We received this email from a reader recently:
As a PhD in molecular biology, I spend a lot of time in the lab. We have to wear closed toed shoes and non-skirts (shorts are okay as long as they hit the knee). Sometimes I feel like there are only so many cute outfits I can put together and still look fashionable.I would love to see a your suggestions on how to look cute and lab-appropriate!
This comment is one of many we’ve received from fellow PhDs who are in the Sciences, and who’ve noted that style and laboratory safety regulations are not always easily reconciled. So while all of us may occupy the broad realm of academia, being in the Humanities versus the Sciences does affect how fashion and style translate into daily outfits. This week, we’re going to build outfits that are lab friendly and that could easily be embraced by our colleagues in the sciences.
(We will, however, be cutting E. some slack since a) her preggers wardrobe was not built around lab requirements and b) she is quickly becoming her own heating machine thanks to the hormones. Don’t worry, she will offer simple, affordable alternatives to whatever non-lab-friendly pieces she may wear.)
For our lab appropriate looks thus far, see our new Flickr set for inspiration! We collected all of our long-panted and closed-toed looks (one inch heel or less for all-day standing comfort) in one lab friendly set.
[...] you’re limited in your clothing choices due to your workplace, (like those of you who work in a laboratory), then one way you can add interest and style to your outfits is with the use of interesting [...]
[...] is, of course, grossly inappropriate for this week’s challenge of laboratory chic. But do not fear, lab-bound ladies, I have an alternative for you, too. Category: Beltless, [...]
That’s interesting… Why is it “safe” to wear knee length shorts but not skirts?
I just started work in a lab and I’ve been having this same problem! Like you’ve shown already, I’ve been sticking with skinny jeans and flats, but I’m interested to see if you come up with anything new. Thanks in advance for your help!
[...] week, we’re trying to create lab friendly outfits to try to see what life is like for those of you in the Sciences. I’ve had a brief taste of [...]
[...] I’m hardly lab appropriate in this, but I’m hoping that the idea of using unexpected colors to put a new spin on a [...]
[...] first attempt at a lab-appropriate look also needed to be teaching-appropriate and coffee-shop-studying-appropriate. I started with [...]
[...] since this week we have been trying to help our colleagues in the sciences find creative, stylish ways to dress that still meet their lab dress-code, I present to you a brief rumination on an item of clothing that I am still uncertain about: the [...]
[...] last week and this week’s challenges we’ve been thinking a lot about flat shoes. While I, E., remain a devotee of the wedge heel [...]
[...] since we’re trying to brainstorm lab appropriate wear this week, my initial thought was to suppress that instinct and go for jeans instead. Then I [...]
[...] I reached my quota with one maxi skirt. And I love how soft and comfortable it is and could see wearing this to the lab as an alternative to jeans. But here’s where I see a problem -you would have to wear closed-toe shoes with it in a lab [...]