Do You Think Dress Shorts Are Appropriate?

I would hardly compare the shorts JustMe showed to a baseball cap at a funeral. The women look very nice in my opinion. Much nicer than many teachers I see

 

The way a teacher should dress to be professional depends a lot upon the community that the school is in. Our school is very laid back on dress. K-2 teachers wear scrubs to school often and it's viewed as okay. However, if I was to move to the school in the next town, that would be inappropriate.

People can sit around a judge each other on what they wear. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. There are a few things that are definite "no-no's" like showing more skin than you would in church and looking unclean that I think we all agree on. However, I say live and let live. As long as what you wear is viewed as professional and okay in your community, it's fine.

 

Shorts really aren't in our school-suggested dress code, but some teachers wear them and the admin. doesn't say anything. Problem is, what started out as 'city' shorts (like those pictured) rapidly declined to any kind of shorts you wanted to wear, with a tank top and flip flops. Looks like a trip to the beach. We do have ac in our classrooms. We go from our air-conditioned house to our air-conditioned car to our air-conditioned class and walk 40 seconds to our air conditoned cafeteria. Exactly why do we need shorts and tank tops? Having no cloth from my knee to my ankle really doesn't make me feel cooler. But that's just my opinion.

 

I completely agree with JustMe. Those women look nice and professional. I don't like at that as the decline in society. I had a teacher in high school that would wear black yoga pants and a tank top everyday with tennis shoes. That is unprofessional in my opinion. If you wear something that shows you take pride in your profession and take it seriously, then it is fine by me.

 

I agree. I don't understand the excuse, well, we wear shorts cause it's hot here. I live in the central valley in CA where we get into the triple digits. I still make it a point to where nice, professional outfits. Heck, I've worn suits in the middle of the summer. I didn't complain though cause I went from AC to AC to AC.

I can see why people would think the dress shorts that someone posted would be okay. But, I can also see teachers than moving on to shorts that are not appropriate.

 

Wow,those teachers look great to me. I think the problem occurs when teachers where clothing that distracts the concentration of their students by exposing parts that are best left covered up.

 

I'm with you JustMe. I think those outfits you showed, with the 'dress shorts' are perfectly appropriate. They are cute and professional. I would not think twice if I saw a teacher dressed like that, and would probably compliment their outfit! I don't think showing your calves is inappropriate. I wore outfits like those to teach preschool in during the summer and was still able to get down on the floor with kids and not reveal anything that shouldn't be revealed. I have seen teachers wearing pants that look way less professional than those pictures.

 

Some of you seem to have developed the impression that I disapprove of the shorts shown, or shorts in general- I don't. I simply think it's off to call them 'dress shorts'. As far as appropriate wear for teachers, I'm all in favor of jeans and work shirts- but then, I'm in favor of lots of messy hands-on activities. I would consider anything you were afraid to get dirty inappropriate wear for teachers AND students.

 

Our school is the same. I am one of the only ones who dresses up most days, but I do love to wear jeans!

 

Last time I checked, the Queen wasn't teaching young children in spaces that aren't climate controlled. She does however have her own unique 'style' which most would describe as 'matronly'.

 

In fact, I could likely get into a lot of trouble if I came to work dressed like the queen.

 

Now, there's an image...

 

Like the Queen, or like a queen? I've seen a lot of teachers and principals dressed like Elizabeth II, she's quite a frump.

 

dfleming is a man.

 

So, some sources say, is Elizabeth II.

 

LOL!

 

I always wear slacks and a dress shirt for work--EXCEPT FOR FRIDAYS! On Fridays, I wear my school t-shirt or sweatshirt with a pair of jeans and nice tennis shoes. My principal and vice-principal do the same thing, too (on Fridays)! This year, though, I started wearing Khaki shorts on Friday if the temp was over 90 degrees. I am the only male at my elementary school, so I highly doubt anyone batted an eyelash.

At my school, 80% of the women look nice & professional each and every day. As far as the other 20%...no comment!!!

 

Ha! I will break out my shorts and Choco's after April break (2 weeks) regardless of temperature. I lay on the floor and jump around like a lunatic... I will need to be comfy and cool.

 

Chocos? What're those?

