Teacher wardrobe

[orchid]

Hey all! I will be doing my student teaching in the fall in a 9th grade classroom and need a new wardrobe. What are some key pieces you teachers or people who have to dress similarly wear? Where are some good places to find cute button-down shirts?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[slarce]

I'm a high school teacher and I live in slacks, pencil skirts, dresses and cardigans. Always flat shoes (maybe a wedge, but no heels). I personally don't wear button-down shirts because I'm large chested and they don't fit well, so I'm no help there. Most of my work shirts are from Loft or Ann Taylor.

My advice to you would be even if you see other people in the department dressing more casually, most student teachers look very young and the more professional you appear, the better chance you'll have getting the high school students to view you as an adult and not someone their age.

[karebear304]

When I was a teacher the sale rack at Banana Republic and the BR outlet were my best places. I still get a lot from there - they have a lot of good basics that hold up and are very inexpensive b/c they usually have coupons you can use on top of sale.

[nsl]

With skirts and tops, just be mindful of the fact that you'll be bending down to pick up dropped chalk, kneeling next to desks for one-on-one help, etc...

[hz80408]

I agree with Kare; BR would be a good place. Loft has good sale (and gives teacher discount), but I think they're quality is kind of blech.

I would try to do mix and match. For conservative suggestions

-Black pencil skirt
-Gray pencil skirt
-Black slacks
-Gray slacks
-Solid colored dress (black, navy, grey, etc): something you could switch up with blazer, cardigan, jewelry etc
-Solid cardigans/blazers
-Solid shells/knits
-Necklaces/jewelry

I think that'd be a good base and can easily imagine you could do a 30x30 outfit remix with items listed above

[craftymrs]

Ditto all the PPs. Button ups can be tricky because they look great from the front but can gape open when you are looking from the side. Lands End has nice button downs (and you can try on if you have a sears close by). I've also had good luck with New York and Co for reasonable prices (with coupons) but the quality is not great.

You'll also need really comfortable shoes. I really like my clarks.

[magdala9]

You will need good shoes. One of the surprises in teaching was how much my feet hurt from standing all day.

[315bride]

Aug 8, 2012 14:19:12 GMT -5 nsl said:

With skirts and tops, just be mindful of the fact that you'll be bending down to pick up dropped chalk, kneeling next to desks for one-on-one help, etc...

I cannot stress this enough. I always ask H to give shirts the lean-over test. The last thing you want to do is give some 15-yo a nice peek at your rack.

Make sure you have a few basics as listed above. You don't have to go crazy but just enough things that you could mix and match. I love knits. They're easy to wear, comfortable, look put together, and they can look professional if paired with other key items. My go-to outfit is pants and a v-neck sweater. I have them in a rainbow of colors.

Please just make sure it looks professional. I cannot stress this enough. I had a student teacher who didn't buy any new clothes and dressed like she was walking around a college campus. There was one day she came in wearing leggings and a sweater that was an open-stitch so you could see her bra. Clear as day. WTF. I had to send her home to change. She gave me so much stress and her unprofessional attire was just the tip of the iceberg.

Anyway, try on outfits and even plan out for the first few days at least. It'll get you psyched and you'll have one less thing to think about.

Good luck!

[hippygirl]

I have picked up a lot of inexpensive tops this summer from Target using coupons from their website. I was broke when I student taught and shopped at Goodwill.

[joenali]

I love the dressed Title 9 has, comfy and cute!!