Jackets+Teachers+Goodwill= Ready for School!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the time is drawing
ever so closer to the beginning of another school year!  For me, it is just 12 days before I return to
full-time status!  With that in mind, I
would like to share with you one of my pet peeves.  I do this knowing I might upset some of you,
but I hope you will read my thoughts before clicking the CLOSE button.

Purple Knit Jacket by Target’s Merona, and leather merlot bag
both from GOODWILL on Hwy 281 @ Bitters Road
I really do not understand teachers who go to work looking
sad and pitiful.  Taking the time to fix
up is so important for teachers and there are just no excuses to keep you from
it!  I realize that if you do not care about your appearance that a deeper problem may be going on, but I want you to know I have been there.  One of the best first steps you can take, is to force yourself to start fixing up and gradually you will feel better about yourself!
First of all, in order to be heard and received from
students, you need to be at the top of your game.  Taking the time to fix up instills confidence
and joy in who you are and you will communicate those messages when
teaching.   It is just a fact that when
we are enthusiastic about our presentations and how we look presenting them, then students will be as well.
Navy Jacket has tiny dot print, found at GOODWILL on Hwy.410@Blanco
Also, like it or not, we are role models no matter what age
you teach.  We are modeling confidence,
joy and professionalism when we take the time to fashion a nice look for the
classroom.   They do notice.  They have taught me that they notice.  I have one young lady who loves to see what
scarf I will pull out next!  We should
never be commenting on what they choose to wear if we are not giving
consideration to what we wear.
This multi-colored jacket was purchased at Goodwill, Hwy 281 @ Blanco. If you are creative, Goodwill
is a great place to find high quality, unique garments!
The great news is, with places like GOODWILL, we can afford
to look our very best every day!  So,
here is what I recommend:
       Take
inventory of your closet. 
       Make a list of your separates to carry with you.
       Then go shopping at Goodwill for great jackets
to stretch this wardrobe.  Jackets give
you a professional touch.  Also, a great
fitted jacket will make you look so much slimmer and just pulls a look
together. 
      Remember this fall, the big colors will be navy,
burgundy, burnt orange, saffron yellow, slate greys, bright purples, deep browns and forest
greens.
       Do not leave Goodwill without checking the shoes, jewelry, and bags for completer pieces to your looks.
It is worth it, teachers or anyone other working women….you will just be amazed at what you
can do with only $25!!! 
http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/visible-monday-57-lazy-lacy-look.html
http://www.glamamom.com/2012/07/mode-monday-momma-in-red.html

 Now, please, for more ideas go visit the lovely ladies of VISIBLE MONDAY and MONDAY MINGLE….and have a great one!

34 Comments

  1. One of my little students last year use to look forward to which earrings I would wear each day! And the flow-on effect from this was it motivated me to hunt out some beautiful earrings over the year. And this year my little Year 1er's love to guess what colour nail polish I will wear the next week. Good luck in 12 days time, Down Under we are in the thick of Term 3…
    ✿ Judy
    made by J

  2. Pam, you are SO right that looking pulled together matters, no matter what we do. We can always be positive role models. And you've found some great pieces there at your local Goodwill; you look beautifully coordinated and enthusiastic!

  3. Pam this is an awesome post! Your words are so, so true. We need to lead the next generation in caring how they dress! I can't believe you are going back to school in 12 days, how the summer has flown by! And I am super happy that many of my fall "used designer" clothing purchases are all the colors you said will be "in". I am going to be "in" style for once, by just buying what I liked! 🙂

  4. A couple of years ago I fell into that trap of just throwing on something – usually a variation on khakis and polo shirt. It's not that I didn't have lots of nice clothes; I just didn't have much motivation. Over the summer last year I decided to dress nicely for school. More skirts, more blouses, more dresses, more accessories. It helped that we got three new teachers last year, and they all dressed very nicely each day. Dressing up helped me feel better and get through a tough year. My husband has always said "Look good, feel good", and I agree.

  5. Great advice for everyone, not just teachers! As a retired teacher, I no longer need a working wardrobe but I still like to look good. Thrift stores help make that possible!

  6. Hi Pam. You look great and obviously take pride in your appearance. You're right with Goodwill and other thrift stores there's just now excuse for not pulling ourselves together. Now if I could just find some great things to replace my sweats for bumping around the house in…

  7. i think nothing looks more put together than topping an outfit with a blazer or jacket! My Goodwills totally stink – I do better at Target and Ross – actually cheaper than our Goodwill if you can believe it!

