A word to Christian teachers - pupils behave better when they like your clothes!

I’m back in the classroom after an 18-year hiatus. I have loved reinventing myself with new work clothes. Toddler groups, school runs, and working from home necessitated practicality, but now I’m dressing for success. I mean this in the literal sense – my interactions across the whole school are more successful in the right clothes.

Initially, I tried to be professional and sophisticated in oversized, neutral-coloured suits. They were suits of armour. I had to prove to myself and hundreds of pupils that I belonged there. However, I got my first compliment from one of my pupil librarians the day I dared to re-introduce more colour and personality into my clothes.

I found some evidence to support my theory: one study shows that teachers’ dress style significantly affects students’ attitudes. 

I found some evidence to support my theory: one study shows that teachers’ dress style significantly affects students’ attitudes. ‘Students perceived ordinary or everyday clothing as conveying friendliness, fairness, and interest’. This would help explain why switching from suits to pink blouses and flares seemed to help my more difficult class comply with expectations and engage in the lesson.

A good teacher sees the role as a vocation, not just a job

Teacher or not, I feel delighted by the compliments I get when I wear nice clothes.  Should I feel ashamed about this? Paul instructs women to dress modestly and appropriately, not drawing attention to themselves with their clothing (1 Timothy 2:9). However, this Bible passage’s theme is worship and how we should approach a gathering meant for prayer. I don’t think it means we can’t enjoy clothes and looking good.

My dad has always appreciated nice clothes and didn’t restrict my eclectic outfit choices or reimagined sixth-form uniform: velvet jackets, men’s shirts and stripy tights.  However, on one occasion, I came down for church wearing a pair of tartan tights with hotpants, and he suggested I change. Church wasn’t a place to draw attention to myself or distract people with overly revealing clothes. Similarly, our code of conduct for teaching staff recommends modest dress.

‘God led me to give up my secure job of 24 years, to run a school on a ship for missionary kids!’

Nearly a year into my new job, I’ll choose my new favourite bright red Zara trousers or a Miss Honey-esque patterned dress when I know I’ve got a challenging day ahead. My most successful lessons have been taught in my nicest clothes, and my worst teaching experiences came in 2006 when I was pregnant, throwing up every day, my body changing shape, when I alternated between two brown trouser suits that covered my emerging bump.  I was in a new school, and the pupils were uninterested in me.

Clothes have the potential to start conversations, create communities of belonging, challenge stereotypes

Clothes have the potential to start conversations, create communities of belonging, challenge stereotypes (I never wanted to be seen as a nerdy Christian, so I made an extra effort not to dress like one), and instil confidence. I was always proud that my mum was the trendiest on the playground. She wore stilettos and miniskirts while other mums wore beige macs and sensible shoes like my grandma.

Hybrid schools are expected to dramatically improve school attendance – what does this mean for Christians?

In the 90s - when supermodels ruled the world - we wished we were waif-thin like Kate Moss, long-legged like Naomi Campbell, or voluptuous like Claudia Schiffer. We also learned that clothes are meant to hide the parts you (and friends, family or random strangers) don’t like. In 1997, as the first woman to host the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Zoe Ball introduced herself with her chest-waist-hip measurements as naturally as we give our coffee order at a Starbucks drive-thru today.

Should I feel shame in hiding behind clothes, as well as feeling shame at being complimented when I wear outfits that fit well? This is the body God gave me, and I know I should love it because God made it good. I’m not sure I’m getting the balance right, but for now, I’ve got a lesson to plan, starting with what I will wear.