shopping – Page 2 – PhD in Clothes

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

What’s on your back to school list?

The office is calling! In person classes are calling! What are you going to wear?

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!

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!

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.

How I find my dream closet shopping 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.