Guest Lecturing: yes and yes

Dearest readers, today I'm guest lecturing over at Sarah Von's lovely blog about my experience on the Camino de Santiago.  Just a little over three years ago, I packed a back pack with too much stuff and a ridiculously heavy novel, and took a train from Madrid to Leon.  I checked out Leon's magnficent cathedral, had a cafe con leche, and hopped on a bus to Astorga.  The next day I started walking.  In those ten days of walking I suffered ankle pain, but I also met some incredible people and made some incredible memories.  To read more about them, click on over to see my interview with the amazing and talented Sarah Von!

xoxo,
La Historiadora de Moda (aka ye old crone)

P.S. Right about now I'm wondering if it's harder to find acceptable housing in my new town or walk 30km a day for 10 days....

Style Perceptions Interview: Selective Potential

Although the lovely Tieka of Selective Potential just recently graduated from college (many congratulations to her on her accomplishment!),  I thought her college experience and her perceptions of the sartorial choices of her professors might still be fresh on her mind and I really wanted to get her take.  Tieka lives in Michigan with her darling husband.  As mentioned above, she's a recent graduate from a small art and design college and now works full-time at a recycling company. Her blog, Selective Potential, is a combination of personal style, her marriage, the trips and adventures she and her husband have in Michigan.. and in life.

I love Tieka's playful sense of style, and I completely covet her mint green scooter.  Her blog is just gorgeous, so I'm very happy she took the time to answer our questions.  Without further ado, here is her take.


What do you notice about what your professors/teachers are wearing?  Do you and your peers ever discuss the fashion choices of your professors?

I went to a small, private art college - so you'd see the students with such quirky fashion tastes, but the professors were actually quite conservative! One of my drawing professors, she was really into green design and building interiors that were green - so she wore very hippy-style clothing including anything recycled she could get her hands on! As for classmates and I discussing our professor's fashion choices - there wasn't much to talk about! It's simple - crisp, white shirts with crisp khakis! Surprising for an art college, but considering I was more in the graphic design and digital media classes.  

What kinds of attire do you think are appropriate for professors to wear when they're teaching? Is there anything that you really don't like to see your professors wearing?  How would you feel about a female professor wearing shorts over tights or flip flops?  How would you feel about a male professor wearing khaki shorts or gym shorts?  How would you feel about a professor wearing sweatpants or a tracksuit?

Since I'm so in love with fashion - and I did attend a quirky art college - I wouldn't at all be surprised to see a professor sporting shorts over tights or something new in the trends. But as for flip-flops, that would be strange, but probably not thought of much. As for male professors wearing khaki shorts - that would be quite normal, but gym shorts? No way. Maybe it's because I went to an art college, so we don't have any athletic teams or anything athletic about our school so sweatpants, tracksuits or gym shorts would really look strange!

Does the dress and style of your professors impact the way you respond to them, and if so how?  Do you automatically respect an instructor more if s/he is well-dressed on the first day of class?  Does an instructor's attire make him/her more approachable/less approachable? 

The dress or style might impact the way I respond - like for a night time typography class I had - she wore jeans and cute t-shirts with heels - and maybe her style, but most likely more so her personality just made the class very laid back feeling and comfortable. Some of the other professors - who dressed more seriously or took themselves more seriously - may be harder to approach. But to be honest, I've never had a professor at my college that I couldn't approach freely. Well, besides this old man who wore feathers around his neck and giant loop earrings (meanest old man on earth!) but you'd think his style would seem very interesting, but no, he was just a grumpy old man.

How would you react if you discovered that your professor was a style/fashion blogger?

I think that would be so awesome! But again - small, private art college - with a fashion club, our librarian is the most stylish lady you'd ever meet - who struts her stuff during the fashion show - so I wouldn't be surprised to see a professor (or our librarian!) with a fashion blog. I'd love it!

Thanks again to Tieka for participating in our Style Perceptions Series!  If you haven't already checked out Selective Potential, you definitely should! Congratulations again, Tieka, on your recent graduation!

Style Perceptions Interview: Quintessentially Quirky

As spring semesters wind down across campuses in the U.S., it's time for one more interview in our style perceptions series.  Today's interview is with Tess of Quintessentially Quirky.  Tess is a writer, a lover of cheese, an English major, and a lovable nerd. She is prone to making sarcastic jokes, recommending pretentious indie bands, and overanalyzing her own life - all of which she does on her blog, Quintessentially Quirky.  Tess's blog muses on university life in DC (although she will be frolicking around Scotland next year), photography, fashion, films, music, and books. She has a penchant for wearing mustard yellow, animal necklaces, and mixed patterns.

I asked Tess if she would mind answering a few questions about how she views her professors' sartorial choices when she wasn't too overwhelmed with final papers and exams.  Without further ado, here are her answers.

What do you notice about what your professors/teachers are wearing?  Do you and your peers ever discuss the fashion choices of your professors?

