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I will be a new teacher in Texas next fall, and I am really lost for what to wear! I am only 22 (will be 23 then) and I want to be fashionable, professional (a must) and comfortable. I really like the idea of a "basic" wardrobe" and I've studied all of the lists, but they all seem geared to older more office-y type ladies. My current wardrobe resembles any college senior's: jeans, school skirts, various "I'm going somewhere other than school" items, and tennis shoes. Obviously I am starting from the ground up. Any advice? Maybe a suggested list?
Oh I am ALL about The List. Let's make a shopping list for Meagan, shall we?
Meagan will be teaching elementary school, which means that she will have playground and lunchroom duty. She lives where it is hot most of the year. She is petite, with a large chest; she doesn't really wear heels. She is looking for classic pieces with staying power.
(I know all of that because I asked.)
Meagan finds herself in the same fashion situation as many women these days: she needs to look respectable and professional every day, but she's not going to an office job, and she doesn't have an unlimited budget. She wants to do two simple things as she plans her wardrobe: she wants to stick with classic pieces that will not go out of style in a season or two, and she wants to avoid anything that is too casual.
So where does she start?
The right bra. Now that Meagan is graduating from college and going out into the Adult World, she needs to get herself and Adult Bra. The right bra changes the way your clothes fit, and when you're talking about overhauling your wardrobe, you need to start at the foundations. Meagan needs to have a bra fitting before she buys anything else. Most department stores and small lingerie boutiques offer fitting services for free.
Trench coat. In Texas, Meagan probably will not need a heavy winter coat, but she will need a coat that she can wear both on the playground and out to dinner. She wants to look for a trench in a neutral color (khaki is always good, as is brown or black or even gray) with either a removable lining OR enough room in the shoulders and sleeves to layer. She should look for something machine washable, if it is at all possible.
Banana Republic trench, $228.00
Pants that are NOT jeans. Meagan wants to avoid wearing jeans to work, because it's a very young, very casual look, and she needs to look more professional. She should look for some mid-rise, straight-legged trousers in a neutral color; she can choose machine washable options like cotton chinos or corduroys or dry-clean-only fare like three-season wool (I would go with machine washable, personally). She wants to make sure that they are hemmed to the right length and that they are unwrinkled when she wears them.
Knee-length, A-line skirts in solids or simple, unfussy patterns. Pattern is fine, as long as it's not too bright or girly. Geometric patterns are perfect for a casual professional wardrobe, as are textures, like boucle or tweed. Meagan can look for skirts in a three-season wool; even in a warmer climate, she can wear a lighter weight wool skirt with bare legs. Alternatively, Meagan could opt for simple dresses, again in unfussy patterns or muted colors. A dress is one less step in the morning routine, and is a nice alternative to pants.
Tops that are not tee shirts. Crew neck or V neck sweaters are a terrific professional look; layer over a blouse or under a jacket on cooler days, or wear alone on warmer days. Add a necklace or big earrings or a scarf for more visual interest. Meagan should pay attention to fit; hems should hit at the hip, necklines should lay flat. She should think about investing in a some nicer knit pieces, in light-weight merino wool or silk or a cashmere blend.
Pretty shoes. Meagan doesn't need pumps or dressy shoes for work, but that doesn't mean she can wear her sneakers. She can look for cool skimmers, for a tennis shoe alternative, or driving mocs or ballet flats. With a skirt,
