So, I'm going to start working as a paraeducator for an afterschool program in three weeks. Today we had a short orientation meeting and dress came up. The director said that since we are going to be out doing art, pe, computer, games, etc. that we should dress comfortbaly. Shorts and jeans and a tshirt were okay. I CAN'T do that!!! One, I have been teaching professionally for 6 years and I am used to dressing up in fancy clothes. Two, I accepted this job (even though I'm way overqualified) because that's what you sometimes need to do in order to get your foot in the door and get your name out. Since I had to quit my beloved job and move to this area for hubby's job, I have to basically start all over. So, I need help. I need you guys to give me some ideas on what to wear that is comfy but still very chic looking. I want to dress for the job I want, not for the job I already have, but still be comfy enough to get on the floor, messy, etc.
What did you wear to your old job? We can try to tweak that a little. Do you prefer dresses or pants?
I used to wear pants only, but now that tights and leggings are in, I can finally wear skirts and dresses (never felt comfortable doing that before). So, before I wore a lot of slacks with nice tops, blouses, cardigans, sweaters, etc. And for shoes I would wear high heeled boots or high heel shoes, sometimes ballet slippers (but my orthopedic forbid me from wearing those to work). For my homeschooling and tutoring jobs this year, I have been wearing jeans, but they are my nice dark wash jeans along with nice tops. So similar, just nice jeans. But I don't feel AS much of a need to impress since they are just moms and dads. But for this school district, I want to dress nice (and of course do a fabulous job) to get my name out. Fashion-wise, I don't feel like I'm naturally trendy. So, that's why I'm asking you guys for help! :help:
So jeans and a nice cardigan with a low heel would would look nice. You could add a scarf as well...a grey scarf goes well with anything. And the same thing with basic black pants. I love tights and a dress. You can buy tights black, brown, and grey. I think a simple dress looks the nicest with a nice cardigan over it. In the spring, a knee length sundress with a cardigan would look nice.
What about nice Bermuda shorts? I don't feel comfortable wearing regular shorts, but there are some really nice looking Bermuda shorts that you could still move easily in. Edit...just realized it might be too cold where you are for them. Maybe just nicer jeans! I'm getting too used to the warm weather here!
How about dressing in very nice PE teacher type clothes? This would include khaki pants/shorts and polo shirts. Very professional, on the dressy side, but functional. You could also plan to wear skirts, etc., on days when you are not doing the PE> This is what I would do. You would look nice but be able to do the job. You would look professional and appropriately dressed. I would nix the jeans no matter what they say, if you are looking to move into a teaching position.
I took a similar job in the afternoon this year and, if its like mine, I would be careful about dressing up too much. I seem to get filthy every day dragging out bikes, balls and all matter of outside equipment and doing and cleaning up arts and crafts. I need layers because I am inside and outside a lot going from hot to cold. I am on my feet almost the whole time, so comfortable shoes are essential. I need reasonable clothes that let me move quickly because I have to catch and wrestle with an emotionally disturbed child to keep him and others safe. I tend to dress better than my co-workers because of the school I teach at in the morning, but I try to keep it low-key. I am not a fashionista by any stretch of the imagination but I would warn you not to overdress too much. One, it isn't practical. Two, it may annoy your co-workers who think you are trying to be better than them. Keep it simple.
How about trouser jeans, a wash & wear blouse, and a cardigan? Flat or small heel? I'd think "easy to wash".
leggings and knit dresses have been by go tos the past couple years. SO comfy but with some accessories, belts, etc., you will look really put together.
I live near the coast so while it's cold in the mornings, it's nice and warm by the afternoon time. Bermuda shorts could work. I think I still have a few from a few years ago when they were big. I'll have to try them on and see if they still fit. Polo shirts are definitely the one thing I can't wear. While I have a ton, for some reason they make me look really young. I'm 29 but look young. Wearing polos make me look even younger, more like a student. Darn it. Right. I don't plan to dress up TOO much. But I definitely want to be percieved as being professional and I do plan to make it known that I want a teaching job. 12 people were hired and I'm the only one who has real classroom teaching experience. All of them either just graduated or are still in school for their teaching credential. I hope they don't think I'm trying to be better than them, but I need to do what I gotta do to get that teaching job. And if they get butt-hurt, then oh well.