I am an overly observant person, so of course I notice what they are wearing. Mostly it is to take note of how ridiculous their outfits are: platform sneakers for a short professor, comically large trousers on my skinny literature professor, and the occasionally stained sweater vest on my religion professor. However every so often the younger TAs are quite stylish and openly discuss their love of Anthropologie with me. But my fellow classmates rarely recognize professorial fashion unless I point it out.

What kinds of attire do you think are appropriate for professors to wear when they're teaching? Is there anything that you really don't like to see your professors wearing?  How would you feel about a female professor wearing shorts over tights or flip flops?  How would you feel about a male professor wearing khaki shorts or gym shorts?  How would you feel about a professor wearing sweatpants or a tracksuit? 

I prefer the business casual look on professors. If a professor is literally in tweeds I blanch at the stereotype and pretentiousness. I like the nice jeans with a blazer look or khakis and an oxford on the men. Women look good in dress pants and a fun top or a well cut, but reserved dress. However casual can go too far, professors need to stay out of tracksuits, gym shorts, or shorts in general. I think the biggest goal is that you need to differentiate yourself from your students in some way. Of course, you can shop at similar stores, but I would hate to walk in and find I have the same sweater as a professor. You need to stand out as a professor, granted most college students bum out in Uggs and sweats, so it is not hard to be professorial.

In what ways do the dress and style of your professors impact the way you respond to them?  Do you automatically respect an instructor more if s/he is well-dressed?  Does an instructor's attire make him/her more approachable/less approachable?  

I rarely view wardrobe as an indicator of a good professor or not. If I have a well dressed female professor occasionally I will compliment her on her outfit, which is always fun, but clearly does not determine her teaching skill.

How would you react if you discovered that a style blogger was your professor? 

Initially I would be a little surprised, however professors in college are different than teachers in high school. I believe you are allowed to be a little more free form in university settings as far as the professor/student relationship goes. Although this has never happened to me personally, students get invited to professors' houses sometimes and I have definitely seen my professors drunk before (it was highly amusing). I appreciate the closer relationship. In college, students should be reminded professors are people too, so I guess a professor with a fashion blog would not bother me.

 Thanks so much to Tess for participating in our style perceptions series here at Fashionable Academics!  If you haven't already been reading Quintessentially Quirky, I recommend that you head over to Tess's blog right now!

Guest Lecture: Turban Fashion

Today we have a special guest lecture from a Fashionable Dutch Academic.  The "Dissertating Yogini" (as she has asked to be called for this guest post) happens to have a very particular sense of style, which is centered around her choice to wear a turban.  The Dissertating Yogini not only researches, writes, and teaches history, she also teaches yoga and has spent a fair amount of time in India and Indonesia.  At my request, she put together a wonderful post on turban style.

What do you do with your sense of fashion and style when you used to be a regular party girl, danced tango, and taught at university, and you discover yourself as a yogi, convert to Sikh Dharma (the spiritual path of the Seekers) and feel compelled to wear clothes that express this spiritual lifestyle? Yet you also still teach at university, and dance tango sometimes… Maybe this is not a question that many of you have asked yourself, because I certainly never expected that I would start asking this question. But here I am, after 30-odd years of sporting blond curly hair, I have been proudly and happily wearing my dastaar (turban) for almost a year.

 References:

Turban, 5 mtrs white cotton, 10$, India

White scarf with little pearls, 5$, India

Blouse, from a French Supermarché, 18$

Trousers, tailored in Amritsar, 5$

Bag, bough in Rishkesh, 2$

Some of us have been confronted with other reasons to wear a head cover. Several of my friends have had cancer and started wearing hats, scarves or turbans to protect or decorate their hairless head. Other women commit to wearing a headscarf for religious or cultural purposes. Since for some of us wearing a head cover is a permanent commitment - and we do not want to take it off because it does not fit with our desired outfit - we have to match our outfit with our turban or scarf. And how to do this? Can you combine a turban with a sassy skirt? Does it look weird with a suit? My own sense of style has certainly changed a lot over the past year. This is not only because of how I look with my dear turban, but also of the inner changes it has brought me.

 References:

Dress, ? , 50$ on sale

grey leggings

Black suede tango shoes with a peep toe, Comme Il Faut, 160$

The turban is a beautiful and centuries old technology, with both a symbolic and energetic effect. There are many explanations about what it means or does to wear a turban. What I have noticed myself is that I like the sort of pressure it puts on my skull – opening the intuitive quality called the ‘third eye’. I feel stronger and taller and more connected to Guru/God/Universe/Divine, other people, and my own inner wisdom when I wear it. One of my favourite symbols is the idea of wrapping my head as gift to the Guru, and luckily my gift-wrapping comes in many colours! Another interpretation is that you crown your Self by wearing a turban, and thus become a royal warrior for truth, equality and love. Sikhs have been warriors for equality and freedom for all religions and for all genders for centuries and it is an important part of Sikh Dharma. I feel that wearing my turban makes me much more aware of my behaviour and my impact on other people and the world. Do I uplift and inspire, or do I spread negativity?

