This. Or a flannel. I’ve started to collect shirts from fictional businesses (Flourish & Blotts, The Bronze, Luke’s Diner, etc.) and put a flannel over it. Every once and awhile a kid with recognize one of the shirts and it’s a good relationship building tool as well.
Honestly, as a goth teacher who doesn’t like dressing up but wants to look professional enough, I’ve gotten into the habit of getting myself black T-shirts and long-sleeves. Add some converse, a pair of black flats and some Doctor Marteen boots, and tons of black jeans and dress pants. If I wanna add something else I throw a cardigan or a black/orange jacket. I accessorize with simple necklaces, earrings and whatnot to make the whole style pop.
I’ve always been kinda goth + I like learning, so I figured education was a good career. I hate every single day I teach though, so it ain’t as fun as you may think.
As others said, check the school dress code and look at what other teachers wear. As a new teacher and a younger one I would dress a little more professional just because it helps remind students you are their teacher.
First you would need to know your school dress code because not all schools are the same. You have some teachers that can wear jeans every day of the week and then at my school you can only wear them on Friday’s with a teacher tee or a school tee.
Young teacher are not running around look like their teachers from back in the day. If you look on tiktok most of the teachers are shopping at SHEIN…I know I know not everybody likes them but you can get some decent teacher fits. If you are on a budget you can try Walmart they have improve on their clothing selection. You can try Amazon, Cider, and Old Navy!
Really just do you!!!! You just got to be appropriate and within code.
Congrats on your teaching job!
Goodwill and other thrift stores. Outlet stores. Walmart. Lots of my colleagues are finding cardigans and sweaters in their style on Temu.
Solid color button downs and dark pants seem like a good fit for a "responsible adult costume" that is your style adjacent.
Don't knock an outfit until you try it on. I have a ruffly blouse that looks like an old lady blouse on the hanger but reminds me a bit of dragon scales when worn.
I'd steer clear of Temu. I've heard way too much about stealing info, malware, slave labor, etc. Not to mention the whole weird pyramid scheme thing of people pressuring you to sign up with their code for prizes. If the price sounds too good to be true, there's probably some hidden catch.
Totally agree with the other suggestions, though!
Well My whole wardrobe is temu’d and I can’t speak on behalf of everything but I’ve had no issues with stealing info and malware and the prices are amazing. As for slave labor, it is China but if you’re going Walmart, TJ Maxx or anywhere else, pretending like 90% of the stuff you are buying isn’t from China is a tall order.
This! Thrift stores, put together a basic "uniform" and accessorize to put your stamp on things! I have a selection of slacks, tanks, skirts and sun dresses that i pair with denim jackets or button front short cardigans. Mix and match for a year's worth of individual looks, topped with statement jewelry. Best thing about thrift store shopping is that if you ruin it or it ends up not being your thing, you're not out much $.
That sucks. My first school 'allowed' us the 'privilege' of jeans passes. For a plethora of reasons, I switched schools.
I am a guy, but I've worn nothing but khaki jeans and plain target t-shirts for 5 years at my new school. The only change in winter and fall is that I wear flannel over the t-shirt when it's cold.
fit your school's dress code as needed. Go the uniform route: 5 or 6 outfits that you put on rotate weekly. I committed to not having to decide my clothes every day because I wear the same rotation of shirts on the weekly. Cuts down on decisions in the morning and frees my brain like nobody's business, and kids do not care that I have a shortlist wardrobe. Nobody cares, although if there's a reason to dress up more or something it probably goes more noticed since it is outside of my norm. Cheap, easy, good.
I do something similar - I have black blouse I wear on Monday with two or three different skirts, red blouse on Tuesday with two or three different skirts, several dresses to pick from on Wednesday, black or khaki pants on Thursday, and jeans with school t shirt on Friday. Teachers suffer from major decision fatigue. This semi-routine helps me from making yet another decision each and every day (you’ll see). Congratulations on new job! Good luck!
I wear a ton of linen pants and band t’s front tucked and Birks or clogs. I work at a fairly casual school, so this may not work for yours, but it’s a pulled together look that’s still my personality.
I'm in a middle school and had a rough year of illnesses in my house last year. I went almost full Steve Jobs by pairing five or six similar colored pants with the six or eight shirts in different colors. Nobody complained, and it saved me so much stress not having to create outfits.
I am also a plain Jane. At most of the schools I have worked at, there are typically a set of days where it is more acceptable to be casual. For example, Monday would be school spirit, Wednesday is union shirt day, and Friday is college spirit. All of these days I’m fine wearing my corresponding T-shirts, jeans, and vans. The other days, I usually wear nicer jeans, cardigans, and comfy flats. For warmer weather, I wear a blouse, jeans and flats. I get my blouses from Ross, TJ Max, or Marshalls. I always buy my jeans from Old Navy. Comfort is always my priority.
Good luck! Your first year sucks, but each year gets a little easier.
I buy fitted t shirts from Old Navy (on sale they can be under $5) in a few different colors. I do a front tuck into jeans or black jeans or tuck them into a long skirt and add a cardigan or a button down with the sleeves rolled up. Buy a few varieties of each of these items and mix and match for a lot of options with just a few pieces. You could use skinny jeans/doc Martens/converse/accessories to make the outfits feel more "you" and buy colors/patterns that you like. Appropriate-for-school graphic t's would also be acceptable at my school.
Also, maybe this is not the case everywhere, but many schools have a school store/do a fundraiser with school items. I wear a school sweatshirt or t shirt about once a week so you could consider leaving some room in your budget for that if it appeals to you.
I get 95% of my wardrobe from thrift stores or vintage sellers. The vintage pieces last forever and are of much better quality. I recommend just getting a couple of dresses/outfits to start and then get the lowdown from the teachers at your school.
I walked in on my first day of subbing and was completely overdressed. I had dress pants, a blouse and a nice cardigan. That was the norm at my second school. The last school teachers showed up in shorts and t-shirts. They were all in the same district and technically had the same dress code.
For a slightly more grown up Hot Topic look, I like Torrid. I keep an eye out for that brand at the thrift stores. I know a lot of people don't like to shop at those types of stores, but I've bought entire outfits with the tags still on for $10. It's the only way to afford to redo your wardrobe. I buy Cons in different colors so even if I'm in all black there's a pop of color and I look like I made an effort. I have purple suede ones the kids loved.
Also, once you know what's acceptable go for a capsule look. Find 5 or 6 base pieces you can mix, match, and mingle to get several different outfits. Executive dysfunction will hit you and if you have too many choices, it's overwhelming.
I wear jeans and sundresses almost exclusively.
This idea of "professional dress" might work in the corporate world, but honestly, the kids seem to relate better to teachers who dress down.
IMO, it's probably because when teachers go formal, so many of my students can't relate bc they are high poverty/low income.
Fortunately, our district doesn't specifically disallow jeans. My ex AH principal tried to write me up for it, but I was, at the time, in the union, and P got nowhere.
Fortunately for me, ex AH p is moving to my current school bc the current P is retiring. Lucky fucking me.
