Last (Day) Look

For my last day with my students I fought back the urge to go more casual and, instead, wore my favorite jacket. Besides the fact that I love the polka dots, the asymmetrical yellow buttons, the 3/4 sleeves, I love the fit of this jacket. If you are petite, as I am, jackets and blazers must come in a petite size. Don't even think about trying out a regular sized jacket unless, maybe (and this fails 50% of the time also), it's either from a more youthful oriented line/store (Urban Outfitters/Delias) or from European/UK brand (Top Shop, Oasis, and Monsoon tend to be cut narrower in the shoulders).

jacket - Ett Twa/Anthro * cami - Banana Republic
trousers - Talbots (remixed) * socks - GAP * maryjanes - New York & Co. (remixed)
scarf - Santiago, Spain (remixed) * earrings - gifted

You may also notice my awesomely glossy hair. I saw my stylist again last week. Back in September when I first started blogging at FA I discussed my hair and my anxiety that my long and wavy hair was not appropriate for the classroom given my youthful appearance. Commentators urged me not to cut for the classroom. I went to my stylist and told her I wanted to keep in long (I had contemplated cutting off 4-6 inches) but tidy. I'm grateful I did this, especially because I'm happy with the length right now and will continue to grow it longer. On days when I felt that my hair was too carefree for the classroom I simply put it up or dressed more professionally. What I learned: If anything didn't go the way it should in my classroom, it was not because of my hair. My hair is awesome.

13/30: Substitutions and Other Infractions

As I mentioned a few days ago, when I began the 30x30 the unseasonably warm weather had lulled me into a false sense of security.  While I was in San Antonio the temperature dropped significantly, it snowed, and has continued to be cold, misty, icy, and more wintry precipitation is on its way this week.  I decided to sub in a few warmer items for items that I had not yet worn.

Substitution 1. Turquoise 90 WPM Dress - Shabby Apple Black Pants - New York & Co.
Substitution 2. Grey Dress - Target - Melon Ruffle Cardi - New York & Co.
Substitution 3. Purple Moccasins - Me Too Duck Boots - Ugg

30x30 Items: Sub 1. Black Pants - New York & Co. + 15. White Button Down - Zoe D. + Sub 2. Melon Ruffle Cardi - New York & Co. + 30. Grey Slouchy Boots - Steve Madden

I wore this outfit last week.  This is about as casual as I go in the classroom these days, and unfortunately, the fact that several of my students had done the day's reading - a whopping six pages - reminded me of why that is.  As A-Dubs and Rad have both mentioned, this is the part of the term when students tend to be the most burnt out, stressed out, and the most likely to engage in disruptive or inconsiderate behavior.  While some students might not consider failing to have done the reading particularly disruptive, when a third of the class is absent and/or hasn't done the reading, it does not create an environment conducive to productive discussion and learning.  And in my classroom that often leads to a quiz.

How do you deal with this part of the semester when motivation is low and burn out is high (for students and faculty alike)? American academics, are you looking forward to this Thanksgiving break as much as I am?  Have any of you who are doing 30x30 swapped out items because of the weather?

When Narcissism* Improves Pedgagogy

The course I'm teaching is a proper seminar: reading, discussion, and individual projects. And on the discussion end my students are seriously bringing it to the classroom! We have our desks in a circle--something they requested--and when definitive ideas are generated I do tend to write them on the chalkboard in categories. Great! The problem is that there is another class immediately after mine so I never have enough time to take down notes on what we've discussed and defined.

1. Pewter Trench - Ann Taylor Loft
Dress - Moth/Anthro (Ebayed)
Boots - Ann Taylor Loft
Scarf - World Market
Bag - Accessorize (remixed)

