Clothes for school

[notenoughhoursleft]

Strange question. I'm going back to school after a long time out being 'mum'. I've lived in jeans for years and spent 3 hours today looking for suitable clothes. Failed miserably. Where do you get the bulk of your teaching wardrobe from? Just curious.

[GinandJag]

The school I am moving to has a dress code - skirts or dresses knee-length or below, no trousers. You also should not be able to look up it, down it or through it.

As a science teacher, I don't wear sandals or open toe shoes. I will wear pumps, loafers or boots.

I don't object to the dress code but it is hard to find below knee skirts/dresses at the moment as I am 5'8.

I buy most of my clothes from Debenhams or M&S.

[Forgetmenotblue]

I'm in a LA school and the dress code is part of the Health and Safety policy, and can (and is) enforced. In primary children sit on the floor a lot, so if you tripped and fell on a child (avoidable hazard if due to unsuitable footwear) then the school could be sued. And yes, heel height is covered too...no stilettos etc (tread on a child's hand with a stiletto heel?). Wear a gaping top ("we saw Mrs Jones boobs!") ....all real complaints I've had to deal with as SMT in primary over the years.

[ScottishGlen]

I'm a TA at a state high school. The SMT recently introduced a staff dress code. It was not well received and to my knowledge is not being enforced. I like to think that I'm old enough and professional enough to decide what to wear without consulting a dress code!

[BelindaBagwash]

Are these private schools that can tell staff what/not to wear. If any local authority school here tried to do that, nobody would put up with it.

[PhyllisDietrichson]

Check the school what not to wear code, some don't accept leggings or certain footwear etc.

It's taken a while to work out my teaching wardrobe after being a Mum for 10 year. I wear plain dresses in nice colours with funky jewellery and a range of shoes boots (my weakness) n cardies. Also some trousers or skirts with a few interchangeable top combo's. I can open the wardrobe and there's always something to wear that I feel comfortable and smart in. I've spent a fair ol whack on my new wardrobe over the past year, but I feel so much much better.

[CasualJersey]

As te name suggests I'm a fan of tech Boden dress. I team it with tights or Leggins dependant on the season or trmperature.
I wear ballet style shoes mostly but flat knee boots in autumn: winter and a cost but smart cardy.
Looks nice, isn't just trouse and a top and is soooo comfy.

[BelindaBagwash]

Roseformeplease very well put. There would be a mutiny here if anyone told out staff what to wear. I once nearly fell down stairs when I caught the heel of my shoe in my trouser leg. So I guess somebody should measure the width of trouser legs to check they're not a trip hazard!
Seriously, anything could be considered a hazard.

I try to dress smartly. but in a practical way that is appropriate for a primary school.

[sky1010]

Also, I wouldn't like to be wearing a t shirt or vest if visitors pop in when I am cardigan-less.

My school is incredibly formal for a primary. If I am not wearing a pencil skirt and smart sweater, I am wearing a business dress that wouldn't look out of place in an office.

[sky1010]

Just preference over, I prefer a fine knit sweater. Too many layers traps the heat in for me and I get awfully hot.

[overthemill]

sky am amazed that a sweater isn't too hot but a cardigan is! I find a cardigan keeps me warm enough going to and fro classrooms across playground and I can chuck it over chair but a sweater would make me boil!

I understand about open toe shoes but there are so many hazards in schools most of them unpredictable, so it makes sense to me.

[DullUserName]

Primary here...
Black trousers from Tesco/Next/DorothyP.
Plain, but bright, long-sleeved tee shirts or jumpers from Next/Primark.
Pretty scarfk or funky necklace to jazz it up.
Plain long cardie with pockets.
Black ankle boots in winter. Black flats in summer.

Sensible shoes are important.

Yes, our Head does check!

[Roseformeplease]

Trip hazard? But we are adults....really. Do the schools have to protect staff against tripping over? Next thing it will be prescribed heel height. What about shoe laces? Will they be gone next? Shoes which are a bit big?


Really? Is there someone at schools who is looking at shoes every day and telling people off like infants? Good grief. Glad I don't work in the kind of place where professionals with degrees are infantilised to this extent.

[BelindaBagwash]

Trip hazard/toe damage never occurred to me. We all wear open toed shoes on the rare occasion it gets warm enough.

[MurlockedInTheCellarHelpUs]

Primary here.

Gap trousers in black/grey/navy.
Floaty blouse from Dorothy Perkins, Debenhams or occasionally New Look.
Primark seam-free camisole underneath - they come in every colour, wash well and are super cheap - good for crouching/leaning over.

A nice necklace and flat Clarks shoes and I'm done.

If I'm being observed or need to look smart, I'll chuck a blazer over the top.

I never pay full price for trousers/blouses/shoes, instead I stock up in the sale. It galls me to ruin nice things with glue/paint/sick etc!

[pestilence13610]

Colleague opened bottom drawer of photo copier and removed her entire big toe nail, Ouch.
The much flouted no open toes rule was strictly upheld after that.

[Forgetmenotblue]

And we're not allowed open toe shoes or backless shoes. No denim. Nothing low cut or too much bare flesh (eg no spaghetti straps).

[sky1010]

We are allowed to wear open toes shoes as long as they are fitted around the ankle, so no backless sandals or flip flops.

[Forgetmenotblue]

I'm in primary. Black trousers, a top with a fitted vest underneath so no gaping when you bend over. A cardigan on top. Ballet flats in warm weather. Ankle boots or flat lace ups in cold weather. Warm waterproof coat for playground duty.

I buy everything from primark and bin it regularly...I'm in early years so the snot/glue/paint/vomit quotient is high.

I never wear my 'real clothes' to school. I see my primark stuff as my uniform.

[sky1010]

Primary, but we have a secondary-style dress code.

I get knee length or just above work dresses from Sainsburys, or Uniqlo sale (I have never spent more than fifteen quid on a dress). Or a black pencil skirt with brightly coloured sweater. I would get way too hot wearing a cardi or jacket.

80 denier tights or above

Blocky heeled Chelsea boots or comfy patent clarks loafers

[calzone]

A colleague tripped over a tray when she was wearing sandals and broke her toe.....

[overthemill]

Dress codes standard I would say. Open toe sandals are a trip hazard

[BelindaBagwash]

Interested to know why some people are not allowed to wear open-sandals?

i've never heard of schools having a dress code/policy for its staff.

[rollonthesummer]

No tits, toes and tummy is generally a good role to follow !

We are allowed leggings and smart denim skirts though.

[calzone]

Check school policy though on denim and leggings.

Also, no low tops, tattoos showing or open toed sandals in summer.

That is all at my school anyway.

[BelindaBagwash]

I'm in primary and almost everyone wears either dresses or black trousers and top. Usually cardigans too, as the temperature can be very variable - janitor doesn't know how to work the heating!

Everyone seems to get their school clothes from Next so sometimes a couple of us turn up in the same thing