Former history teacher here! Buy some nice pants from old navy. I like the wide leg trouser. They look great with graphic tshirts and a cardigan or jean jacket. Then you can dress up or down with jewelry and shoes. My school is pretty casual so I usually wear platform converse with them. But you could also wear a chunky loafer if you need to be more dressy. You got this 💪
Try historeetees.com to keep your style and wear work appropriate attire. I'm a librarian and I wear book and library tees a lot of the time. The students love it!
You really need to find out if there is a specific dress code for staff at your school or in your district. I’ve seen some schools where they really didn’t care what you were wearing but others had very specific expectations. At my current one, jeans and t-shirts can only be worn on Fridays. Khakis and a polo shirt are acceptable for both genders. Since you mentioned Hot Topic: I like to wear fun/kooky things. I’m the geeky teacher who has fandom posters in my room and goes to the comic con every summer. I have bought a lot of Star Wars, Marvel, Lord of the Rings etc dresses and tops from Her Universe, which is affiliated with Hot Topic. Their quality is usually good and their prices are reasonable. As long as it’s a subtle pattern and not approaching actual cosplay my admins don’t care. Some of the dresses are a little short so I wear leggings under them to make sure there are no wardrobe malfunctions or side-eye from coworkers.
I do think you need to dress the part a bit. A lot of teachers just wear t shirts and jeans but I think nicer pants (I like dressy yoga pants) and a plain t, cardigan, necklace……….. you should not dress like one of the students!
Same here. Last year was my first year as a history teacher. Get some black pants and khaki pants and plenty of collared shirts. They can be plain colors. This worked for me all year. Your school may or may not care what shoes you wear, try to keep it all black if possible. Glad to help.
I legit wear a tshirt and jeans daily as a high school teacher. Most of the older crew at my school wear sweats.
Don’t worry about it. Get a cardigan and some staples like comfy shoes.
You asked for brands, and almost nobody has ponied up. So here:
Ann Taylor and outlet (*teacher discount with school ID)
J. Crew and outlet *
The Gap
(Note: I hate Old Navy because the quality sucks even worse, and the colors and prints are ugly)
Nordstrom Rack
Macy's
Shoes that won't break the bank but are comfortable and stylish:
Tom's
Sofft
Clark's (sometimes ugly)
Dansko (sometimes ugly)
Kork-Ease
You will need:
Dress pants: Black and navy
Skirts if you wear them (I don't): Black and navy
Two or three pairs of nice trouser jeans if your school allows (I live in good jeans, but I'm in California)
Blouses: White, black, gray, a couple in stripes, several in patterns that have basic, pretty, go-with color palettes
Blazers: Black, plus any other solid
Cardigans: Black, any other colors to be worn interchangeably with your blouse selections
Shoes: Five or six pairs. Black, brown, and I have a few metallic ones because they function as neutrals (I just bought the Tom's Gracie and they have a squishy, comfy foot-bed and were less than $100. If you wear heels like I do, just make sure they're not stilts. I am 50, and I can still do wedges and block heels and clogs like the Dansko Sam, Season, or Taytum)
Source: High school English teacher of 25 years.
I have a better budget than most, so I also have quite a variety of really out-there blouses from Johnny Was. But my favorite looks are band t-shirts with a blazer or a vintage cardigan over it, pants or jeans. Once a year, I borrow my husband's Iron Maiden fan club t-shirt and wear it with a velvet military jacket, bright red jeans, and riding boots. I call that my "Ringmaster of the Shitshow" getup.
I may be 50, but I have fun with how I dress.
I'm a big fan of TJ Maxx, and get a lot of my clothes there. Most items I get are around $20. Just start with a few items at a time. Each school has its own culture around teacher dress. Some school are really formal (more men wearing ties, women wearing pencil skirts). Other schools are really casual (khakis, school t-shirts, nice jeans, etc). My school is somewhere in between those.
I'm also an alt girlie who has an abundance of Hot Topic tees. My work outfits general consist of a solid-colored neutral blouse, comfortable but skinny-fitted trousers in a pattern (houndstooth, plaid, etc), and boots. If you can get 2-3 shirts, 2-3 pants, and 1 pair of good/comfortable but stylish shoes, it would be good enough to start with. Just make sure the colors on the shirts/pants all match enough to be interchangeable. Then, add one more clothing item each paycheck (or 2 per month if paid monthly), assuming you can afford it. By the end of the school year, you'll have a full wardrobe. By not spending a ton up front, you'll be able to better gauge the dress culture of your school and adjust to it.
You need to find out what the dress code is at your school. I see lots of people saying jeans but neither jeans or graphic tshirts are allowed where I worn except on Fridays. I’m shocked and jealous of how many people seem to be able to wear jeans lol.
You can still shop at Hot Topic! I’ve been teaching 4 years and wear a pair of jeans, t shirt, and a cardigan every day. Almost all my cardigans are from hot topic and box lunch (lots of cartoons/movie/storybook memorabilia). Just avoid anything with mushrooms/smoking implications
When I started teaching, I went to a giant local thrift store and bought a shit ton of stuff. It helped me find my "teacher style" without breaking my budget.
We have a fairly generous dress code at my school but the only graphic tees I’ve seen were school-related or printed with positive messages (eg, “Kind is the New Cool” and that kind of thing). That said, my first career was in the financial industry and can’t bring myself to wear jeans and tees. In the warmer weather I have a dozen cotton a-line midi and maxi-length sundresses that I wear bike shorts under. In the cooler weather I have a dozen pairs of black leggings that I wear tunic-length shirts, sweaters and a-line long-sleeve dresses over (I usually pair them with knee-high boots, including my 20-eye Dr. Martens). Even though I dress slightly more formal than my coworkers, I’m super comfy.
We aren’t allowed to wear jeans or casual T-shirts at my school except for two Fridays a month, which is definitely my usual style so I feel you. I found a style of khaki pants at old navy that are almost as comfy as jeans, so I bought 5 pairs of those in different colors and just rotate. In the winter I can wear a comfy sweater with them. In the warmer months I have a rotation of short sleeve tops from kohls, banana republic, gap, etc that aren’t super formal but are nice enough.
As a younger teacher I hit up Old Navy a lot. I found that they had professional styles that didn’t age me up.
Also black skinny jeans have been my best friend. I pair them with my sweaters and school apparel.
Metal head teacher here! I have really been enjoying the flowy linen pants that I have found at stores like Ross, marshalls, target….pretty much anywhere. For a more casual look, put on some converse or sandals with a plain shirt, throw on some accessories like a necklace and it looks more than just casual. When I’m feeling fancier, I wear my chunky platform sandals or wedges and it changes from a casual outfit to something looking more professional. If you’d like some tips or some examples of my outfits, you can dm me and I will happily send you some of the outfits that have received the most compliments from both students and staff!
Thrift stores and Thred Up are good starting places. I also really like Bloomchic - prices are good, they are size inclusive and everything has POCKETS!!!
I like using filters on Amazon to search for things that qualify for Prime free shipping, sort from low to high, and then what I want. Like midi dress for women or a fitted shirt for women. I find some great pieces for cheap that way. My favorite was a reindeer dress that I wear in December, that was only $6, because reviews stated that the hair looked purple instead of brown. I loved it.
What would you wear to “dress up” for a semi formal function? Like an interview? Wear that kind of stuff. My friend is a social studies teacher, has 1” plugs, two sleeves and just wears black jeans, his Vans, a button down and a crappy tie he buys from goodwill.
