We shared highlights from our survey of over 200 teachers, and their general sentiment on the back-to-school time frame. Now, we’re leaving you with best shopping practices, as spoken first hand by teachers themselves:

Jennifer D. from Baltimore MD summed it up well, “Teachers need to understand the benefits of dressing fashionably. Your students will notice (after all, you ask them to look at you for at least an hour every day) and they will most likely respect you more for taking care of yourself. They may even find it easier to relate to you. More importantly, however, you will feel more confident about yourself, which will translate into better teaching and classroom management.”

So, with no further ado — we present “5 Best Practices for Shopping On a Teacher’s Salary”:

1) Infuse your own personal flair and creativity to your wardrobe. This can especially done through the use of fun accessories (earrings, necklaces, scarves) to make even a basic outfit more exciting.

“I think it’s important to emphasize that teachers absolutely must shop on a budget because our salaries are so limiting. However, many teachers have fabulous and unique senses of style.” -Jennie H. from Chicago, IL

2) Comfortable footwear is imperative…especially for long days on your feed!

“I know a lot of my teaching friends want to be stylish but at the same time we are young and look young so its important to look professional. Flats work best since we are on our feet all day- the problem with that is most work slacks are so long they require heels. It would be nice to look cute, yet professional and also me comfy!” -Monica T. from San Diego, CA

Theory cargo pants, Cole Haan wedges (55% off)

3) Sign up for sale alerts for brands you love through Shop It To Me and other online destinations.

“Teachers also need to know that they can find great fashion without spending beyond their means. Stores like Loehmanns and internet sites like Shop It To Me and online sample sale sites make fashion affordable even for an inner-city public school teacher like myself.” -Jennifer D. from Baltimore, MD

4) Shop places that offer discounts for educators.

“I like to shop at places that offer teacher incentives/discounts. For example, J.Crew and Ann Taylor Loft give out great discounts all year round to teachers. All you have to do is flash your teacher card. Also, versatility is key. I like being able to wear some clothes to work and then go straight out afterwards and look decent.” -Allison K. from Brooklyn, NY

5) Work together! Find other stylish teachers with similar taste to exchange tips and shop with!

“We definitely share info about sales, deals, or where we buy clothes if someone is wearing something cute. A few of us have gone on shopping outings to see what we can find. There have been some pretty great scores that we get excited about (ex. Joes Jeans and Stuart Weitzman heels).” - Blythe D. from Oakland, CA

“A few friends and I do “Fashion Challenges” where we set up a budget and see who can find the cutest/stylish outfit on that budget at a given store. We all have to look at the same store and we give ourselves a time limit.” -Carly Q. from Happy Valley, OR

Despite the fact that it’s been a while since we’ve heard a class bell ring, with fall right around the corner, we can’t help but be reminded that school is about to get back in session. An even more fun (and immediate) prospect: back-to-school shopping. And though legions of students will no doubt be stocking up on backpacks and the latest trends to stand out on campus, we were curious to turn tables a bit and get teachers’ takes on what this means for them. So we surveyed educators from pre-school to college to find out how—and where—they shop for work, and what constitutes “dressing for success” in the classroom.

Turns out, teachers think they get a bad rap when it comes to style: “Teachers get unfairly grouped into the old lady teacher stereotype,” wrote a teacher from California.  “We love to dress up …even if it’s just kids who are going to see us that day!”

While that may be true, a mere 16% of the teachers who responded to our survey identified “looking stylish” as their top priority when dressing for school.  And only 17% of respondents said the teaching staff at their schools deserve high marks for style.  Sounds like it may be time to add fashion as an extracurricular?

BCBG oversized blouse, Theory cropped pants (40% off)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, “being comfortable all day” comes first and foremost. That seems to be especially important to pre-school and elementary school teachers (54%), perhaps, because, as one teacher told us:  “teaching is a dirty job – literally.” Something about chalk dust and magic markers.

Meanwhile many of their high school counterparts are more concerned with maintaining “a mature and professional look”—maybe so they aren’t confused with their students? That said, an equal percent want clothes that are “young enough to look hip”. Which might explain why designer jeans are popular with 60% of teachers.

J.Crew wool ruffle jacket, denim pencil skirt (30% off)

So what do teachers actually wear to school? The most popular brands and retailers among our teaching pool were J. Crew, Ann Taylor/LOFT, Banana Republic and The Gap, though some mentioned sleek contemporary lines like BCBG, Michael Kors, Theory and MaxMara.

Theory shirt dress (40% off), Tory Burch tote (30% off)

In order to up their aesthetic ante, teachers have learned to be creative shoppers.  One Chicago teacher told us: “I will never buy a Max Mara design straight from their store, but I have one or two pieces thanks to ‘best shopping practices‘!”

Tactics include clothing swaps, shopping parties and even outlet shopping en group.  One teacher told us that she and some colleagues hold “fashion challenges”:  they set a budget and shop the same store to see who can find the most stylish outfit in the allotted time.

