knee length or below the knee, and slits 5 cm from the hem. Shirts and blouses shouldn’t be body-hugging. Cleavages should be con-cealed and there are a number of stylish neck-lines for blouses, tops and dresses.

Sleeveless?Is going sleeveless too casual for the class-room? While it could be taken as personal preference, your professional image in the classroom comes first – so an adult look is key. A sleeveless top or dress can coordinate well with a light, short-sleeved cardigan or short-sleeved, lightweight jacket. Short sleeves are also a good option to keep the heat at bay while maintaining an appropriate look.

Feet firstBeing a teacher means you walk around all day, right? Depending on the class you teach, the shoes you wear must be comfortable and suit the day’s activities. Teachers of PE and Agriculture should generally wear trainers or protective shoes. Teachers of other disciplines can invest in stylish yet sensible and comfort-able shoes. For ladies, flat boots, pumps, sen-sible wedges and heels, around 2 inches high are the way to go. Leave the stilettos for nights out.

AccessoriseAnother way to transform your look is by ac-cessorising. Just keep it simple. Earrings, neck-laces with matching bangles, belts and scarfs can transform an outfit if appropriately select-ed. The type of tie you choose can also make or break your outfit, so choose colours wisely to complement your shirt. Oversize bags are a great-looking, practical accessory too.

Make-upMake-up can be worn as a personal choice but if you have a flawless, natural skin there’s no need for it. If you do wear make-up, apply it lightly. The rainbow palette is not classroom appropriate. Rather leave it for the right occa-sion.

Final thoughtsRemember not to overdo it – be stylish but-subtle . You are the driving force behind build-ing your confidence and image as a teacher.

As Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion fades; only style remains the same.”

DRESSTHE PART

The question of what to wear as a teacher is a challenging one, as all schools have dress codes that must be adhered to, yet there

is no provision for clothing allowance, leaving some teachers in the dark as to what’s appropri-ate. Beryl Phala provides some top tips on dress-ing right.

The image of a teacher should convey a de-gree of maturity, trust, competence, capability and professionalism. What you wear can com-municate a positive or negative non-verbal message to the students, which can have a huge impact on the teaching process.

How teachers dress is an individual thing, though looking professional is vital. As a former teacher myself, did I get it right all the time? I’m not so sure. Today, however, through e-commerce and

globalisation, clothing is a lot more eas-ily available and you can find just about

anything to suit your budget.

The three most important fac-tors to keep in mind when se-

lecting your teaching wardrobe are:

*professionalism*comfort*individual style or appearance.

Beryl’s guidelines for choosing your teaching wardrobe:

Be stylishDress pants with tuck-in, button-down shirts

may be best for men. To finish off the look, a light pull-over can be worn to keep out the cold, complemented by a jacket. When it gets

too warm, take off the jacket and hang on the back of your chair. The same goes for ladies who prefer pants, while skirts can also be worn with tights to give that clas-sic look. Light cardigans are in, in multi-ple colours of your choice, while the boy-

friend blazer is still trendy and will keep you warm. If you do not have that

classic piece in your closet, head to some nearby bargain stores or look out for sales.

Tailored comfortProfessional, loose-fitting and well-tailored outfits are key. If you are to wear a tai-lored skirt or trousers, or a full suit for men, avoid tight outfits that will restrict

movement. You need to be able to move around freely in the classroom. Skirts should be

fashion & style TEACHER’S f i rst issue 2016 39

By Beryl Phala