Teachers shop, too.

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dress code, fashion, shopping, style, Teacher, wardrobe

Students aren’t the only ones doing back-to-school shopping. Teachers also are hitting the stores, looking for choices that balance professionalism with comfort.

According to an informal poll, several factors influence teachers’ choices: their age, their students’ age and climate.

For those who teach lower grades, the Gap and Express are favorite destinations since slacks with a trendy top appears to be the uniform.

“Usually my pants are functional while my tops are more stylish,” admits second grade teacher Lois Fitzgerald of Orlando, Florida. “But I also invest in good quality shoes. Footwear is so important. If you don’t have comfortable shoes, you’re going to be miserable because you’re on your feet all day.”

Unlike student dress codes, which can inspire groans of frustration at the outlawing of the flip-flops, tank tops and miniskirts that monopolize teen departments, teacher dress codes often are aimed at setting an example for their students and gaining respect. Many schools have rules that include no spaghetti straps, no flip-flops and no overly revealing clothes for teachers.

“It depends on the school district, but when I taught in Texas, tattoos had to be hidden under clothing or a bandage,“ notes Sue Harrell who currently teaches third grade in Plant City, Florida.

Harrell learned early in her career that teaching elementary school can be hazardous to her wardrobe. A math and science teacher, Harrell spends a lot of time outdoors – doing experiments and observing nature – with her students.

“I’ve learned not to spend too much on my work wardrobe,” Harrell says. “If you care about it, it will get ruined.”

Those who teach older grade levels report that Ann Taylor and Banana Republic provide business casual looks that appear polished and professional.

“I am 28 and I look young, but I try to stand apart from my students,” says Carly Jenkins, who teaches ninth grade in Jacksonville. “It’s very important to maintain that distance. I am not their friend, I am their teacher.”

That is a distinction every parent can appreciate.

Back to school in July?

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school, shopping, wardrobe

It’s 100 degrees in the shade, and Fourth of July fireworks haven’t even exploded. So why are darker shades of clothing and longer pants appearing in the mall?

Is it me, or are back-to-school sales pitches are starting sooner than usual?

The National Retail Federation estimated that nearly $70 billion was spent on back-to-school and college merchandise last year. That puts the July and August period ahead of all other holidays except Christmas, at $471.5 billion.

Still, the early arrival of fall merchandise irritates some shoppers (like me.)

“I came to buy a bathing suit cover-up for my vacation,” admits Cathy Earl of DeLand, Florida. Strolling through Macy’s one recent morning, Earl was surprised to see a lot of navy blue and brown items lining the aisles. “Summer has barely started and I don’t want to think about fall.”

The early push for back-to-school reflects the challenges facing many retailers in the current economy. It also gives parents more time to window shop before actually making a purchase.

Melissa Chrystal of Portage, Michigan, used to let son Will “scope out the stores’ before she accompanied him with her checkbook. And she has some advice for other parents embarking on the annual back-to-school shopping spree.

“Bide your time,” says Chrystal, the mother of three. “When school starts, kids are still wearing shorts because it’s warm outside. Sometimes stores overstock in anticipation of hordes of shoppers and the best bargains are from sales after school has started.”

Maybe retailers can wait until August to display their fall apparel, too.