“Do you ever not dress nicely?” One of my students asked me the other day. To which I replied, sure on the weekends I tend to wear jeans more than dresses and skirts. Her classmates laughed at that and someone asked if I ever wore sweatpants or gym shorts. To the gym - yes. To bed - sometimes. Anywhere else - no!
And since then it has become a little bit of a running joke that I am always dressed up, no matter the occasion. Personally I think that’s kinda funny. Yes, I dress up to go to work every day. But that is no different than the way I used to dress up with I worked for a tech start-up or a large major publication. I like to dress up and I think it is important to do that, especially as a teacher! Besides, as a molder of young minds there is so much more to why I dress up as a teacher than I just want to.
All day long I stand in front of students. I teach them with my lessons, with my visual aids, with the activities planned, with the readings assigned. But it isn’t just in the execution of a lesson that I teach them. I teach them in the clothing I wear; in the way that I take care of my appearance for them each and every day; in the way I take the time to coordinate my outfit, do may hair, and paint on some makeup. It’s not just the lesson they walk away with. They walk away with a vision of me, of what a teacher is, of what she looks like, how she acts, how she treats others, how she cares for herself and those around her. And those, perhaps are even greater lessons than what is part of the established curriculum.
Dress: ModCloth
Boots: DSW
Sweater: Express
Tights: Walgreens
Scarf: H&M
Watch: Kohls
Teachers as a general stereotype are not know for having the best sense of style. They are usually, in someone’s mind, seen as the frumpy lady who doesn’t know much or care at all about fashion. They are the person that wears socks that don’t match. They are the people that keep applique sweaters in stock. On the other hand I work with a lot of people who dress really well and care a lot about their appearance. I honestly don’t think I care more than at least half the teachers here. In fact, I probably care less than some of them. But maybe it’s the fact that I am in heels every day of the week, that has the students thrown for a loop. Or maybe it is the fact that I own very few pairs of pants and wear them so infrequently, they tend to notice when I finally do pull out a pair to wear.
So most days, outfits like this will be what my students find me in - a dress, a pair of heels, some accent point, makeup done, hair down and curly, and jewelry on. I wouldn’t consider leaving the house without these elements, even on the days when I am tired, and on the days when I don’t feel like being there - especially on those days.
And that is why I dress up as a teacher.
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I bet your students love you! What a great example you set!
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Your outfit is super cute and you set a good example by dressing up!
You remind me so much of a friend who is also a teacher. She dresses very similarly to you! I think you look great and are a setting an awesome example for your pupils! x Natalie http://www.thegirlwithbangs.com
I think that’s great! You are a professional and you dress the part. My children’s teachers mostly dressed nicely there were only those few that didn’t and usually showed in their teaching as well. Great post! Thank you.
Jenn - Interesting to hear it from the parent’s perspective, especially with you seeing a correlation to teaching and the time taken on appearance. Never considered that relationship before. - KR
Lovely post! Your outfit is adorable and it’s wonderful how you set an example for your students and raise the standard.
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I think it is great that you show your students the importance of care in their appearance!
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Love this post! I think it is so important to put a bit of effort in to the way we look. Yes, it can get tiresome, but I think it shows that we care and that we value what we do and ourselves.
Great lesson you are teaching the kids!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
I love how you dress nicely as a teacher! Particularly since it looks like your style is cute but comfortable too. Love the boots you’re wearing in this post, by the way!
I love your last point… you dress up everyday, especially on the days when you don’t want to/don’t want to be there. That has to be helpful for your mindset too.
Seriously love this! I have to say that I definitely agree with you about how important it is for teachers. I can’t say that I wear a dress very often, but I do make it a point to get out of my sweats if I’m leaving the house. In fact, I did a post about my reasons for this as well. Check it out if you get a second. http://www.mommywantscoffee.com/why-i-get-dressed-almost-every-day/
I love your outfit! I feel so much better on the days that I get dressed up than the days I don’t. I think it is great that you take such pride in your appearance.
I used to do the same when I taught! Loved my JCrew teacher wardrobe! (And they give a teacher discount too!)
Great post! I firmly believe that a polished appearance will take you far in life. It shows other people that you care and that you respect their opinion of you. Good for you for seeing the importance of that and passing that on to your students!
Karin | http://www.truncationblog.com
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Thank you! My mother was that kind of the teacher, very elegant, always in heels, always wearing make up and never showing up in the same outfit combination in a given month. She taught in Poland in 70ties and 80ties that were quite challenging years to find anything , and even more challenging to buy stylish clothes but she taught herself how to sew, raided her mothers closet and knew the power of accessorizing. She is retired now but still wouldn’t leave her bedroom without a little bit of make up and even her exercise clothes for arthritis pilates are stylish, not a pair of grey sweatpants. Kudos to you!
Aww! Your mother sounds exactly like the kind of woman and teacher I hope to be for my students! And how impressive that she’s still rocking the stylish look even to pilates. - KR
You are an adorable teacher! I used to teach High School English and it was so important to me to always dress up. I wanted to look the part, I wanted my kids to take me seriously and I felt more confident as a teacher when I was put together!
I’m another teacher who’s known for always being dressed ‘fancy’ whatever the occasion may be…though my personal style lends itself more toward really vivid colors, not necessarily business suits and ultra-professional clothing of that sort. But dresses all the time? Yes!
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Yay for fancy-dress teachers! There aren’t too many of us out there. - KR
Cute outfit! It’s so good that you show them how to take care of themselves and present themselves well. They may not be getting that at home. 🙁
Heather - True, I never even considered how some of them probably aren’t getting that lesson at home, which makes my job even more important. Great point. - KR
Your outfit is adorable!
In my (more than I care to think about) years of dealing with teachers, both as a student and a parent, I can think of 2 who ‘dressed’ every day:
Mrs Phillips - scary wife of my primary school principal, and the high school English teacher. A lovely woman, once you got past the impeccable turned out facade. She was always perfectly put together, never ever wore pants (except gardening, and then she’d change before receiving guests). My first ever encounter with being dressed, as opposed to dressing.
Robin something (University lecturer, only ever knew her as Robin) - put together the most amazing outfits every day. Not always to my taste, but she obviously had a lot of fun putting her daily outfits together. Her clothes were the first thing you noticed about her, and reflected her passion for living.
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Rosie - Love that you remember so much about those two teachers. Even is Robin’s last name escapes you, she is still vividly part of your memory and therefore mindset! I love that as teachers, we are able to impact our students for years to come even in this little way. - KR
I bet your students adore you!! I personally have the same perspective. I think it’s important to take pride in how you look. You look gorgeous!!
Love this and love your look here! You’re adorable!
I think this is great! I work as the director of operations of an animal shelter and I get asked this all the time (more in the Summer than the Winter … because Brrrr). Everyone thinks that, because we work with animals (which means dirty paws and sharp toenails), that we should just wear jeans and T-shirts. Dressing up makes me feel like the boss of my life that I am!
Daniela - Love that line, “Dressing up makes me feel like the boss of my life that I am!” So true. -KR
This is awesome. By the way… I adore Modcloth. That dress is super adorable!
Love this outfit! ! It just screams Katy!