I will begin student teaching soon and I am looking to buy some more "teacher" clothes... However I am at a bit of a loss. For practicums I have typically worn a pair of dress pants and then a nice shirt with a cardigan or something similar. I have seen some cute dresses but they are a 2-3 inches shorter than knee length. If I were to wear tights with the dresses, would this be considered acceptable?
Hi and welcome! It really depends on the culture of your school. I'm in a Catholic school, and it wouldn't fly in my school. But I know it would in many schools. One little secret: invest in blazers and cardigans. A jacket of some sort adds a little authority. Also, you might ask Santa for an Interview Suit.
I think it's hard to judge, because bodies are so different. My legs are so short, that 3 inches above the knee would be extremely indecent for any public place. If you have really long legs, it might be perfectly fine, although in general, I think knee-length is a good area for teachers.
I really don't find that appropriate no matter your leg length. My teacher friend just got a tongue lashing for wearing skirts an inch or so above the knee.
I wear dresses about 2 inches above the knee and it's fine in my school culture. I would be careful in student teaching though.
My skirts and dresses are above the knee (barely) but not enough that's it's indecent. I don't know the inch amount though. I will say black tights can help in making a skirt look a bit longer.
In my catholic school the unofficial dress code is that skirts should be at least as long as your longest fingertip. Well on me that would be super short so it's so hard to set rules like that
We use a fingertip rule. If your hands are at your side & the dress/skirt is above your fingertip, it's too short.
I like my dresses to hit knee length or lower, regardless of if I'm wearing tights. If they're any shorter, I feel like I'm exposing too much as I bend over to help someone at their desk.
I must have short arms then! I just tried it again and it is way too short. I guess it explains why my blazers are a bit too long for me in the arms
I think it also depends on what grade you may teach. Early elementary does more time bending over, on the floor, etc. I have 3 boys who would tell me all the time when their teacher's skirt was short, they could see their bra through their shirt or they could see cleavage. Now, do you think they were thinking about learning when they noticed those things? Don't dress too old, but don't try to be too trendy or dress like a teenager either. I always think young teachers need to dress even more professionally to look like they are an authority figure. Sometimes at the high school level I can't tell the difference between the kids and the student teacher because they look young and dress the same. Good luck.
Sadly, I probably am one of the better dressed in my school and I still look as young as my 8th graders. Even when I wear blazers and makeup. I recently showed a picture of me at age 12 to some friends and they thought it was from this year. I am 31!!
The fingertip rule cracks me up because I promise my skirts wouldn't cover my, uh, well, as the oh so tasteful Chelsey Handler says, my pikachu.
I wear dresses and skirts slightly above my knee with tights. I was talking to my group about sponsoring a jeans month on Fridays and I remarked that I prefer jeans to my skirts and dresses. One of my boys goes "you wear dresses?" Guess mine aren't too short :lol:
It really depends on the school. Play it safe until you get into the building and see what others are wearing and can ask a few questions on what they consider appropriate.
Personally, I don't think it's professional and I wouldn't wear a skirt above knee length. That said, as long as it works on your body type, it would be acceptable at my school. As others mentioned, I'd play it safe until you know the culture of the specific school.
Doesn't work! My behind would be showing! I wear slacks, blouses, and cardigans often. I have lots of dresses for fall & winter. I wear them with hose or tights and boots. They're all right at the top of my knee. I look dumpy in long skirts or full skirts. I don't wear collars or crew necks either. My neck is short. I need scoop or v-neck. Dress your body type. Dress your age. Stick to the modest side.
An inch above the knee would be fine at my school, too. If you aren't sure or are uncomfortable, then go with something a little longer.
I have a couple of dresses that I wear to work that are just an inch or two shorter than I'd feel comfortable being bare legged with at school (although they're still quite close to the knee), so I save them for the fall/winter months, pair them with leggings and boots, and I'm good to go.
