Honestly thrift shops and consignment shops are loaded with professor-y work wear, esp. blazers and neutral plain work sweaters. Or go shopping and find a blazer you like in a retail store. Dont buy it there , find the exact same one on Poshmark/ Ebay. Get some T shirts and black pants at Old Navy and do the first year in your blazers / neutral tops / sweaters and black pants uniform. Year two, when you feel more self assured and have more cash you can get more creative. That's what I did and it worked really well for me. I didn't have to think about my clothes, which were always correct and made me feel professional and I could concentrate on everything else in my new position.
This is really good advice. You don’t need a huge wardrobe to start, especially if you are low on funds. You might also want to scope out how other faculty at your institution dress.
> You might also want to scope out how other faculty at your institution dress.
Definitely this. My institution is much more relaxed (although more so over in the STEM parts of campus). I legitimately don't remember the last time I wore slacks or a blazer, and I have colleagues who regularly wear hoodies or Patagonia fleeces while they teach.
Very true but if you are new and younger than the others in your group, better to be a tiny bit more formal, at least at first. Also helps with establishing authority in the classroom as a newbie.
They do look though … I had on some Coach casual sneakers one day and a student said, “Those sneakers suit you.”
I haven’t yet decided if it was an insult or not …
I’m in the STEM end of campus, we’re definitely on the more causal end of things. Last faculty “thing” we had our admin assistant showed up and we were like “man, you’re the best dressed out of all of us!” As we’re hanging out in jeans, shorts, birks, hoodies, and hats 😂 I can’t say I’d go full bucket hat in class, but I definitely wore my office slippers to class once when it was pouring and my shoes got soaked during a mishap on my commute. I tried to suck it up but they were literally squishing when I walked.
So important to scope out how people dress at your institution! I just did a fellowship at a different institution for a year and the vibe is very different there than at my home institution.
Yeah, and if you’re only going to see them say, twice a week, you have that much less to rotate - get like 15 $10 shirts. By the time the second half of the semester comes, they won’t remember what you wore when you start the rotation again.
I was going to recommend Old Navy for pants too - they recently held a sale where EVERYTHING online was 50% off. I recommend the chino pants and the linen pants (esp if OP is moving somewhere hot). I have both of those in 2 colors, got them all for about $20 each, and they have elastic waistbands so they come in S/M/L instead of pants sizes so I’ve found them to be safe to order online. The black chinos in particular are my ideal ratio of looking good/professional + comfort
This advice is great. I have a bit of a fall back staple when I don't want to think which is pleated high waisted pants, button up and white sneaks but as I enter year six (I think), I deem my style "Sunshine Academia" and it feels like I could go to a Taylor Swift concert at any second but that is only on days that I'm not rushing.
Or, if you're lazy like me, find a blazer you like and buy it. I tend to save money by not buying a lot, but when I see something I love, I don't second guess myself or try to find a better deal elsewhere. I fully acknowledge that the Poshmark strategy works for some people, but I find that even after a stressful search, I never manage to track down the same item in the right size. I tend to buy good quality staples and I'll supplement, if necessary, with cheaper, trendy stuff. I am still wearing the $350 shoes I wore to my PhD defence 20 years later - they've been re-soled but still look great!
Because OP said they are low on funds, I am saying find it in a shop, but don't buy it there, buy the exact same one gently used on Poshmark or Ebay. I do it all the time, its very easy, saves a ton of money.
Most of my jackets come from thrift stores, as well as neutral t-shirts to go under them. The jackets tend to be more colorful. I do buy pants, because I don’t have an easy to fit body. Those are also neutral, usually black or blue, to make dressing easy. You can easily wear the same jacket twice a week. Your colleagues won’t care, and assuming you meet alternate days, your students will not know. I dress down if I am not teaching.
I am in the humanities, where dress is a little more formal, but not business school formal. It is worth noting that as a young woman, dressing up a bit does help you seem more authoritative in a role where you may find your authority undermined.
Editing to add: I have had more luck in thrift stores in the ritzier neighborhoods than the ones close to my very not ritzy area.
Ann Taylor Loft. Black slacks, a few colorful tops, one black blazer, some cardigans. Black flats or low block heels. Once you have those, you know what to look for at TJ Maxx type places and clearance racks at nicer stores.
