The Fashion Do's and Don'ts for Professors

By Alexia Gonzalez on April 22, 2015

For the majority of our short-lived existences, a large part of most of our lives has been spent in the classroom.

Although you may have reached the point where you simply go through the motions of class in order to get by, there is no denying the large presence that teachers and professors play in our daily routine.

Considering the constant contact that we come into with these academic figures, it is no surprise that we have a tendency of categorizing them based off of different characteristics, especially when it comes to appearances.

I must admit that I’m the kind of student that sizes up the professor’s appearance anytime that a lecture reaches the realm of monotony. As superficial as it may sound, I sometimes tend to take well-dressed professors a little more seriously than those lacking in the sartorial department (or the guy wearing a bright pink paisley polyester blazer).

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Many educators object to teacher dress codes, not because they want to look unprofessional, but because they see this as an unnecessary attempt to limit their rights and demean the profession.

It’s true that being taken seriously as a teacher necessitates that one look professionally ready for the classroom, but what exactly does “professional attire” for educators look like?

In a world where “business casual” can refer to a wide variety of attire, how should a teacher be “professionally” dressed? Almost every teacher has a basic understanding of what constitutes school-friendly attire.

Dressing too casually sends off a blasé vibe to students and fellow faculty that might undermine their ability to teach from a position of respect and authority. But dressing too rigidly could have the opposite effect, creating a sense of separation between the teacher and students.

Understandably, the classroom is not a fashion show, but much like any work environment how you choose to dress reflects what you feel about your job. This is why it’s important to dress in a professional, and most importantly neutral, manner that will function to garner respect while also not diverting attention in a negative way.

So for all of you future (or current) professors out there, be sure to dress to impress and educate and not to make a fashion statement.

Here are some vital fashion do’s and don’ts for those of you looking to succeed as a prominent educator.

Opt for frump-free style.

Avoid frumpy clothes and opt for structured shapes and fitted pieces. If you’re a curvaceous or voluptuous female, avoid clingy tops and rump-hugging bottoms in favor of less distracting clothing.

For men, you definitively want to aim for a well-tailored look. Structured pieces command more visual authority than casual loose fitting t-shirts. Items such as a sport jacket or a blazer emphasize masculine traits without distracting attention.

Although you can’t rely on the appearance of authority for an extended period, displaying it sets the tone early in a relationship and it is easier to maintain throughout the academic relationship.

In many cases, unspoken authority is the best kind — a jacket makes no threats and offers no incentives, but still prompts a more respectful attitude from a classroom.

Express your personal style in moderation.

Believe it or not, teachers have lives outside of the classroom! Educators are still individuals and possess the creative liberties to add their own personal style through discrete touches of flair.

For instance, if you lean towards a more alternative sense of style don’t be afraid to opt for darker colors, but don’t walk into your class wearing a spiked metal choker.

You always want to maintain a professional and pulled together look, with just the right dash of unique flair.

Follow trends to a minimum.

You want to appear “with it” but you don’t need to blindly follow every passing fad to a fault. Students may not take you seriously if you appear to be “trying too hard” with the way that you dress.

Look for the classic in your closet or head to the mall for the old standards you still need. Men – dress pants and tucked-in button-downs are best.

If you’re young, be extra careful.

If you’re a novice or young professor, it’s likely that you are pre-judged as lacking teaching experience and hey, it’s probably true, right?

If you are just starting out or look particularly young, take steps to make your appearance more mature. This goes for men as well as women.

In the age of botox and obsession with youth, this might sound counter-intuitive, but teaching is one profession where a youthful look does not always inspire initial confidence; that is until your kick-ass teaching chops show them what’s really underneath your youthful exterior!

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