10 Fashion Must-Haves for Pediatric Professionals

As a pediatric speech therapist I am limited with what I can wear to work. Meaning I need to feel like I can sit crisscross applesauce or tall-kneel (got to love working with those physical therapists 😉 ) without having a wardrobe malfunction. I love finding versatile pieces that I can add to my closet that are not only fashionable but work friendly. Below are my fashion must-haves for pediatric professionals to add some style and comfort in your wardrobe!

1. Long to mid-length Summer Dress/Skirt

The summer is the hardest time of the year to achieve a professional yet comfortable look. There will be no shorts or thin-straps at the workplace. I’ve found that a great mid to long length summer dress is the best solution. It looks professional, it’s light, and it’s long enough that I feel covered. One of my go-to stores for this kind of dress is TJ Maxx. That’s where I found this dress! The other great thing about this dress is ***drum roll*** It. Has. POCKETS. Another solution is long to mid-length skirt to serve the same purpose.

2. Leggings

Leggings are great for work, because they are non-constrictive. There are two ways to wear leggings: professionally and casually. For leggings to looks professional they have to include the following components:

• Non-see through
• Stick to dark colors (black, gray)
• Coupled with a long shirt

I got two pairs from Old Navy about 4 years ago and I still use them frequently! They are not see through, provide longevity, and are versatile. Target also offers non-see through leggings. Here is a link to some similar leggings

https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=504887072&cid=1011528&pcid=1011528&vid=1&grid=pds_15_89_1&cpos=15&cexp=1504&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D1011528&cvar=11299&ctype=Listing&cpid=res20071807258650635023904#pdp-page-content

3. High Neckline Tunic Top

I have a several shirts in my closet that match this description. They provide modesty with the high neck. You try to placate a distressed 3 year old child having a tantrum a few times and you’ll realize a high neck is more of a necessity than you ever knew. Additionally, I like having a few long length shirts to pair with my leggings. These are also easy to dress-up or dress-down, so you could wear them for work or a casual outing,

Below is one of my favorites. It’s pretty and has some personality. It was also very affordable! I bought this top at Burlington Coat Factory. Some other stores where I was able to find similar tops were the Gap, H&M, Walmart, and NY& Company.

4. Pixi Pants from Old Navy

A graduate school cohort of mine put me on these and I’ve never looked back. These pants look dressy and come in so many fun prints and colors! As well as a very nice price tag! I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking here. Check out the link:

https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=5475&nav=meganav%3AWomen%3AShop%20by%20Category%3APants#pageId=0&style=7521,1078748,1052086,1142520&banner=vi_pants_w_pixie_ankle_full_chino_click

5. Paper Bag Waist Pants

I have to admit I had to google the name of these kind of pants even though I have several pairs! They are comfortable, roomy, and look dressy enough for work even paired with a simple T.

6. Cardigan

A simple cardigan gives you a lot of versatility with items that are already in your closet. For example, you may have a a nice shirt that has features that aren’t work-appropriate (e.g. open back, thin straps). You can easily make it work-appropriate by pairing it with a cardigan.

7. Comfortable Shoes

A former co-worker and I joked about how differently we (early intervention & preschool professionals) dressed compared to the elementary school professionals, specifically shoes. They would have some serious heels on! That is just not functional when working with the really little ones. I’ve caught myself running after some of my kiddos or having to be quick enough to prevent an accident waiting to happen. I’m not saying you need to start flaunting crocs. Some options are:

Moccasins

Lace-less sneakers (I like these ones from Sketchers)

https://www.skechers.com/en-us/style/23579/microburst-in-line/BBK?CAWELAID=120015390001414517&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=108669985110&CATCI=pla-903694482667&utm_kxconfid=so3yjxz47&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIouXqtpTX6gIVFIvICh0s-w8dEAQYBSABEgJg6vD_BwE

Flats

8. Ultra Low-cut Liner Socks

The shoes that I mentioned above are shoes that you usually wear without socks. I’m sure you know what happens to shoes when they are not worn with socks. They get smelly! An easy solution are liner socks. They are cut low enough that they shouldn’t show once you put your shoes on. Below are the ones that I use:

9. Hair Ties

You will need these. It will just help you feel more comfortable throughout the day. Also, I’m not going to hold back on this one. When you work with little kids lice is a very real thing. So make sure to have on hair tie on you.

10. A Backpack

Last but not least: a backpack to carry all your essential items! Some of my necessities are my planner, laptop, work folders, pockets for my water bottle and and extra daily essentials (hand sanitizer, mints). I have the backpack below and I can’t stress how much I love it! I will never go back to a single shoulder strap bag for work. This has been great for my shoulders and back plus it’s super cute! It’s good quality, comes with a beautiful gold colored zipper, and you can also use it for travel! I got mine in navy.

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Links

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