Teacher Style: The Long Cardigan in the Classroom

August 16, 2018 by Virginia 11 Comments

School has started already for some of you and although I mourn with you that summer is over, I’m so excited for you as you start the new school year with your kiddos! Today I want to introduce you to your new classroom best friend. It’s a back-to-school must have. Teacher Friend, meet Mr. Long Cardigan. Mr. Long Cardigan, meet my teacher friends!

Oh! You say you’ve already met?! I’m not surprised!

I never wanted to be that teacher who always wore cardigans because it’s just so stereo-typically “teachery” to me. I wanted to DEFY that stereotype (and I have…some). But then I started teaching in classrooms when you never know what temperature to expect. So, I embraced the cardigan. The long cardigan though, is special.

I love wearing a long cardigan in the classroom because you can wear it over:

a midi dress
leggings (at work!? Gasp!)
skinny jeans (see an example here)
ankle pants

This post does contain affiliate links, which means that if you click and/or make a purchase through these links, I may make a small commission. For more information, see my Privacy Policy. Thank you for supporting the retailers that make this blog possible!

This striped cardigan (a steal from Jane a few weeks ago!) has already gotten a workout. Today I tried to share two ways I would wear it. My photographer/husband has been crazy busy this week so you’ll have to excuse my blurry, timer + remote, self-taken pictures!

The Long Cardigan in the Classroom

I love a long cardigan in the classroom because it just feels so much more elegant than a short cardigan. Plus, it’s great for all sizes, curves or no curves. If you can get one with pockets, even better!

A few of my other classroom favorites are featured in this teacher outfit:

I have started buying a variety of these affordable V-neck Jersey tops from H&M because they’re good fabric, not too low and are only $5!
These olive moto skinnies from Tickled Teal are also a classroom favorite. Since I couldn’t wear jeans at school last year I found myself turning to these quite often. They’re still casual and comfortable, but they aren’t jeans! Jane almost always carries a pair of moto pocketed jeggings so keep your eye out for them! Beware though: some of them may be hand-wash only. Also, I recommend the ones that have a pocket on the back (like these) because I think they’re more flattering.

Get the Look:

Striped cardigan, Jane. (set an alert!)
Olive Moto Skinnies, Jane.
Navy V-Neck Jersey Top, H&M.
Cognac Sandals, Ross. (old) Very similar Guess Cognac Sandals.
MK Two-Tone Darci Watch, Areatrends.
Affordable Lookalike Chanel Earrings, Etsy.

The Long Cardigan on the Weekend

Switch out these sandals for a pair of booties or wedges and you’ve got another outfit for the classroom. Or, as I styled here, wear this striped cardigan with some jeans and sandals for an easy weekend look. Tidewater sent me these sandals to try (with no request for a review, I might add) and I have to say, I’m really liking them. I wouldn’t wear them for a full day teaching just because my heels have bothered me for the last few months. That being said, they do have a little extra support in the instep and the strap on the back is very comfortable. Plus, they have a teacher discount!

Get the Look:

Striped cardigan, Jane. (set an alert!)
KUT from the Kloth Connie ankle jeans, Nordstrom.
Navy V-Neck Jersey Top, H&M.
Boca Navy Sandals, Tidewater.
MK Two-Tone Darci Watch, Areatrends.
Affordable Lookalike Chanel Earrings, Etsy.

Check out more teacher outfits here and make sure to check out my Top 5 Places to Shop for Teacher Clothes!

What do you think?! Are you a fan?! Have you worn a long cardigan in the classroom?

Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m headed out tomorrow for an anniversary trip with the hubs! We are looking forward to a few days of relaxation!

-Virginia

White Skinny Jeans Teacher Outfit

March 19, 2018 by Virginia 25 Comments

Hello friends! Last week when I was trying to put together a cute teacher outfit I got pretty frustrated when I realized I had already worn my pair of white skinny jeans. At least once a week I put together a white skinny jeans teacher outfit. It’s one of the easiest ways to dress up my basic work wardrobe while staying comfortable. If you don’t have any, that would be my first recommendation for a Spring closet purchase.

First of all, white skinnies are great for work because you can get away with wearing jeans without having them look as casual as a regular pair of jeans. You get what I’m saying? (Somehow I feel like this is a fair way to get around the “no jeans except on Friday” rule without being “unprofessional,” but maybe I’m just fooling myself, lol) Second, as spring approaches, they are a great way to brighten up your fall or winter wardrobe pieces. This olive cardigan was one I picked up two years ago at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale (and still love). It’s definitely one of my “fall” items, but I love the way it looks with an all-white outfit. Pairing your dark tops with a pair of white skinny jeans brightens up the whole look.