 

Shorts of any sort would be highly frowned upon in my school. We are not allowed to wear denim of any kind, except on Fridays, and only then if you are wearing a school shirt. Flip flops are not allowed, nor are athletic shoes/attire.

I'm ok with it. And I teach PreK. Yes, I'm on the floor a lot. But there are lots of clothing styles out there that I can wear comfortably and modestly and still be on the floor. I want someone to be able to walk into my classroom and immediately know that I am the teacher, not the parent volunteer in shorts and a tank top. I think dressing nicely (not fancily, mind you) demonstrates professionalism. But to me, LLBean style is "dressing nicely." I am not a heels and stockings type of gal. Khakis and loafers are more like it.

 

@kimrandy1 - I kind of agree, but also, not really. It's easier, FAR easier, for women to dress nice and still be comfy and cool. For us guys (yes there are a few out there who teach K!), it's much harder to be comfy and cool without wearing shorts. Anyway you slice it, pants aren't cool (temp wise).

@YoungTeacherGuy - Choco's are a brand of sandals. We aren't allowed to wear flip flops at my school. Choco's are almost like flip flops, but they have another strap, kind of like Teva's, but MUCH more comfy in my opinion - they have more of a sneaker sole. :thumb:

http://www.chacousa.com/US/en-US/Gallery.mvc.aspx/M

 

KimRandy1: I have to agree wholeheartedly with Halpey. It's far easier for women to look professional and still be cool 'n comfy. Dress slacks, dress shoes, and button-downs are never comfortable when the temp is above 80 degrees--ask any guy!

Halpey: Now I know what Chacos are!!!

 

I would not wear shorts to work,ever.

Nor would I be stupid enough to ignore the directive, regardless of how politely phrased, by one of my bosses.

 

I do see the difference when I'm wearing skirts...as far as "khakis and loafers" go, that's pretty unisex. In my school, skirst without nylons are highly frowned upon, but, yes, it happens. And yes, I do realize that nylons are cooler than khakis, but not much (not the khakis I've worn, anyway!). You could be my DH, who has to wear a full suit and tie for his job everyday - even in July (no, he's not a teacher!). No matter which gender you are, you wouldn't be allowed to wear shorts to my school, period. Unless it's field day or you teach PE.

I think it's also important to note that my school is air conditioned. But, back when I started, it was NOT, and the dress code was actually more strict. Socks or nylons were part of our daily requirements, and if your pants had belt loops, you had to have a belt. No more than two buttons could be unbuttoned on your shirt. Capris were out. (they still aren't "in," and it's been stated that pants should be within 2 inches of your ankle, but that's largely ignored.). And we had no air conditioning, and fans were not allowd due to safety concerns with PK and K students.....I feel hot just thinking about those days!

 

I am in the right place for me. No one tells me what I can and can't wear. I'm just naturally appropriate, I guess. Not for some of the schools out there, but for mine. Nylons, ohmygosh, I haven't seen a pair for years.

 

TeacherShelly, I was thinking the same thing...the last time I had a pair of pantyhose was in high school when I was an FFA officer and had to wear them with the awesome jackets.

 

At my school, there are no "specials" as you call them. If you teach K-3, you teach EVERYTHING, including PE and you are the kids only teacher all day.

So would they allow K-3 teachers to wear shorts or athletic shoes for that purpose?

 

Sarge,

I had never heard of "specials" until I joined this site! It sounds like K-5 teachers in California are responsible for teaching each and every subject--without the help of specialists who teach certain "electives." Must be nice!

--YTG

 

I'm sure not. I have no specials as a PreK teacher (they're only for grades K and up in my school - and so is ESOL and all assemblies, etc...can you tell I'm bitter?), and I'm not allowed to wear any of that. I do all of my own PE, art and music.

I do have to say that we have several teachers who wear athletic shoes daily due to foot/back issues. But they had to provide dr. notes to be able to do so.

 

Yikes. I'm glad I work in a more laid back atmosphere... I wear my sneakers at least 3 times a week. I jump around and dance and act like a fool ALL DAY long... my dress shoes only take me so far.

 

It's Easter Sunday. I'm wearing them right now. They're part of what I wear when I dress up.

 

Halpey1, I agree...these discussions always cause me to pause for a moment and be thankful for my more relaxed work atmosphere!