 References:

Typical Indian Salwar and Kameez, tailored in Amritsar, and with trouser leg tied for the bike ride, about 15$

Shoes, Birckenstock, 40$

Turban, 5 mtrs white cotton, 10$

A recent trip to India gave me a lot of great ideas about how to combine my turban with my outfits. I saw Sikh men wearing a turban that matched with the stripes on their dress-shirts for example. And a friend in London likes to wear a turban that matches the colour of his shoes. In India I bought about 20 different turban colours, for all occasions and moods. I use about 5 meters per turban, so you can imagine what my house looks like after a turban-laundry-day… very colourful and messy for sure!
I have discovered by now that it is possible to dance tango in a turban, combine it with jeans, to wear a dress, to look stylish and formal in a skirt and cardigan, and to dress for yoga or look like a Sikh warrior if I want to. The times that I was standing desperate in front of my wardrobe because I did not know what to wear are over. I guess identity and lifestyle changes invite with wardrobe crises…Yes, my sense of style has changed, because wearing a turban with a very low-cut shirt does just not feel right to me. I mean a Queen just doesn’t show her boobs to the world, does she ☺? At the same time I have become much more creative with clothes and colours, wearing things I would have never worn before my turban. In the end I just feel freer than I did before. I still enjoy beautiful clothes, and shopping, and looking good, but at the same time the feeling I have inside has become so much stronger and more important, that the clothes I wear just matter less.

 References:

Cardigan, black wool with white beading, brand is called midnight, 100$

White tshirt, Livera, 20$

Skirt, ?, 120$

Tights ? (I was not too happy with how those tights turned out, I think I will go for black ones the next time!)

Shiny black shoes, H&M, 30$

But back to you now: have you ever felt like you had to radically adjust your outfits for one reason or another (internal or external changes)? And how did this influence you and your sense of style? Would you wear clothing or a head cover for religious or spiritual reasons? And would you wear a turban for fashion sense? Because this has become quite the runway style it seems! Check this out!

 Source

I am curious to hear from you!

Thanks so much to the Dissertating Yogini for guest lecturing here for us at Fashionable Academics!  We would all love to hear your anwers to her questions for discussion.

Guest Lecture: I Love My Hair

Today we have a special guest lecture on the topic of hair from Nicole of Don't Oppress My Ovaries, a woman of color's blog guide for navigating through travel, pop culture, and oppression in its modern forms.  Usually Nicole blogs about intersections of pop culture, media, and race, but I when I asked her to guest lecture, she asked to write about her hair.  As I am a great admirer of Nicole's hair, I insisted that she do so. Without further ado, here is her post!

I love my hair.

But not in that creepy America’s Next Top Model “don’t cut my hair! it’s the only thing that makes me beautiful” kinda way.

Moreso because every now and then I just like to play with hair. 

Sue me!

But even more than I like to play in hair, I really just like to do my hair and not have to think about it for days/weeks at a time.

About 7 years ago I went natural (stopped chemically straightening my hair for those NOT in the know).

When I told people what I was thinking about doing everyone gasped “Ahhhh” and shot me pained looks. “Are you serious!?”

Yes. I was serious. And it was the best hair-decision I ever made!

Granted, the transition was rough.

Some people decide to cut off all of the processed hair and let it grow back.

I am not that brave. (I’m certain that I have an awkward shaped head!)

Instead I let it grow and cut off the straight hair just a few inches at a time.

It took about a year to complete.

And now I’m learning what my hair likes (LOTS of conditioner and moisturizer) and what it doesn’t like (HEAT).

And slowly but surely it’s doing what I want (LOOKING GOOD AND HEALTHY).

As a woman in the classroom I am of the type who plays with my hair. Not in the airhead “lemme twirl my hair around my finger while I talk ‘cause I’m just a lil’ bit dim” sorta way. No I like to think I’m more of a fidgeter and my hands must move when 30 undergrads are staring at met trying to compel me to overlook the fact that they obviously haven’t done the reading.

So, if I’m going to draw so much attention to my hair I might as well make sure that it’s looking right.

For me, the most important decision I make for my hair is products. If I’m not very careful I will end up using a product that dries out my hair and then it will all break off, which is tragic since most Black women have dry hair to begin with. So I, and other Black women I know, usually shop around for a few products that get the job done. At the moment I’m using two lines at two price points.*


At the higher end of my budget, I use handmade, organic products made specifically for Black women’s hair types from Oyin Handmade.

My absolute favorite product by Oyin is their Honey Hemp Conditioner. This conditioner is a little piece of heaven on my head!

The sign of good natural hair products is versatility and the Honey Hemp Conditioner can be used as a traditional conditioner or a leave-in.  It also smells like citrus-y candy!

I would recommend this to anyone with dry or curly hair.