  8. There was an article in yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer relating that some school districts are having to have dress codes for teachers in response to teachers showing up to work wearing flip flops, spaghetti straps, facial piercings, tattoos showing, overly revealing clothes, sweat pants and other "what were they thinking?" attire. As much as I still can't believe that I sometimes say, "What's the matter with kids these days?"—What IS the matter with kids these days? I'm talking about 23 year old "kids" who stand at the front of the classroom as role models.

  9. The students absolutely notice and get influenced by my clothes.I noticed many daring combinations and I always get comments from my students.So I adjust accordingly!I esp like the last colorful jacket and I'm also amazed at what one can find at second hand shops.I've streched my wardrobe to no end shopping there.

  10. Love all of your outfits here, especially #1! Wow, only 12 days? Hope you enjoy the rest of your time off and squeeze in as much fun as possible. xo

  11. Fabulous post Pam!!! You look pulled together and authoritative and fabulous! Goodwill makes it easy to look polished!

    I'm hearing you on how people dress. They are getting ready to implement a stricter dress code for the army civilian employees here on post because some people think spaghetti strap camisoles, flip flops and sweat pants with "juicy" emblazoned on their butt is appropriate to wear when you are dealing with colonels and generals and such. And many of the ones doing it are ladies of a certain age who should KNOW BETTER!! I won't even touch on the guys wearing cargo shorts and rockband tshirts!

  12. You look wonderful….dressed with care for yourself so that you can now focus on caring for others. Bravo! In my teaching days, decades ago, I was aware that students watch everything about us so carefully. One eager hand was waving from the back row, from a student who seldom participated voluntarily…."Ms. S….., Ms. S…" "Yes, Michael, share that thought with us." "Do you know your bracelet is unclasped?"…….

  13. My husband taught for 38 years and never once left the house without a shirt and tie. I'm sure some felt he was a dinosaur, but he didn't care. When he retired, we joked that we would have to teach him to leave his tie at home when we went to the beach! My son is now a teacher and a shirt and tie are his uniform. His father set the standard and he chose to follow it. I have always been proud of both of them. They are professionals and they dress the part. A great thing to teach our young professionals-to-be.

  14. That first outfit is so,so fabulous. The colors and textures are so rich and vibrant. While I don't think I dress quite as smartly as you, I do enjoy being as polished as I can, with something colorful or creative to add a bit of fun! It reminds me that teaching is supposed to be fun — and it usually is, once I get past the planning/grading-based anxiety.

    So I forgive you for reminding me that school is starting soon. Pass the Xanax…… 😉

  15. I love that quote! You are fabulous and I couldn't agree more. Blazers are such an essential part of the professional wardrobe and so easy to style.

  16. It so true! The more of an effort you put into dressing yourself well the more fun it also is. I just wish Goodwill was in this country too! A few more posts like this and I'll have to come to America to visit Goodwill!

  17. Not a teacher, but I definitely agree on the need for a navy jacket. You look wonderful in all your outfits, but I have a thing for red and purple, so that first one is knocking me out. 🙂

  18. Well, I tend to dress up a bit more than many of my colleagues…for the very reasons you suggest. A teacher's appearance creates command of the classroom…and respect for everyone in it.

  19. I'm a teacher, too! I agree with what you're saying! I cringe when co-workers show up in clothing that looks like the students!

  20. I totally agree that teachers should set an example for their students. Too many teachers here look worse than the students! You look so polished in both the outfits. Your students are lucky to have such a dedicated involved teacher. We are lucky to have such a lovely woman to inspire us with her inspiring words.

  21. This is an amazing post. I completely agree. As a student (and future teacher), I really appreciate when teachers try to look their best. I think it really does make a difference with students. It's hard to ask for your students' respect if it doesn't look like you respect yourself.

    I love the outfits in this post and that will definitely earn you tons of respect in the classroom. 🙂

    -Mary @ stylethatmoves.blogspot.com

  22. I couldn't agree with you more. I am a teacher of physically and intellectually disabled high school students, some have sensory impairments. Colour and texture are an important part of their lives. Op shopping has made it possible for me to experiment and have a more extensive wardrobe. Great post.

  23. I love your approach to fashion and dressing. You prove that anyone can and should do it – even if they're on a budget. I believe that one can inspire others by dressing well and looking good.

    Please check out and show support for my new online magazine http://www.ofwitandwill.com

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