20 Perfect Teacher Outfits: Comfortable, Chic, and Budget-Friendly!

Teacher Outfits

It’s that time of the year…everyone’s heading back to school and getting ready for an exciting 2024-2025 year. Last year, we shared a bunch of teacher outfits and got tons of positive feedback so we’re doing it again! Even if you’re not a teacher, these workwear looks could be perfect for your office dress code too! We’re sharing TWENTY comfortable, stylish, and affordable teacher outfit ideas below. You’ll see just how easy it is to style classic wardrobe basics in multiple ways. Each of these staples is super wearable and versatile in (and out!) of the classroom. Consider this your mini capsule wardrobe for work. Plus, we’re also including some of the best affordable brands for teacher clothes…

Affordable Brands for Teacher Clothes

• Loft gives teachers 15% off and has great workwear pieces!
• Madewell also gives teachers 15% off. Their pieces range from workwear to weekend basics every teacher (and woman) loves.
• Banana Republic gives teachers 15% off with their Teacher ID but they always have great sales all the time so look for the sales and take advantage of your teacher discount.
• J. Crew also gives teachers 15% off with their Teacher ID and has great sales to take advantage of.
• Quince has quickly become a favorite of ours for amazing, quality basics at budget-friendly prices. They often create quality dupes for designer look-a-like pieces. We’re huge fans!
• Target is a store that really needs no explanation. Different locations are hit or miss with clothing so consider shopping online and taking advantage of their free shipping on orders over $35…we all know it’s not hard to spend $35 at Target 😉
• Gap has really had a resurgence over the past year and whether you love classic basics or something a little trendy, you can find it at Gap. Plus, they have sizing from 23 to 35 in regular, 27 to 33 in tall, and 24 to 30 in petite.
• H&M has really affordable pieces that are stylish and trendy. But you can also get some wonderful basics!

NOTE: Team Busbee tries to stay away from fast fashion and focuses on sustainability, but we know that’s not completely doable on a teacher’s salary. We’re sharing a few retailers that we wouldn’t normally promote because of the fast fashion aspect, but that are wonderful options for budget-friendly workwear pieces and worth sharing.

For more on our take on sustainability and making smart fashion choices, make sure you check out this post next.

Teacher Outfit Ideas

#1) Black Pants

In these four looks, we’re featuring a pair of black pants from Quince. They have a flattering bootcut silhouette and are made from an ultra-stretch Ponte fabric. So basically, you’ll feel like you’re wearing the comfiest yoga pants but you’ll still look polished and professional. These are wrinkle-resistant too because we know busy teachers don’t have time to iron before heading out the door in the morning! The reviews online are great and say that they are super comfortable. AND…they’re machine washable! These are the kind of basic black pants you can style with pretty much anything from sweaters to blouses to button-downs. These pants also come in tall and petite lengths.

Look #1: We love a classic denim blouse that pulls double-duty. Throw on a pair of black booties and a comfy knit blazer for a simple, professional, and polished fall look. And then wear it with your favorite joggers and sneakers over the weekend. We have to give a shoutout to the tote as well. It’s super lightweight and a great price point for Italian leather. I have it in the cappuccino color and it’s great for carrying all your work essentials.

Look #2: In this look, we would layer the sleeveless vest over the white button-down and leave them untucked for a cool, on-trend look. The shoes are a pair of pointed-toe flats by Rothy’s that come in a ton of colors and get great reviews for all-day comfort.

Look #3: We love mixing black and brown, so you’ll see that a lot throughout these looks. A classic striped sweater and black blazer are a must-have in any teacher’s wardrobe. Throw on a pair of flat mules for a pulled-together and sophisticated look.

Look #4: This look is a more casual option but still very stylish and chic. We paired a basic v-neck tee with the pants and threw on a denim jacket. The loafers we’re featuring have a cushioned footbed for long days in the classroom!

#2) Black Midi Skirt

Having a black skirt in your work wardrobe is a must! Whether that’s an A-line skirt, pencil skirt, maxi skirt, etc., having some sort of work-appropriate black skirt makes it easier to get dressed each week. This black skirt from Quince is 100% silk, and a midi-length slip-skirt style. While silk might not necessarily seem like a great go-to for the classroom, this one is washable, SUCH high quality, and under $60. I have this skirt in the champagne color and after looking for a skirt like this one for years, I was SO happy to find it. It’s very flattering and comfortable. A great elevated basic you can also wear outside of the classroom.

Look #1: We styled the skirt with a washable silk blouse that’s a beautiful basic. The silk fabric is thermoregulating so you won’t get too hot. Something we considered with all of these picks was the necklines and whether they were classroom-appropriate. This top’s v-neckline is flattering but not too low and you have the option to button it up all the way or leave one button open. We paired the skirt and blouse with a pair of comfy and super on-trend mesh Mary Jane flats from Sam Edelman. They have a cap toe and adjustable strap.

