Came back from the national conference last night and deliriously taught class today, which devolved into me telling my students to photoshop the head of a famous theorist on to the body of a prairie dog and long story short I had a good draft of that image in my inbox five minutes after class.
Anyway here is what I wore to a conference mixer. I think people usually stay in business clothes for these but I swapped my pumps out for boots so that I would be ready to go out after.
Conference packing: what’s in my day bag edition.
I usually spend 80% of conference time dealing with feeling bad. The mix of no sleep and lots of germs is never a good one. Here’s what I keep on me at all times: Advil, tums, bandaids, moleskin, foldable flats for when my shoes kill me, water, snacks, writing utensils and notebook, laptop, business cards, hand sanitizer, and oil blotting face sheets.
Study accessories. Stroop wafels are the best study snack because they get all melty if you put them on top of your coffee cup.
What to wear to an academic conference, pt. 4.
This year I’m presenting on the last day of the conference. These J. Crew skinnies look nice but will be comfy when I head straight to the airport. This is my last day of outfit planning for an academic conference. Real embarrassing ootd shots from the conference itself coming soon!
Shirt- Loft
Pants- J. Crew
Wedges- Nordstrom Rack, old (similar)
Bag- Thrifted (similar)
What to wear to an academic conference, pt.3. A pencil skirt can feel tooo business to me (especially when I show up to a conference and half the people there are in flannel/khakis, though I guess that’s a discipline-specific problem), but this button up is soft and casual, unlike a dress shirt, so it tones the skirt down a little.
Skirt- J. Crew
Bag- thrifted (similar)
Shirt- Madewell
Wedges- Nordstrom Rack (Similar)
Glasses- Zenni
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)
PhD in Clothes 