Teacher Wardrobe Staples: Part 4 [The Inspiration]

Again, if this is your first visit to the Teacher Wardrobe Staples series, I hope you find some inspiration for the next time you sluggishly make your way to your closet at 5 in the a.m., punch the light switch on, grumble your way through your I'll-organize-it-someday closet, and have a mini panic attack about whether or not you made copies for the day. Oh, that's just me? Oops. As a matter of fact, I pick out a "I want to look cute" outfit and an "I hate the world" outfit every night. Depending on how much of a troglodyte I am the next morning, I'll choose one of the two looks.

Here is the series breakdown:

Part 1: The Stores

Part 2: The Basics

Part 3: The Outfits

Part 4: The Inspiration (today's post)

For today's post, three lovely bloggers sent me their favorite teacher outfits, so I made a few collages for you! Underneath each collage, you'll find links to each one of the outfits on their blogs. Please visit them and say hello. I'm sure they'd love to hear your positive feedback :) They are worthy of being followed. True.

A Word About the Blogger:

Kate teaches at the college level, and she makes the collegiate world look fine.

Girlfriend knows how to add splashes of color and prints and choose the perfect fit (no too-tight or dowdy looks in this blogger's archives.) 

A Word About the Looks:

Kate's first look reminded me about layering a button-up under a sleeveless dress. It keeps the dress work appropriate (I always avoid anything without sleeves.) I love the color of this dress; it works for any season!

Find Look #1 here

I told myself I needed this polka dot cardigan, and my sister-in-law gave me a polka dot cardigan for my birthday yesterday. I think she read my mind. I don't have a button-up in the same color as Kate's, but I can turn her look into a formula for myself by wearing a printed cardigan with a bright top and neutral bottoms. I love the cut of these pants on her. They'll work well with flats or heels!

Find Look #2 here

I am absolutely in love with the color pallet of look #3. There is just something about navy and pink that makes me feel all throw-the-anchor-on-the-poop-deck-and-let's-set-sail. If you don't have these exact items, it's okay. You can use the look's "formula" to inspire you: try a structure blazer with a button-up and a colored skirt. Keep your heels neutral so that the skirt remains the focal point. 

Find Look #3 here

A Word About the Blogger:

In her e-mail to me, Brandy said that she is new to the blogging world. Be sure to visit her and give her some love! I am pretty excited she found me because she's a fellow English teacher of high school students and owns a lot of clothes from Kohl's. I'm glad you found me, Brandy! Brandy has mastered the art of styling a dress. I browsed through other looks on her blogs, and I love her color choices and necklace collection.

A Word About the Looks:

Look number 1 is my favorite because I keep drooling over the print of that dress. It's so pretty and colorful. I just want to pet it, but not while she's wearing it because THAT would be creepy, my friends. And even I have a limit to my creepiness. The neutral blazer really makes this look even more professional. If Brandy wanted to take the dress outside of the classroom, a jean jacket would be a fine substitute for the blazer. (Of course, I totally wear my blazers EVERYWHERE on the great, green Earth.)

Find Look #1 here

I like how the belt in look number 2 cinches Brandy's waist. It gives this shirt dress more structure. If she wanted to throw a colored blazer or cardigan over it, the outfit would totally allow for it. She owns an adorable pair of red wedges, and she could swap the flats for those if she was feeling particularly Jessica Rabbit one day. 

Find Look #2 here

I love that Brandy took this dress to a more professional level with the skinny belt and flats. And that necklace? Want it. I'd love to see it with a printed cardigan. Because I love me a printed cardigan. Or a printed button up tied in a knot.  

Find Look #3 here

A Word About the Blogger:

First of all, I've been a huge fan of Inge and her curly hair for a while now. I really like this post. She is so sweet. And worthy of applause. One, she is a special educator. (I've been working directly with special educators for seven years. The amount of paperwork in that department is ridiculous!) Two, she works at a middle school. I'm convinced there's a special place in heaven for middle school teachers. Anyway, I'm a huge fan of Inge's color combinations, Target and Old Navy finds, and sensibility (while still maintaining a personality.)  

A Word About the Look: 

Inge and Kate are making me realize I need a pencil skirt in this color, but, for now, I could recreate this look with my cobalt blue skirt instead of a pink one. Inge has this look totally right. 

Take her lead: neutral cardigan + striped top + bold skirt (or slacks) + neutral shoes. 

Find Inge's look here.

I hope you found some inspiration from these lovely ladies.

Please let me know if you would like for me to continue the series and what you'd like to see. 

I had a LOT of fun creating this series. 

Until I receive some feedback or an idea bomb explodes in my face, I'll return to my regularly scheduled outfit posts. Hope ya don't mind.

P.S. One more day to enter the lovely, FUNNY Sam's giveaway. Dude, if I ever break the law, I hope someone that witty and stylish defends me. (Note: I have no intention of breaking the law.)