Tuneful & Trendy: Maternity Styling Tips

Fashion is hard as an elementary music teacher. We are up dancing, moving around instruments or sitting on the floor for a circle game and so much more. My skinny jeans and high heels WILL NOT cut it.
Now, add being pregnant into that mix. Every day is a new adventure.

WARNING: I'm about to be honest and candid throughout the rest of this blog post. I was extremely sick during my entire pregnancy. I ended losing 30 pounds. It was scary but Harper was safe, sound and growing beautifully the whole time. Each day, I'd open up my closet and decide what is going to be comfortable, appropriate and not too precious enough to get thrown-up on. It stunk. Some days I was so hot in my room (with two fans), that I wore a tank top during my breaks. Most days I was proud of my bump, but on self-conscious days I wanted to cover up.  So, how do you go about having a wardrobe as a pregnant elementary music teacher without breaking the bank? Well, first I took note of what I already had that would work well as my belly grew (stretch, empire waist, flowy fabric, etc.). Here's what I came up with from my closet:

• leggings, leggings and more leggings
• palazzos pants (flowy and stretchy)
• empire-waist, wrap or maxi dresses
• cardigans & kimonos

I LIVED in black leggings, solid tops and kimonos or cardigans. Chiffon kimonos provided coverage if I needed it, but also draped nicely with my bump. I swapped those for cardigans as it got colder. Sometimes I did a solid, but more often I chose a patterned one for a little more fun with my look.

Now, what if I have a dress or top that makes me look like a big blob? I'm feeling confident and want to show off my bump. What can I do?

Add a belt! It will create more definition for your bump and help make those unflattering dresses a little more appealing. You might already use belts to create an empire waist with some outfits. I didn't previously, so I grabbed some skinny belts from the clearance section of Torrid for $3. It also helped to dress up a regular outfit for Conferences, church or a program. 

Many people love maternity stores while others hate shelling out money for something you'd only wear for 9 months. I recognize and utilized both ideas. There are some key staples that I purchased from the maternity section that really made my life easier and my bump happier. 

• maternity belly band
• band insert denim
• graphic t's

Since I lost so much weight, my bump wasn't exactly "noticeable" for a long time. The belly bands I purchased helped round and support by bump, but also showcased it a bit more. I also purchased some denim capris and jeans with the support built-in. I couldn't make the denim I already have work with all the "tricks" out there, so I just splurged (and was much happier!). 

Finally, I got some graphic tees as holidays approached. These were a few of my favorites:

We didn't get maternity photos done because my pregnancy was all over the place and we weren't sure when Harper would arrive. One of the last photos I got was in front of Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. I had a basic, long black tunic and leggings. For Christmas Eve services, I added a red lace kimono from LuLaRoe. 

Two weeks later, our miracle arrived. She is everything good, pure and happy in this world. I'm the luckiest mommy in the world.

Before I end this post, I know I didn't talk about shoes. Footwear is such a unique situation and preference for each person. What works for you might not work for another expecting momma. Or, your feet might change as pregnancy progresses and then stay that way. Personally, I wore flip flops most of my pregnancy - yes, even in the winter.
Many of these items (maternity or not) work well for the postpartum phase as well. I had a C-section followed by a gallbladder removal at 2 months PP. Because of these, I had to be very careful about stitches, healing and the placement of waist lines. My kimonos, cardigans and leggings were really helpful and comfortable. 
My biggest piece of advice is find something that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful. You are bringing a life into this world. There may be days when you aren't glowing and that's okay. Don't feel like you have to squeeze yourself into a cocktail dress or wear stilettos. Breathe. You will rock it, momma, no matter what you wear!

Bump Goes to School!

Happy New School Year! I'm so sorry that I have been absent - BUT, it's for a good reason.
WE ARE EXPECTING!

I'm currently at 18 weeks and wow, they have been a doozy. My mother and grandmother were sick their entire first pregnancies so I knew I was in for some fun. 
The last few weeks of school were the most exhausting days of my life! Imagine "beginning of the year" tired and take that times THREE! I literally went to school, came home and slept, went back to school in the morning. Summer wasn't much better - morning sickness hit me hard! I lost 20 pounds over the summer which is not necessarily the best when you're trying to grow another human being. 
Thankfully, Baby Skog knew it was time to go back to school and has settled down. I still eat multiple times a day, chug my water and have Preggie Pops but at least I'm not hanging out in the bathroom all day and night.

