Tag: business casual

How to dress as a new graduate instructor

Q & A: What do I wear to teach or TA as a graduate student?

This was my first question when I was admitted to a Masters program–how fancy do I need to get? A few business casual items can go a long way toward building your teaching wardrobe. Some to start with:

Dress pants

3-5 button up shirts (polka dot, maroon, buffalo checked)

Comfortable shoes! (Flats, oxfords)

A nice cardigan (thrifted, here’s a good one), and a blazer

I basically mix these items in with my casual tees, dresses, and jeans for teaching purposes.

What to wear to academic conferences

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 academic conferences

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

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)

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!)