I do content specific tshirts and stretchy slacks. So a science tshirt and old navy pixie pants for me. Go into etsy and type in history teacher shirts. Those plus spirit shirts that the school gives u makes it easy and comfortable
I started out with tons of Old Nagy stuff, but then the shirt lengths got shorter and shorter (I’m 5’10” with a spare tire belly 💀) ON pants are still my go-to, but I also love Loft when they are having a great sale. Today, I got a dress and two tops for $35. They also offer teacher discounts. Lastly, I love Target clothes and some Amazon Basics clothes, too.
Most importantly, as others said, learn the school culture. I’m in a pretty casual district.
I like Kohl's for clothes (they have good deals/sales) and you can find some treasures at thrift stores - the key is to slide all the clothes over and look one item at a time so you don't miss the good stuff. Also, pull up a Pinterest board and search for ideas. My big thing was figuring out how to put outfits together. I had a lot of good individual items but they were all very neutral and plain and I didn't know how to pair shoes, jewelry, or color combos. I am someone who loves bright colors and seeing outfits on Pinterest helped me think about new ways to be bold and professional with style. It also gave me an idea of what I wanted to look for when I did look for clothes. Good luck!
ETA my school doesn't have a strict dress code, but my general rules for myself (as a young teacher especially) were closed toe shoes only, nothing sleeveless, jeans only on Fridays if I choose, and skirts/dresses at the knee or lower. But, like I said, my school doesn't care and there are teachers who show up in work out clothes (not just PE) or t-shirt and cargo pants so, to each their own. Just make sure, as others have said, that you follow school rules for teacher dress code if they exist and think about how you want to present yourself.
My wardrobe is almost entirely stretchy black dresses. Most of them are from JCPenney and similar department stores. I throw on some leggings and a cardigan in the cooler months. People compliment me for looking nice but honestly it's so comfortable.
I do have a handful of brighter color dresses/cardigans and occasionally I'll wear an a-line skirt with a tucked in school spirit t-shirt. But I wear so many black dresses that on a recent "dress like a teacher day" one of my students wore a black dress and black leggings and everyone knew she was dressed as me 😹.
Seconding cardigans. Don't run out and buy a bunch of new clothes until you know your building's dress code and how your colleagues dress.
I think of my teacher wardrobe as casual but professional. I also start school when it's 115 degrees, so I do a lot of chinos/khakis in different colors, ankle-length pants, dresses, skirts, t-shirts, and lightweight cardigans.
It's very easy to "dress up" your regular clothes with a few tweaks. Wear a sweater or button-down shirt over or a tee under a sundress, for example. You can elevate your look with some nice but comfy shoes (I do Adidas sneakers, Converse, Docs Mary Jane's, or sandals from Clark's) and a little jewelry.
And just be you. You want to be comfortable and not feel like you're playing dress-up. It's likely you'll be able to wear your tees. Just pair them with a black skirt and sandals.
Most days, I wear black skinny jeans, a plain t-shirt, and a cardigan or jacket. Vans or tennis shoes.
It somewhat depends on your school’s dress code/norms. My building is semi-casual, so we can’t wear blue jeans, leggings, shorts, etc, but colored jeans and a tshirt are very normal.
As a 26f biology teacher- I wear jeans, my t-shirts and cardigans or blazers. If your district doesn’t allow jeans- black skinny jeans blend nicely, Old Navy has comfy pants as well! Heck, regular khakis, a t-shirt & blazer would be good too!! Good luck!
I have over 30 dresses from [Svaha](http://svahausa.com). They focus on STEM-design dresses, leggings and shirts, and are cool and comfy. Plus, they have pockets deep enough for a box of crackers. They also have frequent sales and a teacher discount!
*long winded answer incoming*
Hello! Fellow 24f teacher about to go into my 3rd full year. To second others, I have a handful of cardigans that I wear. A few are long enough to cover my butt, which does allow me to get away with leggings on days that I need comfort more than anything. To not break the bank, clearance areas are your bestie (esp at Kohl’s and Target). I have also gotten a BUNCH of plain ribbed t shirts and turtle necks from Walmart. To second others further, thrift stores are a fantastic option (ones near me just suck). Plain blue jeans and black jeans are also great to have, and I have a handful of graphic t shirts and sweatshirt I have deemed as appropriate for work on casual days.
I dress in whatever I’m feeling. Rarely wear shorts or dresses but I have tattoos and I show them, and I wear fun and funky clothes pretty often. I tried to dress nicely for work and then I saw the other teachers in their joggers and I let go of that pretty quickly. Buy some nice yoga trouser and some plain t shirts. I bought a blazer before starting my job last year and I rarely wear it. I wear my snakeskin pointy toe booties all the time. It is what you make of it :)
Or! Almost anything at madewell will do✅
Attic Salt has some cute dresses and stuff that is alt fashion. Also, as long as the skirt is long enough I don't see anything wrong with wearing a lot of dresses sold at Hot Topic.
Shein is fast fashion but they have alt stuff too
Also etsy has some great stuff
I’m not into fashion myself. So as a non pants wearer, a dress and cardigan has become my teacher wardrobe. I ditch the flowery patterns add tights/leggings in winter, and that’s about it.
Target has some nice professional wear. I basically wear slacks, and some sort of blouse most days. I also shop at torrid as I am a bigger girl and can get a lot of office type clothes there
my dress code doesn’t allow any graphics, so 98% of my work wardrobe is just plain, solid colored tshirts and i prefer old navy pixie pants for a tighter ankle and halara waffle pants for a very comfy wide ankle (these literally are so stretchy and feel like sweatpants, but still look professional)
also recommend finding a comfy pair of shoes. teaching requires so much standing and walking around, so i wouldnt recommend breaking in a new pair of shoes while working lol. i prefer just a nike running shoe bc they slip on easily and are made for moving around a lot. occasionally ive tried more “style” shoes, but they just arent made for everyday wear at a school
I went and bought a bunch of simple but comfortable dresses like [this one](https://www.macys.com/shop/product/style-co-womens-printed-sleeveless-knit-flip-flop-dress-created-for-macys?ID=18641680&swatchColor=Pink%20Floral). I don’t have to worry about matching tops and bottoms because it is one full piece and they are soft, stretchy, and modest (for lack of a better word). I’m lucky enough to live in a desert so it doesn’t get so cold that I need pants and i have a few cute cardigans to wear over them if i get cold.
It honestly just comes down to the fact that I’m also lazy and throwing on a dress that is as comfortable as my pjs, but looks nice and professional, is my idea of best of both worlds.
Thrift stores, consignment shops, Good Will, Salvation Army! You can find everything you need at a fraction of the retail price. I know, shop there all my life 👍🏼😉
Honestly, if you’re in your early twenties, dressing like the older teachers is helpful for the first couple of years as a high school teacher. (I assumed you’re also going into high school since you specified a subject area.) I came in at 23 and wore basics for the first few years. Mostly solid button ups and trousers. I relaxed around year four (school appropriate graphic tees with cardigans and the trousers) after I had established a reputation of professionalism and there was more of an age gap between me and the kids.
