How one 'fashionably broke teacher' dresses for winter fun: Bold prints and bright colors

December 7, 2018 at 1:52 AM

By day, Lindsey Jednak is a fourth-grade teacher. In her free time, Jednak has amassed over 37,000 Instagram followers who love her “fashionably broke teacher” style.

It all started as a side project but grew steadily. Her style can best be described as an “eclectic mix of color, pattern and just a hint of bohemian chic,” Jednak tells Yahoo Lifestyle. A quick flip through her Instagram page confirms this. Every outfit is chock-full of bright reds, pinks, oranges, leopard prints, polka dots, and plaid. She mixes and matches prints and colors that others might find intimidating with confidence and ease.

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One of my favorite ways to add color and pattern to an outfit: a fun jacket. ? I love the bright polka dot pattern of this jacket and it’s 40% off right now ?? my striped top is also so comfy and cute to pair with a skirt or your favorite jeans! Bag is also my favorite dupe yet! 🙌🏼 Shop the whole look by following me on the @liketoknow.it app or on the blog! https://liketk.it/2yvdF #liketkit #LTKholidaystyle #LTKstyletip #LTKunder100
A post shared by Lindsey (@thefashionablybroketeacher) on Nov 27, 2018 at 5:04am PST

For Yahoo Lifestyle’s #MyStyle video series (above), we asked Jednak to show us what she would wear on a holiday winter getaway. She chose a two-tone faux fur J.Crew jacket, a playful red pompom knit sweater by Goodnight Macaroon, a colorful Madewell flannel shirt, faux leather leggings and snow boots by J.Crew, and topped it off with a beige knit beanie. In this look, Jednak is able to show off her maximalist style while still feeling 100 percent comfortable.

Lindsey Jednak of @TheFashionablyBrokeTeacher shows Yahoo Lifestyle readers her perfect holiday weekend getaway look. (Photo: Yahoo Lifestyle)

But when Jednak first started teaching, her style was far from what you see today. She wore black flats, a button-up shirt and slacks. “It’s funny because with slacks, it’s so hard to find dress pants that fit your body type and that you [feel] comfortable in, especially when walking around a classroom.” Within the first two years of teaching, Jednak began to experiment with wearing more patterns and colors to show off her personality and style, while ensuring it was still teacher appropriate.

Enter, Jednak’s most prized fashion item. “The midi skirt kind of changed my whole world,” she says. “I just think a skirt fits better than any pants do. I don’t have to worry about how big my butt’s going to look or being too revealing.” She likes to pair her midi skirts with colorful sweaters and over-the-knee boots as an alternative to tights because they don’t slip down or rip, unlike her tights. This style evolution didn’t go unnoticed by other faculty members, who began to ask Jednak about her style and then asked for advice for themselves.

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If you wear leopard print shopping will it add to your speed in getting all the deals? I’m going to go with yes 😂🐆 This skirt is midi skirt dreams and goes with everything! Love it with a neutral sweater but also styling it with a band tee ?? Are you off shopping today? We had a lazy morning over here but heading out in a little! ? Oh and I’ll be continuing to update my gift guides on the blog along with you can always shop my looks with the @liketoknow.it app 🙌🏼 Happy Black Friday! #liketkit https://liketk.it/2ypVc #LTKholidaystyle #LTKholidaygiftguide #LTKunder100 #LTKunder50 #LTKsalealert
A post shared by Lindsey (@thefashionablybroketeacher) on Nov 23, 2018 at 5:43am PST

Although the reality is, “Being a teacher, you obviously don’t go into it for the money,” says Jednak. “You go into it for making a difference.” Still, this notion of being broke as a teacher did inspire her blog name: The Fashionably Broke Teacher — someone who is a teacher but still has a fabulous style.

Jednak’s go-to stores for basics are J.Crew and the Loft. For trendier pieces, she shops at Forever 21, Target, Asos, Old Navy, H&M, and American Eagle. “My mom was shocked I was ordering from American Eagle and Abercrombie now. She would ask, ‘Didn’t you wear that when you were younger?'” To which Jednak would respond, “No, they really transformed into kind of what any woman from [their] mid-20s to mid-30s would wear.”

As a teacher, finding comfortable footwear is a must too. Her go-to footwear labels are Marc Fisher and Dolce Vita, which make her favorite over-the-knee boots and ankle boots.

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Yesterday my students handed me a book they made all by themselves on their own recess time entitled, “ Why we love Miss Fillman.” Every student had a page and it melted my heart ?? It’s the little things and I’m so lucky to do a job that makes such a difference ??? focus on the good in life ? ? ? ? ? Jacket details—@forever21 and everything is linked with my @liketoknow.it https://liketk.it/2yEto #liketkit #LTKholidaystyle #LTKunder100
A post shared by Lindsey (@thefashionablybroketeacher) on Dec 5, 2018 at 5:13am PST

If you’re nervous about experimenting with bright colors and bold patterns, Jednak suggests starting with small steps. “Start with one pattern, whether it’s with your skirt or top. Start with that and bring in your neutrals.” At the end of the day, it’s all about how you feel. “Sometimes I question myself, if [I think] this is too much, but I just trust how I feel. If I feel I like this, I’ll just go for it.”

Below, we rounded up similar options so you can try out Jednak’s bold winter getaway look today.

J.Crew Mercantile Women’s Teddy Coat