Outfit Ideas to look professional without a jacket - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Outfit Ideas to look professional without a jacket

muffy432002

(website)

Hello All!
I’ll be working as a teacher’s aide this school year and I’m looking for advice regarding what to wear to look put together yet casual. .
My class is a self-contained room for 1st and 2nd graders receiving special education.
Many of the other aides just wear sweats or other very casual outfits.
I’d like to have something a little more elevated, but wearing a blazer seems a bit too much. Also, I’ll be moving around a lot so I want to be comfortable and not constricted.
I know this may be a tough question, but I’m confident someone on this forum may have some ideas!

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from annabelle

Kari

Veteran

One important question. Are there any safety concerns with what you wear, due to the needs of students you’ll be working with? (Special education classrooms can vary a lot and I know some folks who have specific wardrobe needs for sweats or similar clothing due to safety issues or the behaviors of the students they work with.)

rachylou

Veteran

I used to wear short-sleeved twinsets to avoid jackets…

Sal

Veteran

I will throw out done ideas.

- bomber or tweed jackets
- shirt dresses
- button down with denim
- trousers and a knit top

My work is usually fairly casual. These are the sorts of things I wear that help me feel tidy but practical.

kkards

Veteran

What does the rooms teacher wear? I’d take my cue from that.

But in general, I’d go for the not quite a blazer/more than a sweater. Here are some examples

Whistles Slim Jersey Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

1

Nic + Zoe Fringe Mix Knit Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

6

View Info

Textured Sweater Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

9

Emilie patch-pocket sweater lady jacket in stripe

View Info

Top Pick

2

Striped Cotton Knitted Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

2

Nic + Zoe Milly Knit Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

1

ALEX MILL Merino Wool Sweater Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

2

Dee

Veteran

I like using cardigans, dressier coloured jean jackets or the knitted style blazers as Kkards suggested as alternatives for blazers.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

unfrumped

Veteran

You might not even want the “ third piece” look for a lot of days, but if you do then I agree that a cardigan, stretch blazer or a bomber that FITS and doesn’t look sloppy are good options.

First I’d decide what bottoms you like & can wear that are durable and washable. Probably pants but trying to avoid baggy sweats. Would you do jeans, chinos or a kind of knit ponte pant with stretch, or a kind of jogger or track pant that’s more fitted or stylish.

I love belting & tucking shirts into my trousers to get a more “ elevated” look, but if I were working with young kids, stooping , sitting on floor or “ little chairs “ I’d do more stretchy waistbands & untucked tops, and want the tops to be longer- ish. So looking for slightly elevated or at least sturdy, not so droopy knits, or I also like button- fronts untucked, but that can be harder to do crisply unless you find the perma- press types.

If you can narrow down some of these preferences & silhouette types, then can see what brands & sources. JJill and Talbots have a lot of coordinated knits but you can also find their lookalikes at lower price points. Athleta has some semi- tailored- activewear hybrids and these looks can also be duplicated or cobbled together from some more discounted sources.

em

Knit blazers. See jersey stretch ones from Whistles.

Indigoprint

Veteran

I think it is a hard balance (I work with toddlers). A classroom such as yours will probably have messy sensory activities throughout the day...which is great for the kids but challenging for you. All of the above ideas are great, just make sure the fabrics/colors are durable and up to stain removal. Just last week I wore a pair of cream jeans because I thought it was going to be a relatively "clean" day....I made it through sandbox and string painting but later on one of my kiddos was having a snack of something red and used my leg to hang on to as she pulled to stand, I had tiny red fingerprints on 1 leg for the rest of the day. It did come out after stain removal and soaking....just something to consider.

I rely on button front shirts, tops and sweaters that can be worn untucked and durable bottoms. I add little details like sensible jewelry/ scarves that don't get in the way or too distractable for the kids.

A variety of "art smocks"(however you want to interpret that apron,etc).. could be a fun way to look professional and stay clean

Rejoiceandbe

Others can give you better directions on the style aspect than I can. But when I was working with children in a similar setting I found that it was helpful to have clothing that provided coverage in awkward positions, was washable and had interesting patterns to hide unexpectedly encountered substances.
Children notice colour and playful details more than you expect, so if you have the personality to it carry off, that's another way of elevating your look.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Belts to match your shoes!

muffy432002

(website)

Thank you everyone! Kind of along the ideas of what I was thinking!

DonnaF

Veteran

I am fond of washable vests because they allow freedom of movement. I always wear them as a third piece and not alone.

Free People Charley Crop Vest

View Info

Top Pick

1

Free People Charley Crop Vest

View Info

Top Pick

2

Free People Charley Crop Vest

View Info

Top Pick

3

Echo

Veteran

I work in education, and this is really going to depend on the needs of the students you will be working with. Will you need to be trained in and use restraint sometimes? Do you have any biters? Will you accompany them to art, lunch or other potentially messy activities?

In other words, I applaud your desire to look professional, but our special ed department dresses more casually than anyone else in the building, and for good reason. Whatever you choose, just make sure it is machine washable and not too precious in case it gets snagged or otherwise damaged.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What the others have said about the kids' needs -- and also about your own need for coverage and comfort. Vests can work well. A belt ties a two piece outfit together. I might also want to wear some kind of artist's smock or apron, actually -- something with pockets that can be put to use!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes you need to be able to move and to get dirty, and maybe look fun for the kids? My sister is an OT for kids and those are her priorities. I echo Echo .

Joy

Veteran

You can still add a third piece like a vest or duster or belt. Wear statement footwear that is comfortable all day, pants not jeans, chinos are ok. Especially with a belt.

Anonymous

Flowy casual skirts? They work well for my very physical job, plus easy to wear with flat sandals!

Joob Joob Long Boho Skirts for Women - Bohemian Hippie Maxi Summer Skirt

View Info

Top Pick

2

annabelle

Veteran

Do you know Gudrun Sjoden?
https://www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-us/clothes/tunics
Suz's comment on your own version of artist smock reminded me of their colorful and well priced items, that inspire layering creativity. A quite different vibe from Boden, but you'll see some similarities if you love fun patterns.
I find that I wear athletic or other vests or chore jackets as a layer that is good for warmth as well as looking more casual than a jacket, in a less dressy work environment, and I second (third?) the idea of a denim jacket.

View Info

Hooded Knit Pullover

View Info

Top Pick

2

View Info

View Info

View Info