Look #2: For a more casual way to style your black skirt, throw on a fun sweater and sneakers. This sweater comes in multiple colors, but the pretty blue would look beautiful on so many different skin tones.

Look #3: The lady jacket trend is still going strong and this short sleeved black and white cardigan with bold gold buttons is a comfy way to wear the trend! You can always throw on a jacket or blazer over it when it gets chilly.

Look #4: We told you we love to mix brown and black! This look is similar to Look #2 (same sweater in Speckled Beige) but a little more elevated because we added the pointed-toe flats and a tailored but edgy jacket.

3) Little Black Dress

Another teacher outfit must-have is…an easy breezy dress (or a few). This tie waist stretch cotton knit dress from Nordstrom is perfect for dressing up or down. And, it’s a great buy at $80!  It has a higher neckline so that’s not a worry, the short sleeves cover enough of the arm, and the length is perfect. We wanted to be super intentional with this dress choice for those who teach younger-age students and might be bending down, sitting on the floor, putting your hands above your head, etc…no worries with this dress.

Look #1: In this look, we styled a ribbed boxy cotton cardigan from Quince over the black mini dress. This would be a versatile cardigan to leave on the back of your chair when the AC is cranking, or when it starts to get chilly. We paired the black loafers with it for a classic fall look, but you could swap them for another pair of the other shoes featured in this post too.

Look #2: For a more casual feel, style your black dress with some white sneakers, a denim jacket, your favorite tote bag, and some gold jewelry. For your work wardrobe, we recommend having a few go-to everyday jewelry pieces that go with everything.

Look #3: For something a little more elevated, swap the denim jacket for a moto jacket, and swap the sneakers for mules.

Look #4: Aaaand this time a layered look! For this outfit, we’d layer the striped Madewell button-down underneath the black dress for an unexpected yet polished outfit. We added the same Rothy’s flats, and neutral leather tote to tie it all together.

4) Jeans

Everyone needs a pair of jeans for casual Fridays. We recommend finding a pair of jeans that are still elevated and not too casual…like these black jeans from Madewell! Madewell makes great jeans and this style comes in multiple washes. They are a cropped kick flare with a high rise and just the right amount of stretch. They also come in plus sizes and tall and petite lengths.

Look #1: The easiest way to style your jeans is with a white button-down shirt. This one has a little more of an oversized fit that’s great for every day. If you need extra warmth, throw on a cardigan for a casual feel. The great thing about the length of these jeans is that they go with pretty much any shoes, and we love the loafers with them!

Look #2: Another option for casual Friday is to style your jeans with a tee and sneakers. Elevate it a little more by throwing on a moto jacket or blazer and you’re ready to go!

Look #3: In this look, we paired the classic striped blouse with the black jeans, black booties, and a denim jacket. The black booties with black jeans will really elongate your legs!

Look #4: This mixed media top reminds us of a Veronica Beard top but at a fraction of the cost. The sleeves are a great length, and it has functioning buttons. It’s a great elevated t-shirt! To dress up this look a bit more, we added the Quince knit blazer which takes things up a notch without sacrificing comfort.

#5) Tailored Pants

You should have a few different pairs of pants in your wardrobe so you don’t feel like you’re wearing the same thing every day. We suggest you start with the classic black pants from the first four looks, and then add a neutral taupe, camel, or beige pair of trousers to mix things up a bit! Your other work pants can be whatever feels like your personal style… straight-leg pants, wide-leg pants, pleated pants, etc. We chose a pair of tan wide-leg trousers from Loft because they felt different but still very versatile for all seasons. By the way, we did an entire post on how to style pleated trousers here in case you’re interested.

Look #1: For this look, we added the simple white button-down and the organic cotton cardigan with the trousers for an easy Monday, get-out-the-door-quick outfit. Keep it simple by wearing some comfy white sneakers for a more casual feel.

Look #2: This look is a little edgier and on-trend because of the moto jacket and black loafers. You could also wear the pretty black tee with the pants and mules if you don’t want the third layer quite yet.

Look #3: Style this black and white striped tee under the classic black blazer and tuck it into your tan trousers. Then throw on your favorite work shoes and you’re ready! Chic but super comfy.

Look #4: With this look, you can front-tuck your cotton sweater into your pants and throw on a lightweight denim jacket. OR swap the sweater for a crisp white tee. Add a classic brown leather belt for waist definition, grab your elevated tote, and you’ll look SO pulled together.

Which of these looks is your favorite? If you’re a teacher, leave any helpful tips, favorite retailers, or anything else you want to share in the comments below!

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