Teachers/lecturers how short do you go?!

Polly (thunalata)

I teach young people, one to one, part-time.

I am looking for summer dresses that will fit business casual dress code but a lot seem to be quite short. I am comfortable wearing knee length, and have worn just above the knee dresses for the first time this winter with opaques and boots and felt fine.

But with bare legs/sheer hose my instinct is knee length or just below.

Any thoughts? Anyone happier wearing a little shorter?

14 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Laura B.

Stephanie

Veteran

I'm glad you asked this question, because I am interested in the answers too. I teach at a university, and I wore a dress a couple of inches above the top of my kneecap the other day, with boots and opaque tights, but when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I wasn't as confident about it as I was when I put it on. I have always thought that opaque tights make a slightly shorter skirt okay than would be okay with bare legs, but maybe that is not correct. (This is problematic for me since I look much better in things that are above my knee, so it seems that I don't have a lot of wiggle room.)

14 years ago

Becky

Veteran

I teach college classes (exclusively online, now), but in the classroom I don't think I'd feel comfortable shorter than knee length with bare legs. I have seen middle school teachers wearing skirts several inches above the knee and thought it grossly inappropriate. Take into consideration, though, that I tend to strongly favor modesty.

14 years ago

sarah

Veteran

GREAT QUESTION. I teach at a University, and am really struggling with this. In this outfit, even though the tights were opaque (they seem more opaque IRL), I didn't really feel all that comfortable all day long, and am thinking I will probably give up on this skirt for work. I'm curious what others think.

This post has 1 photo. 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.

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

Sarah... I dont' see anything wrong with that length.
I think 1-2 inches max for teaching should be fine (just not a tight skirt 2 inches above the knee)
I remember last year my 15 year old son commenting on how short his science teacher wore her skirts. I never saw her in anything that I thought was inappropriate...but it was certainly something that caught his attention.

14 years ago

crwilson

Veteran

I don't even wear skirts or dresses to teach anymore, but if I did, I would stick to knee length. I'm pretty young, though, and I teach at a small campus where there is only one female tenure track professor. I err on the side of modesty when it comes to teaching because I don't want my clothes to draw attention to me. That's probably more of a reflection of my issues though than anything else.

14 years ago

Anonymous

You will look more professional and command more respect if you keep the skirts knee length. This is from an elementary teacher who tried to teach in mini skirts in the late 60's when pants on women were not really acceptable either in the Midwest. Thankfully there are more options for stylish skirt lengths now.

14 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

I am a prof and I wear skirts that hit at or around my knee when I'm wearing tights or hose. I do wear shorter tunics/dresses (maybe 3 inches or so above my knee), but I always wear those with black leggings or leans.

14 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Really helpful - I think that you all seem to feel the same as I do, ie rather more aware and uncomfortable if it's above the knee.

I teach the piano so am seated most of the time and quite close to mostly teenage boys, so I think I will continue to err on the side of caution. And you can bet that my tops are modest too!

Sarah, if you feel uncomfortable in the skirt it may be worth saving it for non teaching situations and fully enjoy it then.

14 years ago

Beth

Veteran

Although I'm not a teacher, I work in education and keep my skirts no shorter than an inch above the knee.

14 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

Good choice, Polly! I teach around our district and have decided that my bare legs need knee-length skirts, or at least cropped leggings.

Sitting always exposes more thigh, lifting arms to write on white boards raises hems, picking things up requires utmost modesty. It's just too much hassle to go any shorter.

When the dresses are a but csual, I actually love the cropped (just under knee and above calf) length with them - very liberating

14 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Normally I would say just above the knee, but last summer was SO HOT and SO UN-AIRCONDITIONED that I didn't give a flying-you-know-what as long as I didn't pass out from the heat. Sorry. Judgement was suspended.

14 years ago

Laura B.

Active Member

From a university students point of view, I think 1-2 inches above the knee isn't inappropriate at all. I think grade school teachers look more professional in knee length or below though. Just my opinion

Thank you ladies for being stylish teachers. Other than the style inspiration you provide students, it shows you have respect for your job and your students. It certainly keeps me from coming to class in my PJs!

14 years ago

Category