Chambray

Is it just me, or is chambray a neutral? I act like it is, anyway. There's nothing better than a perfectly soft chambray shirt. It goes with anything, can be dressed up or down, and looks great with almost any color. Chambray for the win.

I recently (like yesterday) replaced my Loft chambray shirt with this one from Banana Republic Factory. The Loft one I had was fine, it looked nice and had a lovely wash, but it was super stiff so it looked funny tucked into anything. This one is much softer, but unfortunately after searching online for it to link, I found that you can only get it in stores. So if you have the outlet nearby, give it a try. This is a small, and it fits my large shoulders and long arms, but is a little tight in the bust. That's laughable to me- I'm not exactly bursting at the seams of most shirts.

Banana Republic Factory shirt, thrifted skirt, Gap loafers, Citizen watch, H&M necklace

I'm getting more and more excited as June approaches- the end of school, my brother's wedding, and my summer capsule! Nothing but good!

Teacher-wear

"Kate- describe a typical teacher outfit."
"This."

This outfit reflects to me decades of teacher style- pleated midi skirt (somehow popular again), button up (also popular again?), and loafers (how are all these things popular again). If I hopped in a time machine to the 50's I would not be completely out of place, any more than I am now.

Mango button up, thrifted midi skirt (similar), Gap loafers (similar on sale), thrifted belt, 

Citizen watch

Rainy Day

I enjoy the rain, don't get me wrong, but man! I never thought I ever say this- but I'm kind of done with rain! Luckily the forecast for the next week seems like we're finally drying up a bit! I will live to regret these words in a month or two.

Loft button up (similar), Banana Republic skirt (similar), rainboots compliments of my mama (I did get her a replacement pair, by the way)

Oversized Sweater

I've been living in this sweater this past week- its oversized and cozy but also spring friendly because its short-sleeved, although it is still black. I wore this to work, then changed for class since it turned colder as I was walking out the door.

Gap sweater, thrifted Ann Taylor skirt (similar), Gap boots (similar style on sale!), Loft scarf

Gap sweater, DIY waxed jeans (similar non-DIY option), Brooks sneakers, Loft scarf

Borrowed E's watch, I always do when I wear this skirt for some reason!

I'm clearly mourning in these pictures with all this black- Caroline at Unfancy, my capsule wardrobe guru and general girl crushee, announced last week she'll be taking a break from blogging. Why, world, why! I'll have to step up my game to keep myself occupied. Don't worry, I may take my cues from her but I plan to continue writing here at My Teacher Style and hopefully will get on a more regular posting schedule following the end of the semester. 

Rejuvenate at Recess

This morning I woke up so grumpy and tired- I felt exhausted and irritated at everything. I spent most of the morning quiet, not commenting much during literacy centers and silently watching our students sing. Then we went to recess. Something about the cool breeze and the laughter of the 4 year olds made me calm down and open my heart. It's so easy to go through the whole day without realizing the blessing that is being a teacher! Being surrounded by children laughing and calling to me to show me that they've mastered swinging alone or doing a cartwheel is a refreshing experience after the sometimes frustrating situations in the classroom. 

Anyway- I'm grateful for the opportunity to have a mid-morning restart to the day.

This is my outfit for the 7-day Loft #liveinwhatyoulovecontest that started yesterday on instagram. The challenge was to show your favorite spring outfit- and all I need is black and white with a swingy skirt. So fresh!

Loft button up, thrifted skirt, Nine West purse, Jessica Simpson flats, Citizen watch

I just checked and saw that the Jessica Simpson lace-up flats I've been raving about have sold out. Such a bummer- these are one of the only affordable and quality pairs of laced flats I've seen! Hopefully, if this is a style you love, you can find another option. I'll probably do a round-up of laced flats and sandals for summer, so for now, happy hunting!

((Also a quick note- Here is my face! It does exist and it looks pretty normal. I would love to show you my whole self every time I share an outfit, but I'm usually only able to manage selfies and quick shots before I go off to class! Hopefully sometime in the near future I can upgrade my photos!))

Red for the Weekend

I wore this thrifted pencil skirt out to a fundraising event with my sister in law Aleah. It's so much fun to have someone around to talk about style and play with outfits with! Look for a post from Aleah in a week or two!

Enjoy the weekend, kids. 

Topshop jacket, Nordstrom Rack shirt (similar), thrifted skirt (similar),  Jessica Simpson flats, Target necklace

Midi Skirt Week: Florals and Stripes

It was a struggle to get dressed this morning. Even this perky skirt couldn't convince me to get out of bed at a time that allows me to not run around my house frantically! In my haste to get ready (I changed three times, barely grabbed my lunch, and somehow slipped an apple into my purse before rushing out to the car and returning a moment later waking up poor E to ask him where my sweater I left in his car yesterday was) I neglected to accessorize my outfit to my liking, but considering how busy this outfit is anyway, I guess the lack of showy jewels is good.

Target cardigan (similar on sale!), thrifted t shirt, thrifted skirt, Chinese Laundry flats

Citizen watch

I was talking to my sister-in-law, Aleah, earlier today (in preparation for a special post we're putting together, look for it next week!) and it came up that these days, an outfit like this feels like a neon sign to me! There seems to be so much going on, the patterns and shapes and layers- but its really a simple outfit. I think I'm just out of practice after the past few weeks of super simple outfits. Maybe tomorrow I'll go for something a little more low-key. 

Also, can I just say that I love these shoes but man they are not classroom-friendly! I need to do some troubleshooting! Any tips for making flats more comfortable for all-day wear?

