New Year...new clothes!!

[samlovesdilys]

Thinking I really should smarten up a bit next year...term 6 I become definitely more casual in summery clothes - anyone have any ideas of what they are buying to wear next year?? Comfy shoes obv first priority!!!

Can I jump in? I am about to start a primary PGCE, I don't know yet which schools I will be placed in!
I'm wondering about dress codes? My teacher style is kind of dress/ tunic with leggings, smart boots and a cardigan with a nice necklace.
Is this likely to be unacceptable in any primary schools?
I need to know if I need a plan b, before hitting the sainsburys sale! I'm just not a smart suit or tailored trousers girl!

I would think that sounds fine for primary...my kids teachers wear that kind of thing. I am secondary ML so need to be smarter...the men wear suits every day and I just can't bring myself to do that every day...!!

I'm jumping in here too! I start a new job this year and unfortunately need to be a lot smarter than I have been. I've got the comfy shoes - t bar shoes from clarks in every conceivable colour but its everything else I need now!

Jumping in three! We have to wear jackets, I am going to hunt for a bargain in the sales.
Ideally I need one or two pairs of tailored, washable trousers, too, and a few t-shirts to wear with suits.

Sainsburys have 25% off...!! Between that and a bit of outlet shopping I am sorted for clothes but still need comfy but smart shoes...

Clarks Hamble Oaks have been my friend for a very long time.

Clarks Hamble Oaks have been my friends for a looong time!

I am starting to pine after my Autumn/winter teaching wardrobe! I love A-line mini skirts (in variety of materials and patterns) with thick wooly tights and boots, but my school is pretty lax with uniform so I can get away with it. I wore lots of floaty midi skirts in the summer and want to get some stretchy tighter ones for the new term. Also want some nice button down shirts but have yet to find one that looks elegant on me!

wonderpants

At our primary we can't wear leggings -even under dresses

Have a plan b

I'm off to sainsburys for some new clothes for the autumn term

I am primary-I wear funky skirts and dresses with leggings underneath them (as a comfortable alternative to tights) with boots.

I wear either suits, or dresses with a jacket. I don't have to think about what I am wearing and I don't make a fashion statement.

I have about 7 seasonally appropriate outfits at any one time, that have the correct level of modesty. I see these as my school uniform, and don't necessarily wear them at the weekend.

I wear plain tailored trousers, mostly from Gap or New Look, a floaty blouse with a vest underneath, or a fitted jumper and statement necklace if it's cold.

Always Clarks shoes (wiiiide feet), and never skirts as I teach Year 1 and spend a large proportion of the day crawling around the floor.

Sainsbury's and Red Herring at Debenhams are my go-to shops, as I refuse to spend more on clothes the end up inevitably covered in PVA and paint.

Asos is good for funky necklaces to liven up a plain jumper - try the outlet section, they start from about £3 so you won't be sad if they break.

Big yes to seeing it as school uniform! I never wear at the weekend/holidays what I wear for work, ever.

I too wear a "uniform" - would love to refresh it a bit though. It's the shoes I can't get my head round - can do smart sandals and smart boots, but have yet to find a pair of comfortable shoes I like. I like those brogues, but they wouldn't suit my height and big feet.

Best investment I made when I started teaching was getting a whole bunch of loose slacks made in a slinky fabric in about eight different coloured fabrics. They could go through the wash, hang up, and not need ironing. I could crawl around on the floor with kids and not worry about getting messy, and I could mix and match them with any number of shirts and tops. For assemblies and meetings I could throw on a black jacket and it looked neat and professional. They lasted years because they never went out of style. I got another set made a couple of years ago and they are still going strong.

This year I am looking for a navy and a black batwing jumper and I will wear brighter tops under. I need fine knit though (we can wear jeans but I prefer to be smartish)

I bought wide fitting slight wedge shoes - so comfortable. They are Portuguese (pricey but worth it)

I will find the name - I bought them in a local shoe shop

I also bought a khaki rainproof parka style jacket for 35 in tesco

Lovely fit and matches navy or black trousers

On another clarks tip I bought the DCs school shoes there and got a 20% off adults code for full price shoes over £50. BTS16 at the checkout if anyone fancies it!

I'm secondary, but our school goes right through from pre-nursery and no one is allowed to wear leggings.

My "uniform" is knee-length skirt (usually like a suit skirt) with a shirt and then a jumper over the top in winter. So I have to be careful with colours otherwise I'm essentially wearing a school uniform, without the blazer (lucky that I don't like kilt/tartan type skirts!)

At the moment it's boiling though so September is a struggle between what's smart but doesn't end up with me fainting in the heat (this has happened before).

I bought a pair of olive chinos in M&S today (£5!), and 2 smart t-shirts in GAP, navy and olive (£14.99 for both!). I can mix and match with things I have already got.
Bought a cheap pair of brogues on holiday already.

Haven't found a new jacket yet, but going into London next week. Is Primark on Oxford Street worth a visit for work clothes?

I'm a firm believer that there is such a thing as a smart cardigan. Our secondary comp has a business dress code. However, I wear tailored trousers, mid heel shoes, a blouse/ fitted top and a smart cardigan. I wear a trouser suit for parents' evenings. Most of my clothes are charity shop finds and it helps to choose one or two colours and mix it up for an inexpensive capsule wardrobe.

Ive ordered these...

It's the shoes I just can't sign up to. Even at 52. As my children say, "Oh god mum, you look like a bloody primary school teacher!"

TU have 25% off at present