Ask Angie: Drama + English = Work Dressing Dilemma!

Luna1968

I have a dilemma! I am going to be teaching a new class next year - drama - in addition to my high school English courses. This creates a problem in what I wear to work. In the past, I have dressed formally: dresses and heels, dress slacks and blouses, etc. However, now I will be leading daily body warm ups and leading acting games in the last period of the day. This seems more like I need yoga pants than dress slacks! However, I can't wear yoga pants when teaching about Shakespeare. With no time to change clothes between classes, I am looking for a new style - something comfortable that allows movement, while still looking professional. Any ideas? I'm happy that leggings are popular right now, but the right tops that don't make me look like a balloon? I'm definitely a traditional-style dresser.

9 years ago

Dressing

7 replies

Latest reply was from

DonnaF

Veteran

How about knits? Ponte pants? Bodysuits so the top doesn't come untucked?

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I feel your dilemma! I went back to school this year as a (very) mature student, and I was also teaching on the same days as I was studying. The class I was taking was applied drama -- we were literally crawling around on the floor doing improv exercises for 3 hours in the morning. Then I would grab a quick lunch and head off to teach academic writing to film students in the afternoons! It was crazy.

Oh, and I live in snowy, slushy, eastern Ontario, where I walked to school in boots that got covered in muck.

So....my solution, really, was denim. I don't know how formally other teachers dress in your district, but I was fortunate in that I wasn't expected to wear business type clothing most days I taught. I typically brought a scarf and often a jacket to add a bit of authority to the teaching.

I would strongly suggest ponte pants, leggings (if you wear them) with tunics, jeans (if permitted). You could try a brand like Kit and Ace, which makes clothing that sort of crosses the line between yoga wear and regular wear. Aim for a "sporty luxe" look, perhaps, with dressy track pants. There are multiple options, depending where you live and what the climate and customs are.

Best of luck!!

9 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fun new class, Luna.

May I suggest dark stretchy jeans that look fairly dressy, paired with a chic roomy tunic. Flat dressy shoes. How does that sound?

9 years ago

Zibbets

Veteran

Congratulations on your exciting new gig, Luna! I wonder if some of your dresses might still work, paired with leggings and flat shoes.

Dark trouser jeans might be just the ticket. I have a couple pairs like this: http://www.loft.com/refined-de.....;colorExpl
With a jacket and heels, you're an English teacher; swap for a hoodie and ballet flats and you're a drama teacher.

9 years ago

SandyG

Veteran

Congratulations on the drama class! I taught theatre arts and directed Shakespeare performances in two schools, running back and forth like a gypsy hauling along two sets of props, costumes and set pieces every day. It's 'quite' physical work on top of the creative and educational content. If you are set on keeping your formal style, then stretch separates are going to be your new best friends -- cropped stretch pants for warm weather, jackets with stretch that you can remove for exercises, ponte pants of course, and stretchy tube skirts. You might get lucky and find dresses with enough stretch to move comfortably during class, maybe cotton jersey dresses? Stella McCartney makes lace leggings that are cute beneath dresses. If you shift to a little more informal looks, black jeans are workhorses, also gray jeans and dark denim trousers. It's work to find clothing with authority that adapts to physical hard work and continues looking good, (plus easy maintenance for dusty theaters?) but you can certainly create a capsule wardrobe that will carry you through the year and make you proud! Copy the French style? My comfortable, funky Fluevog shoes lent my outfits a lot of appeal and student interest -- they always amp up the drama and interest, and happy feet will be your friends.

9 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

I've been in a similar situation, as a voice teacher, teaching improv, and leading students in stretches, was a regular part of my job.

I didn't teach in denim -- it wasn't allowed at the University, but I always had a pair of simple black flats to slip into (from my usual heels), and I swore by ponte pants, or fabrics with good stretch, and I loved dressy, dramatic cardis and unlined jackets made of ponte or other stretch fibers.

And....you're going to have so much fun! I wouldn't be surprised if you find the movement and improv giving you more energy in your other teaching duties.

Also -- on a day you might need to be more formally dressed, perhaps for a meeting or conferences, you can always ask a student to lead the class through the movement!

9 years ago

Anonymous

I come to work most days in my NYDJ ponte trouser pants. I love them. They're very appropriate and comfortable at the same time.

9 years ago

Category