So, what does this mean for my blog and TPT? Now that I am feeling better, I will be back posting classroom tidbits, products and clothing advice as always. However, you will see some maternity entries pop up every now and then! It truly is different for a "specials" teacher to be pregnant than a regular classroom teacher. Trust me - folk dancing is not your friend when you are nauseous! But, more on that in a later post. 
Until then, have a great beginning of your school year!
Here's a picture of my kitty and bump savoring the last afternoon nap before it all starts:

Tuneful & Trendy: February (#10)

Time for another Tuneful & Trendy post! Now, I haven't posted one in awhile for a couple of reasons. First, we have had snow days and delays sporadically followed by unseasonably warm weather. My wardrobe has been just as confused as Mother Nature!  The second reason is much more positive. Our building raised test scores by 4% this quarter, helping to raise the district overall. Because of this, our principal (who's awesome BTW) is rewarding the kids with a showing of the new Lego movie. The teachers, however, get a full week of jeans, yoga pants, whatever! CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON!
So, I've been wearing some pretty comfy and maybe not as "trendy" clothing lately. Still, this is something that I want to share with you all. Here is what this teacher wears on snow days or "teacher choice" days at school.

Who? I saw this outfit on a Buy/Sell/Trade group for LuLaRoe. I finally dove into the world of Carlys and Sarahs but realized they were too long to wear out. After learning some tricks from consultants and YouTube, I was able to shorten the dress and give it some fit. I used rubber bands or hair elastics for both items. The Sarahs is knotted on both sides by taking the long corner at the front, bringing it to the inside seam, pinching it together and pulling the rubber band around. The Carly is pinched from the inside right under my bust and wrapped with the rubber band. The same thing is done on the back, though you can't see it.

What/Where?

• dress: LuLaRoe Carly (leggings material)
• cardigan: LuLaRoe Sarah
• leggings: Maurices
• boots: Torrid 

Why? I wear Carlys and Sarahs around the house all the time. The length is perfect, they are comfy as all get out and I can add or remove layers depending on the temperature. I can also add a solid or patterned legging underneath the Carly if I need to do so. When my principal said we could literally "roll out of bed" this past week, I basically did. It was fabulous, comfy and the kids kept complimenting my Sarah. I did feel a bit sleepy in the afternoon (normally nap time) but it was nice to be more relaxed at school during some of the more challenging schedule days.

I've mentioned LuLaRoe before and sadly, you can't just find a store and get the item. You must go through consultant groups or buy/sell/trade pages. Only so many of each fabric and size are made, so sometimes you regret that you didn't snatch it up. I prefer Carlys that are legging or tshirt material because they are super soft and stretchy. The Sarah above is stretchy, but I also have some that are ribbed, thicker fabric or stretchy.  I live in these two items (in various other fabrics and colors) on a regular basis. As soon as I get home, I put on my Aveda Stress-Free lotion and comfy clothes. It makes my day so much better!
Do you have an item of clothing that makes you feel cozy and comfy? Share below!

Tuneful & Trendy: January (#9)

This week's outfit included pattern mixing - something I'm not quite comfortable with. I am a type A personality and need everything to go together nicely. Pattern mixing confuses me because there is no specific focal point. However, pattern mixing is really in this season and I need to venture outside of my comfort zone every now and then.  The easiest way to start pattern mixing is to go with stripes and a floral print. This dress is just that!

Who? I picked this dress out but my husband really liked it. Bonus!

What/Where?

• dress: Paisley Grace Boutique
• leggings: Maurices
• boots: Torrid

Why? Like I said above, this dress is pushing me out of my comfort zone. I also struggle with pairing browns and blacks. This dress does that as well. While it made me uncomfortable trying it on, I immediately fell in love with it! It has pockets (awesome) and is nice and flowy. I also like the pop of pink in the flowers against the taupe and black. It is 3/4 sleeved, but pretty warm considering the lightness of the fabric. I wore it with black leggings and brown boots, but you could easily pair it with brown or pink leggings and black boots. I received a ton of compliments on it when I presented at a conference last year. At the end of the day, I felt like a million bucks!

This dress is from an online boutique which can be a little daunting. When you order online, it's hard to get the sizing right. Paisley Grace has been quick about orders and returns, but you won't get money back - just store credit. I don't mind it most of the time because I get unique pieces that stand out. Do you have an online boutique you adore? Share below!

