What to wear to an academic conference, pt. 2. I like to bring one work dress and wear it on its own and then layer it with a blazer a couple days later.
Dress- J. Crew, old (similar cut, great winter version for freezing hotels, more affordable)
Wedges- Nordstrom Rack, old (similar)
Purse- thrifted (similar)
Cropped Blazer- old (similar)
Teacher style: fancy cut, casual fabric.
One way to make your wardrobe work for teaching and the rest of your grad school life is to find crossover pieces. This dress has a semi-fancy cut (waist definition, pockets!) but is a nice comfy cotton, so I wear it to teach or dress it down with my jean jacket to go to class. Fun fact: I bought this dress in Norway from this woman who worked in a clothing store because I wanted her to give me some contacts for my research. She did not pick up what I was laying down, and thought I bought the dress because I was trying to ask her out. #hazardsofresearch
Dress: Like I said, Norwegian. Some similar options from Old Navy: 1, 2, 3
Shirt: Madewell
Shoes: Pikolinos, Nordstrom Rack score (similar)
Backpack: Herschel (backpack round up coming soon!)
Choosing a bag for grad school:
A messenger bag or tote is a nice option in grad school, especially if wearing a backpack means you get mistaken for an undergrad. Messenger bags can look a bit more professional. Here are some bag I’ve been eyeing recently:
1- Madewell
2- Herschel
3- Pendleton
4- Fossil (sooo expensive but I’ve wanted it for forever…perhaps a graduation gift to myself)
Class style: Go Cubs + oxfords
Emma says: Sometimes your team makes game 7 of the World Series and you’ve got to show your support at school! If I’m wearing a sports jersey, I like to wear nice jeans and dressy shoes with my standard mismatched dress socks. When I’ve got a fancier top, I like to wear sneakers, but I like to let people know that just because I’m wearing a jersey doesn’t mean I’m not ready for business.
Academic conference wear, pt. 1. My goal at conferences is to look professional without feeling too old or stuffy. The polka dot shirt does that for me here.
Shirt- J. Crew, old (similar)
Dress- J. Crew (similar and more affordable!)
Bag- thrifted (similar)
Shoes- Nordstrom Rack, old (similar)
Glasses- Old (Similar and affordable!)
PhD in Clothes 