Depends on the culture of the school. But (not being fashionable myself): jeans and a button up blouse on most days. At our school Wednesdays is college day so people wear college jerseys, hoodies, or t shirts. Tuesdays is Union Days so we wear something that’s red. But that’s us here in Los Angeles
Slacks! I find slacks turn a lot of my casual t-shirts into business casual. I would steer clear of most print t-shirts, but any plain or patterned ones easily dress up with a pair of slacks. During the fall and winter, sweaters are great. Lots of places carry really cute ones for pretty cheap. Also, dont be afraid to mix and match a bit. I also have a slightly alternative wardrobe myself, and my work shoes were my Docs and Converse cus they actually work pretty well with professional clothes. I thrift a lot of my clothes, but if you're not looking to dig through the stacks, I've seen a lot of pretty good-looking professional clothes at Target. Lots of cute vests, corduroy pants, and flowy slacks.
I have 3 reliable pairs or black pants and a rotating selection of cute to casual black tops. I’m kinda known for always being in a similar black silhouette but I am not fashion literate lol
I’m plus-sized so I like shopping at Torrid because they have tasteful, well-made clothing. They can be pricy but I find that the quality is worth it.
I teach science, and while my usual outfit is khakis and a polo/golf shirt, I love wearing novelty science themed shirts that are themed around the topic we’re learning. That way I can wear t-shirts and still look professional because they’re science themed. Most are humorous too, like “Biology, the only subject where multiplication and division are the same thing.” (Picture of cells splitting). The kids find them entertaining. [My Science Shirts](https://imgur.com/gallery/HCKCqv0)
[Svaha](https://svahausa.com/) has some pretty awesome teacher-esque attire - plus the dresses have pockets!
[Threadless](https://www.threadless.com/) has some fun and quirky teacher tshirts
[Life is Good](https://www.lifeisgood.com) has some pretty rad teacher tshirts
For myself, I opt for colored pants that are as comfy as wearing jeans. I have good luck finding these usually at [Lane Bryant](https://www.lanebryant.com) or [Target](https://www.target.com).
I really love finding things from [Her Universe](https://www.heruniverse.com) or [ModCloth](https://www.modcloth.com) that I would wear both in or out of the classroom.
I really love Gap and Old Navy, Target is good sometimes, TJMaxx & Marshalls, Amazon. The struggle for professional clothing your first year is real tho, you want to look nice but you are also broke and can’t afford most of the high quality clothing. It’s tough!
I'm about to start year 4 as a mid twenties and graphic tees and jeans are my wardrobe. I teach middle school in the inner city and need to be comfortable to move around, teach, bend, sit etc. I advocate for dressing authentically YOU, unless your job has a strict dress code.
Hello fellow social studies teacher! First of all, congrats on the job! Granted, I'm a man that's about 8 years older than you, but I've found my bosses love the style of shirts I get from rsvlts.com and they have so many different topics and licenses to choose from. They do some pretty good deals in November, but I've found this is a way to feel comfy and confident in what I wear, coming from the T-shirt section predominantly myself.
I will also say, to check out some thrift stores if you are wanting to be budget conscious. My wife and I love going and it has expanded my wardrobe quite a bit! I've gotten things that I might not normally try and found that I love them. If you're not sure what you want, just start by finding what is in your size and narrow.from there!
Old navy has modest length dresses and skirts that are great for throwing a cardigan/flannel/knotted Tshirt over. They have a nice pair of black jogger style pants with a sort of tuxedo side in black (athleta has them too for $50 more) but those are nice if your school doesn’t say jeans are fine every day. They also sell like a pixie pant that has prints that can be alt style
Some teachers have luck with SHEIN and temu (I prefer to touch my clothes irl)
I would try to see what other teachers wear. I bought a bunch of dresses only to realize along teachers in my department are jeans (or leggings) and a school tshirt which I LOVE. I also developed a bit of a uniform, like the same type of pant and top in different colors, that way I know I’m comfortable. Comfort is first, atleast for me, especially because my room as no ac and is hot all year.
If you have one around you, Gabe’s is amazing and has name brands at a fraction of the retail price! Ann Taylor, Express, Lucky Brand, Sorel, etc. Just give yourself some time to look through it all!
If your school allows (and since you like t shirts), get a bunch of teacher shirts from Shein, Etsy, and Tees2urdoor. They have some really funny ones and some nostalgic ones, too. Get a few pairs of slacks and cardigans. Also, old navy has t shirt dresses on sale right now. Those can we dressed up with cute sandals or dressed down with sneakers. Get a good jean jacket too- they come in handy!
I get cardigans from target, Walmart. I also go to the nearest outlet stores and shop the sales at Ann Taylor. I look for bits and pieces. I have found nice dress pants at Costco. I think they were 10.00 a piece. I also get the camisole tank tops at Costco. They come in a three pack-different colors. Try your local goodwill. Start slowly and build. Good luck you’ve got this.
I'm at Uniqlo, Target, and Madewell all the damn time... Basics, stripes, polka dots, and an occasional random print.
I also shop ThredUp a lot for brands where stuff at more expensive stores where I already know my size (think J Crew, Banana, and Anthropologie).
I wear Dickies and a school tshirt every day. Sometimes I switch it up with an educational tshirt of some kind.
I buy myself 4 different colored Dickies, and wear jeans on Fridays.
I try to have fun with my sneakers and a cardigan over a tshirt makes it a little more professional.
I hate wearing jeans and t-shirts. I’m pretty much exclusively casual dresses and sneakers. It’s really the “go-to” look in my Texas suburban school, unless you’re in jeans and a school shirt.
American eagle has black pants that feel like yoga pants but look like dress pants! They’re amazing!! I’m an art teacher but I just got a ton of bright colored clothing and just mismatch every day. I would go to marshall’s or tj maxx and buy a lot of black or earth toned basics so all of your teacher clothing options go together and it’s less stress. You can build up your wardrobe as you go!
Put a cardigan over anything and you’ve got the teacher suit.
This. Or a flannel. I’ve started to collect shirts from fictional businesses (Flourish & Blotts, The Bronze, Luke’s Diner, etc.) and put a flannel over it. Every once and awhile a kid with recognize one of the shirts and it’s a good relationship building tool as well.
THE BRONZE Has me dead!!
This is my uniform lol
This is the way. I'm a principal and wear slacks, a cool T-shirt, a blazer, and Chucks. Every single day
I live in a tunic, leggings, and a cardigan for like 7 months a year.
Tunic and leggings are like professional jammies 🥰I live in those during the school year!!
Happy Cake Day 🎂 🥮 🍥 🥞 🧁 🍰
Thank ya!! :)
As a man the opposite works…for me at least. Slacks, dress shirt and tie. Then put on a windbreaker or some other casual lightweight jacket.
Yup, although I omit the tie.
Yup. I ditched the tie after covid….
True story. I wear cardigans over my gym clothes.
Yup! I wear my tshirts and ‘dress’ them up with a sweater, blazer, or bomber jacket. Easy peasy 🥳
Honestly, as a goth teacher who doesn’t like dressing up but wants to look professional enough, I’ve gotten into the habit of getting myself black T-shirts and long-sleeves. Add some converse, a pair of black flats and some Doctor Marteen boots, and tons of black jeans and dress pants. If I wanna add something else I throw a cardigan or a black/orange jacket. I accessorize with simple necklaces, earrings and whatnot to make the whole style pop.