On the lower end of the spectrum I’ve just started using Pantene Pro-V’s new Relaxed and Natural line for women of color. While their Intensive Moisture conditioner was amazing (and my hair was ridiculously soft afterwards) their Daily Oil Cream Moisturizer stole the show.

I use a lot of moisturizer when I style my hair (to prevent breakage) and usually within a day or two my hair has dried out (almost) completely. But I used the Oil Cream Moisturizer about a week ago to twist my hair and it is STILL (STILL!) soft and hydrated. For $3.99 at Target you CANNOT beat that.

Spring is on the way (or here, whatever) and these twists have become my warm weather mainstay.

This hairstyle is cute, versatile and, after the 6-hour session to style, requires almost no maintenance whatsoever. (When it gets dry I spray in some leave-in conditioner and/or throw in some moisturizer and that’s it.)

What’s your spring hair-situation?

Thanks so much to Nicole for guest lecturing today about hair styling and products!

*Fashionable Academics was not compensated in any way for reviewing these products.  Guest Lecturer Nicole uses and recommends them independently.

Style Perceptions Interview: The Fabulosity Factor

Our style perceptions series continues today with an interview with the vivacious Indy of The Fabulosity Factor.  Indy is a sophomore in college in the University of Wisconsin system.  She is planning on majoring in criminal justice.  Indy enjoys getting dressed in the morning, and her blog is the result of that.  In her words, "I love to read and play outside, but most of all, I love to learn.  I hope to one day change the world!"  

I love Indy's spirit and sense of play so I asked her a few questions about how she perceives the style of her professors.


What do you notice about what your professors/teachers are wearing?  Do you and your peers ever discuss the fashion choices of your professors?
I usually only notice if they are wearing anything out of the ordinary.  I have one female professor that dresses particularly bad and I notice that.  I also used to have one of my band teachers that was so fashion savvy and wore the sweetest heels every day.  That I noticed.

What kinds of attire do you think professors ought to wear when they're teaching? Is there anything that you really don't like to see your professors wearing?  How would you feel about a professor wearing sweatpants or a tracksuit?  How would you feel about a female professor wearing shorts over tights?

I would just like them to look like they tried.  Sweatpants and tracksuits may be pushing it, but I'd like to see a fashion-friendly prof, as long as it's appropriate.

In what ways do the dress and style of your professors impact the way you respond to them?  Do you automatically respect an instructor more if s/he is well-dressed?  Does an instructor's attire make him/her more approachable/less approachable? 

I don't think the clothing influences me in that way.  I'll approach a teacher whether or not he/she is wearing a suit or a tracksuit.

How would you react if you discovered that a style blogger was your professor?

I would follow them, but probably not make a big deal out of it so they wouldn't get embarrassed and feel like they had to edit what they post in anyway because a student was observing their blog.

Thanks so much to Indy for taking part in this series!  If you haven't yet, you should check out her blog.  She is the absolute master of jumping in her outfit shots

Style Perceptions Interview: Toast with Charmalade

Today our style perceptions series continues with the lovely blogger Charmalade of Toast with Charmalade.  She says that in spite of "the title 'Toast with Charmalade,' my blog doesn't have a lot to do with toast. Don't get me wrong, toast is delicious in its crunchy golden warm goodness. But my blog is a place where fashion, music, art, design, and other random bits of culture floating around the internet find each other in what I hope to be deemed as harmony (to quote the immortal words from Princess Bride, it's a "mawwiage that bwings them togethah"). Though this blog started late this December, I've been awed and inspired by a wide array of fashion bloggers for the past year or so. And like so many others before and after me, I finally decided to bite the bullet and set forth with my own little perspective."  She takes inspiration from the blogging community and tries to be authentic if not unique.  Charmalade remarks that blogging perspective is like a "Jean-Luc Godard quote my friend showed me: "It's not where you take things from-- it's where you take them to." My blog is a place where a certain dorky design student from a small college town in Midwest America can feel both glamorous and silly while geeking out to fashion and Lady Gaga. I hope that other bloggers and readers can share in the fun too."  

So, without further ado, here is Charmalade's take on the professartorial.

What do you notice about what your professors/teachers are wearing?  Do you and your peers ever discuss the fashion choices of your professors?
To be quite honest, I don't usually take keen notice of what my professors are wearing, unless it's anything particularly off the typical radar. I think that what the instructor wears is half the deal; the other half is presence. A professor could be wearing a crisp three-piece suit and tie, but if he mumbles and shuffles around, then I won't pay attention. Though admittedly, there aren't many mumbling, shuffling men in three-piece suits. As for discussion, the only time my classmates and I have talked about our professor's wardrobe is when my literature professor walked in with a Droopy tie. That was pretty cool, I can't lie. 

