How Can I Remain Stylish and Modest As a Teacher?

by Katie
(Virginia)

I am a music teacher, and I love fashion, especially casual basics and cute dresses. However, I am very restricted in the type of styles that I am permitted to wear at work. Working with children, I am up and down off the floor all day.

I also must abide by school dress codes, which prohibit anything excessively tight, too short, or denim. While I have the great basics for every season (great trousers in tan, grey, brown and black, crisp dress shirts in basic and bright colors, sweaters, etc.), I am still finding myself in a fashion rut. Help!


Teachers often face some serious challenges when it comes to fashion - full days on your feet, dirty children's hands and crowded hallways. And of course, a professional image to maintain.

So how do you remain stylish yet professional with the cute and casual basics you have in your wardrobe when the dress codes is restricted?

As long as your school's dress code isn't too formal you'll be able to wear some of your stylish clothes that you don't normally wear for work. It's all in how you combine your outfits.

Here I've gathered the important fashion tips for teachers who want to look stylish but appropriate for their workplace:

Mix the basics with the trends
I know that the wardrobe essentials sound dull but these pieces work as canvases that can be worn in multiple ways. However if your creative juices are slow to flow then it may leave you stuck, and not least bored and frustrated.

You need to think outside of the box - such as wearing a white dress shirt unbuttoned along with a casual knee length black dress and spruce it up with a statement necklace in a bold color. You can also wrap a belt around the shirt as well.

Tip:Experiment with basics in different styles like for example a short/cropped blazer, high waist pants, wide or flare leg dress pants, tunic and wrap shirts, etc.

Take a whole weekend off and try on the basics, move around in different outfits, and figure out what combinations work together.

Start with for example a shirt and try on everything you can come up with. Here are some examples:




Check out How to Put Together Stylish Outfits-section for more ideas.


Layer it
This is a very librarian way to wear your clothes. For example wear a pair of dress pants with a tank top, oversized sweater, waist belt, scarf and tights.


Go for teacher-friendly trends
If there are any trends that inspire you then go for it! But make sure you balance out the outfits with the basics to make the trend pieces look less eye-catching and appropriate.

Here are some trends that you can wear for work:

• Ankle boots: They are a stylish type of shoes that teachers of all ages can wear. However they should not be worn with nude legs for work (especially school) so throw in a pair of dark opaque tights or straight leg pants


• Leggings: Pair them with a long, tailored tunic shirt or a basic knee length dress. They should not be worn as pants so remember to pick tops that are long enough to cover your butt, and keeps it covered when you bend over.


• Boyfriend blazer: This can be thrown over any outfit - it looks smart and stylish. If you already have a blazer make sure you cuff the sleeves to achieve that slightly casual-chic look.

I hope I gave you some inspiration!

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