Can you believe its December 3rd? That just seems crazy to me. We leave in 20 days to go to Florida and I couldn’t be more excited. We are spending Christmas this year in Florida with our families at my parents new vacation home (I was there in the summer remember?) This time Kev is coming and I can’t wait to spend an entire week together on vacation in a warm and beautiful place. Its not very often we get to spend that much time together when we both work full time.
OK, on to my outfit. I got this skirt at forever 21 a little while ago and its just so darn cute. I like it because it reminds me of a watercolor painting and because it was $12- you really can’t beat that price. Its a little short for school but I tried anyways- I paired it with some opaque black tights to make up for it. I loved the outfit but I get a little self-conscience when I see other teachers looking me up and down in the hallway, but hey I am 27 not 50 and I think I look nice.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4154296465/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4155057328/
I get a lot of questions about what teachers and students think of how I dress. There is no dress code so I can really wear whatever I feel like. I do wear jeans a lot but I am the art teacher and sometimes it just works out better for me that way. I ruin a lot of clothes at school. I try to mix it up a lot though- jeans one day, skirts or dresses the next.
Most teachers I think can appreciate that I am younger, that I am the art teacher and that I have a very strong creative side. Most of the time I get a lot of compliments from them and they are all so sweet. I am the youngest teacher here by a lot. Its really not a large group of young teachers here. There are def. some teachers who give me funny looks but I just try to look past it. The kids for the most part don’t care. They are in High School and well all they wear are AE, Hollister and Uggs. There are a few select girls this year that have really started to comment on my outfits though. They are very cute. They always want to know where I shop and what I like and stuff like that. I even got interviewed for the school newspaper on my style. hehe
I will say one time and one time only have I worn the same sweater as a girl in school. It was funny and a little embarrassing but hey- it was a cute sweater
Hat: H&M $14 (approx.)
Leather Bomber: Forever 21 $30
Skirt: Forever 21 $12
White Tank: Old Navy $8
Tights: H&M $6
Flats: Steve Madden $40
Neckalce: Simple Vera for Kohls $4
i think you look very presentable and there is no reason for the dirty looks. high school kids need to learn that there is more than hollister and uggs! hehe. you look adorable as always.
I think that you look fantastic and perfectly presentable. I blogged the other day about my concern about cleavage in the classroom (I’m a college teacher). I get a lot of compliments on the clothes that I wear, but I’ve also received some snide remarks and observed a few raised eyebrows here and there. Anyhoo, keep looking fab! I love your blog and envy your artistic talent!
Your outfits always look great! I think if anyone gives you dirty looks, they are probably just reflecting their own lack of confidence or concept of style. But on a more serious note, I think that (while they may not even realize it), you are teaching your students a valuable lesson about individuality and confidence. It’s important for them to see an adult with a healthy attitude about these things. I know when I was in high school, I was so insecure and never felt that I could dress the way I really wanted to or act the way I wanted to because I feared I’d be judged. It’s an impressionable age, and when they see you happy and creative, unique having fun with your wardrobe, it shows them that there’s more to life than stressing about what other people think. Kudos!
You do look very fantastic! It doesn’t matter what kind of looks you get as long as you are comfortable and appropriate in what you wear. I think that is completely appropriate too! I work at an investment company and I wear some interesting stuff to work sometimes. I get compliments a lot and everyone here just knows that is who I am and its a reflection of me! I think you are only young once so wear what you can and show of your assets while you still have them! Keep strutting that stuff girl! Have a great day!
I think your outfit is great! The hat just takes it to another level, i love it =]
As someone who got heckled in their h.s. hallways for how they dressed–and even had teachers make comments (I erred on the punky/grungey side in a VERY small town)–I applaud you for being a great role model for your students. The importance of expressing one’s individuality through fashion as a teenager (or as an adult, for that matter) should not be underestimated.
Sometimes I wonder what people think about my outfits at work, but like you said – You look nice. I don’t think people can complain if you’ve made the effort to look presentable. More like if you showed up in sweatpants to work. Now that might be bad.
I bet your students think you’re fantastic. I love that skirt.
http://oliveobserver.blogspot.com
I don’t know many people who could pull that hat off like you can, it looks awesome!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the shirt!
Again … when i’m skinny can you be my personal shopper? 🙂
You look awesome, don’t be worrying about what those librarians are thinking! This outfit is great.
this is a great post. how lucky to be an art teacher–you can eschew the boring teacher uniform and can attribute your stylishness to your wonderful sense of aesthetics.
this looks terrific.
As a fellow teacher, I completely understand this post. I often get some odd looks from other colleagues when I try something a little bit out there, but mostly it’s appreciated, especially by some of my girls. I have also noticed that as younger teachers have started to replace the older teachers who have retired the style tone has been upped a bit. I love this outfit, but I would definitely get a referral if I wore it. Our dress code states that your hem must not be shorter than your arms at your sides.
