Welcome to our ~~new~~ series: a week of academic outfits! In each post, a fellow academic will share what they wear working in higher ed. This week Negin, a PhD student in Computer Science, is showing off her outfits!
Negin is a PhD student in Gothenburg, Sweden. Here, she talks about her “emo at heart” style, petite wardrobe staples, and philosophy about standing out in a conformist style scene.
Teaching outfits: My typical week of academic outfits is usually a mix of some teaching and lots of time in my office working on my research. This was during the winter, I had some teaching in the form of supervision of group projects which usually means running around the classroom a bit. Because of this I wore a simple gray t-shirt underneath a wool cardigan so I could easily take the cardigan off if I got warm. Because a t-shirt + cardigan feels a bit too casual for me I paired them with the checkered straight pants and a leather belt + jewelry to bring it all together.
T-shirt: Dedicated the Brand/ Cardigan: & Other Stories/ Pants: Uniqlo
Belt: Saddler/ Necklace: Edblad
Research outfits: Springtime, and this day we were actually out “in the field” aka we went to a high school to conduct interviews with students. I wanted to look professional and not like I could be a high school student (I get mistaken for one sometimes due to being petite, lol). So I thought a short-sleeved button up shirt and a pair of wide pants would do the trick! Also very comfortable which was needed because I was sitting down a lot.
Shirt: Uniqlo/ Pants: Uniqlo/ Belt: Saddler
On wardrobe staples: Office day! This day I just had a meeting with my supervisor and worked on my study for the rest of the day. Uniqlo has such good basics! I especially love their smart trousers because they are so comfortable (they have elastics in the waist that are covered by fabric so you can’t tell!), I have the regular straight ones and the wide ones in multiple colors. And I always use their alteration service because as a short person (155 cm/5’1) I need pants that fit me properly.
Silk shirt: Intimissimi/ Pants: Uniqlo/ Belt: Saddler
On the academic “uniform”: Another office day, during July, when we had a heatwave and when basically all my colleagues were on vacation. My workplace is incredibly informal and very often people turn up in hoodies and jeans, which is not my style at all. In some ways, an informal workplace is great because then I will always be the most well-dressed person, but I also sometimes feel like I am “too much” or trying too hard, and that I then stand out because of it.
But now, almost a year into my PhD, I feel more confident in how I dress and I simply stopped caring if I stand out or not. Because the truth is, with the background I have (my parents are from Iran) and being born in Sweden I have always stood out because I don’t fit into the idea of a “typical Swede”, so I might as well flip it and use it to my advantage instead and celebrate that I don’t look like everyone else. Sweden is a country that values conformity a lot, so I guess it’s my small rebellious act of showing up authentically for myself.
Top: Uniqlo/ Shorts: Stockh lm (from a Swedish chain called MQ)/ Belt: Levi’s
Where her personal style comes from: Scandinavian minimalism with some edgy/alternative touches (I am an emo at heart and try to bring that into my style at least a little bit). I get my inspiration from Pinterest, different singers I like (Hayley Williams is always a great style inspo), but mostly from different creators with different styles ranging from corporate goth (like @yung.planet, @aussiedomxo) to Scandi minimalism (like @useless_dk, @rodjapazooki).
Top: Uniqlo/ Skirt: Cache Cache
Thank you so much for sharing your style with us, Negin! Want more weeks of outfits? Right this way, or check out my May outfits here.
Want to share your academic week of outfits with us? Email Rebecca@PhDinClothes.com <3
This post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author.