*This post does contain affiliate links, which means that if you click and/or make a purchase through these links, I may make a small commission. For more information, see my privacy policy. Thank you for supporting the retailers that make this blog possible.

Now, I will say that the hunt for the right pair of white skinny jeans can be somewhat daunting. It took me a long time to find the right pair and I’ve owned these for at least 3 years, maybe 4. For me the right pair of white skinny jeans are: ankle length perfect and a thick fabric. I find that ankle length jeans are perfect to pair with any shoe. I’ve worn these with booties for fall, with sandals for summer, and they don’t even bunch up under over-the-knee boots (see this post).

I recommend spending more on a pair of white skinny jeans just because a better quality jean is going to last and it won’t be as see-through. These were purchased from LOFT and I absolutely love the version they are carrying for spring this year with the cute double-fringe on the bottom. I tried them on in-store and they are the same nice thick fabric as the pair I own. Mine have survived the test of time and I would expect this pair to wear the same way. Sign up for LOFT emails and be ready for the next sale! They’re worth it! I’ve also rounded up some other good options of white jeans below.

White Skinny Jean Options:

Get the Look:

For a totally spring-time appropriate work outfit with white skinny jeans, also make sure to check out THIS OUTFIT.

Ok, time for me to get back to the work-week lesson-planning daily grind! Have a wonderful week! Check out more of my work outfits here!

-Virginia

Over-the-knee Boots for Work & Floral Top for Spring

March 12, 2018 by Virginia 11 Comments

Hello Friends! I’m really excited about today’s post for a few reasons: 1) I’m finally sharing my new suede over-the-knee boots for work (which I love and can’t wait to tell you about) and 2) I finally found some look-alikes of my favorite floral top for spring!

Over-the-knee boots for Work

One item I really wanted to get this winter was a new pair of over-the-knee boots that I could wear to work. When the Stuart Weitzman suede over-the-knee boots first became popular, I knew I wanted a look-alike pair. It took awhile for more affordable brands to come out with copycats so when I found a great pair of gray over-the-knee boots at Forever21 (featured here), I grabbed them. However, over the years they stretched out and would fall down my leg. Plus, the pointed heel just wasn’t realistic for my now more mobile job.

I went on a hunt for a new pair of over-the-knee boots for work. The great thing about buying a replacement pair is that there are so many options out there for an affordable over-the-knee boot. You can get them in flat versions and block heel versions, in a ton of different colors. My stipulations for over-the-knee boots for work were that they be wide enough for my calves (many options are made for skinny calves), a block heel (added comfort and traction for my long walks across campus), and a tie at the top that would keep the boot from falling down my leg even if it got stretched out. This Steve Madden pair from DSW fit the bill. Plus, I got them on sale (right after I featured them in this post)! They are still pretty tight on my calves and because of that, there is some bunching right at the ankle, making for a funny fit. But, I can’t even explain how comfortable they are and, for the price, I just couldn’t pass them up.

This is a great time to buy a pair of over-the-knee boots, as many retailers are starting to clear their stock to prepare for summer. You’ll get a great deal and still get quite a bit of wear out of them throughout the spring.

Floral Blouse for Spring

I bought this blouse from Shein ages ago but it’s still one of my favorite tops for work. It goes with jeans, pencil skirts, black pants (seen here), you name it! My favorite way to wear this floral top is with white skinny jeans, as pictured here. I haven’t featured it recently on the blog (even though I wear it all the time) because I don’t like featuring something that you can’t buy and doesn’t have a similar replacement. But Friday I was looking at new arrivals at H&M and found a ton of great options to get a similar look. I tried a bunch on in-store and have some size recommendations in the widget below. This version is a great, soft fabric and is on sale. Be aware that the sleeves run tight.

This is the perfect kind of spring look for me in the classroom. I feel bright and cheery and fashionable, yet comfortable. That’s a winning outfit combination! In fact, make sure to check out another way I wore these white skinny jeans in the classroom HERE.

Get the Look:

Have you tried floral blouses for work? Where did you find your favorite one? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Make sure to check out last week’s post on my Top 5 Favorite Teacher Shoes!

-Virginia