Stay Classy, Teachers

How many times have I felt like I looked like this at work? 

It can be really, really, really tempting to shop and dress beyond your means, which for a teacher are notoriously small. Particularly when you work and live and play around lots of stylish, up-to-the-minute, gorgeous ladies - moms and other teachers alike. In my district especially, the pressure is on to look your best. I try to look polished and presentable for work, but I do have a few pieces that have seen better days. And then there are those days when you get really into explaining why it should be illegal in our country to end  ANY sentence with a preposition and the Vis-a-Vis marker slips out of your hand and you have a brand new green stripe down your one pair of khaki capris that you so proudly pressed the night before! And you know that little Billy had SOMETHING to do with it, even though he's sitting a safe nine feet away. You now have to build your wardrobe around your one pair of black slacks and a brown pencil skirt. Thrilling.

I often stroll and sigh through glitzy department stores, wishing my budget could fit just a few more bucks to buy those cute pants or that awesome jacket. I even reluctantly pull myself away from the relatively inexpensive chain stores, knowing my money has more important (but usually more boring) finances to cover, especially with a wedding to plan. And when a new season rolls around it can be really difficult not to completely revamp my wardrobe with the latest trends. Once a college student, and now a teacher, walking the poverty line isn't new. So I've tried to fill my closet with trustworthy brands that will last more than one season, and classic, clean staples that will look stylish now and for a long time to come. I also like to be able to wear my work clothes on the weekends if necessary, and vice versa, so I try to keep clothes that are easily made casual or dressy with just a few minor adjustments. I've even learned how to carry some pieces from fall, through winter, and up to the days before summer vacation, with some tweaks.

Here are some of my favorite looks for warm weather seasons that will look fresh into next year and beyond, and are easily affordable for even the tightest budgets like mine. 

Old Navy - $25

This pale gray maxi dress is lightweight for a breezy spring day, letting the warm sun grace your arms and chest and neck. It's too low-cut for a teacher, but a bright white tank with a three-quarter sleeve cardigan in almost any color or pattern and a wide-rimmed belt around the waist would make it sharp for the classroom. I would also wear this in the fall and winter with a long-sleeved cardigan and leggings or tights under the dress.

Old Navy - $22.50

Every wardrobe should have at least one crisp white collared blouse. These go with EVERYTHING - slacks, khakis, skirts, jeans, oh my! I have to roll up my sleeves because it bugs me to have something around my wrists all the time and I move my arms around so much throughout the day that I need the flexibility. But with a long statement necklace or a fun scarf, this look is timeless and lasts all through the school year. Plus, if you get a stain on it (from, say, a Vis-a-Vis marker) follow these easy steps and you should be good to go!

Old Navy - $22.99

CARDIGANS ARE MY FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING EVER EVER EVER. They are seriously a Godsend to teachers. Cute, colorful, clean, professional, accessorizable (totally just invented that word), and since the 1950s - and probably earlier! - they've never gone out of style. And like the white clouse, THEY GO WITH EVERYTHING. I am so in love with the resurgence of appliqued cardigans, like the pink daisies above. These usually cost a little more than just a plain cardigan, but even then you can add your own little fun accessory, or just your teacher name badge if you're a minimalist.


You will pretty much see me wearing any one of the three above styles any given day of the week if you were to walk the halls of my school. There are lots of possibilities out there for affordable and timeless styles, more of which I'll delve into later.


As for shoes...


Payless - $19.99

Ballet flats are another gift straight from God to teachers. I feel blessed to be a teacher in a day and age that ballet flats are trendy, comfy, and easy to come by. I could not have bustled around a classroom and the hallways in a cute outfit from head to ankle only to find my feet dressed in sneakers or loafers or something equally awful. (P.S. Loafers have been making a cute comeback in recent years, you just have to find the right pair.) What I love about flats is that I can stand and walk in circles all day with little to no discomfort, and they don't steal away any of my professionalism or style. They come in oodles of colors, textures, materials, patterns, and with a huge variety of details like bows, trim, and studs. Square toes, round toes, pointy toes, choose your favorite - they're out there! I always felt confined to black and brown to wear to work, but was intrigued when silver, gold, and other metallics hit the shelves. So I chucked my worn out browns and blacks and infused some life and light into my wardrobe with these more interesting and just as polished colors.

Downside - flats are flat and pants are long. Do your image a favor and get those too-long and baggy pants tailored so you don't drag your pant-bottoms around the dirty floor all day long. That DOES steal away your professionalism. Note to self - get pants tailored. 

Payless - $19.99

Your district may have a dress code about open toed shoes. Fortunately my district allows them. Personally, I'm not completely comfortable at work feeling practically barefoot in cute summer sandals, but I do appreciate a good peep-toe with a fresh pedicure. Wedges, I've found, give you the height of pumps but with way more comfort. The wedge supports your foot better allowing you to walk around with your head above your students', which is important especially in the older grades. As a shorty and a teacher of older kids, I have a few pairs of wedges in my closet and I love them. 

I have ever so many more affordable-but-fashionable ideas to share, but that's all for now. If you're a teacher,  don't feel like you have to sacrifice fashion for comfort or affordability. It can be done! Watch your spending in all areas and you can keep up with the Ms. Jones' down the hall!