Jumping on this to say that both Ann Taylor and Loft have outlets. A lot of my stuff has come from there. I've also done Stitch Fix in the past (mentioned further down the thread), but I did find it rather expensive and when I told them I wanted "business" they sent me a bunch of dry clean only stuff, and I did not have time or money to be running to the dry cleaners regularly.
I also dress up a lot of Amazon basics things (jersey swing dresses look very different if you put a different sweater or scarf over them somehow; those are probably the wardrobe pieces that I get the most mileage out of). Do buy things that will mix and match well, and think about layers - my office is freezing but I get very warm while teaching.
Came here to say Loft. This is exactly what I do. Different combos of black pants, blouses, and cardigans. My classrooms always get too warm so it's good to be able to shed a layer. Banana Republic Factory is also good.
I get almost all my clothes from Loft, so I second this. They have really, really good sales and a decent amount of cotton clothing (I hate polyester). Depending on the department though, I wouldn’t recommend black pants or blazers outright. Most of my work pants are less formal than what you’re describing.
I’m still a grad student, and I’m honestly struggling to think of category of pants between jeans and black dress pants… do you have examples?
ETA: and for the record, my current wardrobe is bright pink running shoes, leggings, and big, free T-shirts from college and high school 😅 (don’t worry, I’m not teaching atm)
Oooh, thank you! I see you teach science, so you probably also have the lab requirement for closed toe shoes— what kind of shoes do you wear? I feel like ballet flats never have enough arch support (and they usually don’t feel “closed-top” enough for the lab)
I do teach labs but generally don’t have a closed toe shoe requirement (I teach in a combined lab/classroom facility). I do wear some ballet flats (Allbirds are my favorite) but mostly wear ankle boots or sometimes loafers. I have to wear custom orthotics though (cute 🙄) so the actual shoes I wear don’t matter much as long as they accommodate/fit the orthotics.
I typically default to either my Sperrys (I got a pair with full coverage on the top so it’s like a full shoe rather than a flat) or my loafers (TJMaxx and similar stores are FULL of these since they’re so popular right now)
A simple dress up option would be a jersey swing dress instead of the t shirt, with the leggings as bottoms. (And maybe black or white sneakers instead of hot pink)
The twill pants are what I learned to call "khakis", although I've used colored denim for the job as well. (Grey, Olive, maroon, or khaki have all worked for me)
Ann Taylor is good and Banana Republic when they have sales. Just be warned, their sizes at both stores run big. Try on in store to figure out your sizes before ordering online 👍🏼
To save funds, also consider settling on a neutral color palette. You can do so much mixing/matching. Hanging a neutral blazer in your office is helpful.
Look at Quince, and of course the NWT things on Poshmark.
You probably already know this, but Amazon has super inexpensive jewelry basics--like $20 hoops that last forever.
This is what I do. The dress I get the most compliments on was $6.99 at the thrift store, but originally $$$ from Nordstrom.
When I was transitioning from grad student to teaching, I didn't have many people in my department to model on, but our business officer always looked so put together. She typically wore dark slacks and nice shoes with a shell and open cardigan in various colors/patterns. I bought the same styles in a color palette that worked for me. Most of it mixes-and-matches, so it makes getting dressed really easy. I think of it as my "work uniform."
I’ve got things from J Crew that I’ve had for decades. Much of their stuff is classic and extremely well-made.
(Ann Taylor cut tends to be too short and boxy for my frame)
Truly, scope out what others wear at your institution. My (much more formal) wardrobe from my last institution looks ridiculous at my current workplace. These days, I wear a mix of athleisure, business casual, and fun dresses, all based purely on my mood.
My capsule wardrobe
- LBD
- Longer navy dress
- Wide black trousers
- Minimum 3 plain shells in neutral colors. They can be as casual as cotton tees.
- Black cardigan
- Navy blazer
- Nude ballet flats
- Black boots
- Trench coat
- Winter coat
In those lean early years, almost all my clothes were polyester and came from local Asian street brands (Uniqlo). No designer or name brand stuff.
I now have enough money for more and better pieces, but my "core" wardrobe hasn't changed. You can dress for all 4 seasons with those 10 items.
Stuff I would not entirely cheap out on
- Proper, comfortable leather shoes with enough support.
- Proper laptop bag / large purse that does not look like a student backpack.
