Open house night, which is sometimes called things like “Back to School Night,” or “Meet the Teacher Night” or something similar, is a chance for families to meet and talk with you, their child’s teacher. It’s also a chance for you to make a good first impression! So, what should you wear?
In general, business casual dress is a good baseline. This could look like khaki pants and a button down shirt or like a pencil skirt and nice blouse. At most events, you won’t be truly teaching students (though some schools have you do a bit of an “example lesson” with kids for parents’ benefit), but rather talking with parents as they come to tour your classroom. That means you can wear some “dressier” pieces that you might not usually want to get dry erase marker all over!
Dress Conservatively
Schools have varied populations, and students are from all different backgrounds. What you see as stylish or trendy might be seen as “racy” or inappropriate by some families. Find a balance between wearing something your own style and still playing it super safe. I know, I know, this is no fun. There is a reason cardigan sweaters have been the go-to teacher style for decades! When families know you better, you don’t have to be as concerned that they will misinterpret your intentions, so you can show off your style a bit more as the year progresses as long as you follow the school dress code.
Your open house outfit is most likely a little dressier than your day-to-day look, but you still want to be recognizable! To me, this means you should dress professionally day-to-day, whatever “professionally” means in your classroom. While teaching, you want to wear something you can perform your job duties in (being on your feet all day, varying levels of mess, and perhaps getting down on the floor) and still look nice. If you are a slob in your day-to-day teaching dress and show up in a suit to open house night, some parents or colleagues might think you’re just putting on a show.
Stay Comfortable
Not all open house nights are created equal! Some are outdoor cookouts, others are ice cream socials. Dress to the demands of the event — don’t wear spike heels if you are going to be walking in the grass all evening! Similarly, keep in mind that most Open House nights take place in late summer, and not all schools have air conditioning. Dress nicely, but don’t sacrifice your comfort, either.
Allison is an Early Childhood Educator who has been a teacher since 2010. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2010 with a degree in Psychology, focused in Child Development. She began her teaching career as a 2nd grade teacher in Washington, D.C. After moving to Denver, Colorado she discovered a passion for Early Childhood Special Education. She earned a Master’s in the subject from University of Colorado Denver in 2015. She spent Spring 2016 teaching pre-service early childhood educators at the undergraduate level. Now she and her husband are on a big adventure travelling around the western United States in an RV!
Finally, a comfortable but professional outfit is essential. Open House is all about first impressions, so you want to wear something professional. However, Open House is also a long night, so you also want to be comfortable.
In general, casual clothing that ensures your appearance is tidy and modest is recommended. Remember, this could be the first impression you make to future classmates or professors!
To sum it up, your professional open house attire should be: sophisticated-yet-approachable, formal-but-functional, and most importantly, respectful of your clients' expectations.
Take a few moments to share your story and personal approach to teaching. Give parents a general sense of what the academic targets are for the grade level or subject area. Then be sure to move around the room talking with families as they complete an activity or two.
Consider slacks, shirt, and tie and closed-toe/heel dress shoes or a conservative skirt and blouse or even a suit. If you are unsure of what to wear, ask the people at the office where you will be observing.
By picking a theme, having a Parent Engagement Pledge sign-up, displaying student art, offering guided tours, sharing teacher expectations, avoiding individual conversations about students, and making sure parents know when the open house is, you can create a memorable and engaging event for everyone.
Many schools require you to have at least three fingers of coverage on your shoulders. Check the length of your skirt, dress, or shorts by putting your arms straight down by your side. If the length is shorter than your finger tips, it is not appropriate for school.
And remember your manners. Don't use the bathrooms, and don't open drawers, cabinets, the refrigerator, or closed doors. People still live in the home in most cases—and it's intrusive.
When it comes to formal or fine dining restaurants, the hostess should go with a dress or skirt and top combination. Opt for something elegant, such as a co*cktail dress. For male hosts, a suit and tie is the way to go. Keep the colors classic and muted such as black, navy, or grey.
Daytime Parties: For a daytime housewarming party, choose a dress that is light and airy, such as a sundress or a maxi dress. Evening Parties: For an evening housewarming party, choose a dress that is dressier, such as a co*cktail dress or a long gown.
Unlike an open house, which markets a school or childcare program to new families and encourages them to enroll their children, back-to-school night shows currently enrolled families what their children will embark on during the new school year.
IMPORTANT: You are guests in the schools and first impressions are critical. You MUST dress appropriately, meaning “business casual”. Shorts and tank tops are NOT acceptable. Even if other teachers in the school are under-dressed, you must adhere to professional standards.
Here are a few guidelines on what to wear to a funeral or visitation. We recommend wearing dark or neutral colors, because darker colors reflect the mourning atmosphere of the service or visitation. Clothing can be formal (think suits and dresses) or casual (pants or nice jeans and shirts).
Wear khakis, a button-up shirt, and maybe a sport jacket. Jeans are too casual. You want to look put together and professional. The program staff may notice if you are underdressed compared to other applicants.
It's a good idea to dress professionally in business attire for most events. Wear comfortable shoes because you may be walking and standing a lot. Bring a small notebook, or a note-taking app on your phone, so you can review your conversations and key information later.
The easiest way to figure out what to wear to a graduation party is to dress for the venue. For example, if the graduation party will be a backyard BBQ at the grad's house, attire will probably be comfortable and casual. If the party is being held at a nice restaurant, you might want to dress up a little more.
The safe approach: Dress as you would for a business meeting with new people. Business casual is appropriate at most schools, but, as with students, you also want to be comfortable with your attire. There's nothing wrong with dressing up more, but you also don't want to overdo it.
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