jumpers.

For winter, I’ve got a couple of Phase Eight jumper dresses. They look smart but are as comfortable as pyjamas!

Dresses can be easier than separates and you can stick a jacket over them for warmth or to up the formality.

Have a look on Pinterest for inspiration, spend a day in the shops trying things on (or order a bunch of things that you can return if they don’t suit, and try them all on with your existing wardrobe) and then work out how to get the most from the money you have available.

What sort of items are you thinking? Like, a nice jacket, another pair of trousers, a shirt to go with what you have?

I’ve bought (on Vinted) some tailored wide legged trousers which I wear with either fitted shirts (tucked in, wear a nice leather belt on your trousers) or even long sleeve fitted tops, again tucked in. In these colder months, I wear the same and have bought 2 wool tank tops which I wear over the tops for extra warmth. I’m looking for wool polo necks for when it gets even colder. Can’t advise you on shoes as I cover a lot of mileage in a day in my school and rely on doc martens - even
with my wide legged trousers. You’d probably look a lot smarter again with some court shoes.

I used to buy my teaching wardrobe mainly from Cos.

Easy to move in and well made so long lasting. I hate fitted jackets and stuff like that.

I've been having the same problem lately. It's hard isn't it? These are the steps I've been taking:

1. I pulled everything out of my wardrobe I'd consider 'smart' and tried it all on together, accessorising with belts, different pairs of shoes, cardigans. Some of outfits have been transformed with a belt for example.

2. looked at online shops at the 'trending' type outfits or the formal section, to get some inspiration. Also social media. Tiktok is a bit tacky but can give some good ideas for outfits.

3. Decided what sort of looks I wanted to go for, what I already have that I liked, and what I was missing. I then bought a few really cheap bits from Vinted. I'm talking a couple of pounds for some items because I knew if it didn't look right or fit it didn't matter too much. It was more for inspiration.

I got:

• a black pencil skirt (looks lovely with looser blouses and jumpers )
• a black pleated skirt (great with fitted jumpers/tops)
• black and brown tailored wide leg trousers

The trousers didn't fit but I've realised brown trousers look lovely with a lot of my tops and it's made me realise loose chiffon blouses are so versatile for me.
Both skirts are fabulous and not something I've ever really worn. Really opened my eyes to different styles that suit me!

You don't have to spend a lot of money. You just need a few items that mix and match so you don't end up with too many items that look lovely on their own but don't work with anything else.

You really can't go wrong with tailored trousers so you're probably half way there already.

Similar Situ here. Secondary teacher, recently returned from second mat leave after having twins and having serious doubts about what to wear in the mornings!

Things I feel good in:

wide legged trousers - usually with a sleeveless/short sleeved shirt and boxy jumper

jumper dress with black tights and chunky boots

stuff from & Other Stories (vinted!)

stuff from Nobody’s child

Hope that helps. Will be following the thread for more advice myself! 🙂

Mum of two littles and secondary teacher here.

There are some lovely colourful River Island blazers on Vinted to break up the black. Lots of different cuts so you’re bound to find something that suits you. I tend to wear my blazer on the corridors and take it off when I’m teaching. Chunky bat-wing style jumpers tucked into pencil ish skirts is a nice look too.

I find for work that the easiest approach is to find a style that suits me and replicate it in different colours. At the moment I like barrel leg trousers with a chiffon / silk shirt tucked in and worn with loafers so I have that in a few colours. For winter I gave some smart fine knit crew neck cardigans to add. I also like a belted straight ISH midi dress so I've got a few in different colours or designs. It means I can always throw something in that works without thinking too much about it.
I revamped my work wardrobe a few months ago and found M&S excellent for the first time in ages.

I love a batwing jumper! I’m going to treat myself to a Phase Eight one next pay day, I think.

Ok
Whistles jacket (structured but in soft jersey fabric) in a colour to match the trousers eg navy blue, green or grey
Dress from Crew for about £70 (midi- length) - one you can wear with your pink blazer or the Whistles jacket.
Cord midi skirt from Crew (if you get it in camel will match the blazers)
2 x white shirts from M and S
Black ankle boots
Silver earrings
Helly Hansen raincoat (blue) for when you’re on duty in the pouring rain
Done!