Tuneful & Trendy: December (#8)

Happy New Year!
The previous month is a busy time for a lot of people. I was also blessed with getting the stomach flu on Thanksgiving. So, needless to say, I haven't posted in awhile.
Hopefully you had successful programs, holiday lessons and a relaxing break! When I wasn't sick, busy or completely exhausted, I did have time to snap a few Tuneful & Trendy photos for you all.  

Who? The kids and teachers at school LOVE this shirt! 

What/Where?
            • jeans: Torrid             • fleece: Columbia             • shirt: KeepItSchool.com

Why? Elf has become a staple at Christmastime. This quote from the movie is perfectly adjusted for teachers - "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is teaching music to everyone here!" I really should wear this more than once during the month of December because the kids love it and the teachers recognize it. I just might decorate my door with that theme next year...hmm...

                                         

Who? This is one of my go-to comfy outfits for casual days.
What/Where?           • jeans: Torrid           • sweatshirt: Maurices           • scarf: Amazon.com 
Why? Our school colors are yellow/gold and black. Luckily, the "in color" this season is mustard. I snagged this comfy pullover sweatshirt as soon as I saw it. I wish I would have bought two in hindsight. Anyways, I found this super soft infinity scarf on Amazon.com. Two-day shipping brought this beauty to my house and wardrobe. I could also pair this outfit with skinny colored pants, khakis, black pants, etc. It really looks put together but comfy on casual Fridays.

Who? My husband (bless his heart) encouraged my addiction to damask with this dress.

What/Where?         • dress: Perfectly Priscilla Boutique         • leggings: Maurices         • boots: Torrid

Why? This tunic dress had to be in my closet! The base color is a dark hunter green with the print allover in a cream. It's super flowy and flattering over my curves, too. Best part: POCKETS! Paired with my super soft brown leggings from Maurices and comfy boots, this outfit is great for most of the year. I loved it so much that I wore it for conferences and received tons of positive compliments!


Again, sorry for being so quiet lately. I hope to get back in the swing of things as the second semester starts up. Look for a post coming later this to introduce and/or reinforce major & minor. Enjoy!

Tuneful & Trendy: October (#7)

Hello! With my previous Tuneful & Trendy posts, I've been featuring outfits that I wear during the regular school week. But, what about casual days?
Our district has PD every Wednesday, so we are allowed to wear casual stuff on Wednesdays AND Fridays. Most often I wear school spirit stuff, but occasionally, I mix things up.

Who? I picked this outfit but it was heavily influenced by the weather. We're back to almost freezing in the mornings as November gets closer. 

What/Where?

• cardigan: Perfectly Priscilla Boutique
• top: LuLaRoe (Perfect Tee)
• jeans: Torrid
• boots: Torrid

Why? I love boots in the fall because they keep you warm, but you can also crunch leaves! I know that's pretty random, but fall is my favorite season. The cardigan is super soft, stretchy and long. It's great to cozy up with at school. Plus, I love anything and everything plaid! I've mentioned LuLaRoe's Perfect Tees before as they are soft and flow from the body. As for the jeans, I have been a die-hard leggings lover (you'll see them a lot in my posts) for quite some time. Since I am shorter but curvy, it's been hard to find jeans that fit me correctly for work and play. Then, I tried on a pair from Torrid at the request of my husband. WOW! They fit wonderfully and didn't fall down. Celebration time! I have a couple pairs like bootcut and boyfriend along with my skinnys. The dark wash is also very flattering and appropriate for casual days at school. 


Something I love most about this outfit is the details! The cardigan has elbow patches - elbow patches! It reminds me of a grandpa sweater and is such a fun part of the outfit. The Perfect Tee is a little long against the cardigan, so I tied the end to cinch it a bit and make it more fitting to my figure. 

Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend!

Tuneful & Trendy: October (#6)

It's time for another Tuneful & Trendy outfit post!
This week's weather has been insane in Iowa. The beginning of the week was 70's which is pretty normal for this time of year. By Thursday, the temp in the morning was below freezing and I had to scrape frost off my car! But by Sunday, it was up to the 80's again - weird. 
I had a variety of outfits this week to adjust to the changing weather, but this one was by far my favorite. My husband wasn't able to get a picture of me, so please ignore the smudges on my school mirror. 

Who? I had been eyeing this dress for a month or two before actually purchasing it. My husband liked the casual look of it, too.

What/Where?

