academichic

We recently received this reader question…

I have an on-campus interview (yay!) at a liberal arts college in a very cold climate. I just purchased a navy blue suit from J Crew: fitted blazer + pencil skirt. I’m going to pair this with a brightly colored shell of some sort and gray patent leather shoes. The problem is what to do with my legs. If I double up on tights, I think I’ll be sufficiently warm for brief jaunts outside. But what color tights would work best? Is black okay? Any suggestions you have you would welcome!

First of, congratulation on your campus interview! And we love the items you’ve chosen for this occasion: this navy J.Crew skirt (and matching blazer) and these grey patent leather Naot shoes. To winterize your legs, we agree that doubling up and layering tights might be a good idea. Now, as to what color tights to wear on the outside, here are a few suggestions:

Although we love how that navy skirt and grey patent leather shoes would look with a boldly hued pair of tights like this…

… we agree that the above combination might be best saved for a teaching day on campus. For that more formal interview attire, we would suggest opting for a more ‘conservative’ and ‘traditional’ color such as a navy or grey…

A pair of black tights may be too harsh with the lighter color shoe, while a grey or navy pair should blend more seamlessly with your skirt or footwear choice. Choosing a pair of tights in a neutral that picks up on the existing color scheme of your outfit should makes the tights fit right in with your look wihout drawing too much attention. And don’t forget to check how the pair of tights underneath affects the color of your top layer! This might be obvious but is worth stating in case your mind is on other interview related matters right now.

Lastly, we also think that a pair of open weave pattern tights layered over an opaque black pair of tights could create a subtle yet rich and interesting effect. It wouldn’t be too discernable from far away but would lend your outfit that extra bit of personality and individuality from up close.

What do you think, dear readers and fellow academics? What color tights would you recommend to for that polished and professional interview look? What have you worn for academic interviews in the past? Thank you as always for your contributions in the comments section! ~ Chics

1 September 2010 – Punchy Prep, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Knit blazer: C&C
• Blue tee: Forever 21
• Belt: thrifted
• Skirt: thrifted
• Shoes: Dolce Vita, c/o Solestruck

End Notes:

Yesterday was my university’s first day of classes. And guess what? I wasn’t on the student side of the classroom this time. Like Tania of What Would a Nerd Wear, I finished my PhD coursework in the spring, and now the only classes I’ll be present at this semester are ones where I’ll be on the teaching side of things. (My teaching assistant responsibilities cycle through observing the large-scale lecture and then teaching my own, smaller groups of students.)

My perennial outfit “concept” for the first day of school is one that mixes professionalism with little unexpected punches. I wanted to look put-together and competent, but not stuffy or preppy. I started with a very traditional color palette of pale blue, khaki, and gray, but kept things fresh by wearing a soft tee rather than a button down, a knit — rather than woven — blazer, a skinny belt, and, oh yes, orange pumps. Ironically, two of my male colleagues were wearing pale blue oxford shirts on their first day as well.

But no one else was wearing orange shoes. I had the corner on that market.

1 September 2010 – Punchy Prep, originally uploaded by academichic.

So here’s the other thing. Especially after reading the comments on a recent Chronicle of Higher Ed piece on professor “hotness” and dress (you should also read La Historiadora de Moda’s response) and L.’s admission that she’s “easing” her colleagues into her style, I also felt much more self-conscious this year about how the other teaching assistants (particularly my female colleagues) perceived me. I also didn’t want to come off as “trying too hard” or “showing them up.” But of course, not matter how carefully we try to craft a message through how we dress, we are not ultimately in control of how our attire is interpreted.

For me, a missing component in that Chronicle piece on “hot professors” — and something brought up by some commentators — was the role of gender, ethnicity, age, and even sexual orientation in how professors are perceived. As I’ve said before on this blog, bodies are never neutral and the fact that I’m relatively young, slim, and female already affects how I’m perceived, even before you take clothing into account.

On the other hand, all the above equivocations and ruminations aside, it’s really, really hard to be uncertain about yourself when you’re wearing an orange shoe. To paraphrase the inimitable La Historiadora de Moda, orange shoes do not make me mighty, but they remind me that I’m mighty, not meek.

1 September 2010 – Punchy Prep, originally uploaded by academichic.

(And don’t forget to check plenty of other great back-to-school looks at the Fashionable Academics!)

16 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

• Black Sweater Vest – BR Outlet
• Black Henley – Gap
• Pink Button Down – J Crew
• Black Pants – Banana Republic
• Earrings – Gift

Buttons, originally uploaded by academichic.

eye earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

16 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

This afternoon I will be moderating a discussion after offering m thoughts on a campus-wide lecture given by a prominent activist. I figure, this time, it’s ok if I am one of the most dressed up people there.

