We’re about to be back to college teaching, and if you’re a young professor or graduate student (or you have a baby face, #blessed), you might be a bit nervous about being mistaken for a student. There’s nothing worse than being asked your major or if you’re a sophomore when you’re about to get up and teach the class, so here are some ways to dress older as a graduate student or professor.
Carry a bag
Backpacks are extremely practical, I get it! But one thing that might get you mixed up as a student is wearing one. If you need a backpack, I say just own it. I wore this one throughout grad school, and I think the leather details made it look a bit professional. But, a tote bag is a sure-fire shortcut to looking like the class instructor. I’ve been carrying this one for years.
Another option? Don’t carry a bag to class at all. My master’s advisor always showed up with her phone, keys, and a single file folder with the day’s lesson inside (there were computers in the classroom). It was a power mooooove.
Pick a hairstyle
This is very campus-specific, but another tactic you can employ is to always style your hair. I know, I know, the norms around professionalism and hair are touchy, tied to power and race, and generally more annoying for women. Please feel free to throw out this “rule” if you would like. But, at my doctoral campus, students simply did not “do” their hair. The women arrived with hair in a thrown-up bun every day. I found that using a dryer brush made me look a bit more like a professor than a student in this case.
This could also be as simple as getting a more “styled” cut (having a pixie cut has completely set me apart from my students, for sure), or getting a couple cute hair accessories like this ponytail holder or this headband.
Dress one level above your students
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: you don’t need to be in business casual as a college teacher. You just need to figure out the undergrad uniform and then dress one level above that. You won’t be mistaken for a student as a professor if everyone is in leggings and you’re in jeans as a blazer. But if everyone is in jeans and a blazer you might want to switch to some smart trousers! This skirt is a real favorite because I don’t typically see students in midi skirts.
Dress weirder than your students
Another option: having a distinct style from students. College wardrobes tend to veer casual and focus on very specific brands (this is region-specific, and I LOVE asking students what the brand of choice is right now. On my campus, it’s currently Carhartt, but everywhere it’s also Lululemon). So, if you love those brands, wear them, but if not, there are plenty of funky and fun styles out there that are very professor-chic. Some that fellow grad students and academics have loved in the past include Quince, Blundstone, Sorel (yellow sandals above!), and Everlane (my green pants and tote!).
It’s fun when the office has its own little sub-culture of “oh! This brand is so great to teach in!” so don’t be afraid to ask around. Talking fashion with fellow PhD students is such a fond memory of mine!
Stop caring 🙂
Lol, I’m mostly joking. I know it isn’t easy! But plan your retorts for when someone asks if you’re a student (“Nope! Watch this!” then stand up and teach the class).
Outfits do matter, and fashion can help confidence. But the best thing you can do is be a great teacher. If you’re consistent, fair, kind, and respectful to students, they’ll trust you and follow you, regardless of age 🙂
Got any other tips for us on how to avoid being mistaken for a student as a professor or graduate teacher?
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