PhD in Clothes

What to Wear on Your First Day of Grad School: A Complete Outfit Guide

what to wear to first day of grad school

If you’re going back to school this fall, you may be feeling those jitters! I remember being sooo nervous about how being a grad student would differ from my undergrad: what to bring to class? What would class be like? Could I wear a backpack?! Here are some outfit ideas for your first day of grad school–because there’s enough to worry about without also stressing about getting dressed!

Modern Citizen Review: An honest take on quality, style & value

If you like modern, chic workwear, chances are you’ve been served an ad for Modern Citizen clothing. The brand boasts modern, slightly edgy women’s workwear that is akin to Aritzia and Everlane. Naturally, I was super sucked in by the aesthetic and have placed a few orders — here is my Modern Citizen review. I include my thoughts on sizing, quality, fabric, and finding Modern Citizen on sale!!!

What to wear to faculty orientation

If you’re starting a new professor or instructor job this fall, congratulations! Amidst all the moving boxes, you may be getting ready for new professor orientation and wondering, what the heck do I wear to faculty orientation? It’s a small, yet stressful, fashion question. Here are some tips!!

What to wear to take your academic headshot

If you are a professor or grad student starting a new position, you may be asked to take an academic headshot soon! These may be featured on the department website and they may haunt you for the forseeable future. So, what to wear?

The best bags and backpacks for grad students in 2026

If you’re headed back to grad school, starting a PhD program, or just gearing up for a new school year as an academic, it may be time to revive your current backpack. Here are 14 of the best bags and backpacks for grad students that I would recommend in 2026!

What to wear to your dissertation or thesis defense, 2026 edition

It has been 8 years since I defended my dissertation, but I still remember the last-minute panic of trying to pick an outfit. If you are finishing grad school soon, you might be in the same boat! So today, some awesome, stylish readers tell us what to wear to your dissertation or thesis defense–and they have some truly amazing ideas for matching your outfit to your research topic!

An unsponsored Tony Bianco women’s shoes review

Every once in a while, I see a new cute shoe brand everywhere–and then I realize how many of those posts are sponsored or gifted to influencers. That was the case with the Tony Bianco Gatsby loafer this year, and I was sooo taken in by its vintage look and promise of super-comfortable leather. So I decided to try the brand for myself! Here’s my Tony Bianco women’s shoes review, including my thoughts on comfort, support, and if the brand is worth the price!

Hot weather clothing for work: Summer fashion conundrums, by reader request

It’s hot as heck in the northern hemisphere, which leads to allll kinds of fashion challenges. No one wants to find, let alone put on, hot weather clothing for work–but it is possible! Here’s what’s on your mind, according to my Instagram DMs.

Cute Outfits for When It’s Way Too Hot Outside: Hot Weather Outfits for Summer 2026

We just hit our first heatwave in parts of the US, and you may find yourself wondering what the heck to wear when it’s above 90 degrees (or 100…or 110 if you are desert dweller like me!). Dressing cute when it’s way too hot out is a tough challenge, even worse if you need office outfits. Here are some hot weather outfits and what I’m buying to feel fashionable in Summer 2026.

Work-Appropriate Women’s T-Shirts That Aren’t See-Through (2026 Reviews)

If you work in a casual office environment, you can probably wear a t-shirt to work. But which t-shirt to choose? They are certainly not all equally effortless, stylish, easy to clean, not see-through, not revealing of bra outlines, and made of natural materials. What? Are my demands too much??? Here are my personal favorite work-appropriate women’s t-shirts.