Teacher Style: Skirt Inspiration (13 Looks)

Last year, I created what I called the Teacher Wardrobe Series (click the link at the top of the blog to access all of the posts). I considered doing another round but wasn't exactly sure what to do until today. (Well, as you're reading this post, it's actually yesterday that the idea came to me. Semantics.) In order to clean out my closet and determine what closet "holes" for the school year that I wanted to fill, I played dress up. (Ummm...is that still anyone else's favorite game? OF COURSE IT IS.)

I wanted to try on all most of my skirts to be sure I wanted to keep them. I based the decision on fit (comfort, length, and tightness) and remixability. At the same time, I wanted to determine whether or not a few shirts were worth keeping. As you can see, the striped shirt is a clear winner despite the fact it almost found itself expatriated from my closet.

I highly suggest laying all of your skirts out at once and organizing them by color and also pay attention to type (pencil, A-line, etc.) I lined up all of my solid skirts in one row on the bed and my printed skirts in another row. I realized three holes I'd like to fill. One, I'd love to own an orange skirt. I own all of ROYGBIV except for the O; that bothers me more than it should. Plus, I really love orange. Two, I'd love to own a black skirt that's A-line and a bit more casual. I have one that's dressy and chiffon; another is the pencil skirt you see below. Three, I'd love to add a gray skirt that can be dressed up or down (maybe not jersey but a thicker, sturdier cotton and still in an A-line?) Do I need these items? No. However, if I happen upon them at an obscenely good price, I could be persuaded to make them mine.

Important note: I fully believe that it never hurts to try something on even if you think "it'll never work on me." No pencil skirt ever fits you but you love that one, try it on, and find out that it fits like a dream. It's like a Sisterhood of the Traveling Skirts moment. Allow both clothing items and people to surprise you by giving them a chance. However, with that being said, determine which cut you like best and gravitate toward that silhouette if you'd like to feel less overwhelmed by options.

For you Pinterest lovers, I created a main image in case you'd like to remember this post in the future. If your eyes aren't made of magnifying glasses, then you might want full-sized images, which I provided, of course. 

Skirt 1: Pink LOFT skirt with pockets (bought on thredUP)

(Options: $18 from JCPenny, $30 from Macy's, $62 from Lord & Taylor)

 

(Shirt is Tommy Hilfiger Outlet; Shoes are J.Crew Factory)

 Skirt 2: Navy A-line Jersey Skirt from LOFT

(Options: $20 on sale at Old Navy, $49 at Jones New York)

 

(Flats are Merona from Target; Shirt is Tommy Hilfiger Outlet.)

Skirt 3: White Pencil Skirt from LOFT  

(Options: $34 Lace Option from Lulu's, $50 from White House Black Market, $60 from Ann Taylor)

 

(Shirt: Tommy Hilfiger Outlet; Shoes: J.Crew Factory)

Skirt 4: Pleated Mustard Skirt from Banana Republic

(Options: $37 at Chicwish, $43 at Ruche, $50 at ModCloth)

 

(Top: Mudd via kids' section at Kohl's--what? I have no chest!

Shoes: Mia via DSW

Cardigan and Belt: New York & Co.)

Skirt 5: Printed skirt from White House Black Market 

(Options:  $54.90 from HSN, $60 from The Limited (on sale!))

 

(Top: New York and Co.

Cardigan: The Limited

Shoes: J.Crew Factory)

Skirt 6: Black Pencil Skirt from The Limited

(Options: $10 from Wal Mart, $20 from White House Black Market, $50 from Ann Taylor)

 

(Top: New York & Co.

Cardigan: The Limited

Shoes: J.Crew Factory)

 Same Skirt as before, but I opted for all black and white with a bit of a print. I figured I'd show you both looks.

 

Skirt 7: Sequin-covered pencil skirt from White House Black Market

(Options: $30 from Chico's, $80 Vince Camuto via Zappos--WANT, $97 from Lord & Taylor)

 

 Who says a party skirt, of the right length, can't be work appropriate? This might actually become my first day of school outfit. I love it so much. 

(Cardigan: Banana Republic via thredUP

Top: New York & Co.

Shoes: J.Crew Factory)

Skirt 8: Pink Scalloped Skirt from LOFT

(Options: $22 from Cicihot, $39 from Ruche)

 

(Top: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Cardigan: The Limited

Shoes: J.Crew Factory)

Skirt 9: Khaki A-line skirt from The Limited

(Options: $60 khaki pencil skirt from The Limited, $35 via ModCloth, $30 pencil skirt from Macy's)

 

This color combination is my favorite of the bunch. This look is also a strong contender for day 1. 

(Top: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Cardigan: The Limited

Shoes: Dana Buchanan via Kohl's)

Skirt 10: I threw a wild card at you. It's actually a Banana Republic Outlet dress I disguised as a skirt.

(Options: love this navy version, $35 via ModCloth, LOVE this dress with light pink stripes)

 

(Top: LOFT

Shoes: Sole Society)

Skirt 11: polka dot pencil skirt from Forever 21 (this skirt is OLD)

(Options: $39 via Ruche, $60 via The Limited, $88 and identical via Miss Iny)

 

(Top: New York & Co

Shoes: J.Crew Factory)

Skirt 12: Khaki & Coral Skirt from Lauren Conrad

(I came up hopelessly empty on these options.)

  I think this outfit looks better than it photographed. Poo.

(Top: The Limited

Shoes: J.Crew Factory)

Which look is your favorite? Would you like to see more skirt inspiration? You haven't seen even half of my collection. Would you like some pants inspiration? What about dresses? I hope so because I was planning to throw all of these at you.

Note: modify looks based on your needs. Can't wear heels or open-toed shoes? Wear flats instead. Need a cardigan to cover up your arms? Okay, do it. Every school has different rules for dressing, so do what works best for you and your environment. Even if that means wearing bicycle shorts under your skirts because you crawl around on the floor with small children all day. (I think sticking with pants might be better in this case, but to each her own.)