What kinds of attire do you think are appropriate for professors to wear when they're teaching? Is there anything that you really don't like to see your professors wearing?  How would you feel about a female professor wearing shorts over tights?  How would you feel about a professor wearing sweatpants or a tracksuit? 
I definitely think Indiana Jones got it right with the tweed suit with elbow pads. In all honesty, I think most people are in agreement that the professors should take time to at least dress up business casual. Though I had this one professor who seemed to have a whole wardrobe full of tight t-shirts reminiscent of Dr. Cox from Scrubs (admittedly, I didn't mind too much...) As for shorts over tights for female professors, I think that I would be taken aback a bit. I'd think that that type of casual outfit would be more fitting for a TA, but I'd give kudos for her style. When I think sweatpants and tracksuits, I think gold jewelry and hairy mustaches-- then I'm out the door. Only figuratively, because I wouldn't want to fail that class.

In what ways do the dress and style of your professors impact the way you respond to them?  Do you automatically respect an instructor more if s/he is well-dressed?  Does an instructor's attire make him/her more approachable/less approachable?   
I think it's a subconscious trigger in the mind that you'd feel more comfortable or feel like you can relate to an instructor if he or she dresses in a similar style as you. This doesn't always translate into respect, but then again, that's where presence would play a part. However, I don't think that dressing well and approachability are always correlated; there was this one instructor who I thought had a really great, chic style, but I was still a little intimidated by her because I wasn't doing so great in the class. It all depends.

How would you react if you discovered that a style blogger was your professor?  
If he/she's (most likely she) a style blogger that I follow, then I would start fangirling the minute I walked in the room! My mind would probably run along the lines of "omgomgomgomgomgnoway." Any friend of mine who'd be unfortunate enough to be in my class would never hear the end of it. I would scheme various plans how to get an autograph, a picture, etc. but I'd probably end up shyly going up after class and gushing in so many words about how I admire the blogger-turned-professor's style and aesthetic. Oh, the shame.

A big thank you to Charmalade for participating in this series!  If you haven't checked out Toast with Charmalade, you should!  

Style Perceptions Interview: Dizzy Miss Lissy

Our style perceptions interview today is with Alyssa of Dizzy Miss Lissy.  Alyssa is a Creative Writing major at the University of Puget Sound, where she absolutely loves going to school.  She likes to think of herself as an artist, but feels that's a rather lofty term.  In her words she just loves "writing words, music, and painting, pictures." Her fashion blog is quite new - she started it in December of 2009.  Since she had been into blogging and reading other blogs for the past few years, Dizzy Miss Lissy, allowed her to combine her obsession with fashion, how much fun she has putting outfits together, and her passion for writing.  

So without further ado, let's see how Alyssa perceives the sartorial choices of her professors. 

What do you notice about what your professors/teachers are wearing?  Do you and your peers ever discuss the fashion choices of your professors?

Being a bit fashion-obsessed, I tend to notice every little thing about my professor's outfit! I notice whether or not the clothes fit right, which I feel is the absolute most important thing to start out with. Does it appear they've gained weight and are trying to fit into something too tight? Is that blouse they're wearing too clingy? Etc. I also always notice if there's a certain thing they consistently wear, such as an interesting necklace or a bracelet. I'm always curious of the significance! 

As to the second question--yes! My peers and I definitely discuss the fashion choices of our professors, but usually it's only if the professor is especially well-dressed or if they are needing a serious change in their wardrobe.

What kinds of attire do you think are appropriate for professors to wear when they're teaching? Is there anything that you really don't like to see your professors wearing?  How would you feel about a female professor wearing shorts over tights or a male professor wearing board shorts to teach in this winter/spring?

This is actually a rather hard question to answer. My mom is a teacher, and I've grown up with her occasionally complaining about how casual some teachers dress, as in jeans are not okay unless it's casual Friday! But I'm actually totally okay with professors showing up to class in a nice pair of jeans and more casual (but nice) attire. I think a good rule of thumb for professors to think about is: Would you be okay if the President of your school came into your class on any given day and saw what you were wearing?

Also, I really do not want to see any of my professors wearing clothing that is too revealing. Please, no tummies hanging out and no cleavage! But these things are obvious. However, something that is not so obvious... well, I hate to bring it up, but female teachers: Your students will always notice if... let's say... it's a bit cold out and your bra doesn't have enough padding!

I would definitely be okay with a female professor wearing a nicer pair of shorts over tights to class, but I do not think it's appropriate for a male professor to wear board shorts to class... unless of course you're on a field trip to the beach!

In what ways do the dress and style of your professors/teachers impact the way you respond to them?  Do you automatically respect an instructor more if s/he is well-dressed?  Does an instructor's attire make him/her more approachable/less approachable? 

In my experience, a professor can come to class dressed fairly casually in a nice pair of jeans or slacks and a sweater all semester and I can still have just as must respect for them as a professor that dressed in professional skirts and blouses all semester. It seems that a better-dressed professor would command more respect, but in my personal experience this has not been true! The way I respond to, how much I respect, and how approachable a professor is to me is dependent on their personality and teaching style.
 

