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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Shopping my closet. Craving cozy. Finding my casual stride.

Mainelady

Veteran

Warning. This post is photo heavy. I find myself trying to look seasonally appropriate while dressing for the fluctuating temps which have ranged from freezing to 58 degrees. Layering seems to be the most popular solution.
When I edited my closets, I really let go of items that did not meet my true, let’s get real focus on what was comfortable test. I am really happy with the items I kept, however am noticing a more casual vibe, especially for work. Throughout my 35 year career I have always gone with more polish and a bit less comfort. That is no longer true. I have mixed feelings as I realize that much of my workwear, could also pretty easily crossover to my weekend wear, with a few minor adjustments. While I still get oodles of compliments on my outfits and we do not have a strict dress code, I wonder if I look professional enough? Is that all right? Is it wrong? Why do I find myself wondering?
If you are so inclined, please offer your thoughts and suggestions. I welcome all. You continue to teach me so much when I have a chance to see myself as others may see me.
#3 was a weekend outfit
#14 was for work on a designated jeans day

All others were worn on Work days. I was not thrilled with the lightweight see through fabric on the long cardi in 4. Of course I didn’t notice that until I saw the photo. As always, I must share my happiness factors which are visible and warm reminders of special people, places and events.

Thank you for your patience and for looking.

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46 replies

Latest reply was from Mainelady

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Wow. I love all these combos! Thanks for taking time to do all the photos!

Liz

Veteran

Mainelady, I seem to recall that you do something related to education -- what is your role at work, and what is the general dress there? I think these days, "professional" is so fluid that it depends a lot on what a person does and how others dress.

I'd easily wear any of these to work at my very casual workplace, and be among the best dressed there!

Kim M

(website)

I wish I could weigh in on looking professional enough, but it's been ages since I worked in a formal environment. I think you do a phenomenal job with your outfits and accessorizing. What are you thinking you may want to add to be more professional, a jacket vs. a cardigan, skirt vs. pants, or a more "serious" print or solid color, pump vs. boots? If that's the case, there are many jackets on the market that have more relaxed cuts that you could add and see how you feel. Skirts IMO are comfortable with tights and booties if that would work.
You seem to be quite successful already on getting a wardrobe together that functions well for you. Thanks for sharing.

kkards

Veteran

Mainelady...i think all of these looks are fab...and yes, they are probably more casual than what you wore 35 or even 5 years ago. but i don't think they are unprofessional, they would work in my office when we were business casual...and would be on the more "dressed" up edge of my office's current casual dress code....i think that boots help to elevate this outfits. and the longer cardi's add a structure to those outfits that make those outfits more business and less casual.

nemosmom

Veteran

I think you look really pulled together; not sloppy at all. Love your pants in #1

anchie

Veteran

I like all combinations and think that you look professional in them. I think you elavate this outfits with your great accessories and neat hair.

Bijou

Veteran

Mainelady you have natural polish - your hair, make-up, and accessories are always on point and you have great poise. Your clothing always is beautifully presented with a great fit - that adds to the polish.

All of the outfits are lovely and look very professional to me. You work with young children and need to be able to get down to their level to work with them - pants and flat shoes/boots are practical. I don't think you need to wear a blazer to look professional, your longer line cardigans add a dressy element but retain softness and approachability, which is important for your job.

#1 is just beautiful on you, I love the pearl necklace - but each and every outfit is just so good.

JAileen

Veteran

These are beautiful outfits. I love the silhouettes. And your hair is gorgeous.

jussie

Veteran

These are all so gorgeous!! Honestly you look fantastic, plenty polished imho.

LaPed

Veteran

I think Bijou nailed it regarding your natural polish and poise as well as the way you deftly balance professional with approachable. You look great in all of these!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

You look wonderful.l m not sure that teaching young children requires a very formal look anyway.Also society has become less formal generally in the way people dress which has extended into work places.My mother also a teacher ,long retired now,talks about having to wear heels and skirts when she first started teaching!

ladypainter

All these outfits look fantastic, and I think you look authoritative, yet warmly approachable in all of them.
I especially like #1, so crisp and graphic.

