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10 Outfit & Style Ideas for Teachers

November 11, 2014 by Crafty Teacher Lady +

If you follow me on Instagram you’ve probably seen my ‘teacher outfit of the day’ pictures, but if not, this post is for you! Although my school is pretty laid back when it comes to enforcing a staff dress code, most days my outfits are on the dressier side. Even on days I dress more casually, I try to ensure I look well put together when heading to work!

The places I tend to shop most frequently include Forever 21, Old Navy, H&M, Target, GAP outlet, and Banana Republic outlet. I do tend to find some great accessories and items at WalMart, too! I don’t have a big budget (shocking…I’m a teacher so you would think I’d be rolling in the dough) but have found that creativity can really stretch ones wardrobe! The pictures to follow were all taken with my iPhone so the quality isn’t the best, but hopefully you’ll find some inspiration for your work attire nonetheless!

Outfit #1: Bold Color & Pattern
teacher style
The classic navy pencil skirt was only $12 at Forever 21 (I recently purchased it in gray also)! The navy belt came with a dress I purchased at WalMart but have repurposed here. The hot pink cardigan is from Banana outlet as is the lime green & white hounds tooth bow top! I went bold with the colors and think they play well off one another…don’t be shy…go bold!
Outfit #2: Casual Friday

 My students said ‘Miss Rush, your outfit looks like something I would wear’ which I took as a compliment! Ha! I think the soft fall colors work well together here. The sweater is from H&M, the burnt orange tank was only $4 at Forever 21 (necklace is from Forever 21 as well…they have tons of fun and inexpensive accessories), boots were a splurge from my local Nine West outlet. Jeans are from Delias, a store for teens, but they have pant lengths for short people such as myself so I shop there for that reason!

Outfit #3: Feminine Neutrals
teacher outfit ideas

This is a really simple outfit but I love the soft colors and the bow detail of the neckline on the sweater. The top is from H&M, skirt is from Target, pumps are from Nine West outlet. I also have the shoes in black patent and really love how they look and feel (not too uncomfortable to be in all day). Purchasing classic pieces like the khaki pencil skirt & the nude pumps, really make it possible to mix and match my wardrobe.

Outfit #4: Fall Comfort
I LOVE this outfit because it’s cute but so very comfortable! In this case, the plaid LL Bean scarf acts as a piece that ties the rest of the outfit together.  It’s paired with a simple GAP outlet navy cardigan worn over a simple $13 heather purple dress from Forever 21. Navy tights and boots from Kohls finish off the look!
Outfit #5: MadMen
 I love this H&M sheath dress because you put on one item, and you’re done! I felt like Joan from MadMen in this dress…classic and stands the test of time! I decided to pair the dress with a leopard print belt from Forever 21 to add a little bit of detail. Nude pumps keep the legs looking long…easy peasy! 
Outfit #6: Field Trip

 Dressing for a field trip in New England, in the rain, in November is not an easy task! It was cold and really windy and we had to walk outside around Salem all day. So, I paired my warmest blue wool sweater (purchased 10+ years ago at Old Navy) with my all time favorite Target purchase, this navy blue polka dot rain coat! Jeans are Delias and the Sperry wellies were purchased at Marshalls last year. They are warm, waterproof, and comfortable!

Outfit #7: Classic Teacher
When I think ‘teacher style’ I think of this outfit…a classic cardigan (Banana outlet) paired with a whimsical printed pencil skirt (Target) over a ruffle neckline button up shirt (Target). I wore this outfit for parent-teacher conferences and received lots of compliments!
Outfit #8: All About the Accessories
Here I’ve paired a pencil skirt from GAP outlet with classic white collared shirt topped with a navy blue Old Navy pullover. Without the accessories, the look would be a bit plain for my taste so I added a patent blue belt (Forever 21) and a gold bauble necklace from WalMart.
Outfit #9: Boho Chic
Another super easy outfit…dresses are the best! This bohemian-inspired paisley print dress from Forever 21 is paired with a belt, to cinch in my waist, and tan boots from Nine West (purchased in September). Really easy to put together but also very comfortable!
Outfit #10: Monochromatic with a Pop