And then, as a good Thinker, I had a eureka moment: Because I didn't think I would have time in the morning to take outfit photos I had brought my camera to campus with me--I could, therefore, photograph the chalkboard instead of scribbling down three illegible sentences:
(Yes, we were talking about Taming of the Shrew. No, I am not teaching Shakespeare.) I've decided that I will continue to carry my camera with me on teaching days and, perhaps, you'll get to see a different background than my living/dining room area.
And now, a word about body type and fit: I love this sweater dress (and I might even wear it to a wedding in a barn on Sunday), it looks great against my skin and I can wear a lot of gold eyeshadow with it, but I should have bought in a small instead of a medium. I am very much a medium, except in sweater dresses and tights because of my height. I've thought about getting the dress wet to shrink it a bit, but the last time I did that I killed a beautiful sweater. It shrinks a tiny bit every time I get it dry-cleaned which is motivational to get things dry-cleaned at a more adult rate than I would prefer (which would be 1 time a year). Also, my boots: the shaft is a little shorter than mid-calf, but if you have short legs they will be mid-calf on you. For a full boot, I look for a regular mid-calf on the longer side, because a full boot is out of the question. But the current object of my covetousness are these very SFE-appropriate mid-calf Simone Cuff Fryes:
I need to replace a pair of brown boots and was thinking of going gray/pewter instead. What do you think of the interchangeability of neutrals? Also, I've talked a bit about certain pieces (sweater dresses and boots) and sizing on my body type--what items do you find that you have to size up/down or avoid altogether? And, finally, those who already own Fryes--are they worth the price?

*Post-script on Narcissism*: A good friend of mine who has been present for half of my self-photo shoots says that observing the process of taking all of the photos (posing, deleting, posing, deleting) makes me look like a strange narcissist.

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: 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. 

Open Forum: Dressing for Different Sensibilities in the Classroom

Last week, this email popped into our inbox here at Fashionable Academics:

Dear fashionable academics:

Over the last few years, we have seen an increase of students from the Middle East, with Muslim background, coming to our university.  As a female professor in a predominately male field, I have always dressed conservatively.  But, now I find myself wondering if I should only wear pants and long sleeves when lecturing.  After all, it is a culture shock for these young men to see a woman in a authority, let alone dressed in a way they would never see at home.

What do you think?  In order to communicate, do we need to dress for our student’s sensibilities as well as our own?  How far does this go?

-Engineering and Technology Professor

After some discussion, Ann Underfunded Humanity and I wrote back to Engineering and Technology Professor and said: 

Dear Engineering and Technology Professor,

Thanks so much for your email.  A couple of us have talked it over and our immediate response to your first question is that you should not feel compelled to only wear pants and long sleeves while lecturing.  We at Fashionable Academics are feminists, who believe that women have the right to dictate their own individual dress and personal appearances.  While it's admirable that you want to take your students' cultural backgrounds into consideration, there are no doubt also impressionable young men and women in your classroom who should see a smart, capable woman in a position of authority who dresses according to her own personal preferences.  After all, these men have chosen to come to the US and have no doubt also been bombarded with media images of western women.  I don't doubt that they experience culture shock, but I don't think we should dress according to the standards of their culture....

Best wishes,
Ann Underfunded Humanity and La Historiadora de Moda

We also asked Engineering and Technology Professor if she would mind if we opened up her larger question of dressing for students' sensibilities here on the blog.  Since she did not mind, I pose the same question to you, dear readers.  To what extent should we be dressing for our students' cultural and social backgrounds and sensibilities and how far does this go?

Personally, as I've gotten a bit older and as I've spent more and more time teaching, I dress more and more for myself (although I do think about how students might perceive me because of the way I dress, especially during the first few weeks of a term).  I don't like to show too much thigh in the classroom because I don't want my students thinking about how long my legs are.  I don't like to dress too casually because I do want to set some boundaries between them and me, and that is one of the easiest ways.  However, I don't worry about taking my nose or tongue piercings out for class.  I might dress more authoritatively if I'm discussing something especially provocative, but I wear sleeveless blouses and dresses, pencil skirts, funky Fluevogs, and colorful tights.  I also tell my students on the first day of class that if they have a problem with a female faculty or with reading then my class is probably not the class for them.

Most of my students at Big State School come from the Midwest, but every term I have taught there I have had several students who are ESL students coming from the Middle East, India, East Asia, Eastern Europe, etc.  I respect that they may have different points of view about historical sources and historical narrative, and that they may have different expectations about the way that teachers and professors dress (as well as how women dress).  Then again students from rural areas often have different expectations and sensiblities than do students from urban areas about dress, as do students who are fundamentalist Christians from those who are agnostic humanists.  There are a myriad of student identities, cultures, subcultures, sensibilities, and expectations in any given college classroom.  It would be impossible to dress so as to make them all happy.  So for me the bottom line is that I dress so that I respect myself, so that I am confident in the classroom, and I can feel that way in an outfit like either of these:

I'm curious as to where each of you draws your own personal line between dressing for yourself and dressing for your students, though.  So, again, to what extent do you think we should dress for our students' cultural and social backgrounds and sensibilities and how far does this go?   Please do share your thoughts!