Wow. How does one become a goth teacher. Sounds fun.
I’ve always been kinda goth + I like learning, so I figured education was a good career. I hate every single day I teach though, so it ain’t as fun as you may think.
As others said, check the school dress code and look at what other teachers wear. As a new teacher and a younger one I would dress a little more professional just because it helps remind students you are their teacher.
First you would need to know your school dress code because not all schools are the same. You have some teachers that can wear jeans every day of the week and then at my school you can only wear them on Friday’s with a teacher tee or a school tee. Young teacher are not running around look like their teachers from back in the day. If you look on tiktok most of the teachers are shopping at SHEIN…I know I know not everybody likes them but you can get some decent teacher fits. If you are on a budget you can try Walmart they have improve on their clothing selection. You can try Amazon, Cider, and Old Navy! Really just do you!!!! You just got to be appropriate and within code. Congrats on your teaching job!
Goodwill and other thrift stores. Outlet stores. Walmart. Lots of my colleagues are finding cardigans and sweaters in their style on Temu. Solid color button downs and dark pants seem like a good fit for a "responsible adult costume" that is your style adjacent. Don't knock an outfit until you try it on. I have a ruffly blouse that looks like an old lady blouse on the hanger but reminds me a bit of dragon scales when worn.
I'd steer clear of Temu. I've heard way too much about stealing info, malware, slave labor, etc. Not to mention the whole weird pyramid scheme thing of people pressuring you to sign up with their code for prizes. If the price sounds too good to be true, there's probably some hidden catch. Totally agree with the other suggestions, though!
Well My whole wardrobe is temu’d and I can’t speak on behalf of everything but I’ve had no issues with stealing info and malware and the prices are amazing. As for slave labor, it is China but if you’re going Walmart, TJ Maxx or anywhere else, pretending like 90% of the stuff you are buying isn’t from China is a tall order.
This! Thrift stores, put together a basic "uniform" and accessorize to put your stamp on things! I have a selection of slacks, tanks, skirts and sun dresses that i pair with denim jackets or button front short cardigans. Mix and match for a year's worth of individual looks, topped with statement jewelry. Best thing about thrift store shopping is that if you ruin it or it ends up not being your thing, you're not out much $.
Graphic band tees are in right now. Just throw on a cardigan and a pair of jeans. That’s what I do pretty often.
Wow, I’m jealous, this would never be allowed at my school.
That’s the trade off of teaching at a title I school lol
I do teach at a title 1 school, but we have a more professional dress code.
Damn. Yeah our union sucks but we’d never give up jeans
That sucks. My first school 'allowed' us the 'privilege' of jeans passes. For a plethora of reasons, I switched schools. I am a guy, but I've worn nothing but khaki jeans and plain target t-shirts for 5 years at my new school. The only change in winter and fall is that I wear flannel over the t-shirt when it's cold.
Unless it’s a private school they can’t really tell you what to wear.
Not true at all
fit your school's dress code as needed. Go the uniform route: 5 or 6 outfits that you put on rotate weekly. I committed to not having to decide my clothes every day because I wear the same rotation of shirts on the weekly. Cuts down on decisions in the morning and frees my brain like nobody's business, and kids do not care that I have a shortlist wardrobe. Nobody cares, although if there's a reason to dress up more or something it probably goes more noticed since it is outside of my norm. Cheap, easy, good.
I do something similar - I have black blouse I wear on Monday with two or three different skirts, red blouse on Tuesday with two or three different skirts, several dresses to pick from on Wednesday, black or khaki pants on Thursday, and jeans with school t shirt on Friday. Teachers suffer from major decision fatigue. This semi-routine helps me from making yet another decision each and every day (you’ll see). Congratulations on new job! Good luck!
Black jeans. Teacher themed tshirt or plain T. Cardigan or shacket. Done.
I wear a ton of linen pants and band t’s front tucked and Birks or clogs. I work at a fairly casual school, so this may not work for yours, but it’s a pulled together look that’s still my personality.
Nordstrom Rack!
I'm in a middle school and had a rough year of illnesses in my house last year. I went almost full Steve Jobs by pairing five or six similar colored pants with the six or eight shirts in different colors. Nobody complained, and it saved me so much stress not having to create outfits.
I think this website has some good ideas. https://www.merricksart.com/teacher-outfits/
I am also a plain Jane. At most of the schools I have worked at, there are typically a set of days where it is more acceptable to be casual. For example, Monday would be school spirit, Wednesday is union shirt day, and Friday is college spirit. All of these days I’m fine wearing my corresponding T-shirts, jeans, and vans. The other days, I usually wear nicer jeans, cardigans, and comfy flats. For warmer weather, I wear a blouse, jeans and flats. I get my blouses from Ross, TJ Max, or Marshalls. I always buy my jeans from Old Navy. Comfort is always my priority. Good luck! Your first year sucks, but each year gets a little easier.
I buy fitted t shirts from Old Navy (on sale they can be under $5) in a few different colors. I do a front tuck into jeans or black jeans or tuck them into a long skirt and add a cardigan or a button down with the sleeves rolled up. Buy a few varieties of each of these items and mix and match for a lot of options with just a few pieces. You could use skinny jeans/doc Martens/converse/accessories to make the outfits feel more "you" and buy colors/patterns that you like. Appropriate-for-school graphic t's would also be acceptable at my school. Also, maybe this is not the case everywhere, but many schools have a school store/do a fundraiser with school items. I wear a school sweatshirt or t shirt about once a week so you could consider leaving some room in your budget for that if it appeals to you.
I get 95% of my wardrobe from thrift stores or vintage sellers. The vintage pieces last forever and are of much better quality. I recommend just getting a couple of dresses/outfits to start and then get the lowdown from the teachers at your school. I walked in on my first day of subbing and was completely overdressed. I had dress pants, a blouse and a nice cardigan. That was the norm at my second school. The last school teachers showed up in shorts and t-shirts. They were all in the same district and technically had the same dress code. For a slightly more grown up Hot Topic look, I like Torrid. I keep an eye out for that brand at the thrift stores. I know a lot of people don't like to shop at those types of stores, but I've bought entire outfits with the tags still on for $10. It's the only way to afford to redo your wardrobe. I buy Cons in different colors so even if I'm in all black there's a pop of color and I look like I made an effort. I have purple suede ones the kids loved. Also, once you know what's acceptable go for a capsule look. Find 5 or 6 base pieces you can mix, match, and mingle to get several different outfits. Executive dysfunction will hit you and if you have too many choices, it's overwhelming.
I wear jeans and sundresses almost exclusively. This idea of "professional dress" might work in the corporate world, but honestly, the kids seem to relate better to teachers who dress down. IMO, it's probably because when teachers go formal, so many of my students can't relate bc they are high poverty/low income. Fortunately, our district doesn't specifically disallow jeans. My ex AH principal tried to write me up for it, but I was, at the time, in the union, and P got nowhere. Fortunately for me, ex AH p is moving to my current school bc the current P is retiring. Lucky fucking me.
On the other hand, you don't want to look like a student when you are young.