How would you react if you discovered that a style blogger was your professor?

I would be really, really excited and would want to find their blog right away! I would also definitely want to talk to them about it, but would probably be shy to. :)

Thanks so much to Alyssa for participating in our style perceptions series!  If you haven't yet visited her blog, Dizzy Miss Lissy, I suggest you check it out right now. 

Style Perceptions Interview: jennifhsieh

Today's interview in our style perceptions series is with the lovely Jen of jennifhsieh.  Jen is nineteen and lives in New Jersey, where she currently attends Rutgers University as a Marketing major.  She has always had a love for fashion, which grew from her love of sketching people. Besides fashion, she also loves music and has been playing the violin since the age of 5. Her other -- and her most expensive -- hobby is photography. She says she is "still an amateur but I love it to death (my mom can't get over how many cameras I've accumulated over the past few years - maybe 7 or 8?)."  Jen started fashion blogging during Summer 2009 with a friend. Eventually, her friend became too busy to blog and so she created her own fashion blog in December. In her words, "it's my way of expressing myself (and also my way to procrastinate). I've met so many wonderful people and been given so many amazing opportunities through my site."

So, let's get her take on professartorialism.

What do you notice about what your professors/teachers are wearing? 

A lot of my teachers wear formal attire, especially since I'm taking a lot of business classes. I usually see ties, button down shirts, slacks, and dark colors. Many of my other teachers, however, wear nice trousers with a rather casual top (this seems to be the most common). Then finally, most of my T.A.s dress casually. 

What kinds of attire do you think are appropriate for professors to wear when they're teaching? Is there anything that you really don't like to see your professors wearing?

Most of my professors will wear casually formal attire. Although it's a professional atmosphere, it is refreshing at times to see your professor in laid-back, casual clothing. I'm not talking about sweats or ripped clothing, but I think that jeans are definitely acceptable. I remember back in my high school and middle school the teachers were not allowed to wear jeans.

In what ways do the dress and style of your professors/teachers impact the way you respond to them?  Do you automatically respect an instructor more if s/he is well-dressed?  Does an instructor's attire make him/her more approachable/less approachable? 

The way my professor dresses definitely makes an impact on how I respond to their teaching. When he or she puts effort into their appearance by dressing nicely for class it shows a level of respect for his or her students and also gives the impression that they care about how we view them. In return, I find that most students respect their professors a lot more if they dress well. A professor who comes to class in sweats or old t-shirts usually are made fun of and therefore less respected. Also, if a professor is dressed a little more casually he or she seems more relatable and it's, therefore, a little bit easier to approach them with any questions or problems.

How would you react on the first day of a class if you discovered that a fashion blogger was your professor?

I would be amazed and I'd probably visit her blog right away for brownie points (only kidding - sorta ;)) But seriously, that'd be awesome sharing a common interest with my professor. It'd be great to know that my professor has outside interests and it would add a lot more personality to his or her character. I usually only know my professors in an academic environment.

Thanks so much to Jen for letting us interview her!  Check out her amazing photos and fantastic outfits at her great blog, jennifhsieh!

Guest Lecturing: City Chic Madrid

I'm guest lecturing today over at The Glamourous Grad Student on Madrid.  It's my European home, and it will always have a special place in my heart.  Please go check it out, and if you haven't already been reading A.'s blog, do so!  She is a darling and super smart.

One of the reasons that I miss Madrid so much is that I made such amazing friends there.  My friend C., who is a very smart economist, and I would get together for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and  just laugh and laugh -- or make insane plans to go to Italy for nine days and actually follow through on them.  My Spanish got about a million times better because of my friendship with him.

We would also completely unintentionally do things like wear a shirt and hat that matched each other.

But enough nostalgia.... Go read my piece for the city chic series!

Style Perceptions Interview: A Dress & A Bike

Last week, we at Fashionable Academics featured our first style perceptions interview with Elaine of clothed much.  Today, I would like to introduce you to Dawn, an Irish blogger and student.  She blogs at A Dress & A Bike.  Dawn recently finished her undergraduate work in Politics and Sociology, and is now studying for a Masters in Politics.  She is focusing on the issues of International Development and Conflict.  Dawn is also a mountain biker, a hobby which clashes nicely with the pretty dresses in her wardrobe- hence the name of her blog, A Dress & A Bike.  She began blogging to help develop and refine her style, and to contribute to the discussion of style which she admired from many bloggers.  In her words, "as a feminist, ex-tom boy and then-sociology student, it seemed that blogging was one way in which the norms and values surrounding fashion, style, femininity and 'womanhood' could be negotiated, critiqued and re-written to suit the individual woman rather than the industry of fashion. It also looked like a really enjoyable hobby!"  

I asked her similar questions to those I asked Elaine to get Dawn's take on how she perceived her professors and how their style might have impacted those perceptions. 

What do you notice about what your professors/teachers are wearing?

