26/30 & 27/30: Bowling Lessons and Interview Attire Musings

I didn't get a chance to get photos of outfit 26.  The day that I wore it I had a long day on campus followed by an excursion with the student organization that I advise.  Since it was the week before finals, they wanted to go bowling to blow off some steam.  I feared that I would throw nothing but gutter balls as the last time I had bowled was about 20 years ago, and I was embarrassingly terrible then.  I threw a couple of strikes and a spare!!  The moral of the story here is that if you suck at bowling when you are a tween, you might not in your 30s.

Outfit 26: 7. Dark Wash Bootcut Jeans - Express + 16. Black & White Striped Top + 21. Yellow Embellished Cardi - New York & Co. + 26. Bondgirls - John Fluevog + this scarf

I wore outfit 27 on the last day of classes for the semester.  I held review sessions in my two survey classes and, along with a colleague in modern languages, had coffee with a job candidate in yet another department.

 30x30 Items: 3. Blue Sweater Wrap Dress - Target + 30. Grey Slouchy Boots - Steve Madden

Accessories: Scarf - gift from friend (remixed), Tights - We Love Colors

It was a little weird to be on the other side of that particular job market experience, and I found myself paying special attention because as a VAP I could very well be back on the candidate side of that cup of coffee sometime in the near future (if I'm lucky).  If/when that happens, I won't be wearing brightly colored amethyst tights or slouchy boots like these, but I do want to emphasize that boots have a place on the campus interview circuit.

I have seen some people criticize the choice of a boot on job candidates, but if your interview is in, say, Nebraska or upstate New York in February, I would suggest that wearing boots indicates that you have done your research and understand your wintry surroundings. A colleague and I discussed this a while back.  He was telling me that someone once came to our upper Midwestern campus for an interview in February without a real winter coat and wearing shoes that raised some eyebrows because some wondered if the candidate would be able to negotiate snowy and icy paths without slipping and falling in them.  The moral of the story here is that if you have an interview you should check the forecast and plan accordingly.

What are your thoughts on boots at job interviews, academic or otherwise?

Edit: for my more general thoughts on interview attire see the guest post I wrote on the subject last year for What Would A Nerd Wear.

A Late One

1. Dress - Floreat/Anthro (eBay-ed)
Tights - Assets/Target
Boots - Ann Taylor Loft (Remixed)

You really don't want to see my face in these photos. These were taken on Friday, when I was about to run out the door for the first day of a two-day conference and I'm already exhausted. I'm not exactly crazy about how this dress fits me--it's tighter around the hips but has a lot of room at the top. I usually stick to a-line shapes, but I thought I'd give a different shape a try. Either way, it was an eBay buy and since I'm stuck with it, I've decided to make the best of it. The next time I wear this dress, however, I will wear opaque black tights instead of micro-fishnets.

Between attending the conference and driving around some visiting scholars, I attended a grant workshop, wrote frantically, and attended a job talk.

2. Cardi - Ann Taylor Loft

Scarf - Boutique (remixed)
Earrings - Corcoran Gallery, DC (remixed)

In the past 30 days, in addition to teaching, I have presented a 20-minute paper on my dissertation research, given two public responses to a visiting scholar and a faculty member, respectively, and composed yet another response to a paper that will be discussed in a working group at a conference this weekend. While teaching this quarter the writing has come in stops and starts. Even though I've felt a little insane lately, I am writing easier than I was a month ago.



I've also been attending job talks and have been seeing a lot of black and gray, which has had me musing about what sort of suit I would wear if I finish the dissertation and am lucky enough to land an interview in this horrible market.  I wonder if I could pull off the following Talbots ensemble? Perhaps in black/gray instead of olive?

