As an elementary school teacher, you are constantly on the move trying to keep up with your students, and it is essential that you wear clothing you can move freely in. However, many schools have guidelines on how casual your clothing is permitted to be, and items like leggings may be frowned upon. Therefore, you may wonder if elementary teachers are allowed to wear leggings.
Elementary teachers are allowed to wear leggings as long as they look professional and are adequately modest. Teachers can wear leggings under a dress or skirt and may be allowed to wear a long tunic or cardigan over them as long as their outfit does not appear too casual or inappropriate.
This article will explore why elementary teachers are often not allowed to wear leggings to school. It will also explain why many teachers choose to wear leggings to school. Lastly, it will cover some tips for styling leggings with outfits that are generally considered appropriate at most schools.
Why Most Elementary Schools Don’t Allow Teachers To Wear Leggings
Leggings can leave little to the imagination and are not considered proper business attire. Therefore, most elementary schools don’t allow their teachers to wear leggings.
And this is the case with most jobs that prefer their employees to dress professionally for work. In general, this means dressing in formal clothing
that is considered modest by society’s standards.
For teachers, dressing in business clothing that is appropriate for work is required for multiple reasons. You not only need to be dressed professionally for your fellow school staff members but also your students and their family members.
While young children in the early elementary school grades may not notice your clothing choices, if you teach students in an older grade, they are more likely to pay attention to what you are wearing.
Their parents or guardians will also take note of the clothing choices you make. Teachers often end up being seen as role models for their students, and family members want to ensure their children are being exposed to appropriate role models. And how their child’s teacher dresses is one way they can assess whether the teacher is a good role model or not.
Why Elementary Teachers Like Wearing Leggings
There are a few factors that cause elementary teachers to prefer dressing in a more casual manner, like wearing leggings.
Leggings Are Easy To Move In
The most common reason teachers may choose to wear leggings, yoga pants, and other casual clothing is because they feel much more flexible and comfortable as they move through each school day.
And when you are teaching elementary school, you find yourself in many different scenarios everyday. Regular class days involve a lot of standing while speaking to the class, sitting during activity time, and bending down to assist your students with their work. You may be asked to supervise lunch or recess, or your class may go on a field trip or work on a special art or music project.
Therefore, with how much elementary teachers take on during each day, it is understandable why leggings would be a popular choice for work attire.
Leggings Are Comfortable for Every Season
Another reason elementary teachers may choose to wear leggings over formal clothing is because they are comfortable to wear in most climates.
Long work pants or trousers can make you sweat during the warmer months, and skirts and dresses will make your legs freeze during the colder ones. However, so many different styles of leggings exist that make it easy to feel good the entire school year.
Teachers can choose leggings made of thin material when the temperature is high and thicker ones when it is cold outside, helping them feel comfortable.
Leggings Help Teachers Feel More Connected to Their Students
Ultimately, every teacher wants to feel connected to their students, and one easy way to do that is by dressing in outfits that do not feel too stuffy or grown-up.
Elementary students, in particular, will feel more comfortable around a teacher who is dressed in clothing their mom or female guardian might wear at home. On the other hand, if a teacher’s attire is too formal, children may feel more guarded interacting with them.
Therefore, wearing leggings allows elementary school teachers to be in touch with their class and feel comfortable while doing so.
Tips for Wearing Leggings in an Elementary School
Although most elementary schools do have strict rules about wearing leggings as a teacher, there are some ways that you can wear them while still adhering to the dress code guidelines.
Wear Tops That Are Modest With Leggings
The easiest way to ensure you follow your school’s clothing rules is to wear a long top with your leggings covering the top of your legs.
Keep your outfit modest by pairing leggings with long tunics and cardigans that cover the necessary areas but are still easy to move in. Leggings can also go under dresses and skirts, providing additional coverage when you have to bend or sit.
Finishing your look off with some accessories and professional shoes like heels or ballet flats makes your leggings much less likely to be an issue for the school.
Choose the Right Fabric
Another simple way to stick to your school’s guidelines is to choose thick leggings with a relatively simple design.
Leggings come in many different fabrics, and while latex or leather leggings may be perfect to wear on a night out, it is unlikely they will pass your school’s dress code. Your best option is leggings made of cotton that do not have crazy patterns or bright colors in the fabric.
If you choose leggings made from a thicker fabric that is not see-through, you will feel comfortable while also sticking to appropriate teacher attire.
Final Thoughts
As an elementary school teacher, it can be challenging to find a good mix of clothing that is both comfortable and formal. Although you may not be allowed to wear leggings on their own, if you choose a good pair that you can style appropriately, you will have a much easier time going through your day while still looking professional.