Mainelady

Veteran

I am floored, flattered, humbled and a little speechless (which almost never happens). Cjh, Liz, Kim M, kkards, nemosmom, anchie, Bijou, JAileen, Jussie, La Ped and Cardiff Girl, thank you so very much. Your thoughts and impressions mean a lot to me and I value that you are willing to share your thoughts and help me along. When hovering near self doubt, you boost me up and assure me that I am doing ok. This more casual work style is different for me and may take some getting used to, but I have to say, I feel a bit more authentic.
Cjh, thank you. I try to snap a pic or two each day before heading out the door. I have found it helpful to study the photos. At first I wanted to study colors with my lighter hair. Now I am looking more at style, silhouette, patterns, etc. always on the learning curve.
Liz, I do. I teach first grade. I also serve on district committees and serve as a representative for my K-2 colleagues, provide Professional Development, mentoring and a few other roles. The majority of the time I am in the classroom setting. PD days are generally pretty casual, but if I am presenting, I do dress up a smidge more.
Kim M, thank you. You make excellent suggestions for switches if I want/need to appear more professional. I think jackets, skirts and pumps would be good substitutes and quite easy to manage. Well, umm, I am down to two pairs of pumps. I donated all the others. After 35 years on my feet, the pretty pretty pumps were becoming uncomfortable.
Kkards, you make a good point. At the start of my career, I looked far younger than my age and I dressed specifically to look very professional. It can be tough to gain the trust of parents when you look like you are 17. From there and over time, my professional attire has relaxed some. In my districts, I have always been on the dressier side of how other educators dressed.
Nemosmom, thank you! The pants are from Old Navy and wash and wear very well!
Anchie, thank you. I agree that accessories can add the polish I need and luckily I really like accessories! Like you, I am pretty happy with how my hair has transitioned to th silvery whites.
Bijou, your compliment one of the nicest I have ever received. I had never really thought of myself as having natural polish. I want to give that some thought....gotta say the idea warms my heart. Thank you.
Thank you JAileen and Jussie. You make me smile.
Thank you LaPed. Being professional and approachable is so important. I am glad I seem to have found a balance. Warm and welcoming needs to be part of the professional package.
Cardiff Girl, you are right. Times and formality have changed. For my littles, I don’t need to be very formal. I do interact with a lot of adults over the course of a week. Parents seem pretty comfortable no matter what I wear. Our schools host a variety of educational professionals, experts, teachers in training, etc. The interactions with my students, the learning environment and educational dynamics should be the foci, not my attire, but I am very aware that clothing does create a certain impression.

Mainelady

Veteran

Thank you lady painter. I really like that I look warmly approachable. Welcome in, let’s get learning!

unfrumped

Veteran

I think these are all great!

I do like teachers to look “ grown up” and not in play clothes but still comfortable and practical. I don’t think you’re anywhere close to the slippery slope of worn jeans and track shoes!
Polish, “ real footwear”, good fit all work for you.
Actually I’m not saying can’t wear sneakers, it’s just that in school, most kids wear sneakers, so wearing comfortable loafers, oxfords, booties and such distinguishes. Or someone could have a signature style of suits and sneakers!
Even though you might wear comfortable fits and fabrics, if you keep a watch out for wear and tear and replace as needed, you will look fab.
Jewelry tgat you include so well is a nice, slightly formalizing touch , and I think children like looking at it!

cindysmith

Veteran

You are rocking those knee-high boots, they look great on you!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You look polished and pretty much perfect. For me, one advantage of getting older is that my neck up gives me a bit more gravitas - taking some of the pressure off my outfits .

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What LaPed and Archie said. You have natural polish and look very professional for an educational setting in the cold north!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Also you wear tall and mid height boots so well!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I think it’s a good sign that you notice your style changing as times change. It’s entirely possible that the world is just getting more and more casual, and work outfits also reflect that. If you did choose to focus on a more “polished” look, perhaps keeping boots and pants in the same color range would keep things looking dressier. However, I certainly don’t think you slook sloppy or unprofessional in these pics. You’re secure in your profession at this stage, maybe, and this allows for some comfort in your outfits too.

