20 January 2010 – First Day of School, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Plaid dress (worn as blouse): Converse, from Target
- Belt: jersey tie from another dress
- Wool skirt: Gap, hand me down from SIL
- Patterned tights: Hue, from TJ Maxx
- Ruffled Pumps: AM, via DSW
- Apple: Trader Joe’s
End Notes:
While I’m still on a break from teaching responsibilities this semester, I am returning to the classroom to finish off my last coursework requirements. I had my first seminar yesterday, and I dithered for a while beforehand about what constituted appropriate first day of class, PhD student style.
This course is with a new professor, so I wanted to make a good first impression and establish myself as an advanced grad student but without looking like I was trying to assert classroom authority. Thus, while I would likely have worn a structured jacket for my first day teaching, I decided to eschew it yesterday in favor of a skirt and “blouse” pairing that — I think — injected a bit of trend into an otherwise staid combination.
20 January 2010 – First Day of School, originally uploaded by academichic.
Patterned Tights, originally uploaded by academichic.
I’m glad I did, too, because I also ended up having two former students in this class with me. (Because my program has hefty coursework requirements and because upper level seminars tend to be mixed with grad students and undergrad seniors, this situation of former student turned fellow student is actually not that unusual. Doesn’t make it any less weird, though.) Ah well. Much awkwardness can be glossed over if you at least know that your outfit is non-awkward.
And yes, it’s the return of the Converse plaid dress, back in action after a brief hiatus due to very cold weather and a lack of inspiration. When I first pulled this skirt on over the dress, I was worried about bulk and bunching. However, because this wool skirt has a lining and a good bit of weight and structure, it actually smoothed everything over just fine. As an added bonus, I didn’t have to worry about my shirt untucking when I sat down or reached for something.
Like an apple.
Happy new semester! And don’t forget to check out other great first day looks submitted over at the Fashionable Academics First Day Virtual Conference!
20 January 2010 – First Day of School, originally uploaded by academichic.
This is perfect! You definitely inspire me to wear dresses in different ways. And to get myself back over to Target…
Happy first day!
Wow, you look lovely! And the little apple prop and smile on your face is adorable.
very cute. I haven’t been a fan on most of the plaid shirt looks, but this is a great way to make it look professional and polished! I like plaid shirts when they are put together like this!
A wonderfully subtle bit of pattern mixing in there, too, eh? Buffalo check and herringbone – love it!
I love this first day look! The plaid dress as a blouse is great and it totally adds that touch of trend to the outfit.
I found this dress on clearance at Target yesterday (in a different color) and was super psyched, having seen your previous outfits. It looks great styled as a shirt, I’m inspired!
Oh my gosh, I love that first-day outfit. So fab. Oh, and the apple is an adorable added touch!
Happy first day back! :)
I love the use of a dress as a shirt! The color palette is great!
This is a great first day in seminar outfit! I love the subtle pattern mixing!
Oh, and thank you for the FA shout out! (I’m getting married today, but that’s no reason to forget my manners!)
I LOVETH this outfit!!! Fabulous and chic!
Gorgeous Outfit!
Very cute! I love the different ways you’ve worn that dress. :-)
I really like how you wore the dress as a shirt. I kind of want to try that.
[...] for my outfit today, it was heavily inspired by Stephanie over at Healthy and Homemade and e. from academichic. Tucking a dress into a skirt had never really occurred to me (this is why I love reading [...]