• dress: Torrid
• leggings: Torrid
• shoes: Tieks

Why? The entire dress is soft, stretchy cotton. It is so comfortable! It works well with a light cardigan in the cool mornings, but doesn't get too hot while moving with my students. It's a little hard to see but the empire waist gives me a little more structure than just a basic shift dress. I love the raglan look because 3/4 sleeves are more flattering for my arms. Plus, the rose pattern is something that I normally don't wear and I've been trying to branch out a bit. I tend to wear leggings under every dress because it allows me to bend over, pick up instruments, folk dance, etc. These have some lace at the bottom which classes it up a little bit more than just basic black. Finally, I'm wearing my Tieks again because they are comfortable and chic. If you want more information on Tieks, check out my post from last week. I normally like to mix things up and not wear the same thing too much. This dress, though, I will be wearing a lot! I saved up coupons from Torrid to purchase it, so it was definitely great to have this versatile piece in my closet at a discounted price. 

Have an amazing week!

Tuneful & Trendy: Tieks (#5)

It's Tieks time!

If you've been following my Tuneful & Trendy posts, you'll see some colored flats I've been wearing with several of my outfits. These are an amazing shoe from the company Tieks. Tieks are ballet flats that come in a wide variety of colors, textures and patterns. The bottom soles are the signature blue Tieks color on every shoe, however. There is padding and support throughout the shoe also, but more on that later!

Who?  I had seen posts, comments, etc. about Tieks for months on teacher boards and blogs. As a music teacher, I am on my feet dancing, moving instruments and handling classroom management almost all day. My feet are killing me! So, I finally broke down and bought a pair. 
What/Where? I have three pair of Tieks currently: black, mustard and poppy. Black is most common and versatile. Mustard fits my school district and Poppy was limited edition for spring. I've only done the original leather, but maybe some day I'll venture into the lace or vegan fabrics. 
The price tag is steep which is why many people want to try Tieks but aren't sure. Depending on the pair, you will pay $175-$350. I saved up money to buy my first pair and my husband treated me late for my new job. You can find some on eBay that have been used for a cheaper price, but they won't mold to your feet.
You can only purchase Tieks online but they are great about customer service. I ordered mine on a Friday and they arrived by Tuesday - crazy fast! If you experience any problems with them, they will help you as much as possible to fix the problem. This handy guide and bag is also included to answer any questions you have about the shoes.

Why?
I love these flats! They are great to wear to school for comfortability, but also because they go with almost everything and look very professional. Did I mention they were comfortable?



Now, down to the nitty-gritty details about these flats!

• Day 1:  I am obsessed with the packaging of these flats! Look at that bow! Eeek! I also swear that these flats gave me good luck. I interviewed for my current job this past spring. Their colors were yellow and black. The week of my interview my first Tieks came (Poppy). The bow on top of my package was yellow - it was a sign! I am so happy at my new job and that bow was just the beginning. You are receive a personalized note with every purchase. How nice! 

•  Day 2: After the first day, I was finally able to open the beautiful package and see what was inside. The flats come folded up for easy storage and travel. When wearing them, you don't notice the crease or ability to fold at all. Immediately when putting them off, they fit like a glove. The leather is so soft! Make sure nothing is cutting or restricting your feet and toes. As a wide footed person, my first pair was too small. I'm normally an 8 in flats, but I went up to a 9 with other pairs and they fit much better. Just be aware if you have a wide foot - you might have to size up.

• Days 3-10: These next few days differ from person to person. Some people have no "break-in" period at all. I sure did with all my pairs of Tieks! The blue soles and leather inside provide support but they needed to mold to my feet. However, they never caused bleeding or blistering like other flats especially on the back of my heel. As you can see well on my right foot, my feet tend to turn out. This is something that would bother me with other shoes because the fabric wouldn't move to fit my feet. Tieks do! The leather is stretchy and eventually bends around my outside little foot permanently. If your feet sweat, they will sweat in these just like any other shoe. You can wear liners if it's a big deal, but they don't smell like anything other than your feet or leather.

• Future: As the shoes mold to your feet, they should become more comfortable and easy to wear during the day. You should see darker leather and crinkles where your feet normally sit. This happens with each pair, so have no fear. The bottoms stay pretty pristine as well minus a stray pebble here and there in the crack. The only thing to be aware of is rain and snow. On my poppy Tieks, I got some water on it and the leather turned purple for a bit. It was strange but dried back to the normal color. They're not made for weather extremes, so I wouldn't recommend wearing them for such.

