PhD in Clothes

End of the semester outfits!

Hello from the end of the semester, where I am dressing for comfort and comfort only! If you see me in ponte pants 12 times, no you didn’t! Here is what I have been wearing to give some exams, grade, and have a bunch of last minute meetings!

A search for festive, flat holiday shoes

I posted to Instagram this week asking for help finding a shoe I can wear to holiday parties. My requirements are pretty annoying: I don’t like to wear heels, but I still want something shiny or sparkly that feels festive. Thankfully, you all delivered on great suggestions, so I thought I would round them up here for anyone else looking!

Conference packing: Winter in the south

I’m packing for my annual conference! This year, it’s in New Orleans, so the weather should be fairly temperate for winter, but with some rainy days and humidity. So, what to pack for the annual academic conference? Here are some outfits I have considered!

The realistic, comfy, walkable business casual shoe round up for 2022

With the state of technology in the world you think we would have solved comfortable and stylish women’s shoes by now, but it appears we have not. Is it too much to ask that I want support, a low or no-heel style, and something that looks professional, all while being age-appropriate for a 20- or 30- something? Apparently so. But here’s what I’ve got that I endorse for your office and conference wear in 2022.

My fall/winter closet updates of 2022

Sometimes the season changes without incident. Other times, I have a full closet crisis. This year I’m dealing with the latter–just a struggle to get dressed, some obvious closet holes, and a feeling that a few items no longer suit me. So, I’ve made some closet updates this fall! Here’s what I’ve bought and what I’m still looking for.

How I made my 5 year career plan

I posted recently that I was making an updated 5-year career plan and several people asked if I could share my process, so today I am doing just that, and reflecting on how I feel after making one!

Help us find tops to wear under a suit!

Finding the right shirt to wear under a blazer or suit can be tricky, and was a source of stress when I was on the academic job market. A reader recently requested I do an updated round up–just in time for conference and interview season! Here are a few women’s tops that are perfectly unfussy under a blazer, and I would love to hear your recommendations!

What’s in my work bag!

What do you bring to work every day? Here’s what I bring with me to campus on teaching days, if you are ever wondering what to pack for grad school or professor life!

Do you ever do a dress rehearsal?

The other day on Instagram I asked if anyone else gets seasonal amnesia–meaning you totally forget what to wear when the weather changes, even though surely it’s been 60 degrees at some other point in your life before this and you managed to get dressed then. I decided to try something new this season and tried on all my fall outfits at once, just as a refresher. Here’s what I came up with.