What to wear as a teaching assistant

[Rainbowmum32]

I’m a TA in primary, my work wardrobe needs updating any suggestions?
we aren’t allowed to wear trainers

It’s what most ta’s wear? You are covered so children can’t accidentally see stuff as you bend over. It’s also smart. Also as a side note ta’s don’t earn well.

I’m sure you appreciate that I am allowed to disagree with you, @Woodfires?

I wasn’t suggesting it from a style perspective. I was suggesting it from a practical perspective because need to be covered around the children. If there are more stylish options where everything’s covered thas fine I just don’t know what they are. Buttons are a no go as can gape. Etc. I had thought of the all in one jumper skirt dresses but will probably get too warm in a stuffy classroom.

Of course, and I am allowed to disagree with you.

@OneNewEagle - what is all this covering up? I don’t get it. (Assuming one is talking about UK schools?) No child is going to expire from shock if they catch a glimpse of your knee or chest, surely.

Obviously clothes need to be practical, to suit the environment, but I’d have thought there were other priorities ahead of concealing every bit of human skin from a child’s gaze?

Don't be ridiculous.
If it's a primary or infant setting, functionality trumps s&b approval.
Actually, having seen some of the suggestions for wedding outfits on here...
OP, take the advice from people who have been there and are wearing the t-shirt. Dress over leggings may or may not be your style, but it works. Luckily there are a lot of practical, comfy but still smart clothes out there now.
The bigger challenge will be in finding footwear that works like a trainer, but isn't. Can you get away with "smart" trainers? If not, flat lace ups or ankle boots, Mary Janes or loafers. Something you can sprint across the playground in if necessary!

an above the knee skirt with bare legs would actually be a bit of a risky look in a school, I used to do this in summer BUT with cycling shorts underneath! Schools are 1) usually very conservative in dress code 2) full of children who, at a young age, are likely to require to to do a lot of crouching, being outside in all weathers (flashing your knickers on a blustery day here linked to the bare legs point), general dashing about, etc. and at an older age, liable to stare down your top, laugh at any blustery day knicker event as described above, at worst make a Tik tok you commenting on how you look/what you wear.

Need to consider bending forwards if you’re at all busty, with a fairly low cut v neck.

You think children will become depressed if they see a woman in leggings and a dress? Whatever your wording or meaning, you've not explained why you wouldn't want to set it in front of children?

When I was a TA/playworker it was practicality over style - trousers/leggings with tops that came down well over my hips (stops gaps when reaching up etc). No low cut tops to avoid flashing my cleavage. Easily washed after being covered in paint and any bodily fluids! We were allowed to wear trainers which I was grateful for.

We were told, clothing that, ‘you can’t look up, you can’t look down and you can’t see through.’
… also added to this, no logos, no vest tops with spaghetti straps, no denim, if trainers then all one colour.
… there would have been more for sure… no strong perfumes perhaps but that could have been because of allergies.
we wore leggings under dresses for modesty.

Make sure your trousers are high enough to cover your knickers when sitting! I remember having to take a student aside because the year 3 boys were sniggering because they could see her thong!

No 6 year old gives a shit what you're wearing, trust me. They're too busy wondering when lunchtime is.

I was going to suggest Doc Martens. They're great if you are outside a lot. I was a teacher in a school nursery class and got chilblains every year until I got my DMs

You've never worked in a school have you?

I agree with this. I’m a health visitor and similarly go for practicality over fashionable outfits. Snotty toddlers, refluxy babies, occasional projectile poonamis on the scales, sitting on dirty floors and doggy sofas…

I wear loose dresses with tights or leggings (long enough that if I sit cross legged I’m still covered), colourful harem pants, or bright dungarees. Patterns hide a multitude of sins. Everything I wear needs to wash well, and not be too expensive to replace if it gets ruined so balancing quality and cost is important too. Vinted is great for this.

Thankfully trainers whilst technically ‘not allowed’ never seem to get noticed/commented upon in my team. I have three pairs of barefoot shoes - trainers, ankle boots, and Mary Janes that I wear.

My son’s TA wears t-shirts with cats on and leggings. She’s phenomenal. I literally couldn’t give a fuck what she was wearing; she puts up with 30+ hours of dysregulation, endless demands for craft activities, and inane chatter about special interests. She could literally wear a bikini to work and I’d still adore her.

Exactly. Plus a pair or trousers and a jumper is every bit as covered as a sad sack of a dress and leggings..,

I’m not a teacher but meeting the brief of conservative and comfortable, I’d probably go for some kind of wide legged cropped or full length trousers (could be elasticated at the back of the waist) with a slim fitting round neck knit tucked in, ideally merino but probably something easier to launder. Maybe a knit polo top in summer. And probably loafers, or smart trainers if allowed. In winter maybe a stretchy knit midi dress and tights? That’s the kind of thing I wore to crawl around with (my) young children. I don’t like the dress and leggings thing but the particular dress linked is also actually quite short, quite low cut and a garish pattern so rewearing frequently would be very obvious - again I’m not a teacher but can’t see how that’s the best option.

I wouldn't wear a low cut dress but garish patterns cover up paint splashes quite well. I dont see the problem with washing them and wearing them again frequently. Who would care?

I think leggings are only for the gym or at home.
There are zillions of smart black 'office wear' trousers that can be washed easily. Totally do-able to a school even with tinies.

IMO leggings are extremely casual clothes and not work wear even in a school.

I'm always shocked at how casual some staff look in primary schools because although I'm a 'smart casual' kind of girl, I can appreciate the difference between work and home.

(I don't wear leggings ever and only did about 30 years ago when they were 'in' with loose baggy jumpers. And that was only at home.)

My son’s TA wears t-shirts with cats on and leggings. She’s phenomenal. I literally couldn’t give a fuck what she was wearing; she puts up with 30+ hours of dysregulation, endless demands for craft activities, and inane chatter about special interests. She could literally wear a bikini to work and I’d still adore her.

She can still be all those lovely things but look a bit more professional.
She's at work, not home.

In secondary schools staff are often asked to have business dress- ie trouser suits or smart, yet practical, clothes.

Another point of view- my best friend was a primary school teacher for years and said the children always commented on how 'nice' Miss looked. Smart casual- smart trousers, skirts and tops in summer.

They notice.

As a senior teacher, and a governor (at different schools) I always quietly judge the teachers at my kids’ school who are ‘dressed up’.

At primary, I expect teachers to be able to run/jump/sit etc easily. When I see teachers/TAs dressed practically (normally comfy black trousers, smart trainers, pretty top), I feel much more reassured that they are going to be able to deal with the current challenges of teaching in a primary school today.

This isn't my world so I'm not going to try and answer the question but the first thing I took from the op was the word 'updating' and the second thing is that she already works as a TA. I'm going to guess therefore that she already knows what's practical and fit for purpose but that she wants help with choosing something that, in addition, looks current.

Also, although parents and children might not care how I dressed, I would care and I'm assuming the op does too or she wouldn't have posted.

Trousers in winter, skirts and a top in summer are not 'dressed up' FGS! I'm sure she didn't show her knickers when doing PE and would wear appropriate clothes.

When my friend was teaching KS1 in the 1980s leggings were not a thing anyway. No one would dream of wearing them for work.

If you're implying teachers who wear leggings are the only ones who can perform adequately, that's a bit of reach.