What to wear as a teacher: kurtas for the classroom

A teaching day, one movement at a time

Test any outfit against the things you do in every lesson.

• Reaching up to write: raise both arms in front of a mirror. If the whole kurta lifts, the armhole is cut too low or the sleeve too narrow. Our guide to armhole and shoulder problems explains which measurement fixes it. A knee-length hem still covers the waistband when your arm is up; a hip-length one may not.
• Bending over a desk: a wide or deep neckline gapes when you lean forward. A high round neck or a band collar stays flat.
• Crouching to a child’s level: slim trousers strain at the knee and seat. Straight trousers or a shalwar give room, and side slits that stop at the hip bone keep the kurta closed.
• Sitting on small chairs or the carpet: a hem with a little flare covers your lap better than a narrow one.
• Carrying things: keys, a pen, a board marker and a phone need somewhere to live. See adding pockets to kurtas, and ask for them in your quote.

Board dust, ink and colour

Chalk shows on black, navy and other dark colours; dry-wipe marker shows on white and pastels and is very hard to wash out. Mid tones and small prints hide both: olive, teal, rust, grey-blue, mustard, a fine check or a scattered floral.

Sleeves take the most punishment, because the side of your hand and your cuff brush the board as you write. Three-quarter sleeves stay clear of it. If you prefer full sleeves, choose a cuff that buttons, so you can turn it back for board work.

Where the dupatta goes

A full dupatta slides off when you raise an arm and swings forward when you lean over a pupil’s book. Teachers who wear one tend to settle on one of three answers.

• Pin it: at one shoulder, or at both, in a light cotton that stays where it is put.
• Shrink it: a narrower, shorter scarf worn close to the neck does the same job with less cloth to manage.
• Skip it: a kurta and trousers designed as a set looks complete without one. Our guide to two-piece kurta and trouser sets shows how.

Fabric for a full term

Teaching clothes are washed every week for months, so choose cloth that goes through a home wash and comes out ready for a quick press. Cambric, plain cotton and cotton blends do this well; khaddar takes over in cold classrooms. Fine lawn needs a lining under strip lights and beside big windows. Leave chiffon sleeves, dry-clean-only fabrics and long trailing trims for other days, especially around science benches and art tables.

For embroidery, none or the delicate level at the neckline is enough. Anything raised on the cuffs or hem will catch on desks.

Ordering a small teaching wardrobe

Four or five kurtas and two or three pairs of trousers in colours that mix will cover a working week. Through our custom stitching service each piece is made to your measurements in Pakistan and shipped to you. In your quote request, state the fabric, the embroidery level, the kameez length and that you need to reach overhead comfortably.

Making takes 5 to 7 working days from approval and full payment, and shipping time is extra, so order during the holidays for the term ahead. Our work and campus page has more everyday ideas.