The Scholar Look

After boldly mixing patterns and wearing bright colors in the classroom on Monday, I decided to with the more traditional scholarly look of jeans, boots, and blazer¹ yesterday.  I was dressed for comfort too, because yesterday was a ridiculously long day.  M. and I had a morning meeting with our attorney (M. is Canadian so we are going through the process of applying for permanent residency for him).  Then I had to deal with some more boring and time consuming bureaucratic issues.  Then I had to grade a bunch of papers.  (Thank goodness for cups of Earl Grey tea!)  Finally, I had office hours and my evening class to teach.

I also knew that I would be talking about some pretty risque and scandalous topics in my class yesterday evening, so I decided that I should dress a bit more authoritatively than I usually do in order to counteract the fact that we were talking about a historical figure that one source painted as sexually depraved and dealing with some pretty mature subject matter. The scholar look is sort of my armor against fifty 19 year-olds and my own inner 12 year-old whose mind too easily falls into the gutter.

1. Blazer - Rafaella (Filene's Basement and remixed)

Turtleneck - Necessary Objects (Filene's Basement and remixed)

Jeans - Express (remixed)

Boots - Kenneth Cole Reaction (DSW and remixed)

Earrings - ??? (Filene's Basement and remixed)

Ring - boutique in Salamanca, Spain

What are your thoughts on blazers? Boring? Classic and chic?

On another note, tomorrow is National Wear Red Day.  I will be donning something red for sure to help spread awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women.  You should too!

An Unexpected Pairing

On Monday I knew that I wanted to wear my argyle tights.¹  They had been languishing, unworn in my wardrobe since the last time I wore them (on Christmas day), and I just couldn't in good conscience leave them sitting in the tights drawer any longer.  I paired them with this grey dress that I love for its tremendous comfort.  I added a patterned scarf, a belt, and a pair of Fluevogs to create an outfit that had some unexpected pairings and visual interest.

1. Dress - Target (remixed)

Shirt - Target (remixed)

Tights - HUE (Filene's Basement and remixed)

Mary Jane's - John Fluevog (remixed)

Scarf - Target

Belt - from another skirt

Earrings - ???

I don't know about you, but I can sometimes still find mixing patterns a little bit challenging.  How do you mix your patterns?  Are you pattern friendly or pattern phobic?  And do you think pattern mixing is best left for library days rather than classroom days?  I'm still on the fence on this one.

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!

I Love Colors

Have I mentioned that I'm not originally from the Midwest and that sometimes the cold, dark winters start to drive me a little bit batty?  Even though I've lived in this part of the country for a number of years now, I still struggle with SAD.  The short, cold and overcast days really take their toll on my psyche.  Like many, I fatigue more easily, and it's a bit of a battle to not just give in and hibernate in yoga pants until spring thaw.  I have found some of the things that really help me to fight the winter blues include drinking plenty of water, taking vitamins, bubble baths, exercise, and bright colors.

Just looking at my briefcase can lift my spirits, and there's nothing like an extra pop of bright, vibrant color on a grey day to pep me up.

This¹ is what I wore last Wednesday.  I admit that even though my wedding was a small and low-key affair, I still didn't sleep very well the week before it.  I'm also currently teaching an evening class.  Because I'm a morning person, I have to put a bit of extra effort into my teaching when I have a class that doesn't even start until 5:30pm.  The bright red shirt and tight helped to keep me feeling energized as I ran wedding-related errands during the day and taught my class that evening.





1. Sweater Dress - Target (remixed)
Tights - We Love Colors
Shirt - Pixie Hopkins (Filene's Basement and remixed)
Shoes - r2 (DSW and remixed)

How do you deal with the winter blues?  What do you wear on those days when it's not so bright out?

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!

First Day Finery: Virtual Conference Panel I

Yesterday, we Fashionable Academics issued a CFP for first day of the term outfits.  We would love to see pictures of your outfits, which you can send to our email address: fashionableacademics@gmail.com, and/or, if you have your own style blog, send us a link to your outfit.  We'll be taking submissions and putting together panels through the month of January, so do write in!

Here is the outfit that Lisa of Knit, Teach, Ride put together for her first day of school back in September.  I always love the elegant pairing of blouse and pencil skirt in her ensemble.