Cee

Veteran

Spectacular, ML

Katerina

Veteran

More love for your outfits from me, Mainelady! I cannot agree more about your natural polish. You are always elegant, no matter the degree of casual you wear.
IMO, your outfits are professional. Where I live (Scandinavia), teachers often dress pretty casual, so here you would be on the dressy side of the spectrum, but I understand it is different in different parts of the world and probably also in different schools.
I love how you wear the tall boots with sweaters and accessories - you look beatiful in these outfits. The long cardi-coats are super to. Your outfits are always “finnished” with great accessories and balanced. My fave here is no 10 - I really like the colours and the structure, but all outfits are truly fabulous,
And thank you for this post. I have noticed the same “shift” in my own style preferences lately, craving more casual elements in my work outfits. Wonder why... Perhaps it is all the inspiration around. Seems like there are so many more casual options, street style fun styles out there than truly inspired professional (I mean more corporate) options. Or is it a contradiction in terms LOL?

kerry

Veteran

I think you look very polished in all of these looks. And, like others, I agree with Bijou that you have natural polish with your hair, footwear and accessories. I think you could go even more casual and still be appropriate for school. It depends a lot on the culture of the school and each one is different.

I do not separate workwear and weekend wear. My school is pretty casual. It’s in a neighbourhood that embraces an active lifestyle and outdoor pursuits being near the lake and near the largest park in the city.

Anonymous

Love your pattern mix outfit especially, then second the red cardi Agree you are naturally polished! And your jewelry mixes are so interesting too-you are the jewelry mix master

Mainelady

Veteran

Unfrumped, you have excellent suggestions to help me keep from being too casual or looking sloppy. Items that look tired and worn can erase any bit of professionalism.
Thank you Cindysmith! I love my boots and living in Maine they get 3 seasons of wear!
Shevia, thank you for lending some wisdom I hadn’t thought of. My graying hair combined with my longevity in my field with more than 39 years in the same district most likely add to my professional merit.
Thank you, Suz! I appreciate the vote of having enough polish! That makes me happy.
Jessiekams, I think you may be right. When I look around, I am still more professionally dressed than many of my peers. Maybe I need some time to relax into my new work wear style.....huge happiness factors come with dressing comfortably and more in line with my overall impression of who I am.
Thank you, Cee! Warning, my causal style will include some cowl necks.
Thank you Katerina! I think I have had a very specific idea in my head for a long time about what makes a person look professional and I have been keenly aware of how I am not only a classroom teacher, but also a representative for the profession. Respect needs to be earned, but appearance can go a long way toward opening the doors to credibility and to being given the opportunity to shine a light on the importance of quality education and that begins with quality educators and institutions.
Kerry, thank you, your school system sounds a lot like mine. We live in an area well known for recreation. Lots of people wear very casual clothing and some gear to school: staff, parents, board members and some admin. My happiest work wear days are when we do outdoor classrooms and hiking. That is the ultimate professional happiness factor!
Hee hee, suntiger. Thank you, I love my jewelry and no matter how casual my attire, my jewelry will always lean towards maximal. I like the pretty, of course, but I also like the weight. Some people wear compression garments. I wear baubles and bangles.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The world has become more casual in dress code. That's a fact. You are keeping up with the times.

Mainelady, you may dress more casually than you used to, but you look polished, chic, glam, current and pulled together. Each outfit here is a testament to your FABULOUS sense of style, and how you've managed to stay true to your dressy self in a more comfortable way. Rock on.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Boots + bracelets ftw!

You wear these items so well, and look really pulled together here. I’m with everyone who has said that this casual style that’s easy to move in shows that the kids are important to you. And I also agree with those who say you always look classy and polished.

L'Abeille

Veteran

I think your outfits are great, and plenty professional for your elementary school audience. I agree with those above who point out that the world IS getting more casual, and making no changes whatsoever in your own style expression could create a dated/out of touch impression.

I wonder if some of your questioning arises from the other roles you mention. I am seeing some parallels with my own experience here, so if it doesn't relate, just disregard.

One on one with patients, I think my everyday style communicates appropriately (Gentlewoman, so never truly casual, but I am inescapably RATE). But if I am presenting to colleagues, or representing them, or meeting with a family to make difficult decisions, I do aim for a more traditionally professional look. I think of it as "she who must be obeyed". I may go for more structure, woven over knit, some kind of necktie analogue. But the most important element is the EYEBROWS.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

L’Abiele & Maine Lady, no matter who your audience, I think your appearance matters for 30 seconds or until you begin speaking, whichever comes first. Yes, a polished appearance sets the tone and suggests competency and polish in other things, but at the end of the day, respect is what you want, and that comes from your performance.

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