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WIW to teach - how to unfrump?

Anne Boleyn

First of all, sorry for the poor quality - I taught through the daylight hours. But here's what I wore to teach at a vocational school.

Because they have a strict dress code, I wore my frumpiest pencil skirt (I got it before my first teaching position to age myself a bit) and a buttoned-up shirtdress-as-shirt. I only wore the cardigan outside, but since it was so bulky I tried to add a belt to emphasize my waist, which I think failed.

Any recommendations for next time? Are the two burgundies too matchy [edit: I mean the tights and cardigan]?

Bonus picture of an election-edition magazine poster that's been all over the newspaper kiosks - I got a lady to sell me one for 15 cents. China is OBSESSED with Gangnam Style at the moment.

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17 replies

Latest reply was from JR

Lyn D.

Veteran

Hi Anne,
the skirt looks more brown than burgundy to me, and I like it with the tucked-in shirt and belt. Could see the outfit with a black topper for a more dressy look too.

Anne Boleyn

Thanks Lyn! I edited the post to be more clear - the skirt IS brown lol, and I was matching the cardigan and tights

That's a good idea - the black in the shirt opens the floor to further blacks huh.

Anastasia Gelfman Silis

(website)

Member

Hi dear :)))
I would change the shirt - it looks kind of grunge style....
rest is very teacher's classics...
Anastasia - Fashion designer

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like this a lot! You have a real flair with these simple pieces. You look very autumnal in the colours and the tights and sweater read "pulled together" not "matchy-matchy" to me. The plaid shirt reads a bit casual, but with the belt and pencil skirt, it is much less so.

Do you have a jacket in addition to a cardigan? I mean a blazer or similar. For teaching days, it might be a great addition (if you can find one).

krishnidoux

Veteran

You have a nice teacher style going on.

As a teacher myself, I can't help but react to your comment about the skirt that you say is frumpy and that you chose to age you.

I too was tempted to do this in the beginning, and did, but it is not the route to go, believe me. Dress smart, modest, professional, but not necessarily "old" or "frumpy".
However I don't see what you find frumpy in this skirt. It has a high waist and a nice tapered shape. Worn with colourful tights, it is actually more "young" than "old". But it is a great look for a teacher!

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I laughed at the first photo where you are showing us you have feet... You are doing a great job of pulling together outfits that work for your job. The plaid shirt you chose with the brown skirt is a more youthful look than say a plain white button up so no danger of looking frumpy.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I actually find this look to be a little playful --- the colored tights and oversize check in the shirt. I think it works, partly because the skirt is fitted on the natural waist and the boots ground the look and balance the slightly oversized shirt. It doesn't read as frumpy at all to me, and I like it best with the color of the scarf added.

Way to work with a dress code! What an exciting time to be in China!

Anne Boleyn

Anastasia: Thanks for the input - I definitely see the 90s in the large plaid!

Suz: Thanks - I actually don't have a blazer because I felt uncomfortable in every one I tried on. Something about the hard edges I guess. Is it okay only to wear soft things as a teacher?

Krishni: Thanks - you definitely have a point about the "don't frump yourself up," and I think I figured that out halfway through my first semester, but I was terrified coming in as a 21 year old teaching 23-35 year olds... you know? The skirt actually sits pretty low on my waist by itself (see attached picture) - I've updated how I wear it with the years haha.
Do you have any other advice for good teacher basics?

Tracey: Thanks so much! I was more worried about how blocky I looked in the cardigan no matter what, but I guess nobody here was concerned so that's great

Beth Ann: Thanks - I'm glad to hear it!

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Anonymous

Hi there! Pulling that skirt up and belting if was a great idea. I remember doing that for a job interview when I unexpectedly *shrunk* out of my suit--this was before low waisted skirts were around.

You have a young (but not too young) professional vibe going on here. I think the way you comport yourself will have more to do with your perceived maturity than your clothes, so I wouldn't try for a frumpy look either. I like the way you're mixing browns and blacks and burgundies all together.

Jules

Veteran

I really like your haircut in your old pic and it reads more polished/professional to me. That said, I agree with all the comments that you don't need to drastically alter your style to teach. I also think it's going to be hard to look frumpy with your cute looks and personality that shines through these photos

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I am also a teacher, so I know what you mean about that "frumpy teacher style!" I like the skirt/tights/boots combo, and the shirt and scarf look good too. What I think makes it look frumpy is the sweater, it looks a little big to me. I think a black or cream colored top would work well here too.

Anne Boleyn

Thanks, ClearlyClaire, Jules and Karie! So many nice words - and yay teachers!

I do think my short hair was more polished, but I've been trying to grow it out especially since I'm mostly a student now - teaching's just a side job at the moment - so nobody is scrutinizing me on a daily basis.

Karie, did you mean black or cream for the cardigan? I could try that, since I do have a cream one... it's 3/4 sleeves but I could probably fold the shirt up and over it or something. Definitely worth a try anyway.

Kiwichik

Veteran

So relieved to see you have feet. I think the outfit loojs more professionsl without the cardi & I really like how you've belted it.

JR

Veteran

I think you de-frumped it very well all on your own. The two burgundy items are not matchy-matchy to my mind, but provide a foundation for the rest of the outfit to riff off of. The yellow scarf perked it up nicely without looking silly.

I know how you feel about teaching people older than yourself. I started as a teaching assistant when I was about 18 and younger than all my students. I tried not to let them know... I was doing ESL too, but in my case it was to foreign students in Canada, so we got a real mixed bag of cultures going on.

I've seen that Gangnam video (like half of the rest of the world). It was hilarious.

Do you find the Chinese expectations for how a teacher should dress much different from the North American ones, or are they pretty much the same?

Clarissa

My sister is a teacher, and I think she still looks cute while being professional. She generally likes more fitted clothing, but when she teaches, she wears flowy tops that cover her shoulders, and usually gather at the waist a bit. She wears trousers, and skirts just above the knee (not too tight, but not frumpy) as bottoms. You can still look cute and dress modest! I personally don't think you look frumpy here, but the plaid is kind of too "teacher-ish" to me. Choose pieces you like, that way you will feel more confident, and therefore act more confident while teaching

Anne Boleyn

Thanks y'all! And Clarissa, I looove the plaid haha... I'm glad my teacheriness is an ingrained part of my personality now

Are you still a teacher, JR? I find that here expectations vary widely between cities (cosmopolitan or not), but a general trend is that evening-style floaty dresses are a-ok as long as they're paired with really thick, triple lined leggings, often in a faux-fishnet style with a nude lining. And boots, preferably with tons of rhinestones all over them. Sometimes they make grade-school teachers wear really really formal and uncomfortable uniform suits, which usually involve a specific silk scarf, tied flight-attendant style... but my old university had middle-aged professors come in in pleather hotpants and thick black hose and high-heeled, blinged-out boots. It was interesting. I had a late-20s female student (a nurse) try to convince me to buy those trendy hotpants to teach in... and she wasn't even trolling me... sigh.

Quite different from the West, huh!

JR

Veteran

No, health issues have kept me out of the workforce for many years now. I greatly regretted having to leave my last job. Loved my colleagues, loved my students... We won't comment on the administration. Ahem.