reader question no. 18: the teaching job.

Today's multipart question comes from reader Mimi, who's about to embark on a teaching journey in South Korea. Here's what she says:

"I'm moving to South Korea in March to teach English. Aside from working as a freelance voice and piano teacher, this is my first ever teaching job. I should mention that I will not be teaching in a regular day school, but rather in an English intensive after school program and will be working with Korean kids aged 6 to 12. I've asked HR at my school if there is a dress code and they said that there isn't, which I was surprised by.

"Even though there is no dress code, I still want to look sharp and put together. Like you, one of my favorite basics is the American Apparel U-Neck Dress. Do you have any suggestions on how I can work this dress to make it teacher appropriate? In addition, do you have any ideas on budget-friendly wardrobe updates for a rookie teacher?"

I love both parts of Mimi's question. The first part appeals to me because I do, as she noted, love the hell out of my AA U-neck dress. I have two--the short-sleeved version and the long-sleeved counterpart--and I wear them all the time. I'm always trying to think of new ways to work with it, especially on days the tightness is a little to much for me to bear openly (let's face it--this item is one of the tightest pieces of clothing ever made).

So let's take a look at some ideas on how to professionalize it before we get to the second part of Mimi's question. The biggest obstacle you've got to overcome with this dress to make it work-appropriate is the aforementioned tightness--and the mid-thigh-skimming length, and the backlessness. I don't wear this dress to the office myself, but then, I've never really thought about doing the first look I've prepped until, well, I made it:

Here, a long, almost dress-like shirt perfectly conceals all the bits you might not want to reveal to your colleagues (unless they involve a really cute one who takes you out for a very nice dinner or three first). A wide waist belt (this one is used in homage to the late and very greatly missed Alexander McQueen) gives a clean, shapely look to the shirt while a structured top layer adds what we think of when we think "professional."

A more relaxed look is based on one I like to wear all the time--a loose sweater layer on top of the dress, again rendering the dress itself to a more pencil-skirt-esque look. You could nip this in with a wide or thin belt, again, for a more polished effect. Also cool? A little vest.

The second part of Mimi's question is one I think all us girls ask at some point: How do we update our wardrobes? My answer to that is simple--a good arsenal of classics. Rather than fussing with too many trends--especially if you're someone like Mimi, who's going to be packing her whole wardrobe for transport--a full stock of the most important basics every woman should have in her closet will get you very, very far. Keeping things neutral will allow you to mix and match everything you've got--and I firmly believe you can get each one of those pieces for fewer than $100.

So, I've put together a capsule wardrobe of must-haves. These 18 pieces will get you from work to drinks to dinner with that hot date--just add a few fitted tees, a few modern loosely fitted tees and accessories and you're good to go absolutely anywhere.

Long cardigan, striped tee, white shirt, classically shaped little black dress, crew-neck sweater, black blazer.

Classic black wool trousers, dark skinnies, pencil skirt (I used a knit variety, but any will do), black ankle-length leggings.

Traditional camel-hue trench coat, voluminous scarf, evening clutch, everyday handbag.

Black flats, wedge knee-high boots, sharp black heels, flat sandals.

A few of the possibilities:

I hope these ideas help, Mimi, and I hope you have an amazing, life-changing time in South Korea. Don't hesitate to check in with us or ask more questions--and thanks for the great question today.

If you have a style question, send it along to onlyatyleremainsthesame{at}gmail{dot}com. Include photos of specific items and a few details about your personal style with the question, and I'll do my best to help you out! Thanks for asking and, as always, for reading.