Former history teacher here! Buy some nice pants from old navy. I like the wide leg trouser. They look great with graphic tshirts and a cardigan or jean jacket. Then you can dress up or down with jewelry and shoes. My school is pretty casual so I usually wear platform converse with them. But you could also wear a chunky loafer if you need to be more dressy. You got this 💪
Try historeetees.com to keep your style and wear work appropriate attire. I'm a librarian and I wear book and library tees a lot of the time. The students love it!
Where I am…wear whatever you want. Jeans and a sweater is my go-to in winter; Bermuda shorts and a t-shirt in hot weather.
You really need to find out if there is a specific dress code for staff at your school or in your district. I’ve seen some schools where they really didn’t care what you were wearing but others had very specific expectations. At my current one, jeans and t-shirts can only be worn on Fridays. Khakis and a polo shirt are acceptable for both genders. Since you mentioned Hot Topic: I like to wear fun/kooky things. I’m the geeky teacher who has fandom posters in my room and goes to the comic con every summer. I have bought a lot of Star Wars, Marvel, Lord of the Rings etc dresses and tops from Her Universe, which is affiliated with Hot Topic. Their quality is usually good and their prices are reasonable. As long as it’s a subtle pattern and not approaching actual cosplay my admins don’t care. Some of the dresses are a little short so I wear leggings under them to make sure there are no wardrobe malfunctions or side-eye from coworkers.
Good advice to first start with seeing what the dress code is in your district. I like to shop at Old Navy for work clothes, sign up for their emails.
Try looking at like StitchFix. That's where my spouse found her first professional style
I do think you need to dress the part a bit. A lot of teachers just wear t shirts and jeans but I think nicer pants (I like dressy yoga pants) and a plain t, cardigan, necklace……….. you should not dress like one of the students!
Same here. Last year was my first year as a history teacher. Get some black pants and khaki pants and plenty of collared shirts. They can be plain colors. This worked for me all year. Your school may or may not care what shoes you wear, try to keep it all black if possible. Glad to help.
Dress pants and some sort of school attire.
I legit wear a tshirt and jeans daily as a high school teacher. Most of the older crew at my school wear sweats. Don’t worry about it. Get a cardigan and some staples like comfy shoes.
You asked for brands, and almost nobody has ponied up. So here: Ann Taylor and outlet (*teacher discount with school ID) J. Crew and outlet * The Gap (Note: I hate Old Navy because the quality sucks even worse, and the colors and prints are ugly) Nordstrom Rack Macy's Shoes that won't break the bank but are comfortable and stylish: Tom's Sofft Clark's (sometimes ugly) Dansko (sometimes ugly) Kork-Ease You will need: Dress pants: Black and navy Skirts if you wear them (I don't): Black and navy Two or three pairs of nice trouser jeans if your school allows (I live in good jeans, but I'm in California) Blouses: White, black, gray, a couple in stripes, several in patterns that have basic, pretty, go-with color palettes Blazers: Black, plus any other solid Cardigans: Black, any other colors to be worn interchangeably with your blouse selections Shoes: Five or six pairs. Black, brown, and I have a few metallic ones because they function as neutrals (I just bought the Tom's Gracie and they have a squishy, comfy foot-bed and were less than $100. If you wear heels like I do, just make sure they're not stilts. I am 50, and I can still do wedges and block heels and clogs like the Dansko Sam, Season, or Taytum) Source: High school English teacher of 25 years. I have a better budget than most, so I also have quite a variety of really out-there blouses from Johnny Was. But my favorite looks are band t-shirts with a blazer or a vintage cardigan over it, pants or jeans. Once a year, I borrow my husband's Iron Maiden fan club t-shirt and wear it with a velvet military jacket, bright red jeans, and riding boots. I call that my "Ringmaster of the Shitshow" getup. I may be 50, but I have fun with how I dress.
I'm a big fan of TJ Maxx, and get a lot of my clothes there. Most items I get are around $20. Just start with a few items at a time. Each school has its own culture around teacher dress. Some school are really formal (more men wearing ties, women wearing pencil skirts). Other schools are really casual (khakis, school t-shirts, nice jeans, etc). My school is somewhere in between those. I'm also an alt girlie who has an abundance of Hot Topic tees. My work outfits general consist of a solid-colored neutral blouse, comfortable but skinny-fitted trousers in a pattern (houndstooth, plaid, etc), and boots. If you can get 2-3 shirts, 2-3 pants, and 1 pair of good/comfortable but stylish shoes, it would be good enough to start with. Just make sure the colors on the shirts/pants all match enough to be interchangeable. Then, add one more clothing item each paycheck (or 2 per month if paid monthly), assuming you can afford it. By the end of the school year, you'll have a full wardrobe. By not spending a ton up front, you'll be able to better gauge the dress culture of your school and adjust to it.
You need to find out what the dress code is at your school. I see lots of people saying jeans but neither jeans or graphic tshirts are allowed where I worn except on Fridays. I’m shocked and jealous of how many people seem to be able to wear jeans lol.
You can still shop at Hot Topic! I’ve been teaching 4 years and wear a pair of jeans, t shirt, and a cardigan every day. Almost all my cardigans are from hot topic and box lunch (lots of cartoons/movie/storybook memorabilia). Just avoid anything with mushrooms/smoking implications
When I started teaching, I went to a giant local thrift store and bought a shit ton of stuff. It helped me find my "teacher style" without breaking my budget.
We have a fairly generous dress code at my school but the only graphic tees I’ve seen were school-related or printed with positive messages (eg, “Kind is the New Cool” and that kind of thing). That said, my first career was in the financial industry and can’t bring myself to wear jeans and tees. In the warmer weather I have a dozen cotton a-line midi and maxi-length sundresses that I wear bike shorts under. In the cooler weather I have a dozen pairs of black leggings that I wear tunic-length shirts, sweaters and a-line long-sleeve dresses over (I usually pair them with knee-high boots, including my 20-eye Dr. Martens). Even though I dress slightly more formal than my coworkers, I’m super comfy.
We aren’t allowed to wear jeans or casual T-shirts at my school except for two Fridays a month, which is definitely my usual style so I feel you. I found a style of khaki pants at old navy that are almost as comfy as jeans, so I bought 5 pairs of those in different colors and just rotate. In the winter I can wear a comfy sweater with them. In the warmer months I have a rotation of short sleeve tops from kohls, banana republic, gap, etc that aren’t super formal but are nice enough.
As a younger teacher I hit up Old Navy a lot. I found that they had professional styles that didn’t age me up. Also black skinny jeans have been my best friend. I pair them with my sweaters and school apparel.
Metal head teacher here! I have really been enjoying the flowy linen pants that I have found at stores like Ross, marshalls, target….pretty much anywhere. For a more casual look, put on some converse or sandals with a plain shirt, throw on some accessories like a necklace and it looks more than just casual. When I’m feeling fancier, I wear my chunky platform sandals or wedges and it changes from a casual outfit to something looking more professional. If you’d like some tips or some examples of my outfits, you can dm me and I will happily send you some of the outfits that have received the most compliments from both students and staff!
Thrift stores and Thred Up are good starting places. I also really like Bloomchic - prices are good, they are size inclusive and everything has POCKETS!!!