So, what's my honest opinion of Tieks? They aren't perfect but for a plus size teacher, they are so much better than any other flats I've had. The break-in period can be painful, but that is the case with most of my shoes. I love the colors and patterns that they have to match my wardrobe. Tieks are also so easy to pack and go! The price tag is high, but if you have lots of foot issues, I would give them a try. Or, see if you can find a friend that has them to just test them out for a minute. Tieks aren't an all-weather shoe, but they make a comfortable and fashionable statement for this lady!
I'm already saving up for my next pair - metallic bronze! These are beautiful for fall and winter (indoor) events. 

I hope I've given you a better idea about Tieks ballet flats. Please email me or comment below if you have questions or feedback about Tieks. Thanks for reading this week's Tuneful & Trendy!



Note: This post was not sponsored by Tieks, but does contain links for purchase if you choose. All opinions are solely my own and were given after personal use.

Tuneful & Trendy: September (#3 & #4)

Hello! Sorry I've been absent for awhile. My husband has been struggling with some health issues and school is in full swing.

I'm sharing two outfits with this post to make up for the last two weeks. 

Who? These leggings are my favorite! Plus, this outfit is super comfy.

What/Where? 

• top: LuLaRoe (Perfect Tee)
• leggings: LuLaRoe
• shoes: Tieks

Why? The previous week was so long! I don't know why but I was super tired all week. I would fall asleep when I got home from school, wake up to make dinner and go back to bed. This outfit was so comfy to be in at school when the rest of me wasn't really "with it." It was also rainy most of the week, which makes dressing up for work extra hard for me. The bright waves on my leggings made me feel a little less dreary.

And now the most dreaded time of the year.....

SCHOOL PICTURES! 

Who? My husband helped pick out my outfit for school pictures. He wanted something neutral and I added the pop of color with an accessory. 

What/Where? 

• top: LuLaRoe (Irma)
• necklace: local boutique
• khakis: Maurices (not pictured)
• shoes: Toms (below)

Why? So, not only are school pictures a stressful time for everyone (teachers included) but it was also Homecoming week! It was crazy socks/shoes day, so I wore my glitter Toms since I'm not really a "socks outside the house" person. The whole week was really fun and it was great celebrating Homecoming in my new school district! 

Have you had the dreaded "picture day" yet? Be brave and share your photo below! 

Tuneful & Trendy: August/September (#2)

Thanks for coming back! I have a passion for fashion and love sharing it with others. 
This is week #2 of my Tuneful & Trendy series. It was our first full week back at school and man, was it hard! Add in a playground that isn't finished, scheduling hiccups and wasps and it was a long week. Everyone is definitely enjoying this three day weekend!

Who? I picked this one out because I love this top - more about that later!
What/Where? 

• floral top: LuLaRoe (Irma)
• olive jeggings: Maurices
• shoes: American Eagle
• belt: Torrid

Why? This outfit is put together but very comfortable. LuLaRoe is a comfortable and appropriate line of clothing sold by consultants (similar to ThirtyOne or Scentsy). The top is called an Irma and is so soft! I have many of these in a size larger than I normally wear so I can belt them under the bust and create a waistline. The colors in this top work great with my olive jeggings (lots of stretch to bend over and sit in a circle) and other pants or leggings in blue, mustard, brown - the possibilities are endless! I love jeggings in the winter too with boots, so this will be a great transitional outfit for fall into winter. The belt is reversible (light brown on one side; dark brown on the other) which makes it a great multi-use accessory. My sandals have metallic straps, but they're not the best shoes in the world for teaching. Maybe I can let them go after Labor Day? *fingers crossed*

If you haven't already, make sure you go back and check out my "First Day of School" post and the other bloggers who have linked up. More will be coming as schools start after Labor Day. Next week is Homecoming so stay tuned for dress-up days!

Tuneful & Trendy: First Day of School (#1)

Welcome! It's the first official blog post in my series "Tuneful & Trendy!"

Thank you to everyone that viewed and voted for my first day of school outfit. The winner is........ (drumroll please) .... .... .... .... .... .... .... CHEVRON CHIC

WOOHOO! I love this outfit - thank you again for voting!

Remember, these outfits are within the guidelines of my district. 

Please follow the guidelines for your specific district and building.  

So, the point of this blog series is to share with you the who, what, where and why of my outfit choices. Here we go!

Who? Technically I chose the items in this outfit, but you picked it for my "debut." Kudos to you all!

What/Where? 