And, of course, there’s always Salemail as a shortcut for stylish steals.

Methodology: Shop It To Me surveyed over 200 teachers all across the nation during the month of July 2010.  See the complete results.

There’s nothing like a great pair of black boots! And we can say from experience that Pour La Victoire makes a killer shoe. We’re loving these flat, studded Malena rider boots – not only are they adorable, but they’re a whopping 65% off! All you lucky size 7.5s – hurry and grab a pair before they’re gone!

Pour La Victoire Malena rider boot: was $401, now $146

Exciting news!! Free People, the brand we all know and love for it’s irresistible bohemian-chic vibe, has launched a new line, Vintage Loves!

Vintage Loves, which launched on Monday, is filled with one-of-a-kind pieces that you cannot find anywhere else. The clothes are absolutely dreamy and selling out quick! Hurry, hurry… shop to it!

(images via FreePeople.com)

If you’re anything like us you likely have thing or two to learn when it comes to the game of golf. Luckily, Kim from FashionCents is here to offer a few tips on how to dress if you’re attending an invitational. Check out her video blog site about developing personal style without breaking the bank.

If your style doesn’t make sense, watch their videos!

You’ve made an online purchase but it doesn’t fit. Now what? Return mailing fees vary from store to store, as do the number of weeks you have to make your return. Here are guidelines for some of our favorite specialty retailers.

Single-Brand Stores’ Policies

Other Helpful Links

The A to Z of Easy Online Returns
Online Department Store Return Policies
Online Boutique Return Policies

You may have heard returning online purchases is a cinch. We’d have to agree. Forget making the trek to the store (although you can if you want). There’s nothing like slapping a return label on a pair of too-small jeans and popping it in the mail instead.

What’s more — many of the online boutiques listed below offer free shipping and returns, so there’s no buyer’s remorse if your item doesn’t work out. And remember, Shop It To Me will always call free shipping offers out to you by listing them in Salemail, below the name of the store.

Think you may be cutting your return close to the deadline, or want to know return costs by store? Consult the chart below.

Online Boutiques’ Policies

Other Helpful Links

The A to Z of Easy Online Returns
Online Department Store Return Policies

Many department store sites go the extra mile in making returns as easy as possible. Not only do they give you the option of simply shipping the item back, but most of the ones listed below even allow in-store returns as well.

Here are their guidelines for clothing, shoes and accessories returns. Check back soon as we also round up return policies for online boutiques like Shopbop and Bluefly, and specialty retailers such as J. Crew and Banana Republic.

Other Helpful Links

The A to Z of Easy Online Returns

Shopping may be on your list of favorite activities, but making returns can be about as much fun as folding laundry. Don’t sweat it.  The good news is, just as online shopping is convenient, returning online purchases can be a breeze too.

Since lots of our members have questions about all the various policies, we’ve created the definitive guide, including Online Department Store Return Policies, Online Boutique Return Policies, and Online Specialty Store Return Policies.

How Return Mailing Labels Work

Many online department stores allow you to take items back to their brick-and-mortar locations. As an alternative, they even include mailing labels with your package to make returns easy. Just slap it on a box and mail it back — a shipping fee will be deducted once your return is processed. For example, Barneys charges a $8 fee if you use their mailing label. So if you return a $100 dress from Barneys, $92 will go back on your card ($100 return less the $8 mailing label fee).

Quick Tips for Easy Returns

Keep these quick tips in mind so you can wrap up any returns and get right back to shopping:

• When making returns in-store, bring your invoice, original packing materials, credit card and ID.
• You can’t return online items to off-price stores. For example, Nordstrom.com items can’t be returned to Nordstrom Rack.
• Online shoppers have more return options. Online returns can also be made in store, while you can’t return in-store purchases by mail.
• Initial shipping fees are not refunded when returning an item unless you are buying from a retailer that offers free shipping and free returns.
• Retailers that offer free shipping and returns include Shopbop, Urban Outfitters and Endless.
• Getting refunded: By-mail returns are generally processed within 14 business days from the date you ship it back.
• Final sale items cannot be returned. Just as you can’t return final sale items to a store, you can’t return them online either.

Return information like timeframe and cost vary from store to store. Just in case you have any last-minute returns, these details are worth knowing to avoid any potential mishaps. Check back and we’ll lay out all the nitty gritty by retailer for online department stores, boutiques and specialty stores such as J. Crew and Banana Republic.

The platform trend is one we’ve welcomed with open arms and willing feet. Really, what’s better than a shoe that offers a height boost without the discomfort of super-slanted heels?

To our delight, when scanning Barneys items in Salemail this morning, we found platforms galore! Here are a few favorites:

clockwise from top left: Chloe Platform Sneaker: was $705,  now $269, Jil Sander platform wedge: was $595, now $239, Marc by Marc Jacobs strappy platform sandal: was $340, now $169, Prada platform wedge slide: was $395, now $159

Not only are the platforms adorable, but these deals cannot be beat. Keep your eyes peeled for more fantastic finds from Barneys New York in Salemail!