What to wear as a substitute teacher.

If you’re considering becoming a substitute teacher or about to start a new position, you might be wondering what is acceptable to wear. After all, you want to ensure you’re comfortable with the school’s dress code and make an excellent first impression. 

Kelly Education has years of experience placing individuals in substitute teacher jobs across the country, so we know a thing or two about substitute teacher attire. In fact, we have our own policy about how to dress professionally and safely as a substitute teacher.

In this article, we offer guidance on what generally works best. After all, as a role model you want to set a good, professional example for the students. 

Guidance about substitute teacher attire.

When possible, it’s best to familiarize yourself with each school’s specific dress code policies when you’re assigned to substitute teach there. Dress code policies can vary significantly between school districts. Even schools within the same district can have different policies. Some policies are related to safety, others to professionalism. Typically, professional attire that aligns with what teachers and school staff wear is a safe bet. However, when in doubt, below are some tips to help. 

Go for business casual.

What exactly is business casual? That’s a fair question, as people can define it differently. However, there are some choices you can make that tend to always fall within the business casual category. 

• Wearing neutral-colored khakis or dress pants, modest-length skirts, collared shirts, blouses, sweaters, blazers, and closed-toed dress shoes tends to work well. For example, you might opt to wear khakis or dress pants paired with a collared shirt and, optionally, a sweater or blazer. 
• Ties and sports coats are typically not required, but add a sense of professionalism to your look. 
• Business casual attire could also include modestly lengthened dress pants or skirts paired with blouses or sweaters. 
• Your clothing should never be too tight, wrinkled, low-cut, or too short, especially for skirts and dresses. 

Avoid blue jeans.

If you’re wondering, “Can I wear jeans as a substitute teacher?” you should steer clear. Generally speaking, blue jeans do not fall under the category of business casual attire for educators. Therefore, avoid wearing blue jeans or denim jeans of any color. 

Choose neutral colors and simple patterns.

Neutral colors like black, navy, gray, or beige are professional and easy to mix and match with other items in your wardrobe. This may sound odd, but if you wear patterns, don’t go too loud. You’re not there to be distraction. The focus needs to remain on your teaching rather than your clothes. Also, some students might struggle with seeing very bright colors or intense patterns. 

Prioritize comfort and practicality.

As an educator, you’ll likely find yourself in a variety of classroom settings. In some instances, you might need to move around frequently or sit on the floor with younger students. Since you won’t always know what your day will entail until you arrive at work, always wear comfortable, practical shoes and clothes that allow you to move freely. Comfortable and preferably non-slip footwear is advised.

To avoid discomfort from being on your feet much of the day, leave the stilettos or brand-new shoes that haven’t been broken in at home. Many districts have policies that include not wearing the following:

• sandals
• open-toed or open-backed footwear
• high heels taller than one inch or less than one inch in diameter
• flip-flops
• Crocs™
• sneakers (gym or tennis shoes) are generally not appropriate. 

All that said, you should also consider the nature of the day’s assignment. What you wear to substitute for gym class may be different than what you wear for a high school history class. In all cases, however, clothing should be well-fitting but not too tight, maintaining professionalism and comfort. 

Keep accessories to a minimum.

Even if you love your accessories when you’re out and about away from the workplace, you should keep them to a minimum when substitute teaching. If you choose to wear accessories, keep them simple and professional. 

A watch is acceptable. Any other jewelry, like a necklace, earrings, or bracelets, should not be distracting. 

Avoid strong odors and smells.

You always want to maintain good hygiene as a substitute teacher, being free of any body odor and keeping your hair trimmed and clean. You also want to avoid strong odors that might bother coworkers or students, like perfumes or smoking. 

Be mindful about not offending others.

You’re typically safe on this one if you stick to business casual clothing, though it’s still worth mentioning. It’s best to avoid wearing things that could be perceived as offensive or derogatory, including political or religious symbolism. 

Keep an extra set of clothing handy.

The best-prepared educator has an extra set of clothes handy in their car or teaching bag. You might think this sounds silly or wonder why in the world you’d need it, but you’ll feel relieved that you took this step when you do happen to need it. Accidents happen — especially in environments with young children — and having a backup can save the day. 

Additionally, layers are your friend. Classrooms can vary in temperature, so wearing layers ensures you can be comfortable throughout the day. 

Grow as a substitute teacher with Kelly Education.

If you’re looking for other ways to improve your practice, check out these articles: 

• Instructional strategies for substitute teachers 

• Classroom management for substitute teachers 

• Sub plans and tips in core and elective subjects

Want to become a substitute teacher? Fill out our brief interest form, and one of our recruiters will contact you. We’re excited to answer your questions and share more about opportunities to become a substitute teacher with one of our school district partners. 

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