To the rest, thanks! I plan to hit up Old Navy and Target and see what they have. Nice but cheap and comfy clothes. So, I'll look for dresses, more nice tops, some khaki slacks,.... what else?
1st of all, congrats! I know how you feel about t-shirts. They're too messy to me & usually there's too much to tuck in, so it feels bulky. I haven't worn a t-shirt in unteen yrs & don't plan to. OK, so you want to look casually nice, but you don't wan to ruin your good clothing w/ the art projects, etc. that you'll be doing. How about getting a few pairs of walking shorts that come down to the knee in which you can wear sandals or boots with. And some nice tops & button down sweaters you can add when it's cooler? How about a few pairs of nice jeans in a flattering dark denim, black, grey, & maybe white. I wear bootcut jeans a ton w/ nice tops & boots all the time. A couple of nice ankle boots, maybe a knee high boot or two & a couple of flat shoes would be nice. When other posters have had threads about attire, I'v always said the stores to go to are New York & Co, Anthropologie, Macy's, Nordstrom.
I hadn't heard you got the job. Congrats! Can you wear jeans and a nice top? That way you are still somewhat comfortable and look nice?
I know many people disagree with this, but around here jeans are not considered professional attire. When I was an assistant at a pre-K after school program, I was not allowed to wear jeans, except for one Friday a month, and only with a school shirt (not a T-shirt, a monogrammed polo shirt.) The school where I teach now never allows jeans, ever. Not even on professional development days. Our coaches are allowed to wear shorts, but not our teachers, even the ones in aftercare programs. Our coaches cannot wear shorts during the periods when they teach in a classroom. I would go with slacks in black, khaki, grey, and maybe brown. I would also look for some shells in basic or patterned colors, or some "fashion tees," so fitted T-shits with ruffles, detailed stitching, etc. I would buy cardigans in every style and color you can find. Then mix and match. It sounds like you already have this type of wardrobe. Just keep doing what you're doing. If someone asks why you dress up so much, let them know these are the clothes you had to wear at your last job, so these are the clothes you have and the clothes you are comfortable in.
I live in nice capris. And I love the suggestion of trouser jeans. You could pair anything from breezy tank tops and fitted jackets to layered long sleeve tops with them. Casual, yet dressy.
Capris are not considered "professional attire" in two of the districts where I've worked. I don't agree with that, but we were not allowed to wear them. I do like the idea of trouser jeans. They are more flattering to me than regular jeans anyway.
I agree with MissCelia about the fashion tees--that's what I was going to suggest. They are not the square, bulky t-shirts, but shaped, fitted tops with some details. Pair it with nice jeans and a cardigan, and you would look dressed up but not too dressy.
While I like capris, I don't feel comfortable wearing them to school. I have white white legs and don't feel comfortable showing them! Hence, why I am so excited that tights and leggings are in. I do own one pair of trouser jeans so those can work on the days I decide to wear jeans. I do own a ton of cardigans, so that's good. I guess I still feel lost, just in general, on what clothes to wear and developing my own sense of style. I really like these types of clothes: http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/elsies-closet-daily-outfit-catalog.html But I don't know if I could dress like this at school. Too distracting?