Ha! I can relate to this post in so many ways. As a middle school art teacher students don’t quite understand anything but hoodies and shoes that are the exact same color as their t-shirt. I also try to wear jeans one day and a skirt or dress the next but I love the art teacher excuse when jeans start winning daily or my outfits get a little crazy!!
Your outfits inspire me to try a little harder when I get into a lazy slump! Thanks!
I work at a place that has a very open dress code. Basically business casual that includes jeans. I sometimes wear skirts that are on the shorter side but they are cute and fashionable and I wear them with opaque tights as well. I think in my case, I get more looks from men, which is creepy and weird, but thankfully most of the women don’t seem to care even though they are older.
I love your style. This outfit looks amazing! Thank you for all the inspiration you provide!
Once again, you look so adorable! Great hat!
I absolutely love this outfit. That is a wonderful skirt! I think it’s amazing how you’re an art teacher too. I have a best friend that is an art teacher and I’m going to forward her your blog. I bet she’ll be so inspired. 🙂
That is so sweet that those girls look up to you and your stylish-ness! I can totally remember the “cool” young teachers from high school… I bet they just adore you!
Love the outfit… and the skirt is totally appropriate with tights!
Okay, this is waaayy late, but…. I was born and raised in Satellite Beach (lived there for 23 years, relocated to Orlando three years ago). I have been reading your blog for a few months and must have started after this post. I thought NO ONE knew where/what SB was/is, aside from Brevardians. Anywho… I have to give you the haps on Satellite- If you like burritos (even if you don’t), you MUST go to Dakine Diegos- crazy good, they were actually on Food Network a few years back. Bizarros Pizza in Indialantic (10 minutes south) has the BEST pizza, I recommend this location over the Satellite location. Thai, Thai has amazing Thai, they are on A1A near Ichabods/Walgreens, across from Millinia Park. Okay, enough food. Introspection boutique (and salon) in Downtown Melbourne has cute clothes/accessories, at a great price. If you have a chance to venture out of Satellite (i.e., 1 1/2 hours West) Wekiva Springs, near Orlando, is an amazing place to go canoeing, horse back riding, camping, etc., and it is PERFECT in December, perfect. One last thing, if you have a chance, take a slow drive down Tropical Trail with the windows down, as the sun is setting. That is the one thing I always do when I go back home to see the fam, it is so calming and beautiful. If you or your family have any questions for a native, shoot me an email. Have a wonderful time!
I was born and raised in Satellite Beach (lived there for 23 years, relocated to Orlando three years ago). I have been reading your blog for a few months and must have started after your original summer post. I thought NO ONE knew where/what SB was/is, aside from Brevardians. Anywho… I have to give you the haps on Satellite- If you like burritos (even if you don’t), you MUST go to Dakine Diegos- crazy good, they were actually on Food Network a few years back. Bizarros Pizza in Indialantic (10 minutes south) has the BEST pizza, I recommend this location over the Satellite location. Thai, Thai has amazing Thai, they are on A1A near Ichabods/Walgreens, across from Millinia Park. Okay, enough food. Introspection boutique (and salon) in Downtown Melbourne has cute clothes/accessories, at a great price. If you have a chance to venture out of Satellite (1 1/2 hours West) Wekiva Springs, near Orlando, is an amazing place to go canoeing, horse back riding, camping, etc., and it is PERFECT in December, perfect. One last thing, if you have a chance, take a slow drive down Tropical Trail with the windows down, as the sun is setting. That is the one thing I always do when I go back home to see the fam, it is so calming and beautiful. If you or your family have any questions for a native, shoot me an email. Have a wonderful time!
oops on the double post, the first one wasn’t edited : {
I love this outfit, as I was scrolling down I was like “she looks like an art teacher” and then you said you were (I must have missed anything about that earlier).
I would have loved to have my teachers dress like this
Jenny, looks like all those mornings I bit my tongue from saying something about the crazy outfits you were wearing as you headed out the door paid off – my tongue is 2 inches shorter 🙂 but your sense of style that has developed over the years was well worth it. Proud of you sweetie, keep me on the edge of my seat, I love wondering what’s next.
xomom
I liked your post. How you ended with “well hey it was a cute sweater!” LOL. I hope you dont care about what the other teachers that dont say anything think. I think it’s good for you to set an example that you can break from the mold and wear what you like whatever it is! The kids need that too. You might inspire some kids. But all that matters is that you feel good and what you wear makes you happy! i always think you look pretty.
You inspire me every day!! Although I don’t really go anywhere besides the food store, target and the library, when I go out I always try to do something a little extra to make my outfit more complete or to feel prettier. Sometimes people look at me funny, especially here since everyone wears Georgia Bulldogs sweatpants everywhere they go. But in a way it feels good. Love you!
It’s really interesting to hear about the responses to your style at your work. It’s great that you get a bit more freedom to express yourself, but some people will always give you looks. It’s strange because where I live it’s not that common to wear heels to the mall and places like that and if I do I often get looks