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!!
Check the orientation schedule
The first thing I recommend is that you find the new faculty orientation agenda if possible. It might include a bunch of seated presentations, it might involve some icebreakers, it might involve a walking tour even though the weather says 98% humidity. Let the agenda influence your fashion choices!
It’s better to be overdressed for faculty orientation!
If there is no outdoor activity on your schedule, you’ll just want to feel comfy, but polished! Know that many of these presentations come from university leaders (ours included the president, provost, and several deans). It’s better to be overdressed on day one, at least until you assess the campus norms.
Shirtdress (under $30!)
Olive collar necklace (on my wishlist ugh)
Woven flats (I can vouch for this being my current fave comfy shoe brand!)
I hear from a lot of Instagram commenters that I dress fancier than they do on their college campus, but tbh my outfits fit in pretty well with our level of formality on my campus. I was shocked when I showed up to campus to see no one in jeans, sandals, or shorts. I’m glad I wore a shift dress on day one–I was coming from a much more casual place, but got up to speed quickly!
Outfits for headshots
At my new faculty orientation, we immediately took headshots. Like 8:05 AM. I have some tips about what to wear if they’re taking your headshots here!
Outfits for a walking tour
The other challenge you may face is a walking tour or other cursed outdoor activity in hot weather. If that’s the case, I recommend a couple things:
A sweatproof undershirt (These became lifesavers when teaching anyway!)
A comfortable yet polished shoe option (Also useful in the long run, especially when you find out the building you teach in is a mile away from your office)
A reusable water bottle and some snacks, just in case!
Those are my thoughts about what to wear to faculty orientation. If you are new this year, I hope the pastries are good, the presentations are short, and you have a great start to the new school year!
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