Back to school shopping for grad students and professors continues: Target try-ons!

Welcome back to back-to-school shopping for college teachers! When I was shopping for teaching clothes as a new grad student, I also lived in a very small town. This made it hard to find things secondhand and meant we didn’t have most name-brand stores. One store we did have, however, was Target! Target has some decent work clothing if you’re willing to dig around a bit. Here’s what I tried on and how I would style it to go back to school as a new college teacher.

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Tips for back-to-school shopping for teaching clothes + Old Navy try ons

It’s the month before school starts and you’re a new professor or TA: what are you going to wear? I remember so clearly freaking out over this question right after I moved to start my masters degree. I didn’t know what to buy before grad school and I really wished there was a teaching clothes shopping list that could solve this for me. So today I thought we could go on a mall trip and try a few things on to make some new teacher outfits!

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Round up: Not-so-basic basics

I’m someone who loves a checklist, so when I see a “how to build a capsule wardrobe” infographic I’m all-in. This is how I ended up with too many basics. But I still love a closet staple, I just want it to be slightly more interesting these days. Here are some interesting basics I’ve seen lately and where I find them!

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The workout tank I own in 5 colors is now $20

Hi friends. I don’t think I’ve ever posted about a single item before, but I own this cami with a built-in bra in 5 colors because it’s seriously that good. I wear it for pretty much all my weight lifting, yoga, and hiking. When all 5 of them are in the wash, I get cranky, so yes, I did just go back for more colors.

The Perform Cami Atlantic – Everlane

I own both the cami and tank versions. I would say they’re true to your typical women’s t-shirt size–I wear a size M and find them perfect (even with a 34F bust). When in doubt I would pick the smaller of 2 sizes (I have one tank in a size L and it’s loose in the straps). They’re cropped to the belly button on me (so possibly a bit longer if you’re not tall).

Consider this your PSA if you need some new workout gear 🙂

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Professional Bags for Graduate School: 2022 edition

I have never met a purse, or tote, or backpack I didn’t like, so when people ask me “what kind of bag should I carry as a grad student?” I tend to have Opinions. Picking the right bag in grad school can also feel a little stressful: you carry a lot of books and snacks. You don’t want to be mistaken for a student (I remember so distinctly wondering if grad students wear backpacks??). And you need a bag that is high quality enough to survive multiple years of wear and tear but still affordable. Here are some options if you’re looking for a teaching or school bag this year!

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My quest to get better at summer clothes

One of my style goals this year is to embrace summer clothes. I feel like I hear from plenty of friends who agree with me that fall dressing is best–the layers make it easy to feel fashionable! But summer? It’s hard to get more creative than a tank top and shorts when it’s 100 degrees out. And yet, I now live somewhere where summer stays for 5 months of the year. So let’s think of warmer temperatures today and do some virtual shopping together!

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Screen tees that aren’t embarrassing

Oh the screen tee. I have pinned dozens of them. I want to look edgy-chic and pair one with a blazer for the office. I want to look effortless with cut offs and sneakers on the weekends. And YET. My friends. Why are there so many t shirts with strange sayings on them? Why do I have such a complex about what those words are? Here is a round up of screen tees that I would not be embarrassed to wear. The list is small!

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Do you buy yourself a birthday present?

On a ten point scale of the enjoyment adulthood provides, I would give a 1 to having to schedule my own doctor’s appointments and a 3 to paying my AC bill in August. But I have to give a solid 10 to my favorite thing I’ve done the past couple years: buying my own birthday present. Is it vain, selfish, silly? Maybe. It’s also delightful. There are no rules for adult birthdays (except that the stress of planning a birthday usually outweighs the fun of having one) so why not buy your own present?!? Here are the self-birthday presents I considered this year, just for fun.

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How I find my dream closet shopping on Poshmark

How I find the best deals on Poshmark

The title might feel a little dramatic, but up until about 2 years ago, I was buying the closet I could afford–things on sale from big stores–and not the closet I actually wanted, full of fun, interesting, and slightly more expensive items. I had a huge hypothetical wishlist and no way to purchase any of it on my extreme student budget. Then I found Poshmark–where you can buy stuff directly from other people. I had a lot of questions at first, namely, “is this legit?” and “how do I find the things I want?” and it sounds like some blog readers have those questions, too! Here are all my tips for shopping on Poshmark, scoring great deals and discounts, and avoiding scams.

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