I have to say, before our recent “roundtable” discussion about interview-appropriate wear, I would have worn something pretty similar to this for an interview. Now, I think I would definitely loose the sweater tights and belt, but I think I would still wear the rest. Does it need a suit jacket or a button down to be interview-appropriate?

A.

Shoes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

1 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

• Grey Cardigan – Marshalls, remixed
• Skirt – BR Outlet
• Black Tank – BR, remixed
• Fuchsia Shoes – Seychelles, via DSW, remixed
• Necklace – very old

Endnotes:

I knew I wanted to wear this skirt yesterday and then built a teaching outfit around it.   I love the little buttons, the subtle pattern, and the straight cut of it.  I think it was originally sold with a matching suit jacket (I of course bought it on the clearance rack).   I am often drawn to suits wear but I can’t say I have ever worn a full suit.  Instead, I prefer to wear suit pieces mixed with other items.  I think this allows for my personal style to come through more and means I can wear these great pieces over and over again, making endless combinations.   E. and S., tend to do the same thing – mixing suit pieces into their regular wardrobe.  You can check out our flickr set “Suit Yourself” to see examples.

What are your thoughts on suit wear?  How often do you sport a full suit (skirt or pants with matching jacket)?  Do you buy suit separates to work into your wardrobe, paired with non-suit items?  Do you mix and match suit pieces?  Tell us your suit story!   A.

Details, originally uploaded by academichic.

24 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

• Open Cardigan - J Crew
• Teal Tank – BR Outlet
• Polka-dot Tee – Banana Republic
• Jeans – Banana Republic
• Tan Wedges – Gap Outlet
• Pendant – Grandmothers

Endnotes:

Several of you asked about the fit/ciut of these jeans when I wore them on Monday.  They are Banana Republic Classic Skinny (a size larger than I would buy in trouser cut).  A friend actually picked them up on super sale ($8 I think) because she thought I might like them.  When she gave them to me,  I was happy to receive any gifted clothing,  but had low expectations for them, given the difficulty of finding jeans that fit, particularly straight or skinny jeans, but somehow, these worked!

I wore them cuffed the other day and have plans to wear them tucked into my boots once the weather finally cools off, but was hesitant to wear them un-cuffed with regular shoes.  I used to think this style worked only for the straight line body and not at all for my curvy legs.  I tried to balance the look with a more voluminous cardigan and while I started the day off rather self conscious, I was quite comfortable in the look by the time I made it to campus.

I also think this styling of the jeans makes them more work appropriate.  I still wouldn’t teach in them (though plenty of my colleuges teach in jeans) but this year I am advising an undergraduate student group and their meetings are at night (often past my bed time in fact) and on the day I usually don’t have to be on campus for anything else.  So a nice pair of jeans and a low wedge seemed the perfect choice.

A.

Layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

17 September 2009 – Quick and Casual, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

• Coral Polo – J Crew
• Grey Skirt – Old Navy
• Navy Cami – American Eagle
• Green Flats – Banana Republic
• Rainbow Bracelet – Hawaii
• Coral Earrings- American Eagle

Endnotes:

A2 had car trouble on her way to work, so my morning routine was disrupted to say the least. I had to throw on something quick that I could be comfortable in all day, and even walk home in if need be (although on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I usually have a gym bag backed anyway).   Mornings when I need to choose something quickly, when don’t have time to try stuff on, swap out one cami for another, or ponder the color wheel, I often go for an ensemble I have worn before. This morning, for some reason, I thought of this polo and my denim skirt which I wore back in July.  I planed to wear the outfit exactly, but denim skirt was in the wash so it was swapped with my grey skirt, and I grabbed this rainbow bracelet instead of the green necklace worn as bracelet, creating the same layered-strand effect but adding a pop of pride!

Rainbow Bracelet, originally uploaded by academichic.

16 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

• Purple Cardigan – Gap Outlet
• Grey Tee – Old Navy
• Black Cami – Banana Republic
• Black Skirt – Banana Republic
• Scarf (worn as belt) – H& M
• Black Flats – Urban Outfitters
• Yellow Bangles – Gap Outlet
• Earrings – Forever 21

Endnotes:

Today, I am continuing my experimentation with scarves and layered necklines to rejuvenate my summer wardrobe.  I wore this scarf as obi/belt this past winter and loved it and I think it works well here with the purple and grey and the little bit of a textured cami layered under the ruched v-neck.

Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.