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I’m with Cee. I think it’s the blouse that’s the problem - to the extent that there is a problem Blazer + pants = sharp on any day of the week. You can’t go wrong with that. I’d try for a more funky top.

5 years ago

Dear Jussie, you could never be blah. You have wonderful style. I think perhaps that in your quest to look professional, you have been a bit too strict with your options. You have to be you! I think you have received many good ideas to add some softness to the professional attire you have been wearing. If you like your hair out of your face when you teach, how about a half up, half down style or a side braid.....maybe a fishtail! In every professional outfit, you should have at least 1 or 2 elements that are really you. You will not only look professional, you will be memorable.

5 years ago

I'm nodding with everyone thinking that your outfits are gorgeous with creative flair. I would love you to have taught me - I can remember what some of my teachers wore and I know that I would have remembered your outfits if you had taught me.

May be start with working on say 5 outfits that you absolutely know work so well and you feel 10/10 in, then you know you have a weeks worth, then work back from there. I have found coloured jackets really helpful to make me wear things slightly differently.

5 years ago

I can't picture you as frumpy; you certainly haven't been in any of your WiWs here! But I agree with everyone else that this sounds like a problem of your outfits not reflecting your own personality and style, even if they're not frumpy.

When I think of your outfits on the forum, I think colorful, bohemian, soft, and playful. It should be totally possible to inject at least an element of that even into more "serious" outfits. I have the opposite issue to you... sometimes I find myself in outfits that feel too soft and feminine, and I have to remember to add at least one harder-edged element to make it feel like me (combat boots, a moto jacket, or something very structured). That juxtaposition of styles makes for an interesting blend. Taking the same idea but in the other direction, make sure you have at least one element of you-ness in every outfit... something floaty, or colorful, or that makes you smile.

5 years ago

Two words: fun shoes
I am an educator and need to project a professional image so I understand what you are saying.
Try flats in unexpected colors that pick up the accent color in your outfit.
I love driving shoes, loafers, brogues.

5 years ago

It's a bit like the liberties kids take when they have to wear a school uniform.

All students at both my primary and high schools had to wear school ties in the winter term ( May-Sept back in the day ). I hated them and instead wore either a poloshirt or skivvy under the uniform sweater which was deemed OK by the school policy.

5 years ago

Stylefan, cee, Gigi, Astrid, Mainelady, Brooklyn, Madeleine, nomad and Jane:
Sorry for my slow response. I read all the replies with great interest, and I can’t wait to implement some of the ideas. There’s so much collective wisdom here! I’m thrilled to have such helpful fashion advisors.
I know my work wardrobe will get better- I just need a bit longer to settle into it I think... and some more outfit creation sessions rather than hurriedly throwing something together in the early morning.

5 years ago
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