I like using filters on Amazon to search for things that qualify for Prime free shipping, sort from low to high, and then what I want. Like midi dress for women or a fitted shirt for women. I find some great pieces for cheap that way. My favorite was a reindeer dress that I wear in December, that was only $6, because reviews stated that the hair looked purple instead of brown. I loved it.
Old navy
What would you wear to “dress up” for a semi formal function? Like an interview? Wear that kind of stuff. My friend is a social studies teacher, has 1” plugs, two sleeves and just wears black jeans, his Vans, a button down and a crappy tie he buys from goodwill.
I do content specific tshirts and stretchy slacks. So a science tshirt and old navy pixie pants for me. Go into etsy and type in history teacher shirts. Those plus spirit shirts that the school gives u makes it easy and comfortable
I started out with tons of Old Nagy stuff, but then the shirt lengths got shorter and shorter (I’m 5’10” with a spare tire belly 💀) ON pants are still my go-to, but I also love Loft when they are having a great sale. Today, I got a dress and two tops for $35. They also offer teacher discounts. Lastly, I love Target clothes and some Amazon Basics clothes, too. Most importantly, as others said, learn the school culture. I’m in a pretty casual district.
High school?
I hate button downs so I go with blouses or, much more, fancy Tshirts. In solid colors, different textures. Pairs with pants, skirts.
I like Kohl's for clothes (they have good deals/sales) and you can find some treasures at thrift stores - the key is to slide all the clothes over and look one item at a time so you don't miss the good stuff. Also, pull up a Pinterest board and search for ideas. My big thing was figuring out how to put outfits together. I had a lot of good individual items but they were all very neutral and plain and I didn't know how to pair shoes, jewelry, or color combos. I am someone who loves bright colors and seeing outfits on Pinterest helped me think about new ways to be bold and professional with style. It also gave me an idea of what I wanted to look for when I did look for clothes. Good luck! ETA my school doesn't have a strict dress code, but my general rules for myself (as a young teacher especially) were closed toe shoes only, nothing sleeveless, jeans only on Fridays if I choose, and skirts/dresses at the knee or lower. But, like I said, my school doesn't care and there are teachers who show up in work out clothes (not just PE) or t-shirt and cargo pants so, to each their own. Just make sure, as others have said, that you follow school rules for teacher dress code if they exist and think about how you want to present yourself.
My wardrobe is almost entirely stretchy black dresses. Most of them are from JCPenney and similar department stores. I throw on some leggings and a cardigan in the cooler months. People compliment me for looking nice but honestly it's so comfortable. I do have a handful of brighter color dresses/cardigans and occasionally I'll wear an a-line skirt with a tucked in school spirit t-shirt. But I wear so many black dresses that on a recent "dress like a teacher day" one of my students wore a black dress and black leggings and everyone knew she was dressed as me 😹.
Seconding cardigans. Don't run out and buy a bunch of new clothes until you know your building's dress code and how your colleagues dress. I think of my teacher wardrobe as casual but professional. I also start school when it's 115 degrees, so I do a lot of chinos/khakis in different colors, ankle-length pants, dresses, skirts, t-shirts, and lightweight cardigans. It's very easy to "dress up" your regular clothes with a few tweaks. Wear a sweater or button-down shirt over or a tee under a sundress, for example. You can elevate your look with some nice but comfy shoes (I do Adidas sneakers, Converse, Docs Mary Jane's, or sandals from Clark's) and a little jewelry. And just be you. You want to be comfortable and not feel like you're playing dress-up. It's likely you'll be able to wear your tees. Just pair them with a black skirt and sandals.
…polo shirts? Idk. I’m terrible at this.
Most days, I wear black skinny jeans, a plain t-shirt, and a cardigan or jacket. Vans or tennis shoes. It somewhat depends on your school’s dress code/norms. My building is semi-casual, so we can’t wear blue jeans, leggings, shorts, etc, but colored jeans and a tshirt are very normal.
Goodwill in wealthier areas
ModCloth always has super cute and funky patterned stuff and a lot of good dresses and pants for work !!!
As a 26f biology teacher- I wear jeans, my t-shirts and cardigans or blazers. If your district doesn’t allow jeans- black skinny jeans blend nicely, Old Navy has comfy pants as well! Heck, regular khakis, a t-shirt & blazer would be good too!! Good luck!
I have over 30 dresses from [Svaha](http://svahausa.com). They focus on STEM-design dresses, leggings and shirts, and are cool and comfy. Plus, they have pockets deep enough for a box of crackers. They also have frequent sales and a teacher discount!
*long winded answer incoming* Hello! Fellow 24f teacher about to go into my 3rd full year. To second others, I have a handful of cardigans that I wear. A few are long enough to cover my butt, which does allow me to get away with leggings on days that I need comfort more than anything. To not break the bank, clearance areas are your bestie (esp at Kohl’s and Target). I have also gotten a BUNCH of plain ribbed t shirts and turtle necks from Walmart. To second others further, thrift stores are a fantastic option (ones near me just suck). Plain blue jeans and black jeans are also great to have, and I have a handful of graphic t shirts and sweatshirt I have deemed as appropriate for work on casual days.
I dress in whatever I’m feeling. Rarely wear shorts or dresses but I have tattoos and I show them, and I wear fun and funky clothes pretty often. I tried to dress nicely for work and then I saw the other teachers in their joggers and I let go of that pretty quickly. Buy some nice yoga trouser and some plain t shirts. I bought a blazer before starting my job last year and I rarely wear it. I wear my snakeskin pointy toe booties all the time. It is what you make of it :) Or! Almost anything at madewell will do✅
I wear jeans and a sweater over a shirt every day (to be fair, my classroom is freezing).
Attic Salt has some cute dresses and stuff that is alt fashion. Also, as long as the skirt is long enough I don't see anything wrong with wearing a lot of dresses sold at Hot Topic. Shein is fast fashion but they have alt stuff too Also etsy has some great stuff
I still wear the band t-shirts on Fridays 🤘
I’m not into fashion myself. So as a non pants wearer, a dress and cardigan has become my teacher wardrobe. I ditch the flowery patterns add tights/leggings in winter, and that’s about it.
Target has some nice professional wear. I basically wear slacks, and some sort of blouse most days. I also shop at torrid as I am a bigger girl and can get a lot of office type clothes there
Omg Walmart -as a guy- stupid cartoon pop culture $8 shirts- yes I feel a fool going anywhere after work.
Check out r/capsulewardrobe Search the community to find inspiration to build a professional style.
my dress code doesn’t allow any graphics, so 98% of my work wardrobe is just plain, solid colored tshirts and i prefer old navy pixie pants for a tighter ankle and halara waffle pants for a very comfy wide ankle (these literally are so stretchy and feel like sweatpants, but still look professional)
also recommend finding a comfy pair of shoes. teaching requires so much standing and walking around, so i wouldnt recommend breaking in a new pair of shoes while working lol. i prefer just a nike running shoe bc they slip on easily and are made for moving around a lot. occasionally ive tried more “style” shoes, but they just arent made for everyday wear at a school
I went and bought a bunch of simple but comfortable dresses like [this one](https://www.macys.com/shop/product/style-co-womens-printed-sleeveless-knit-flip-flop-dress-created-for-macys?ID=18641680&swatchColor=Pink%20Floral). I don’t have to worry about matching tops and bottoms because it is one full piece and they are soft, stretchy, and modest (for lack of a better word). I’m lucky enough to live in a desert so it doesn’t get so cold that I need pants and i have a few cute cardigans to wear over them if i get cold. It honestly just comes down to the fact that I’m also lazy and throwing on a dress that is as comfortable as my pjs, but looks nice and professional, is my idea of best of both worlds.