Clare of Between Laundry Days put together a first day outfit for her new job on a college campus yesterday.  (Congratulations, Clare!)  The different shades of blue that she put together in this outfit are stunning on her.

As for me, I wore an outfit that was almost a repeat, but with different accessories and footwear.¹ I wore this dress on the first day of the fall term, as well, and I've paired it with this cardigan before, but with so much snow on the ground, I needed some snow stomping boots to wear with it yesterday.

1. Dress - Rabbit Rabbit (Filene's Basement and remixed)

Cardi - NY&Co. (remixed)

Purple tights - Target (remixed)

Boots - John Fluevog (remixed)

Belt - Target

Necklace - Etsy

I really liked this outfit, and I think it matches my teaching personality quite well.  It's energetic and a tad on the bold side.  The flower on the cardigan shows that I'm approachable, but it has an edge of hard-ass to it in the Bondgirl boots.  I also couldn't resist throwing in a touch of history geek with the 1863 Parisian fashion magazine necklace. 

I can't wait to see what you all wore/are wearing/will wear, dear readers! Again, we will take submissions through the month.

The Scarf Fairy and Questions of Casual Clothing

Today when I got up, I had only morning office hours and an evening class standing in between me and some blessed time away from the classroom.  Don't get me wrong, I love teaching, and I really like most of my students, but I need a solid day away from them and their writing and their emails to finish article revisions before my mom and in-laws show up for Mashed Potato and Pumpkin Pie Fest 2009.  Because the weather was damp and chill today, I opted for layers and boots.¹  I assembled this outfit except for the scarf.  The scarf magically arrived in my life a bit later.

 

When I arrived at the office, I found that I had been visited by the scarf fairy (who also happens to double as the canning fairy).  She had left me this gorgeous scarf, which she had knitted for me and which happened to match my outfit just about perfectly.  Apparently the pattern is called "La Novia" and that made her think of me, her friend, the Hispanophile.  Her gift made my day.  I absolutely love scarves, and I like to wear them tied in different ways and even belted now.  I have lots of plans for this beautiful scarf and will think of my friend whenever I wear it.

  

1. Skinny Corduroys - New York & Co. (sale)

Turtleneck - Necessary Objects (Filene's Basement)

Shirt - H&M

Cardi - August Silk (thrifted)

Coat - Zara

Boots - John Fluevog

Bracelet - Who Knows???

Necklace - I made it at a jewelry class in Madrid

Ring - Gift

This outfit is a little more casual than I usually wear for teaching, but as it was my last class before a holiday break, I felt like trying to will the vacation here by dressing as if I were already on it.  That translated into skinny cords and a headband.  (It didn't work by the way.)  Even though I don't think that clothes can generate much authority when it's not already there, I like to dress up a bit more when I teach than when I'm just working from home.  I don't believe that they can make students respect you if your demeanor is timid or nervous in spite of your power suit or tie and blazer.  That said, I also think that clothes are a powerful means of self-fashioning and can help the wearer to feel more powerful and self-confident.  This is the main reason that I put so much thought into my outfits.  The other day there was an interesting post and ensuing discussion on one of my new favorite blogs about the subject of whether or not there's an item of clothing that automatically confers authority on women.  Dear readers, I've asked your thoughts on wearing jeans, but what are your thoughts on casual clothing in general in the classroom?  I'm particularly interested in whether or not you think casual clothes in the classroom undermine the authority of female academics.... However, I'm also interested in your thoughts about whether or not students view the supposedly prototypical, slobby, male professor in old jeans and a stained t-shirt with respect.

Casual Friday: Jeans, Boots, Long Sweater

I thought that yesterday was going to be a glorious day. After a bizarre mishap which caused my order to be canceled, I was finally set to get my new John Fluevog Bondgirl boots. (They were my reward for running the marathon and finishing a draft of the last chapter of my dissertation.) However, my euphoria had faded by the time the UPS delivery person had made it to his next stop. My boots were too tight to zip up all the way over my calves. I knew that Fluevog boots could run tight, so I had ordered a half size larger than I normally wear in order to get some extra calf-circumference. Because of this and the fact that I have a couple of other pairs that fit my calves, I never doubted that these would work. I was so frustrated that I left them sitting on the dining room table and went back to work on cover letters and class prep all afternoon with a really terrible attitude. I knew the situation could be rectified, but after weeks of work and then weeks of waiting, I was pissed. I wanted my reward and I wanted to wear it right then and there.