• chevron tank dress: Curvy Boutique
• cardigan: Maurices
• leggings: Torrid
• shoes: Tieks         

Why? This outfit is great for the first day of school! The chevron is a trendy print, but the toned down neutrals give it a classy look. The pop of pink is fun but not over the top for the first day. I want to make a statement but be in control. The cardigan covers my shoulders (not ok to expose at my school) but also works well for chilly AC mornings. The leggings are functional - I wear them ALL.THE.TIME. It is so difficult to get down with kids or do different dances with a dress. Leggings allow you to be functional with a dress or skirt. Finally, I love my Tieks. I'll be doing a Tuneful & Trendy post about them in the next few weeks but bottom line: they are so comfy! This outfit is put-together but also shows my fun side through the pop of color and print. Plus, it's functional for just about any music activity the first week. These reasons make it a win in my book - bring it on, first day of school!

So, interested in more first day ideas? I've created a linky party with other music teacher bloggers to give you multiple ideas. Click below to link up or check out each teacher's outfit. Feel free to comment with a picture of your first day outfit below to share with others - no blog needed! No matter what you wear, I know you'll rock your first day and beyond!

Directions: 1.  Grab the picture above and place it in your "First Day of School" blog post linking back to this post.
2.  Blog about your first day of school outfit! You can be as detailed as I was or just say why you chose it - whatever you like.
3.  After you've linked the picture and posted, come back here and join the linky party. 4. Check out everyone else's outfits and get some neat ideas!

An InLinkz Link-up

Tuneful & Trendy - Preview

It's almost that time again - back to school! I know some of you have already started, while others don't start until September. After all of the decorations, planning and meetings, a huge question still looms: what will I wear on the first day of school????

The first day of school is a time to shine! It's a chance to show everyone your personality and meet new students, teachers and parents. You want to look your best but also be functional. This is truly the thought process of most teachers when selecting their wardrobe, not only for the first day of school, but for most of the school year. Your grade level and content area greatly affect your wardrobe. If you're a high school science teacher, your outfit will differ greatly from that of a preschool teacher. In the end, teachers want their outfit to be functional for what they are doing that day AND meet the specifications of their district....so, what happened to fashion?
I love clothes! I worked in the mall in college and loved helping people put together outfits. My husband graciously let me have both closets in our bedroom. He's not pleased with my addiction to clothing, but he's learned to accept and appreciate it. Before I left my previous school district this spring, they labeled me as the "fashionista" in the building. This was a great compliment! Not only are the kids complimenting my clothes occasionally, but so are the teachers! Another reason this made me feel good is because I'm a plus-sized woman. It's difficult to find comfortable and cute clothing without paying an arm and a leg for more fabric. 

Anyways, this got me thinking. How can I bring my love of teaching and love of clothing together? Throughout the year, I see Facebook posts and pins from music teachers asking about comfortable shoes, musical costumes, concert attire, etc. This gave me the idea for a new blog series I'll be doing this year: Tuneful & Trendy! - a weekly blog post featuring one of my outfits from the previous teaching week. I'll also be posting where I got the items, why I chose it and it's function in my music classroom. Through the year, I'll also be featuring link-ups with other music education bloggers to share multiple ideas and examples for you.

So, what are some considerations when selecting clothes throughout the week?

• Stain resistant? (lunch duty gets messy!)
• Temperature 
• Coverage (tying shoes all day requires a lot of bending over)
• Sitting appropriate
• Time on your feet
• Special event (concert, observation, trainings)
• Classroom activities

These are just a small sampling of things to consider when choosing an outfit for school. The most important factor though is the guidelines set out by your district and building. Always follow those first and foremost! The outfit ideas you will see this year from me and other educators fit our district guidelines - yours might differ. That's what's so awesome about clothes, though...you can change them, add accessories, sweaters, etc. to make them your own!
So, the title of this blog post mentions a "preview" and that's where you come in! My first day of school is less than two weeks away and I need your help. The official kickoff of my Tuneful & Trendy series will next week with a linky party from other music bloggers featuring their First Day of School outfit. I'd like you to help me pick my first day outfit by voting below! Voting will close Thursday evening. The winning outfit will be posted and explained this Friday as well as provide you with other outfit ideas in the following weeks. 

Thank you in advance for your help! I hope that I can return the favor this year by providing you with unique, appropriate and fashionable outfit ideas to fit your lifestyle. Vote below!

Vote for Christine's "First Day of School" Outfit!

Trendy Trojan (school colors)

Scarf Stylin'

Chevron Chic

Sage Quotes