What I Actually Wear to Teach in the Fall

When I’m getting dressed for school, I want to look put-together, but I also need to be able to sit, stand, walk around the classroom and make it through the day without thinking about my clothes.

I’m also very particular about fabric. If it doesn’t breathe, I won’t wear it. And wool? Absolutely not. My sensitive skin has made that decision for me.

Look #1: Everyday Fall Teacher

Shop the look:

Levi’s Low Loose Jeans · Simons Striped Sweater · Papillio Almina Sandals · Simons Braided Hobo Bag

Jeans. Lots of Jeans. Jeans are probably the backbone of my fall teacher wardrobe.

I like to wear Levi’s Low Loose jeans that I bought at Simons, American Eagle jeans and a couple of pairs from R&W. Add a striped shirt or a simple cotton T-shirt and I’m pretty much ready for school.

Look #2: Yes, I Wear Leggings to Teach

Shop the look:

Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant · Long Denim Tunic · Simons Samba Jane Sneakers · Simons XL Braided Straw Tote

And Yes, I Wear Leggings to Teach. Some days call for Lululemon leggings.

My trick is wearing them with a longer denim tunic I found on Amazon. It covers what I want covered and gives me all the comfort of leggings without feeling like I showed up to teach in my workout clothes.

I consider this a very reasonable compromise.

Cotton Is My Friend. I gravitate toward cotton T-shirts from Old Navy, Banana Republic and Quince because they’re comfortable, breathable and easy to layer.

One of my favorite layering pieces is a short-sleeve denim shirt from Quince. I can throw it over a T-shirt and suddenly the outfit looks a little more intentional.

I also have a Quince organic cotton hoodie that is exactly the kind of thing I want when the weather gets cooler: extremely soft, light and cozy.

And I recently bought a cotton-cashmere blend sweater from Quince that I’m looking forward to trying this fall.

Look #3: When I Need to Look a Little More Professional

Shop the look:

Old Navy Blazer · Quince Organic Cotton Slub V-Neck Tee · Quince Luna Stretch Relaxed Straight Jeans · Quince Weatherproof Utility Tote · Puma Speedcat Mules

Meetings sometimes call for a slight upgrade. I have a jacket that I love for exactly that reason. I can put it over something simple, wear it with jeans, and immediately look more polished without feeling overdressed.

That’s my preferred kind of professional clothing: still me, just slightly more meeting-ready.

My Fall Teacher Wardrobe Rule

I don’t think teachers need a special “teacher wardrobe.” Some days that’s jeans, a cotton T-shirt and comfortable shoes. Some days it’s leggings cleverly disguised by a long denim shirt.

And some days I throw on a jacket because there’s a meeting and apparently, I should look like I have everything under control.

Comfortable, put-together and realistic. That’s pretty much my fall dress code.