I wouldn't wear dresses if the rest of the staff members dress way down. You would just stand out way too much, and it doesn't seem practical if you are on the grass, etc. I would just suggest comfortable pants, nice tops with a cardigan ( I love those also), and maybe a "milder" version of a dress: a skirt with tights, and a nice top with cardigan. Comfortable shoes, such as flats would work great. I myself like to dress up for school, dress pants, tops, skirts, I even wore dresses with covers before, but since I started to work at a detention facility I had to change it. (since July). Most of the teachers dress way down, I mean T shirt, jeans, tennis shoes, I was never comfortable with that. I was wearing nicer pants, even skirts with cardigans, and made sure I was always covered. (it's important there for a female) But when I got a position of a long term sub, I realized that I was tired of dressing down, because I never felt comfortable. So now I always wear dress pants, skirts with tights, nice blouses, sweaters, with covers on top (never dresses though, that wouldn't be appropriate there). Out of all the staff members, there is only another teacher (who is now also the VP) and the principal who dresses like this. Oh well, I feel comfortable like this. (My Fridays I made casual Fridays, though, so I wear jeans, but still make it dressy, lol) So I know what you mean by not wanting to dress down. You just need to find a comfortable medium where you feel like yourself, still fit in and it is practical.
Linguist, I used to sub for juvie way back then, too, so I know what you mean. Thanks for your opinions. I hate clothes shopping. I really do. And I feel that I have no natural sense of what looks good on me. Hubby is actually the one who picks out all of the cute things for me. Thank goodness for him.
I worked for a district's preschool/after-school program prior to teaching. We wore jeans and either school t-shirts or other simple tops. On any given day I would be responsible for cooking in a fully equipped professional kitchen meals for students, change diapers, set up sprinklers and tubs of water for water play outside, lay down with the toddlers who needed back rubs to fall asleep, and then there was my role of lead teacher for the after-school program which involved tutoring, arts & crafts, and other sometimes messy activities. Even those who worked just part-time in the afternoons dressed casually. Except for one...she was let go. Not for dressing so nicely, but I do know the director didn't quite know how to interpret the fancy outfits, and she was bothered by how they kept her from fully performing her duties. But she was extreme...couldn't even bend over without her skimpy undies showing. So if you can bear it, I would really go for a khaki with cardigan look. That will still mean you are dressing nicer than your colleagues...too much nicer and I think you'd feel uncomfortable. I would, anyhow. I remember subbing at our elementary school. I dressed up (before I learned how casual the district was) and I felt outright stupid and out of place. I could have been just paranoid, buy I swear I got a couple of looks kind of like these: :|:huh: Haha. But, seriously, I felt ridiculous and stopped. I haven't dressed like that since. Of course, you can absolutely dress how you like and that is that. If you're comfortable, then I think that's probably most important.
JustMe, I agree with you about not being comfortable. I never feel comfortable if I'm under-dressed or overdressed for any occasion. And the main point, like you said is not that someone is dressing too fancy, but: does it interfere with the duties? Khakis with cardigans really do sound good. Those same pants are also made in colors of olive green, navy green, brown, black, and can look very nice with a simple top and a cardigan. When warmer weather arrives, I will probably be wearing something similar, because dress pants would be too much in 100-110 F. I might try capris, and longer skirts. With some kind of a cover / cardigan for all. Try looking through online magazines, I think you will find some great pieces and ideas.
Oooh, I do like olive green khakis. I know I used to get them at Old Navy. I'll have to look around for those. I didn't even think about those!
Trouser jeans in different colors with tanks, cardigans or fashion tees with cute short boots with a little heel. We can wear capris, so that works well for me. I wear my capris with nice sandals or cute little flats. I do agree that it is important to look professional. Best wishes on your new job & hope that it leads to a teaching job.
You also mentioned "comfy but still very chic looking". I looked at the website you mentioned and for someone who feels like she does not have a strong sense of her style, what you are drawn to is very fashion forward and has a very strong point of view! I think the clothes are adorable as long as you have the body type to wear them (long, thin limbs...) All that said, here is my The director may say jeans and a T, but he/she will notice if you dress better and take better care of yourself. So will your students. Both in positive ways... I think you could modify the looks on that website to fit your job and look great. They are fun and funky which is appropriate for the job your were hired for, but still put together and professional. Though I would think most of those outfits would be a bit distracting as presented in a camp type setting, but elements of them would be great. Pair the olive green pants with a funky top in bright colors. Jersey skirts with leggings underneath are great for outdoor play. Of course, without sacrificing your style, be sure it is all wash and wear and won't easily stain.