Just out of curiosity, I mentioned that the Anthro dress I bought via eBay didn't fit as well as I would have liked. If I had tried it on in the store I probably wouldn't have bought it. Fellow eBay-ers, is there anything that hasn't worked out well for you or that you've outright regretted? I bought a really horrible pair of Banana Republic jeans a few years ago. When they arrived I thought that the seller had mis-represented them, but after I compared what I got in the mail to the photo on eBay I realized I was the moron and had put on my eBay goggles.

Dr. de Moda!

Today I successfully defended my dissertation.  A few days ago I started thinking about what I would wear to my defense.  I initially planned to wear my LBS (little black suit).  Then, I started thinking if there wasn't a way to show a little bit more of my personality but to still look polished and professional.

I found a lovely pink and black Tahari Dress at Filene's Basement last week when I was shopping with the Dissertating Yogini, but they didn't have it in any size close to my own, and I knew I wouldn't have time for alterations.  So on Saturday in an attempt to occupy myself I went to the mall just to take a spin around Nordstroms and Macy's to see if I might find anything wearable and on sale.  I figured that if I didn't I could find something in my wardrobe or revert back to the LBS idea if push came to shove.  I found the Tahari Dress again in a size that fit.  It was full price, but I figured even though I'll only defend my dissertation once, I could probably get more usage out of it as conference attire.  Boy was I wrong about that!  When I put in on this morning, I realized that I could see any and every line and bump in the mirror.  Even with a slip lines that in no way should have been visible were, so I put on hose.  I checked the mirror again, and saw that a huge line running up the middle of my butt was then visible thanks to the hose. What the fuck, Macy's mirrors?!?!?  Thanks for nothing.

Possibly no one but me would have noticed, but I couldn't imagine going through a defense already feeling horribly self-conscious about lines on my ass.  So I went for my old standby purple plaid dress with my old standby combo of dress + blazer and my briefcase.¹

1. Dress - Rabbit Rabbit (remixed)

Blazer - Calvin Klein (remixed)

Shoes - John Fluevog (remixed)

Briefcase - McKlein USA (remixed)

Cameo earrings - Secondhand via Ebay (remixed)

By the way if you google "dissertation defense attire" or "what to wear to a dissertation defense" or the like you will get hit upon some interesting threads.  According to one forum, most physicists would be laughed out of the room if they wore a suit and some economists had the impression that you could fail if you weren't dressed up enough because it might be a sign you weren't taking the event seriously. While I realized that my sartorial choices probably had no effect on the outcome of today's events.  I wanted to feel good about my appearance, and I wanted to feel like myself.  And since all of this outfit was remixed I felt comfortable in pieces that I know and love.

Have you ever had a similar outfit malfunction?  Would you have changed under similar circumstances or would you have forged ahead lines and all?

Wardrobe problem aside, I'm relishing this moment!  I'm off this evening to celebrate!

Interview Attire in Action

I'm back from my conference, which was very good but extremely tiring.  I think that my interview went well, but I suppose I'll know for sure if I get invited for a campus interview here in a couple of weeks.  My fingers are crossed.

Large conferences and interviews can definitely be rather overwhelming -- if not downright intimidating -- but I honestly feel like there's no better way to project self-confidence and authority than dressing professionally.  Dressing in jeans and a t-shirt for an interview can indicate to a committee that you aren't really interested in the position for which you are interviewing.  Dressing in a suit¹ shows that you know how to play the part of an academic at a major conference and at an interview.

1. Suit - Calvin Klein (Filene's Basement)

Shell - Target

Tights - HUE

Oxford Spectator Pumps - r2 (DSW and remixed)

Briefcase - McKlein USA

Watch - New York & Co. (sale)

I realize I look a bit disheveled in these pictures.  I took them about five hours after my interview.

I ran into a lot of old friends and made some new friends at the conference.  I was able to have a coffee with my undergraduate adviser and to have margaritas in the sunshine (away from the conference) with my former housemate. 

Isn't she lovely?  She works on sustainability projects in southern California now and is planning a trip to Tanzania to do work on a project with other academics soon. 