Midi Skirt Week: Black, Blue, and Boots

Black button up, black and blue dot skirt, black ankle boots. AKA- the somehow perfect teacher outfit?! My proof that this outfit is my perfect teaching outfit is this- not only is this thrifted silk midi skirt easy to wear and cute- but I ran around outside for 15 minutes with 4 year olds without any issues. I ran. Outside. I'm not exaggerating- we raced to a tree then to the fence and back again. As I wore this skirt and these boots. That is my evidence. I felt just dressed up enough to be professional, but was comfortable enough to romp around with the kids and sit on the carpet to play alphabet bingo. Even in slacks I'm not usually so flexible!

Ann Taylor button up, thrifted skirt, Gap boots (similar)

Target cardigan (similar)

Bulova watch, Steinmart earrings (similar)

Also, I'm so glad I found this cardigan. I put it in my spring capsule knowing that I had it in my closet storage somewhere... But I couldn't find it. For the whole first month. I wore my chunky black drape cardigan nonstop in my winter capsule, and I was glad I had a lighter weight version available for spring, but quickly realized it was no where to be found... Until I found it Sunday afternoon under my bed. Under my bed! What am I, 12?! But yes. Now that I've finally found it, I'm delighted. Hello, cold classroom solution!

Midi Skirt Week: Blue Pleats and Stripes

As I looked into the future via the weekly weather forecast I noticed something spectacular: it will (supposedly) be in the 70's and 80's all week. Now, as the daughter of a weatherman (what up, dad), I know that weekly forecasts see only somewhat accurate. Despite this knowledge and the fear that Thursday it could be snowing (you know, because Texas), I've decided this week will be midi skirt week. This is coming to you courtesy of my non-capsuled wardrobe because I need a break from it I have a lot of cute midi skirts. I wanted to try styling this style of skirt in different ways to give you lovely readers some ideas on all the options for this perfect spring staple. Keep in mind- it doesn't have to actually be a midi (below the knee) length for these styles to work, I just love midi skirts because they are so practical for the classroom!

Here's my day 1 of Midi Skirt Week! I feel like this should be called "edgy tea party."

Thrifted striped crop top, thrifted blue pleated midi skirt, Jessica Simpson flats, Ebay necklace

Look for more midi-skirt looks this week! I'm excited to show off all my thrifted midi gems. Yes, all my midi skirts are thrifted. Absolutely the easiest thing to find at a thrift store!

Stripes and florals

Here is proof I wear outfits comprised of things other than jeans and ankle boots. With the temperatures for the foreseeable future in the 60's and 70's, this is a look that will be on repeat in some iteration in the coming weeks. I realized as I put this outfit on that this is about as bright and patterned as I'll ever get, and I'm totally ok with that! 

Topshop jacket, Gap shirt, Ann Taylor skirt (thrifted, similar), Lucky Brand flats

Necklace is a gift from my mom, from Kohl's

Spring Capsule Wardrobe

Not going to lie friends, I'm a little wary of transitioning to my spring capsule when the coldest temperatures of winter are upon us and I see snow out of my window... But we'll press on.

I'm loving the simplicity of this capsule. Nothing fussy, nothing that stands out too much or is hard to wear. Thrifting gave me a taste for kind of random things that can sit in my closet all year and be worn once because it happens to work for the situation, like the plum leather pencil skirt I found right before starting my winter capsule. I put it in the capsule thinking I could make it work, maybe I still can, but for now I'm going to tuck it away and add in some skirts I know I want to wear. I'm hoping that the weather warms up quickly so I can wear these with no tights! I'm definitely excited for this capsule.

I kept 20 pieces from my winter capsule, pulled 13 from storage, and bought 2 new pieces.

I love these colors- they feel fresh and easy to me. Also note there are only 35 pieces pictured... I'm still working on the last few things. I think I'll swap out the tank tops for sweaters until it warms up sufficiently. I'm not sure how taboo that is to switch items- the tank tops and sweaters would be in my keep pile anyway... Also have I mentioned I haven't cleaned out my closet? Maybe as I'm likely to be stuck inside this weekend, I'll write about that trauma.

It was definitely really fun to plan this capsule, it's full of items I really want to wear and will easily work well all together. Bring on the spring! 

Weekend Stripes

Quick outfit post, just something I wore to a fundraiser for the Baha'i community- something called Kabob Fest. I know what you're thinking- "Kabob Fest? Is that real?" Yes. Its real and its heaven.

Loft top, Banana Republic Skirt (similar midi style), Gap ankle boots (similar)

Valentine's Blush

Before the color blush came into the world of fashion like 3 years ago, I never wore pink. Actually, I haven't worn pink by choice since I was 6. I have only brothers and loved running around with them and wearing hand-me-downs, so for the past 17 years or so, I've avoided pink because I thought it was too girly. To be honest, I still don't like pink. But blush is like pink's older, more elegant cousin who only comes to visit when you need to look cool and feminine. Pink wants to go see a rom-com and Blush stays in to cook a fancy romantic dinner that is somehow low maintenance and relaxing.

Regardless of the differing extracurricular activities of colors, blush has become one of my favorite this season. With the exception of summer, which I think requires a little more punch, blush can be part of any palette for spring, fall, and winter. It pairs beautifully with so many colors! These are my favorites.

For Valentine's Day, I figured I'd put to use my favorite Loft purchase and wear some pink blush. I paired this blouse with a full black skirt and nude flats. E and I went with a group of friends to sushi in Dallas, then wandered around the Galleria. The day was warm, sunny, and all-around stunning, so even with my reputation for always being cold, my moto jacket stayed firmly in the car until the sun went down.

Loft button up, Banana Republic skirt (I love this longer version), Chinese Laundry flats