The first thing I notice about everyone is the condition of their clothes. It doesn't matter whether you don't care about fashion at all or are a die-hard fashionista, there is no excuse for not ironing a shirt or forgetting to wash a pair of stained pants. While I love the battered look of the traditional academic outfit, there is a major difference between a piece of clothing having an interesting background story mixed with lots of love and a threadbare, worn-out sad garment. 

What kinds of attire do you think are appropriate for professors to wear when they're teaching? Is there anything that you really don't like to see your professors wearing? 

Personally, I think that as long as they manage to look smarter and older than the majority of students they are teaching, most teaching outfits are generally fine. At university level (or maybe it's just my background), there is no need for a professor to have to dress authoritatively in order to make a good impression. Obviously for younger teaching assistants, this is a greater issue as they frequently teach students the same age or only a few years younger than them. Just as long as the fatal jeans/ UGG boots & hoodie combination is avoided, most teachers and professors will be appropriate for the classroom. 

In what ways do the dress and style of your professors/teachers impact the way you respond to them? Do you automatically respect an instructor more if s/he is well-dressed? Does an instructor's attire make him/her more approachable/less approachable?

I don't think I respect a lecturer more for their appearance but if a professor/ lecturer/ teacher is well-dressed, I would privately admire their style. For me, attitude and personality rather than appearance affects approachability, but the two facets are probably intertwined in how approachability is perceived. It does take time and effort to be stylish and well-dressed, particularly as they are defined by certain norms and values in society which often are rejected by certain faculties within the academy, but it really isn't difficult to look neat. The association of being well-dressed with respect is also turned on its head within academia so, having acknowledged that factor, it can also be seen that many academics do dress down in order to be seen as serious and focused on their research and teaching. 

How would you react on the first day of a class if you discovered that a fashion blogger was your professor?

Very very excited but a little bit nervous!

Thanks so much to Dawn for letting me interview her.  We wish her the best of luck as she begins her Masters program!  If you've haven't already been reading A Dress & A Bike, I suggest you check it out right now!

Style Perceptions Interview: clothed much

Yesterday I mentioned that students really notice what we wear in the classroom.  To help understand how personal style impacts our students' reactions I interviewed Elaine, who blogs at clothed much, and is in her final semester of study as a Political Science major at the University of Utah. Elaine is originally from Philadelphia, but now lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She likes to spend time with her husband, friends, and family.  She also loves trying new foods and creating new outfits.  Elaine started her blog last May because she had been reading fashion blogs and "realized a lot of fashion bloggers basically dressed the same and seem to spend a lot more money than they should on their clothes." She wanted "to show the blog world that you don't have to have designer name brands and lots of money to have great style!"  I think Elaine has more than accomplished her goal!  

I asked Elaine several questions about how she perceived the style of her instructors and without further ado here are her answers.



What do you notice about what your professors are wearing?
I notice everything! I am a very observant person. I especially like to see what kind of shoes my teachers wear. I know most teachers are about practicality and functionality so it's fun to see what their personal preferences are.

What kinds of attire do you think are appropriate for professors to wear when they're teaching? Is there anything that you really don't like to see your professors wearing?
I don't like seeing very casual wear. It makes it hard for me to take them seriously. I would like professors to be one level dressier than the students. It doesn't have to be a shirt and tie and a dress but there's something about dressing that way that exudes a form of authority and self-respect. I definitely don't ever want to see professors wearing white socks with sporty sandals!! Two of my professors last term did that and it made me cringe every time I saw it!

In what ways do the dress and style of your professors impact the way you respond to them? Do you automatically respect an instructor more if s/he is well-dressed?  Does an instructor's attire make him/her more approachable/less approachable?
In my last response, I mentioned that dressing up gives them a sense of authority and self-respect. This is from a first-hand experience! One of my teachers was guilty of the sandals-with-socks. He often wore chinos with a casual shirt. I found I didn't pay that much attention in class and wasn't intrigued by his teaching or the subject. Once it got colder, he dressed up more. He wore dress shoes, a dress shirt, and a sweater. Just that simple change made me see him as more authoritative and I respected him more for that. As for approachability to me, a casually dressed teacher would be more approachable as a peer-to-peer way but a well-dressed teacher would be approached as an authoritative figure.

You read a number of fashion blogs.  How would you react on the first day of class if you discovered that a fashion blogger was your professor or section instructor?
That would be so fun! I would enjoy coming to class just to see what my professor is wearing! It would be great if a few pointers were added into the lessons too ;).

Thanks so much to Elaine for giving us her take on these professartorial issues.  If you haven't ever checked out her blog, you should give it a read!

Guest Lecturing at What Would a Nerd Wear

This morning I am guest lecturing at What Would a Nerd Wear about job interview attire for the fashionable academic on the job market.  If you aren't already reading T.'s blog, you should be.  She is sweet, smart, and stylish and has some amazing scarves!  Check out her Winter Style Project series for some ideas about how to stay warm and still look chic.

