Top: New York & Co.
Cami: Target
Skirt: Gap
Belt: Target
Shoes: Target
Earrings: Turkey
Bracelet: gift from my mom
Sunnies: Puerto Rico
I wore this to teach yesterday, and while we were discussing rules and consequences with the students in order to finalize our school rules (you can do this when you've got eighteen students) the issue of uniforms came up. They've got a polo that they have to wear and the plan was to have them wear blue pants with the polo. The students wanted to negotiate some jeans into the deal and then the conversation turned to holey jeans.
And then I had to be all like, "I don't wear everything I own to work. I want to demonstrate respect for you, myself, and my profession by dressing appropriately, and we expect you to do the same." Because that's the kind of teacher I am: the kind that thinks that students should dress respectfully to come to school. Also, you should bring at least a pencil and a notebook. Just sayin'.
Is it weird to say that my style choices are a way of conveying my respect for myself and the people around me? Does anyone else feel that way? I say this to B often because I do feel that it's part of Latino culture in general (and Puerto Rican culture in particular): dressing well is a symbol of respect.
Anyway, they seemed to understand what I was saying even though they were a little bummed to be limited in their sartorial choices. I don't feel too bad about it, though because most schools here demand a particular shirt, blue dress-ish pants, and black shoes. Besides, I loved my uniform when I was in Catholic school (even though I wasn't about to admit it to anyone) - it made my life so. much. easier.
