Comments on: Monday Mailbag – What to Wear?

By: Betsy

Betsy — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:16:37 +0000

I agree that your appearance affects your performance as a teacher. That’s probably more important than your students’ impression of you. Nowadays many school teachers dress in jeans, etc. and this has become “Sunday Best” attire, too. The standards have slipped! I go for trouser-style jeans and a sweater or jacket which closely matches the attire of my adult students coming to lessons after work. If you feel polished, you’ll act polished.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:00:50 +0000

One memory that has stuck in my head over the years of piano lessons is the way my piano teacher dressed. Whether it was at 8:30 in the morning for a private piano lesson or the end of the year student Christmas party, she always looked “put together” with nice, professional dress and make-up. It was a pleasant reminder to me that she was ready for her day and her students!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:08:23 +0000

I agree with all the comments! I like to add jewelry and a really cheap way to do that is Avon! The have tons of necklace/earring/bracelet matching sets for $10.00 or less!! A little bit can really dress up a simple outfit!

By: Wouter

Wouter — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:26:22 +0000

The one way of showing that you feel good about what you doing, is to look good while doing it.(especially since you are a lady). Regardless how your students might dress, I am sure that your professional appearance does not go unnoticed and that it earns their respect. Ur stunning! Good luck.

By: Lydia

Lydia — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:02:30 +0000

I also agree that one should dress professionally for teaching. Already most of us are teaching out of our home studio which a lot of people think is not so professional. If you come in with jeans and sweats, no one will take you seriously.

Before my lessons, I always take a shower and get dressed up with simple oxford shirt and slacks or dressed pants. The most relaxed outfit I wear is a polo shirt in the summer.

I feel more prepared this way too.

By: Mikaela

Mikaela — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:29:08 +0000

I am convinced that dressing professionally is essential for music teachers. Especially when you (like me) are young–dressing well will go a long ways to “proving” to others that you are capable and well-trained (never mind that it doesn’t actually have any bearing on the issue–it’s how the human mind works, and something we must learn to work with not against)!
The teachers that I had as a child who dressed sloppily always seemed less attentive to my lesson than those who dressed professionally. Dress well, and you will find your students and their parents treating you with greater respect, strangers becoming more interested in what you have to say, and you yourself becoming more diligent, attentive, and productive. Maybe you should ask for some gift cards to clothing stores this Christmas!

By: Martina

Martina — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:55:07 +0000

By dressing professionally and elegantly, I want to show my students that the time I am spending with them is special to me and also that what we are talking about is special and not ordinary. I always care about what I wear for teaching, and I like to wear fancy shoes as well – nothing as bad as teaching pedaling with huge boots!I even change into something smarter for my five students at home. For my own practicing, I love my pajamas!

By: Rebecca G.

Rebecca G. — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:13:30 +0000

I can relate to how your presentation is affected by how you dress. It is easy to have a lazy attitude towards teaching when you look lazy. Personally, I tend to wear dark jeans or black pants, and a nice top. Nothing fancy, but polished.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:42:07 +0000

That’s a really interesting question! I personally think it’s best to dress professionally, yet be comfortable!