Teacher here. I have these in a few different colours (not the cream ones!). They are fab in winter and spring/autumn. I wear them with ballet shoes, loafers and Chelsea boots. https://www.zara.com/uk/en/zw-collection-culottes-p07149052.html?v1=462608413

Whistles jacket £70 approx in sale
2 white shirts M and S - £50 tops
Crew midi dress - £70
Crew cord skirt - £80 approx
Helly Hansen Belfast waterproof - £100 approx
Black ankle boots and silver earrings as much as you want to spend
Possibly a belt too (leather)
Probably get the lot for £550

I’m not a teacher but some things I have in my autumn work wardrobe:
Zara trousers (wide legged plus cropped)
silky navy shirt (wear half open with vest) from mint velvet
brown suede skirt that I’ve just bought a Zara animal print jumper to wear with
stretchy pencil skirts (M&S)
stretchy Boden dress
black batwing jumper dress
cord dresses from Boden
cream silk shirt and brown silk shirt (Sézane)
a few cardigans in neutral colours

Thank you everyone! Jumper dresses sound good - I often get a bit cold walking around school. I’ve seen the jersey jackets in whistles that look lovely just not sure what colour to get.
chiffon blouses I think would be good - despite my bad experience wirh Vinted recently have seen a couple of Hobbs blouses there which look good. I’ve heard a few people recommend M&S recently too…

The Whistles blazer is nice but it was a disaster on me because the arms were so long. I often find that with their stuff.

You need to book a John Lewis personal stylist appointment. Honestly, they’re amazing. No pressure, no commission, just fashionable and flattering clothes in your size.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie
I love them because of that I suppose. 5’8 1/2 - not hugely tall - but long in the arm. They’re just nicely shaped and seem to add structure to an outfit in a comfortable fabric. I have a grey one which sounds dull but is great with navy or black trousers or skirts. I have a couple of jackets from La Redoute too with shorter length arms (bracelet sleeve) which might be good for someone with shorter arms.

I’ve got phase 8 jumper dresses in every colour over the years! Black tights and ankle boots and sorted.

Thanks everyone. I think more dresses might be the way to go - I’m not someone who naturally finds it easy to put outfits together so a smart dress just is one item to worry about plus as you say a cardigan or blazer.
however brief look phase eight and couldn’t see a teacher suitable knitted dress but only a brief look will look again!

Must admit I’m not really taken by the current crop on Phase Eight but hoping for a couple of gems on Vinted. The quality is good and they’re so easy and comfortable whilst still smart.

Re arms - I’ve taken to chopping the ends off and hemming them for my tiny T Rex arms.

I’m a teacher and my work wardrobe consists of;
wide leg trousers in various colours (Hollister and River Island)
satin midi skirts - black and burgundy (Tesco)
plain t shirts - white/black/navy (next)
merino jumper - black (Uniqlo)
blazers - navy/pink/beige/black
black and gold trainers (adidas)
black knee high boots (pavers)

plus a plain black midi dress (asos) and a black and white patterned dress (Zara)

I would look at sezane and some of the French style influencers for inspiration and try to find similar looks cheaper on eBay or Vinted.
I only really wear cotton, wool, cashmere and silk as it just looks and feels so much nicer - I buy it all secondhand.
A smart navy, black or camel coloured wool coat, a wool jacket, some wool/cashmere polo necks, wool skirts (Boden is great for this - look for Moon Tweed) some decent leather boots, knee length in brown and black and same with ankle boots. A ruffle neck blouse with a smart wool or cashmere jumper or cardigan over the top. A nice cashmere cardigan can be worn on its own with a skirt or trousers, tucked in and a decent leather belt.
focus on quality materials - they will stay looking nice for longer plus they always look better on than cheaper fabrics.
It takes a little more effort, but you can do this all on a budget by buying secondhand.