fashion

Teachers showed us their go-to work outfits that are stylish, modest and practical.

I know a lot of teachers

No, really. In fact, I would say 90 per cent of my friendship circle are teachers, which always makes for interesting conversations whenever we're together (that I mostly don't understand). 

Watch: Thank you to all teachers, everywhere. Post continues below.

"Can you believe it!? The office lady questioned why I needed so many photocopies!?"

"My kindy kids are adorable ... but one of them stabbed me with a pin."

"I told them to get into two straight lines and instead I got three zig-zags."

And as I sit amongst my teacher friends, I always come to the same conclusion: without teachers, we'd all be screwed.

Did I get annoyed whenever I read, "Talks too much and distracts others" on my report card in school? Absolutely, but now that I think about it, flicking rubber bands at my friends from across the room did make them lose their focus, so... point taken.

And aside from making lesson plans and restructuring their classrooms for the new school year, teachers are also skilled at finding stylish ways to dress while still abiding by their school's dress code.

Each school has their own rules - some teachers can't wear jeans, while others don't allow shoulders to be on show. 

So I spoke to some chic teachers about the foolproof clothing pieces they wear to school that are modest, stylish and comfortable. 

Let's get into the staple pieces they recommend having in your wardrobe. 

Floral A-line skirts that allow for movement. 

"The shape of the skirt provides me with full movement where I can get on the floor with the students or even run or walk fast with them." Image: Supplied.

"Dressing up for the teaching profession is like balancing on a fine line between professionalism and comfort. We need to look presentable while still maintaining the flexibility to move around freely with the students. Therefore I love to wear full-flowing A-line skirts. The shape of the skirt gives me enough movement where I can get on the floor with the students or even run with them. And the pattern of the skirt is bright and colourful because it's fun and the kids love it!" - Hareem.

We recommend:

St. Frock Blissful Maxi Skirt in Black With Pink Multi Floral, $69.90 (Exact match).

Image: St. Frock.

Petal & Pup Doja Maxi Skirt, $79.

Image: Petal & Pup.

You + All Floral Print Maxi Skirt, $45.99.

Image: You + All.

Atmos&Here Flora Printed Broiderie Midi Skirt, $69.99.

Image: Atmos&Here Curvy, The Iconic.

Vibrant shirts and crossbody bags to help with playground duty.

"Love this shirt from Gorman because of the bright colours." Image: Supplied.

"I love this shirt from Gorman because of the bright colours. Plus, it's comfy and goes with a myriad of coloured pants and skirts. It also matches beautifully with my essential cross-body bag, which holds all my bits and bobs for playground duty." - Kylie.

We recommend:

Gorman Fleuriste Top, $149 (Exact match).

Image: Gorman.

Vow Once Upon a Time Blouse, $189.

Image: Vow Melbourne.

Dangerfield Thea Blouse, $84.

Image: Dangerfield.

Miss Shop Oakland Crossbody Bag, $39.95.

Image: Miss Shop, MYER.

Colourful and comfortable dresses. 

"I teach Kinder, so colour and fun is always appreciated and has almost become my signature." Image: Supplied.

"I love colour and don’t shy away from patterns or prints, this Gorman dress is exactly that! I teach Kinder, so colour and fun are always appreciated and have almost become my signature. But I also like to be comfortable and wear clothes that work for my body shape and make me feel confident." - Hayley.

We recommend:

Gorman Fruit Basket Smock Dress, $229 (Exact match).

Image: Gorman.

Love Style Co Kandee Dress, $84.95.

Image: Love Style Co.

Proud Poppy Millie Dress, $99.95.

Image: Proud Poppy.

St. Frock Beadlow Midi Smock Dress, $79.90.

Image: St. Frock.

Rainbow prints to impress the kindy kids. 

""The kindergarten children love my rainbow skirt." Image: Supplied.

"The kindergarten children love my rainbow skirt from Little Party Dress and my Erstwilder Care Bear earrings." - Michelle.

We recommend:

Erstwilder Care Bears Cheer Bear Earrings, $55 (Exact match).

Image: Erstwilder.

Little Party Dress Ada Pencils Skirt, $69.95.

Image: Little Party Dress.

ELM Sunset Stipe Skirt, $129.95.

Image: ELM.

Cynthia Rowley Printed T-Shirt, $95.

Image: Cynthia Rowley, The Iconic.

Themed outfits to get the kids excited for their lesson.

"I love bright and ostentatious outfits and I’ll often try to fit my outfit to my lesson themes." Image: Supplied.

"I’m a high school Drama/ English teacher. I love bright and ostentatious outfits and I’ll often try to fit my outfit to my lesson themes eg. comic book prints or Klimt for visual analysis and Shakespeare pants. It’s the ultimate dopamine dressing. My major style inspo is Miss Frizzle!" - Emily.

We recommend:

BlackMilk Hamlet Leggings, $75.

Image: BlackMilk.

Princess Highway French Fruit Skirt, $88.

Image: Princess Highway.

BlackMilk Bulbasaur Overalls, $139.

Image: BlackMilk.

Gorman Paddle Pop Culotte, $199.

Image: Gorman.

A cardigan and dress combo that looks professional and put together.

"I love wearing cardis and dresses to school because it makes me look and feel put together." Image: Supplied.

"Are you even a teacher if you're not wearing a cardigan? I love wearing cardis and dresses to school because not only does it make me look and feel put together - an essential when dealing with parents - but it also helps me move around and get to my students' level." - Saadia.

We recommend:

H&M MAMA V-Neck Nursing Dress, $59.99 (Exact match).

Image: H&M.

Commonry The Ocelot Flutter Sleeve Dress, $49.95.

Image: Commonry, MYER.

H&M Fine Knit Cardigan, $24.99.

Image: H&M.

Uniqlo Ines de la Fressange Pointelle Crew Neck Cardigan, $59.90.

Image: Uniqlo.

At Mamamia, we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.

Featured Image: Supplied.

As one of our readers we want to hear from you! Complete this survey now to go in the running to win a $100 gift voucher.

Related Stories

Recommended

Top Comments

kylieandnick2 9 months ago
My beautiful green cross body bag is from Custodians of Our Planet, an awesome Melbourne based company that uses recycled materials to make stunning bags. All designed and made in Melbourne 💚
https://www.instagram.com/weare_coop?igsh=bzloZXh1eTZrZXlo