And finally, a mono-chromatic look with a pop of red at the waist! This navy shirt dress from Old Navy is paired with navy tights and navy ‘booties/shoeties’. I wasn’t sure if I could pull off the bootie look as I’m pretty short and thought they would chop up my visual leg line. But, I think keeping the whole look mono-chromatic worked well.  This is an example of me going out of my comfort zone, albeit cautiously, to try something trendy…and isn’t that what fashion is all about? Trying new things and having fun while doing it? My goal with work attire is to look put-together, conservative, and trendy all at the same time, while maintaining a strict budget!

Tell me, what are some of your favorite looks and places to shop on a budget?
Linking up to The Pleated Poppy for ‘What I Wore Wednesday’!

Filed Under: school, style, Uncategorized, What I Wore Wednesday

Comments

  1. Fonda @Savvy Southern Chic says

    February 9, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    Love the bold bright colors in the first outfit.

  2. Unknown says

    February 9, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    Love all these outfits! I think 1 and 9 are my favrorites!

    -Karen
    http://www.ladyinviolet.com

  3. Unknown says

    February 9, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    Found your blog through the pleated poppy. Love all your outfits, you've got great taste! 🙂

  4. April says

    February 9, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    Very cute! I love all of these-especially your polka dot rain jacket!

  5. Jule aus 9B says

    February 9, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    Hi, I found your blog through Pinterest and really like your outfits, esp. no. 3, 5 and 10…. but they're all really nice and I would wear them myself. Except the brown boots. It's funny because on my teacher fashion Pinterest board, there are so many teacher photos with similar brown boots.. seems to be a teacher thing in the US. 😉 I have nude pumps like your ones and wear them on short days (when I teach just a few lessons) or on special days like when the parents come in…

    • Crafty Teacher Lady says

      February 9, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      Thanks for stopping by the blog! Hope your school year is going well! And yes, brown boots are very popular! Ha!

  6. Virginia says

    February 9, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    Love these outfit ideas, especially the bold colors! I needed to get reinspired for back to school outfits because the school year is rapidly approaching! It's not just kids that get excited about new school clothes!

    moretomrse.blogspot.com

    • Crafty Teacher Lady says

      February 9, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      Oh I totally get excited about 'back to school' shopping! So fun! Hope you're having a great school year!

  7. Elizabeth Barnett says

    February 9, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    Hi!

    Love all of your outfit ideas! I'm student teaching at the elementary level but I can see how I could turn a lot of these outfits into things I could wear student teaching. I especially love your polka dot rain jacket – too cute! 4 & 7 are probably my favorites! 🙂

    Thanks for sharing your outfit ideas. I'm undertaking a similar project on my blog.

    Elizabeth
    styleelementary.blogspot.com

    • Crafty Teacher Lady says

      February 9, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      Thank you! I'm hoping to write a post soon with fashion advice for new teachers! Your blog looks great!

Hello! I’m Kelly-Anne!

I’m an avid DIY and home decor enthusiast, wife and new mom, teacher of 15 years, and a Mainer now living on a farm in Virginia. Here you’ll find creative endeavors of all sorts!

Now offering Interior Decorating Services at  Dirigo & Dogwood

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We had a small family party while in Maine and I had so much fun putting together all the details! My favorite part of the decor was making the cake toppers to put onto a plain white bakery cake (I also added some fresh strawberries). I printed some strawberries and flowers on card stock and glued them to wood skewers. I made the pennant flags and bunting out of fabric from Joannes and used the same gingham for the table runners. It brings me so much joy to put together a little birthday party for my sweet little girl! Watching her grow and seeing her personality blossom is the greatest privilege of my life…she’s the best thing to ever happen to me! 

And on that note, Happy Birthday, C, and Happy New Year to all of you!

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