When it’s time to go back to school there are some stores that I rely upon to provide great quality clothing and it isn’t usually Forever21. Forever21 is geared towards a younger crowd and the material hasn’t always been long-wearing for me. It still holds a place in my work wardrobe, but mainly for sweaters and some blouses (though that is proving more difficult with the crop top trend). However, Forever21 has surprised me lately and I’m excited to share this fun jumpsuit that is perfect for a teacher back-to-school outfit! And, not to be left behind, this amazing white collared shirt is, in fact, a bodysuit!

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Forever21 as a Young Teacher

When I first started teaching I wasn’t actually used to shopping. I was a thrift store girl out of necessity and honestly, I hadn’t ventured too far beyond Department stores like JCPenney or Sears because the “regular” stores in the mall scared me! They were so unfamiliar.

Living on my own was such a growing experience. Work took up an unhealthy amount of time and I lived almost an hour away from my family. I did, however, finally have spending money and “free” Friday nights.  After spending all week holed up in my apartment planning lessons and grading, by Friday night I was ready to get out! I’m a homebody at heart but even homebodies need to get out every once in a while!

Though it seems like a small thing, going to the giant mall 10 minutes from my house and wandering through all the stores, taking my time looking at items, was when I really started to develop independence. And that, friends, is how I discovered Forever21!

Old Favorites

I am the kind of shopper that usually has to start at one side of the store and go “in order,” all the way around until I see everything. (This often drives my sister and husband nuts!) Forever21 is not the kind of place where I can do this very easily. Early on, this store was a staple. However, most of my purchases were flimsy fabric or had loose threads that just didn’t hold up over time. That being said, some of my favorite items come from Forever21 and they HAVE stood the test of time.

• This blue peplum top is an absolute favorite in my wardrobe. I may not wear it a great deal on the blog (just because I can’t always find a look-alike) but I wear it all the time in real life.
• I shared this dress right when I started the blog (I know! Horrible pictures!) and it’s still one of my favorites.

One thing I’m realizing about retailers I had abandoned is that I may need to give them a second chance. Quality is not just in a name, but in the fabric and sewing, etc and many of my old faves are upping-their-game.

Back-To-School Forever21 Favorites Today

Twelve years have passed since that first year of teaching when I discovered Forever21 but last week I found myself wandering through again. I came across SO MANY great pieces that would work well for a teacher back-to-school outfit, in particular for fall. I have often found the Forever21 Contemporary line to be great quality but this visit I found so many items even beyond that line with soft, thick fabric. That was the case with this jumpsuit.

• I tried this jumpsuit only because I loved the fabric. It’s so soft and I thought maybe, just maybe, it would fit. Sure enough, the fabric is stretchy and so soft, making it very comfortable. I ended up sizing up a little less than I usually do because of the stretch. I bought a M and I love how it feels. Plus, how cute would your little one be in a matching jumpsuit!?

In general, size up with Forever21.

• At the mall I was seeing Brick-colored cargo jackets all over. This one is so affordable. The arms are a little tight but try it on in-store and size up. It’s a great price!
• Finally…you guys, these corduroy pants are amazing! They are so soft and they are stretchy! I tried them on in a large and they totally stretched to fit. They are SO comfortable and would make a great pair of pants for school, especially for those of you who can’t wear jeans to work!

Bodysuits at Work?!

Last but not least, this top! Last year I found myself wishing I had a white collared shirt that wouldn’t bunch up under my Lularoe Pencil Skirts (also great for the classroom) and in my search for a solution I discovered these bodysuits from Express. They’re pretty spendy but if you follow me on Facebook, you’ll know that Express just had a sale where they were 50% off! I definitely grabbed a few. The Small (my normal size) was a bit too snug in the chest so I sent that one back and kept this Medium. I love it so much.

The bodysuit is a great option under this jumpsuit because it doesn’t bunch up under the jumpsuit. Plus, it removes the need to figure out a way to tuck it back in if it rides up during the day. That’s not easy to do with a jumpsuit but with this bodysuit, there is no need!

Grab it now or sign up for Shopstyle and set an alert for when it’s back on sale!

Would you wear this bodysuit to work? What about the jumpsuit?!

Teacher Back-To-School Outfit Details

• Jumpsuit, Forever21. (cute matching little girl jumpsuit)
• White Fitted Bodysuit, Express.
• Gucci Belt Dupe, Amazon. (more below)
• Studded Black Flats, Nordstrom (old). similar here and here.
• Accessories: Hoop Earrings | Elisa Necklace c/o | Two-Tone Watch

Thanks so much for visiting!

~Virginia

Linking up with: Straight A Style | On the Daily Express | Pumps and Pushups | Shopping My Closet | Curly Crafty Mom | Mummabstylish | Color and Grace | Fashion Should Be Fun | Glass of Glam | I Do deClaire | Lizzie in Lace | Pink Sole