Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Uniform

I teach in a public school, but we are a uniform school this year.  This is all very brand new and the students are mostly in compliance, but it was tough for me to break the news to them at the end of the year last year.  Practically everything all the children and I were wearing that day are contraband.  Teachers are not included in the uniform regulations, but I've been trying to tone down my outfits out of respect and sympathy for my kiddos.  I thought this outfit would be something a teacher in a uniform school would wear.  Do you like the blazer best all buttoned up, not buttoned up, or one-buttoned?

How do you feel about uniforms?

Daily Details:
- weather: practically summery
- blazer with leather elbow patches, c/o Frenzi Thrift Store Thank you!
- dress, hand-me-down from sister Thank you! accpw after alterations $10
- leopard flats, old, accpw $4
- arrow necklace, accpw $6
- ethical ensemble evaluation: B

28 comments:

  1. Hi Vivienne! I really like the third picture. It's very flattering partially buttoned and you're so sweet to wear a uniform style to make the kids feel good about themselves.
    I went to a Catholic elementary school for a little while. The wool skirts drove me crazy with itchiness so I fidgeted a lot in my seat. ;(
    I think uniforms are a great idea in some ways. They help the kids to see each other in one class only. Nobody is separated out by what they can and can't afford. But kids also need to be able to express their individuality and be creative. Not sure this is so easy with uniforms.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like them all. Something very 1940's about that outfit. I wish my kids had worn a uniform. I wore a uniform in several of my jobs and I feel that, in a wierd way, it frees up creativity. Wacky outfits can wait for the weekend. Am I crazy to think this way?
    Connie*

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unbuttoned! Very kind of you to show solidarity with your children.

    Uniforms seem sensible to me; one less thing to worry over.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That dress is gorgeous! I love the colour <3
    Un-buttoned, then you can see the detail on the front :)
    Poor kids, sounds like they've taken it well though.

    ReplyDelete
  5. my vote goes to "not buttoned up" because you should show off that beautiful dress. or "all buttoned up" when it's windy or chilly.
    when it comes to uniforms I think it's the right thing because that way some kids don't have the reason to pick on kids who don't have too fancy and cool clothes. everyone looks the same and is equal then.

    Maiken,
    Maikeni blogi - part of me

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is the perfect outfit for teaching in a uniformed school (can't imagine how hard it was to break the news to them!). I prefer the blazer unbuttoned or one-buttoned, it keeps it looking young but still professional.

    We didn't have uniforms at my school, but I was actually always a bit envious of those that did. It would have taken the pressure off of getting ready in the morning and I feel like it leads to less judging by the students. But then again, it is how we express ourselves...

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think this a great look for a uniformed school! I like the last photo the best I think. You are so sweet to try to dress more like them, and I don't envy you having to give them that news last year!

    The junior high school in my city just went to uniforms last year - and I've read some positive responses in our community newsletter that the kids are dealing quite well and actually prefer it, bullying is down, etc. So maybe it's not such a bad idea?

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like the one button buttoned up look. Very classy! You could throw a fun pin on your blazer to mix it up from time to time.
    Ugh, Sara and I had to wear a uniform every single day to class! It was good for getting up early in the morning and just throwing it on no brainer style...but after almost 2 years of it, I found that I was losing my personal style ability. Sheesh! :) Amanda

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like the blazer unbuttoned! I didn't have uniforms at my school. I imagine it would be rather difficult to go from wearing your own clothes one year and the next wearing a uniform!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Enter my scarf giveaway! (open internationally)

    ReplyDelete
  10. i like it not buttoned up to show the cute ruffle...but then the kids might get jealous! i wore a uniform K-12, but never had very fashionable teachers!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is a great teacher uniform Vivienne! What a shell shock for your students, though! I am pretty undecided about the whole uniform thing. My kids' schools have a lot of different rules on what can and cannot be worn, but no uniform. I personally like the blazer unbuttoned. The color of this dress is divine on you and it works so well with the taupe tweed blazer!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think you put together a perfect outfit for school. My vote would be not buttoned so that you can show off the pretty ruffles of that dress!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ooh I love this look, and I think it's the perfect choice for transitioning into uniforms--it's stylish yet conservative. I went to a no-uniform public school, and it would have broken my heart if they told me we had to wear uniforms. Clothing has always been an important part of how I express myself. I wonder how students who feel this way are doing? Is it a huge adjustment for them? (I suppose it might depend on their age too...)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Pretty outfit. I like the color of that dress. Had no idea public schools wore uniforms - fancy.