Guest Lecture: Winter Stylings From a Former West-Coaster

I'm thrilled to introduce today's Guest Lecturer (Blogger) the lovely author of What Would a Nerd Wear.  She is a bike-riding bookworm trying to make better (and more creative) use of a sometimes-vanilla closet. The blogger is a West Coast-born nerd trying to stay stylish in a doctoral program in the Midwest.  And today she is giving us some of her fantastic tips on how to dress like a grown-up in the cold when you are from ever-casual California.

I grew up and went to college on the west coast, where my uniform for about twenty years was jersey dresses with leggings (plus a sweater in the "winter", minus the leggings in the summer). Needless to say, moving to the midwest and starting graduate school was a shock to the system, especially a system accustomed to perpetual 65-degrees-and-sunshine weather. It was not just winter that threw me for a loop, but the whole business of dressing like an adult, one expected to teach other college students, meet with renowned professors, and not show too much leg to colleagues. I had a few faux pas early on (a too-short skirt for teaching, trying to go out in the winter without mittens, and a near-fatal snowstorm in which I was wearing Birkenstock sandals...whoops!). Along the way, I've picked up a few tips to look like an adult and not freeze to death while you're in grad school in the midwest:

1. For the love of God, get a good coat.

A good coat is the central piece of a stylish winter wardrobe. Colleagues see your outerwear first and most often in the winter, because you're almost always wearing it. It almost doesn't matter what old sorority or band tee shirt you have under your sweater under your coat because no one will see it when it's below freezing. A good coat also keeps you warm in the inhospitable temperatures of middle America. By the spring of my first year in grad school, I'd managed to snag a thinsulate-lined, camel-colored, wool cashmere coat for under $100.  How did I do it? I waited until April, when all the coats you coveted in December are a quarter of their original price.



2. Learn to layer.

Keep wearing your jersey dresses, well into the winter. Just layer them with tights, boots, and sweaters. You can even wear jersey dresses over jeans in the winter--I like to layer shorter dresses as vests over long-sleeved thermal tees and jeans. I love layering dresses over button-ups or turtlenecks for teaching.

I also think a few light layers keeps one warmer than big bulky layers. I layering a long tank and a turtleneck under a button-up; or a tank, a flannel shirt, and a cashmere sweater; or two thermals under a zip-up with the hood out over a bulky sweater (I can't get over loving a bright hood peeking out from a sweater or coat).

Speaking of layers: wintersilks (or any other thin silk long underwear) have saved me from frostbite many a cold morning and they don't add any bulk under trousers or sweaters.

3. Get your hands on some beautiful scarves.

A few brightly-colored or patterned scarves spruce up even the plainest outfit (I personally find a white tee and jeans an unbeatable combo), make your winter coat feel fresh, keep you warm in the snow, and are eminently stylish. I have picked up about two dozen scarves over the years, many of them cheaply--on the streets in Europe when I was nineteen; as gifts or hand-me-downs from friends; from Target or Old Navy or H&M on the cheap; and if you really want to splurge, the triple-layered, heavenly-soft pashminas from the pashmina store online.

4. Learn to love tights.

As a California girl, I just can't give up my dresses, so I wear tights through the winter. Sometimes I layer two pairs together, but I find that thicker tights--most stores sell sweater-knit tights or wool tights--with good boots hiding an extra pair of socks will keep you toasty and chic-looking all winter long. Bright colored tights and bright colored scarves together will liven up an outfit, keep you warm, and keep you looking professional and put together (as the Fashionable Academics know well)!

The biggest piece of advice I have is to keep the "essence" of your style, no matter what climate or profession you find yourself in. If you're moving to warmer climates, invest in lighter versions of the pieces you already love (cotton for wool; spandex tights for ribbed ones; flats for flat boots). If you're moving to colder climates, keep wearing your jersey dresses and bright colors--you'll stand out in a sea of winter black and navy. If you feel like yourself, you feel confident, and (to regurgitate an oft-repeated but oh-so-wise cliche) confidence is truly at the heart of any stylish ensemble.

Thanks so much to What a Nerd Would Wear for guest lecturing today!  If you haven't already done so, you should pay her fantastic blog a visit.  We would also love to hear from you, so add your tips for winterizing your wardrobe!  Have you moved to a different region for college, grad school, or a job?  How did you translate your personal style?  

Guest Post on The Glamorous Grad Student

The lovely and talented A. of The Glamorous Grad Student has a fabulous blog, which includes a series called City Chic.  I'm thrilled that she let me contribute to it.  Go check out my piece on Columbus!  If you haven't checked out her blog, it is well-worth reading.  In fact, it is one of my favorites!  She has a lovely sense of personal style and a wonderful writing style.  I really enjoyed her recent piece on breaking down Audrey Hepburn's style and how to translate it to find pieces of clothing that will look great on you.

Happy (cyber) Monday!