It does make me angry that so many women have such a hard time finding boots that fit their calves. I wish designers would ruminate a little bit more on the fact that the most purchased clothing size for women in the US is a size 14 and make more clothing and boots that fit accordingly. The fashion industry should also send more diverse body types down the runway. I could go on and on about this, but I think I'll save it for another post.

At any rate, I had been hoping that I would be able to wear the new Bondgirl boots for the first time today, but since I had a morning meeting and a class to teach, I knew I wouldn't be able to drop them off with my shoe repair guys until the afternoon. And I know that it doesn't do much good to dwell on anger. Taking action is always better (at least for me). I had to make do with the selection of boots I already have. This morning the weather did not look terribly auspicious, so I felt like jeans, boots, and layers were my best option. I went with my cowboy boots, dark denim, a yellow top, and a long sweater.



It was a casual outfit for a casual Friday right before Halloween. The day ended up brightening up a lot and being deliciously warm for the end of October. I would have taken my class outside, but it was just too windy. Before class, my students and I talked about our costume plans, and I brought candy to make the day a little bit more festive. Despite, or perhaps because of, the sugar rush, my students were even more on the ball than they usually are. (This is saying something because this particular class is small and made up of quite motivated and invested students.) It was the kind of day that gives you a teaching high.

Because of the class and the weather, my so-called work week ended perfectly. I dropped my shoes off for repair, and I was delighted that my cobbler said that my boots would be ready for pick up within a few days. I have plans this weekend for article revisions, grading, a couple of Halloween parties, and a massage at a spa (a post-marathon gift from my fiance).

On Boots and Hair Issues

After a month of yearning for cooler weather so that I could change out my wardrobe, I almost regretted my wish due to the windy chill of the past couple of days. Then I remembered something: John Fluevog Boots!! I wore a pair of mine today. I bought these boots for myself as a reward for finishing a dissertation chapter last January. They are one of the best gifts that I've ever given myself. They are both sturdy and chic and quite versatile. Today I paired them with a BCBG dress that I bought last year for a conference and my burnt orange trench coat that I picked up five years ago at Filene's Basement. I have long since lost the accompanying belt, but I still adore the coat so much that I have no plans of buying another trench coat until it comes apart at the seams or I get tenure.

I wore my hair in loose waves. I've been trying to get over my obsession with having straight hair. My hair is neither straight nor curly. It tends toward a wavy frizz when left to its own devices. In July of last year I decided to get one of those Japanese thermal straightening perms so that my hair would just magically air dry straight. It did, but it also damaged my hair where it had been highlighted in the past. It was a major setback in my quest to have long hair again because I had to spend the next nine months getting the damage cut out of my hair a bit at a time. Now my hair is finally growing again more or less damage-free. Of course, almost all of the permed bits of my hair have also been cut off, and I'm back to having wavy frizz. Instead of going out and spending close to $500 on another Japanese thermal straightening perm or using a flat iron every single day, I've been trying to accept what I've got and make it work. Last week I invested $30 in a hot air styler with a couple of different attachments and have been playing around with it. Today's results were pretty good.

Mixing Neutrals

A few years ago, I thrifted a scarf that made me re-think the way that I wore neutral colors. Prior to the discovery of this scarf, which beautifully blends grey with browns and greens, I wouldn't have considered wearing brown and grey together. I rarely would have combined grey with black and wearing black and brown together seemed like a fashion faux pas. This scarf quietly revolutionized my wardrobe - or atleast the way that I looked at my wardrobe - for less than $3.00. Suddenly, I was wearing grey pants with brown and white heels, a brown blouse and the scarf. Suddenly I was wearing a grey dress with brown tights, brown boots and the scarf. Suddenly, I was wearing a Carrie Bradshaw inspired outfit of grey capris, bronze strappy sandals, a funky brown top, aviator shades, and the scarf as a doo-rag. Mixing neutrals was not only possible. It was easy. It was fun. I still frequently employ this scarf when I want to mix browns and greys. I'm not quite comfortable with the doo-rag and aviators look while teaching, but the scarf also works well as a headband. I wore it for a day of teaching and meetings the other day with a funky brown skirt that I bought in Spain a few years ago, a grey shirt, and brown wedges. Do you and how do you like to mix neutral colors?