Importance of Dress Codes for Teachers: Professional Attires at Educational Institutes

There have been debates for a long time whether teachers should have stricter dress codes in schools like students or not. Since students consider them their role models, they too need to dress in such a way that suits the style and ambiance of a classroom. 

In most of the high schools, there are no standardized rules or guidelines regarding the attire of a teacher however in some institutions, it has been seen teachers obeying dress codes that outline what they can and cannot wear.

Who are Teachers Dressing For?

The cognitive and abstract thinking of a teacher depends on the clothes she/he wears. Since she/he has to teach in a classroom, she/he should know that an improved appearance leads to a better overall mood and positive vibe conducive to learning. 

It’s all about dressing professionally and sensibly that will help a teacher command respect and also have a powerful impact in the classroom. Many experts believe that by dressing professionally teachers convey an implicit message to the students about what they think about themselves and their task.

However, it doesn’t mean that you have to bust your wallet at the beginning of every academic year or session. Consider factors such as school environment, budget, durability, personal preference and style while opting for clothes as a teacher.

According to Kevin Jarret at Edutopia Consider factors ranging from “Formal district dress code policies, personal taste and preference, teaching assignment, community norms, individual income levels, and even climate concerns”. An administrator may need to appear more formal, an English teacher more professional, and a gym teacher ready to be on the move. An art teacher needs his smock and a science teacher her safety goggles.

Appropriate Classroom Dresses for Teachers

Some of the appropriate dresses for teachers while teaching in a classroom are as follows:

• Dress pants or blazers in bright colors
• Shirts and tops made of breathable fabrics like cotton, denim, linen, and rayon are also a good option.
• Leggings with a long dress or tunic 
• Knee-length skirt with long sleeve top
• Jeans and a dress shirt

What’s not to wear?

There are some guidelines that every teacher should follow irrespective of the fact that she is teaching at secondary school. On the other hand, teachers attending an elementary school might have to follow stricter dress code rules. They are not supposed to wear

• Tight jeans or pants
• Short skirts with skimpy tops
• Sleeveless and torn garments

However, on Fridays most of the schools allow teachers to be draped in casualwear. Teachers unlike other days of the week can wear casual attire on Friday. For elementary teachers, the attire seems to be more unperturbed than professional workplaces. You can wear anything causal on Friday ranging from a polo shirt to tailored casual shirt instead of the formal tops. 

To sum up, teachers might not have standardized dress codes but they need to follow and obey certain guidelines while dressing. They need to be modest, tidy, and smart when it comes to appearance.