Job Discussion Forums

[vamanos12]

Hi,
I'm looking for advice on exactly what I should/shouldn't plan on wearing in the classroom working for HCT Dubai Men's College. (as a woman)

1. Dress pants/skirts (length, color)?
2. Blouse specifications, color, etc....?
3. Shoes?

I'll obviously leave the tube top and mini skirt at home, but I really want to get it right in terms of professionalism.

[optimistic]

a good teacher is never judged by what he/she is wearing. so, take it easy.

[bin There]

A teacher in Dubai is likely to be judged on what they are wearing if it falls outside cultural norms. Students do comment, and quite possibly in front of you.

Skirt / Dress below the knees or pants. A blouse that doesn't reveal too much. Good-looking sandals, or shoes.

Many female teachers wear T-shirts and skirts. There are "codes of dress" that come around every so often that says no T's, but a lot of teachers don't follow this to the letter.

Best to err on the side of conservative. Once you're at DMC, you'll get a better feel.

[veiledsentiments]

I would try to touch base with someone there to check. I agree... err on the conservative side. Find out if they allow pants. (when I was at ADW, pants were not allowed) If they are, I would suggest tunic tops. Keep the skirts long... sleeves to the elbow... avoid tight fitting anything. And IMHO, all of those are more comfortable in the heat. Also the interiors are nearly always over-air-conditioned, so I always kept a sweater/jacket at my desk. Obviously when teaching men, you want to be exposing as little skin as possible.

I lived in sandals 365 days a year over there... with my long skirts, no worries about hose. I wore semi-dressy sandals... comfortable, but no Birkenstocks. Arabs tend to be a bit more formal than we often are.

Colors don't matter. Wear what you like.

VS
(if you are in the US... DEVA - makes a lot of cool cotton stuff that is appropriate. many of the catalogs carry lots of beautiful long skirts... like Serengeti and such...)

[nomad soul]

[vamanos12]

thanks for the tips

[veiledsentiments]

As my years there went on, my skirts kept getting longer. Not because anyone told me how I should dress, but I found that it was so much cooler and more comfortable... mainly because there was no need to wear hose. Nothing worse than hose in the heat and humidity.

VS

[Haloolah]

Hi Vamanos -

If you got a job at HCT, check your materials HR sent you - there's a section on to how to dress, etc. in your new-hire materials that came with the contract. PM me if you hav add'l questions.

[Eisenhorn]

Several women at my branch of HCT (not DMC or DWC) have gotten a "warning" for having on slacks that show their figures or for not having blouses/covers their bottoms.

Generally wear 3/4 sleeves, don't have plunging necklines and cover your bum... and it should be ok.

[vamanos12]

Well, several hundreds of dollars and shopping trips later I think I have an appropriate wardrobe. It was a job in itself for someone like me that doesn't love to shop. Here's hopping the clothes will work.

[veiledsentiments]

No hopping allowed!!

The internet and catalogs were invented for those of us who hate shopping. I can't remember the last time I purchased an item of clothing in an actual store - other than underwear or shoes.

VS

[Sirens of Cyprus]

[Gulezar]

[crocus]

Hubby once said that the best thing is to ensure that every major joint apart from ankle and wrist should be covered. I think this works pretty well for women in the classroom.