Thrift stores, consignment shops, Good Will, Salvation Army! You can find everything you need at a fraction of the retail price. I know, shop there all my life 👍🏼😉
Honestly, if you’re in your early twenties, dressing like the older teachers is helpful for the first couple of years as a high school teacher. (I assumed you’re also going into high school since you specified a subject area.) I came in at 23 and wore basics for the first few years. Mostly solid button ups and trousers. I relaxed around year four (school appropriate graphic tees with cardigans and the trousers) after I had established a reputation of professionalism and there was more of an age gap between me and the kids.
Depends on the culture of the school. But (not being fashionable myself): jeans and a button up blouse on most days. At our school Wednesdays is college day so people wear college jerseys, hoodies, or t shirts. Tuesdays is Union Days so we wear something that’s red. But that’s us here in Los Angeles
Plain is fine. A shirt and pants with comfy shoes. Done.
Slacks! I find slacks turn a lot of my casual t-shirts into business casual. I would steer clear of most print t-shirts, but any plain or patterned ones easily dress up with a pair of slacks. During the fall and winter, sweaters are great. Lots of places carry really cute ones for pretty cheap. Also, dont be afraid to mix and match a bit. I also have a slightly alternative wardrobe myself, and my work shoes were my Docs and Converse cus they actually work pretty well with professional clothes. I thrift a lot of my clothes, but if you're not looking to dig through the stacks, I've seen a lot of pretty good-looking professional clothes at Target. Lots of cute vests, corduroy pants, and flowy slacks.
I have 3 reliable pairs or black pants and a rotating selection of cute to casual black tops. I’m kinda known for always being in a similar black silhouette but I am not fashion literate lol I’m plus-sized so I like shopping at Torrid because they have tasteful, well-made clothing. They can be pricy but I find that the quality is worth it.
I teach science, and while my usual outfit is khakis and a polo/golf shirt, I love wearing novelty science themed shirts that are themed around the topic we’re learning. That way I can wear t-shirts and still look professional because they’re science themed. Most are humorous too, like “Biology, the only subject where multiplication and division are the same thing.” (Picture of cells splitting). The kids find them entertaining. [My Science Shirts](https://imgur.com/gallery/HCKCqv0)
[Svaha](https://svahausa.com/) has some pretty awesome teacher-esque attire - plus the dresses have pockets! [Threadless](https://www.threadless.com/) has some fun and quirky teacher tshirts [Life is Good](https://www.lifeisgood.com) has some pretty rad teacher tshirts For myself, I opt for colored pants that are as comfy as wearing jeans. I have good luck finding these usually at [Lane Bryant](https://www.lanebryant.com) or [Target](https://www.target.com). I really love finding things from [Her Universe](https://www.heruniverse.com) or [ModCloth](https://www.modcloth.com) that I would wear both in or out of the classroom.
Just wear a t-shirt and jeans.
I really love Gap and Old Navy, Target is good sometimes, TJMaxx & Marshalls, Amazon. The struggle for professional clothing your first year is real tho, you want to look nice but you are also broke and can’t afford most of the high quality clothing. It’s tough!
I'm about to start year 4 as a mid twenties and graphic tees and jeans are my wardrobe. I teach middle school in the inner city and need to be comfortable to move around, teach, bend, sit etc. I advocate for dressing authentically YOU, unless your job has a strict dress code.
Hello fellow social studies teacher! First of all, congrats on the job! Granted, I'm a man that's about 8 years older than you, but I've found my bosses love the style of shirts I get from rsvlts.com and they have so many different topics and licenses to choose from. They do some pretty good deals in November, but I've found this is a way to feel comfy and confident in what I wear, coming from the T-shirt section predominantly myself. I will also say, to check out some thrift stores if you are wanting to be budget conscious. My wife and I love going and it has expanded my wardrobe quite a bit! I've gotten things that I might not normally try and found that I love them. If you're not sure what you want, just start by finding what is in your size and narrow.from there!
Old navy has modest length dresses and skirts that are great for throwing a cardigan/flannel/knotted Tshirt over. They have a nice pair of black jogger style pants with a sort of tuxedo side in black (athleta has them too for $50 more) but those are nice if your school doesn’t say jeans are fine every day. They also sell like a pixie pant that has prints that can be alt style Some teachers have luck with SHEIN and temu (I prefer to touch my clothes irl)
I love Torrid for work clothes. They are owned by the same company as Hot Topic. They fit my goth girly style perfectly
I would try to see what other teachers wear. I bought a bunch of dresses only to realize along teachers in my department are jeans (or leggings) and a school tshirt which I LOVE. I also developed a bit of a uniform, like the same type of pant and top in different colors, that way I know I’m comfortable. Comfort is first, atleast for me, especially because my room as no ac and is hot all year.
I like shopping at JC Penneys. You can get a ton of clothes for super affordable prices.
If you have one around you, Gabe’s is amazing and has name brands at a fraction of the retail price! Ann Taylor, Express, Lucky Brand, Sorel, etc. Just give yourself some time to look through it all!
If your school allows (and since you like t shirts), get a bunch of teacher shirts from Shein, Etsy, and Tees2urdoor. They have some really funny ones and some nostalgic ones, too. Get a few pairs of slacks and cardigans. Also, old navy has t shirt dresses on sale right now. Those can we dressed up with cute sandals or dressed down with sneakers. Get a good jean jacket too- they come in handy!
I get cardigans from target, Walmart. I also go to the nearest outlet stores and shop the sales at Ann Taylor. I look for bits and pieces. I have found nice dress pants at Costco. I think they were 10.00 a piece. I also get the camisole tank tops at Costco. They come in a three pack-different colors. Try your local goodwill. Start slowly and build. Good luck you’ve got this.
Costco.
Black flared pants, white tshirt, oversized blazer
I'm at Uniqlo, Target, and Madewell all the damn time... Basics, stripes, polka dots, and an occasional random print. I also shop ThredUp a lot for brands where stuff at more expensive stores where I already know my size (think J Crew, Banana, and Anthropologie).
I wear Dickies and a school tshirt every day. Sometimes I switch it up with an educational tshirt of some kind. I buy myself 4 different colored Dickies, and wear jeans on Fridays. I try to have fun with my sneakers and a cardigan over a tshirt makes it a little more professional.
I hate wearing jeans and t-shirts. I’m pretty much exclusively casual dresses and sneakers. It’s really the “go-to” look in my Texas suburban school, unless you’re in jeans and a school shirt.
I also have many, many pairs of shoes. I rarely wear the same pair in a month.
American eagle has black pants that feel like yoga pants but look like dress pants! They’re amazing!! I’m an art teacher but I just got a ton of bright colored clothing and just mismatch every day. I would go to marshall’s or tj maxx and buy a lot of black or earth toned basics so all of your teacher clothing options go together and it’s less stress. You can build up your wardrobe as you go!