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What Teachers Should Never (Ever!) Wear
Kayla Baxter, Anna Hennings, and Alice Handley | Monster
We hate to admit it, because we personally feel that clothes shouldn’t matter. In a perfect world, a person would be judged at their workplace based solely on the caliber of their work. Unfortunately, that’s not how the world works.
How you choose to dress each morning reflects how you feel about your job – that you take your position seriously, that you are ready to work and that you pay attention to detail and know what you expect to encounter that day. You wouldn’t go to a construction site in your favorite four-inch stilettos, right? Of course not, you’d go in a hard hat, because it’s appropriate for the situation. Appearances matter!
We’ve all been there, though. The days you wake up feeling sick, but still have to make it into the office, so you throw on any old thing that’s (kind of ) clean.
Regardless of the excuses, there are some things that professionals should just never wear. Ever.
We’ll show you what these things are, why they’re a terrible wardrobe choice and if you’re guilty of having one in your closet – or (gasp!) in your daily rotation – we’ll give you a much better alternative.
And for your men out there who are teachers: this article is geared towards women since we know you probably don’t care as much about fashion as females do!
annedear
5 months ago
2 comments
Is this article for really for teachers? Most of the explanations mentioned the office. The classroom is different than the office. There may be times when some of those things would be appropriate in a classroom but not an office. As for the scrunchie that sounds more like a pet peeve than anything. I would like to see a PE teacher with long hair use bobby pins and dress slacks while teaching lay-ups.
teacher__411
5 months ago
140 comments
This article was a joke. I don't own most of the things in this article. Most school districts have a dress code for students and staff. I think the way to "play it safe" is to abide by the guidelines in the dress code. We should be distinguishable from our students and that includes how we dress in the classroom.
I disagree with the flip flop tip. If you keep your toe nails groomed and polished and wear apparel appropriate for flip flops I don't see the harm in it.
yorkiehistorybuff
5 months ago
6 comments
I don't know how worthless it is! sadly, the people who really need to read this won't. I have been teaching for 26 years and have seen some serious fashion faux pas.
athenaszia
5 months ago
4 comments
I also agree...This article was an absolute worthless read!!! Do people think that we as teachers are really stupid enough to wear this junk? Come on!!! Sequins, leather pants, sweat pants and sweat shirts....this was totally pointless. I can't believe I even finished reading the article. Please print things that are truly worthwhile reading.
sshane14
5 months ago
2 comments
I agree with a poster below...this stuff is OBVIOUS that you wouldn't wear it, even if you don't have fashion sense. You aren't working in a gym, so why would you dress like that...this article was pointless.
EMcG27
5 months ago
12 comments
A few other things:
1) Dress codes for teachers should account for the students and subjects. Teachers who spend a good deal of the day on the floor (e.g. students with certain medical challenges) should be permitted to wear jeans. Teachers who work with machinery should consider whether a tie will create a hazard.
2) When dressing, teachers should consider the fact that they might be meeting with district supervisors or students' parents during the day.
3) Along with make-up, teachers need to avoid wearing cologne or perfume to excess. Bottom line: if you can smell it on yourself, you're wearing too much.
4) School spirit weeks can be difficult. Teachers should probably not participate in pajama day or clash day unless the entire faculty (including administration) has agreed to participate. Note that the theme of spirit weeks is reflected in the classroom. I often have a problem with students sleeping in class on pajama days; however, when it's "formal day" there are very few classroom disruptions (I love "formal day"--it's like teaching at the prom!)
tracijo
5 months ago
2 comments
Don't forget the holiday sweater vests!!
TattooedTeacher
5 months ago
6 comments
I see no problem with not wearing make-up. If your skin is clear, and you don't look dead without it, the "fresh-faced" look is preferable.
TattooedTeacher
5 months ago
6 comments
Um . . . some of us have long, thick hair that will not be contained by an "ouchless hair elastic." There's no difference between these and scrunchies, except that there's more fabric around the elastic. How can you say that these look worse than BOBBY PINS?
cdelhoyo
5 months ago
18 comments
It's so weird.. but I have seen teachers wearing all of these items and one of them I couldn't even look at her in the eyes because I was so embarrased...
golinejenn
5 months ago
2 comments
Any self-respecting teacher would never wear these items. THis article was merely for the entertainment factor
JoannaPLT
5 months ago
32 comments
I agree - boo to the "no make-up" rule
kmfelder55
5 months ago
62 comments
This is an interesting article...No makeup is seen as unprofessional....I do not wear makeup but i do wear lipstick, blush, some other things.
MATEJASMOLAR
5 months ago
62 comments
What's wrong with no make-up?
mrcrisp
5 months ago
88 comments
We men don't forget, we should have on ties from 2nd grade up.