So, my dear fashionable academics, do you agree with me about wearing suits to interviews?  What do you wear for interviews instead?  For those of you who aren't in the academy, what do you tend to wear to interviews in your profession? 

How to Pack for a Conference (Where You Also Have a Job Interview)

Today I had a lot of errands to run, including getting my marriage license!  There were other less exciting errands, as well because I'm leaving town for a few days.  This¹ is what I wore to the courthouse, Target, the copy shop, and the dry cleaners.

1. Tank top - Old Navy (hand me down)

Cardi - August Silk (thrifted and remixed)

Skirt - H&M

Tights - Target (remixed)

Leg Warmers - Target

Belt - from another dress (remixed)

Boots - Rocket Dog (gift and remixed)

Hat - Bijou Brigitte (remixed)

Scarf - Target (remixed)

Necklace - Etsy (gift and remixed)

Purse - Amazon.com (gift certificate)

Tomorrow I'm headed to the annual meeting of my academic discipline's major organization.  I'm ecstatic that this year the conference is in a location warmer than the Midwest!  I have a first-round job interview  one of the days of the conference, so I will be taking my Little Black Suit or LBS on the plane with me as carry-on.  Since my traveling companion is also suiting up, we are going to put our suits into one suit bag, which he will carry on the plane.  I know some might consider that cheating, but it will work out well for me because I'll still be able to take both a purse and my briefcase (loaded with extra CVs, syllabi, statements of my teaching philosophy, and an emergency pair of black tights for my LBS) as carry-on items.  The rest of my clothing will go into a suitcase, which I will check.

(Calvin Klein LBS)

I will be attending a few paper sessions and spending a bit of time around the conference hotel(s) one or two of the other days of the conference, so I'm also taking a couple of outfits that are suitable conference attire.  While the definition of suitable conference attire varies from academic to academic, to me it means professional looking separates and classy, minimalist accessories that will help to make me feel confident and put together.  I do have plans to meet up with a couple of dear friends of mine who no longer live in the cold Midwest for brunch and drinks, so I'm taking a couple of more casual pieces, as well.  I'm also planning on getting in at least one run in sun, so I'm taking running shoes and workout clothes.  I'm probably taking more than I need, but I like to be (over)prepared: one skirt, one pair of black trousers, one pair of black cropped pants, four tops, two cardigans, running shoes, one pair of casual shoes, running clothes, one pair of pjs, socks and undergarments. 

Tomorrow I'll wear my interview shoes (also pictured) on the plane with dark jeans and layers, including one of my blazers.  I always freeze on planes so layers are essential.

I apologize for the quality of the photos, but it gets so dark on the second floor of my house.  I also apologize in advance for being mostly absent from the blogosphere for the next few days.  I'll try to catch up on my blog reading and comments when I get back.  In the meantime, I'd love to hear how you pack for conferences and interviews!  I'd also be interested to know what you like to wear on planes.  Wish me luck!

Oh, and don't forget to answer our CFP!

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.

CFP: Academic Baggage

Most of us academics have items that we have to schlep around on a daily basis: laptop, a library book or two, a research file, car keys, etc.  What is your preferred method of carry?  Do you opt for a purse and a backpack or a briefcase or large tote?  Do you opt for a briefcase or a backpack?  Do you wheel around campus?

(Planet-Pink.co.uk)

(http://www.queenbee-creations.com/items/521)

If you are an academic on the job market this year, this is something worth giving some consideration.  Perhaps the MLA, the APA, the AHA, or other convention where job interviews take place is not the venue for your "I Heart NY" canvas tote bag or your Hello Kitty messenger bag (yes, I do own a Hello Kitty messenger bag).  You will want a briefcase or tote that is large enough to carry copies of CVs, sample syllabi, etc., but is not so cavernous or disorganized that you have to spend awkward moments digging in your bag for them.

  (Samsonite)

So, dear readers, please write in and let us know what you carry to classes and conferences, and feel free to send pictures!