How to Style Teacher Outfits from Clothes You Already Own

Making Midi and Maxi Dresses Classroom-Ready

I love midi and maxi dresses in the summertime because they’re comfy, they’re breathable, they’re cute. But especially if they’re spaghetti strapped or have a low neck or something, you can’t wear that into the school year. So here’s what you can do to make them school appropriate.

Technique #1: T-Shirt Over the Dress

This is my favorite trick. Put a t-shirt on over your flowy midi or maxi dress – pick a neutral color that goes with the pattern of the dress. If you tie it in a little knot right below your chest, it cinches the waist and gives the dress more form. I think it’s super cute, and it’s a great way to turn a not-school-appropriate dress into one that’s more modest.

Technique #2: T-Shirt Under the Dress

You can also put a t-shirt on underneath the dress. I actually use the same t-shirt for both techniques – just wear it under instead of over. It’s a really cute way to cover the shoulders and chest while still showcasing that cute dress you wore all summer.

Technique #3: Cardigans for Fall and Winter

Another thing you can do with midi and maxi dresses is put cardigans over the top. This is especially perfect once the weather gets a little cooler. Here’s a styling hack for you: When you put on your dress, put your bra on over the dress. I know it seems a little funky, but you put your bra on over the dress, then the sweater goes on over the top of that, and you tuck the bottom of the sweater up into the bra. I think it’s super cute and it’s a good way to turn a summer dress into a fall or winter outfit that’s more modest for school.

Shop Smart: Think About What’s Already in Your Wardrobe

When you go shopping for clothes, think back to what you already have in your wardrobe before you purchase something. As you’re shopping, try to find things you can pair with things you have at home already.

For example, I went thrifting the other day and found these super cute pants with a black and white checkered plaid pattern. When I found them at the store, I thought back to the clothes I have at home. I knew that I have tons of black and white clothes that would go nicely with them. But since the pants were more of a neutral black and white pattern, I also knew that any solid colored shirts I have at home could pair nicely with those pants too.

So I knew they were a good purchase because I was going to be able to create lots of outfits from things I already have at home. And guess what? I put together eight different outfits based off of different tops that were already in my closet. Just from one pair of pants, I created eight outfits!

The Power of Neutral Colors and Layering

Something you’ll notice as you create more teacher outfits: having pieces that layer nicely together is key. A plain white t-shirt goes well under a sweater vest, under a cardigan, under a button-up shirt. There are lots of different ways you can layer just a plain white t-shirt and neutral colored pants with other tops.

I personally love to wear a lot of neutral colors. I’ll maybe get a little spicy and wear a color here and there, but I definitely gravitate more towards neutrals. That allows me to pair more things together because if I’m really only shopping for neutral colors, I know I’ll be able to pair more things in my closet at home with the new items I’m buying.

Jackets That Work Hard (So You Don’t Have To)

Depending on where you live, it might not get that cold in the winter, but where I live it gets really cold. So it’s important for me to have jackets and things I can layer to stay warm. But I don’t want to just throw on a puffer jacket that doesn’t go with my outfit – I want to make it cute!

Blazers: These are a great jacket you can wear to school. You can layer multiple things underneath, and it’s a nice, polished look.

Denim Jackets: These are a great staple. Depending on the size of the jacket, you can layer sweaters and things underneath. You can spice up a very basic outfit – like a plain all-black outfit – and turn it into something not so basic. You can take the same outfit and make different looks based off what you wear over the top of it.

My Biggest Lesson About Teacher Fashion

Here’s what I’ve learned: I love fashion, I love experimenting with fashion, I love shopping. But as a teacher, sometimes I have to kind of reign it in and not shop as much as I want to because I don’t have all the money in the world to spend on clothes.

These are some tricks that I’ve found work for me. They allow me to still be creative with my clothes, wear different outfits every day, but not have too many clothes in my closet taking up space.

The most important thing? Teaching is a huge part of my life, but it’s not everything. There are lots of other things that go on in my life, and fashion is one of my passions. I think it’s really important to still have things you enjoy doing outside of school. Whatever your passions are, whatever your hobbies are – how can you still do those things as a teacher?

You’re a teacher, but you’re also all these other different things. And that’s what makes you interesting, creative, and passionate about what you do.