What shoud a male teacher wear?

This thought often passes through my mind. Female teachers have much more flexibility in what they can wear to work compared to their male counterparts. Women can dress in a range of items but the selection for men is much more limited. 

I personally choose to wear a shirt, tie, smart trousers and shoes - pretty much the standard outfit for men in schools. However I often wonder if I should be wearing something more casual, especially in the summer months when I see female colleagues floating down the corridor in a skirt and vest top while I'm still wrapped up in my year round attire.

The main reason I choose to wear what I do is that it makes me feel professional. I think it looks good when I open the door in the morning and it gives me the right to demand a pride in appearance from the children I work with. 

PE lessons give me chance to change into a t shirt and shorts and I don't feel I have any less respect from the class when I am in this outfit - in fact the first few times the children see me dressed like this it is a scene of wonder and amazement that I don't live in my school clothes all the time!



The nature of my role in reception is really the heart of this issue because teaching further up the school a shirt, tie etc is perfectly suitable. When I am trying to encourage the children in their child initiated time, joining in with games, helping build dens or paint a fire station - i wonder then if there is a more suitable outfit for me to wear which maintains a professional look? 



People have suggested wearing linen trousers but then the dilemma of footwear rears its beasty head - normally I would opt for a flip flop but I don't think that is really suitable in a school setting. I could wear polo shirts with smart trousers but then run the risk of looking like a golf instructor. Quite the dilemma I am sure you'll agree.

I would love to hear some suggestions from people who read this - what do you / other men in your school wear? Is looking smart in a reception classroom even necessary? Would be good to hear some thoughts.