When I began substitute teaching I was concerned about making my wardrobe work without wasting a lot of extra money on clothes I would rarely wear. Subbing wardrobes will differ in every climate so think comfort with a balance of professionalism. Here in Florida with tropical weather comes tropical, light attire. So how does living where every day clothes are casual translate to the classroom?

A Teacher and Pupil in the Classroom

My first suggestion is to note what other teachers in your school and district wear daily. You’ll get a feel for what is appropriate within a couple visits.  The clothing I wear here in Florida may not be acceptable in more formal districts in other parts of the country or world. Though I can say I’ve taught overseas in areas where shorts were acceptable, so it all depends on your region. My second suggestion is ask questions about the appropriate attire if you aren’t certain.

I quickly noted that here in Florida  teachers dress casually. I also noted that schools have  casual Friday where most teachers and students wear school shirts and jeans, so on those days I dress more casually. These are all things that substitute teachers can take note of in their first few assignments.  Another issue in Florida is the heat and the fact that many of my clothing items are sleeveless and sleeveless items are not allowed. I found creative ways to work around this issue because I wanted to be both comfortable and budget conscious. A solution that worked for me was  to purchase two light, cropped, crocheted short sleeved sweaters that can be worn over sleeveless attire. Thinking outside the box allows you to wear clothing that you already own, rather than purchasing additional clothing just to substitute teach.

Comfort is key when subbing so I generally choose to wear pants. I have several that feel as comfortable as jeans and one pair that are actually beige denim.  For speed and simplicity  when preparing to sub I choose either beige or black pants as they reduce my worry about stains and they can be worn with pretty much everything. I try to pair them with colorful tops, shirts and sweaters that are cheery looking. I personally believe it helps our interaction with the students to arrive wearing something cheery and comfortable, if we are relaxed and comfortable the situation will be more comfortable.

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