Where do you buy your clothes?

peanuthead

Hi

Was out today trying to buy some nice teaching clothes and I actually found it very difficult.

I was looking for some shirts and trousers and suit skirts. I really didn't want to go to Penneys because the trousers just don't last the whole year.

I went to H&M, M&S, River Island, Forever 21, Bershka, New Look etc.. but they had nothing. I did find a lovely skirt in Next and I know that Dunnes has good stuff too.

But what I'm looking for is nice, stylish clothing, fashionable enough but fit for work.

Where do people shop for their clothing, and what stores or brands have the most durability, especially for trousers seeing as we are wearing them every day?

thanks

E.T.

Warehouse usually have really nice classic basics. A lot more expensive than Penneys etc but last for years. Not as fashion led as RI but not old-fogey wear either.

I'd love to wear their clothes for school, but I teach infants so I'll be sticking to the old faithfuls. I've learned my lesson from years of sitting on the floor and cleaning up spills/vomit/pee. When I wear the older stuff I don't care when I come home with glue/paint etc wiped all over me!

TheDriver

For the men, i always wear remus suits as you can pick them up half price or less in sales and they last for ages, always marks shirts for price and quality

gaeilgegrinds1

Dunnes, Penneys, River Island jeans (although not this year as they're too skinny!), Asos online, Warehouse, Zara...

Celephais

For men's stuff, Gap and Best generally have some sort of collection of sale shirts. I spent a day going around Dundrum, spent about €150 on 9 really nice, professional looking shirts.

Dionysus

peanuthead wrote: »

Hi

Was out today trying to buy some nice teaching clothes and I actually found it very difficult.

I was looking for some shirts and trousers and suit skirts. I really didn't want to go to Penneys because the trousers just don't last the whole year.

I went to H&M, M&S, River Island, Forever 21, Bershka, New Look etc.. but they had nothing. I did find a lovely skirt in Next and I know that Dunnes has good stuff too.

But what I'm looking for is nice, stylish clothing, fashionable enough but fit for work.

Where do people shop for their clothing, and what stores or brands have the most durability, especially for trousers seeing as we are wearing them every day?

thanks

Apparently all teachers are entitled to a €500 tax something or other for clothing each tax year - or at least the girl in revenue said something like that to me when I was in a state of shock about the taxes I was paying. I'm sure somebody here can clarify this rather vague information.

Anyway, after she told me that I felt inspired and asked her could I claim for tax back on the petrol it took me to get to work: she laughed, and then said nicely "Sorry, I'm afraid that would be pushin' it". Hehe. :-)

Cat82

peanuthead wrote: »

Hi

Was out today trying to buy some nice teaching clothes and I actually found it very difficult.

I was looking for some shirts and trousers and suit skirts. I really didn't want to go to Penneys because the trousers just don't last the whole year.

I went to H&M, M&S, River Island, Forever 21, Bershka, New Look etc.. but they had nothing. I did find a lovely skirt in Next and I know that Dunnes has good stuff too.

But what I'm looking for is nice, stylish clothing, fashionable enough but fit for work.

Where do people shop for their clothing, and what stores or brands have the most durability, especially for trousers seeing as we are wearing them every day?

thanks

I found it extremely difficult to find nice teaching clothes this year. Like you I was looking for trousers, skirts and nice tops with long sleeves, not a fan of shirts.

Next was the only place I found nice trousers that weren't too old-fashioned. Plus they last well for the year. Was hoping to get nice ones in RI but they had very little. We can't wear jeans so its hard to dress the trouser/top look up to make it fashionable. I did get a few nice tops in Matalan. Also bought few bits chunky chains there.

Really sick of wearing cardigans with tops so if anyone can point me in the right direction of nice warm tops I'd greatly appreciate it.

doc_17

Dionysus wrote: »

Apparently all teachers are entitled to a €500 tax something or other for clothing each tax year - or at least the girl in revenue said something like that to me when I was in a state of shock about the taxes I was paying. I'm sure somebody here can clarify this rather vague information.

Anyway, after she told me that I felt inspired and asked her could I claim for tax back on the petrol it took me to get to work: she laughed, and then said nicely "Sorry, I'm afraid that would be pushin' it". Hehe. :-)

It's a tax credit. Means instead of paying tax at the higher rate on earnings over at 32k you don't pay it at higher rate until you get to over 32.5k. You don't get the whole 500 to buy clothes.

doc_17

I teach in a rural school and we're a bit more casual with the clothes so I don't have much to contribute to the fashion side of the thread!

implausible

Dionysus wrote: »

Apparently all teachers are entitled to a €500 tax something or other for clothing each tax year - or at least the girl in revenue said something like that to me when I was in a state of shock about the taxes I was paying. I'm sure somebody here can clarify this rather vague information.

I discovered about 3 years ago that I was on the wrong expenses rate. Went into Revnue.ie and claimed the correct rate + the difference for the previous 4/5 years. Ended up with a nice lodgement into my account from Revenue a few months later:D

OP, I get most of my trousers in A-wear. Next is good for smart tops, New Look for long cardigans and it's hard to beat Dunnes for everything else!

TheDriver

you would be shocked at the amount of teachers who don't claim this tax credit. Don't forget pe teachers and guidance teachers and principals get a slightly larger allowance.

Nead21

I find Zara very good for suits/skirts/shirts etc which are youthful but suitable for work. Their basic line is quiet reasonably priced also.