Guest Post: Grad School Style

I really wanted to follow up my undergraduate fashion tutorial/exposé, What To Wear To College, with something aimed at all the lovely and brilliant grad students out there, but as the owner of a lowly Bachelor's degree, I felt wholly unqualified. What to do? Call in the help of the stylin' PhD candidates over at Academic Chic, of course! What follows is their practical guide to dressing for your 500-level classes (hint: pajama pants are not recommended), in the form of a syllabus, naturally:

GSF 560: Graduate Student Fashion and Its Applications

Course Description:

This course will explore the practical application of graduate student attire, examining the way self-representation intersects with set standards of professionalism and business-attire.

Prerequisites:

Completion of Undergraduate Style 101 and at least one Fashion 101 Color Module. Additionally, each student must be well acquainted with his or her own Proportions or request special permission from the instructor.

Course Objectives:

This course will steer students toward a better understanding of his or her own best features and attributes and will explore ways to emphasize and celebrate those aspects of his or her self. By the end of the course, students should be well versed in proportions, color combinations, and use of accessories to present a professional and stylish work persona that still adheres to each student’s personality and sense of aesthetic.

Fall Semester Schedule:

Plan on acquiring at least three of the five graduate student essentials for the semester ahead. Extra credit to students who acquire the below items at thrift stores or consignment shops.

1. Fall fitted jacket – our choices: brown corduroy or navy cotton

2. Dark wash straight leg – not necessarily a skinny jean, but a figure flattering straight leg dark wash denim

3. Boots - Great for skirts, dresses, or pants. Think of your campus commute when choosing a heel height! We love a dark chocolate brown or a cognac color.

4. Black wool dress - The winter version of the LBD, can be remixed endlessly and dressed up for drinks after class or made professional for conference presentations.

5. Well fitting dress pants – As winter approaches, you’re less likely to teach in skirts and sometimes you just don’t want to fuss with tights. No need to reach for those jeans if you have a great fitting flat-front pair of trousers.

See you in class!

Any other recommendations from grad students past or present? Any cautionary tales? Did you make an effort to upgrade your style for this next phase of your education, or just stick with your old formula? How did it go?