    ReplyDelete
  15. If that's your new uniform, I like! As someone who wore uniforms for 12 years, there are plenty of ways to dress your uniform and express your style.

    ReplyDelete
  16. i wore uniforms in elementary through high school. one thing it helped us focus on our work and not what each other was wearing. sometimes that really helps if one child can't afford something another one has. i like it unbuttoned or with one button.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

    ReplyDelete
  17. V, I am unfortunately not feeling good about our switching to uniforms at work. It is supposed to begin in Oct. I am just not a dickies/polo kinda gal. I am so disappointed, not sure if I can continue to work in a place that wears uniforms. I left the medical field and could not wait to trash all of my ugly scrubs. Back to uniforms is really gonna kill my outfit creativity. On a lighter note, I love what you are wearing and even more I love all three ways. Professional, cute and smart. dawn suitcase vignettes xo

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think unbuttoned? I find this an interesting topic, since I am from the UK where it is pretty much unheard of for schools to not have a uniform. Most lower and upper schools have uniforms until students reach 16, where either you can wear a more relaxed uniform or your own clothes. To me it is normal to wear a uniform and I think the idea behind it - to equalize students and remove peer pressures about clothing is a good one. Although I can see the argument behind the lack of self expression. Still most kids find some small ways of rebelling in uniform.
    I think it's great you are dressing down in solidarity though.

    ReplyDelete
  19. i like the blazer unbuttoned, but it looks good buttoned too. ugh to uniforms, because i like being able to express myself with clothing. i understand they are supposed to equal the playing field and bring the focus on learning, but don't students just get creative with their accessories? brand name shoes etc?

    ReplyDelete
  20. love the color here and always am a sucker for a tweed blazer
    brett

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love the colors! I think i like it unbuttoned best.

    I'm on the fence about uniforms. I think clothing is an amazing way to express yourself, who you are, without having to say anything. At the same time i understand there is a lot of social pressure for kids to have the newest and latest fads. However i went to a private school briefly where we had uniforms and the girls just found others ways to complete - make up, hair, accessories, so i don't think a uniform is an end all solution.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ugh, in Vietnam all the school kids have to wear uniform too (white button-up with a school patch, navy slacks) and we hated it, so I can totally sympathize. As for your outfit, I think I like the one-button-buttoned version the most. It gives the outfit a more defined shape.

    ReplyDelete
  23. That is a very cute teachery look..blazer...my vote comfort...comfort in the school room. My students would scream if they had uniforms. Funny but they then comply. Cute dressy dress with jacket.

    ReplyDelete
  24. That is an awesome outfit! The color of that dress is absolutely perfect for fall and for you. I like it best unbuttoned, but it also looks like buttoned up. I believe the sign of a great teacher is empathy for the children. I really respect you being aware of their feelings and showing them that you will stand by them. I actually wish my school would wear uniforms, but I highly doubt our school board (or school administrators) will go for it.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Such a beautiful out, so lady like! I love it. Thank you for your comments, they always put a smile on my face! :)
    I love uniforms, I honestly wished we were required one in High School, they seem to make the getting dressed process easy especially for really early mornings.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Out of the three versions of the blazer, I prefer it unbuttoned. To me it's more youthful while still being professional. Second place would be the blazer with one button. I think this is such a great outfit, the color is especially good for fall!

    Julia

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ugh I hated when schools decide to have uniform! ... Well my schools. haha... my mom wrote me a note to get out of it. =) I like the blazer unbuttoned because of the pretty detailing of the dress and also one button looks really nice as well.

    ReplyDelete

I love reading your comments! Thank you!