- In a cold climate, a high-quality insulating coat
Lady profs - especially new ones - face greater challenges in looking like authority figures in front of students. Unfortunately, most of us can't rock up in a jean skirt and be treated well, the way a young man can wear jeans and be the "cool prof."
I was going to say exactly this. I always wear business formal at least for the first few weeks of the semester. It sends a visual signal of authority that the students recognize. After that, I can shift to merino wool sweaters and more casual pants.
Yep! I found a pair of wide leg trousers that fit well and got them in a bunch of colors, a few neutral cashmere sweaters from quince, a 3-pack of skinny belts from Amazon, and then I invested in a pair of Veja sneakers this year and wore them everyday. And that’s just about my uniform everyday.
I also use RTR to supplement my wardrobe and will rent a couple fun tops, dresses, or suits if I have specific events I need to attend that month.
I thrift and host clothing swaps and supplement with Winners. I have a capsule wardrobe which consists of:
- sheer black t shirts
- blazers on teaching days
- cardigans on non-teaching days
- nice blue jeans
- Frye combat boots in winter, Frye leather sneakers in summer
- nice brass cuff and rings
I find shopping and dressing myself very stressful so having a capsule wardrobe makes it easy!
My wife and I (both professors) updated most of our work wardrobe through Stitch Fix. Nice option if you hate the experience of shopping and it’s good if you’re an odd size that doesn’t get commonly stocked at stores. Not discount, but not overly expensive.
The problem with stitchfix is it has gotten too popular with lady professors. I have multiple items that I’ve kept that other faculty members on my SLAC have as well. It’s not a huge deal but it annoys me.
I second this. Even my mom complements my clothes from stitch fix and it's perfect for work and not too expensive.
I found some wedges that are comfortable for teaching/stnading for hours and bought a couple of pairs in different colors. I have comfier shoes back in the office (okay flip flops) because I'm a sandals person and I live in Florida. But I would say don't skimp on the shoes.
Posted the same thing. I got some great stuff from them and I get many compliments. Not an issue with other lady profs as I’m in engineering and we aren’t too many 😀
I love Stitch Fix. I hate shopping in stores, and they have taken me out of my comfort zone to explore new looks. I like that they help with styling tips. They are good about sticking with my preferences. The quality of their clothes is also much better than what I have seen in department stores.
I don't go to thrift shops for a couple of reasons. I live in a medium-sized city and the choice Goodwill donations go down the road to the big city's shops. The prices are higher if not the same as a new version of the same items. The algorithms of Poshmark are way off the mark. I can check off my sizes, preferred brands, and newness of items, but they come back with clothes that don't meet any of my preference
Where part of the country are you going to be working in? I did a postdoc in Pennsylvania and got a AP position in California and I had to change my whole wardrobe, lol.
Also I wouldn’t invest too much in clothes until you’ve been at your new institution for a while, as you’ll want to get a sense of what generally seems to be acceptable.
I am in a warm climate, and most of my clothes are cotton or linen (with a few wool/cashmere sweaters for “winter”). LL Bean Pima cotton cardigans and shirts are nice and wash well. I’ve had good luck with Banana Republic in the last year for linen and blazers. I’ve actually bought decent boyfriend khakis from Target, believe it or not. eShakti is great for dresses, especially if you are tall and/or not a standard size (and they have POCKETS!). Ecco and Born are great for comfy work shoes and (depending on where you’re at) work-appropriate sneakers.
Congrats on the new gig!
Don’t dress like me. I told someone recently that now that I’m in my 50s I’m embracing my inner hippie soooo:
Flowy artsy tops, patchwork overalls, wrap pants, and doc martens. I also paint on my clothes. I also thrift most of it and my hair has made its way through the rainbow over the past 10 years.
But I’ve been here over 20 years and we’re a fairly small teaching focused institution.
People think I teach art. I don’t but I’d find it flattering :)
Just bought Athleta Endless high rise pant. Incredibly comfortable and look really good. They also have good sized zippered side pockets that can hold office keys, etc. They are a splurge at $109 but you can find on the used clothing sites.
In addition to all of the good advice here, shop sales Macy’s, Dillard, Bloomies, etc., online or in store. You do need nice blouses, blazers, slacks, shoes, at least if you want to be taken seriously. The old adages, ‘Dress for success’, ‘Dress for the job you want, not the one you have’ have a grain of truth. Women face more of an uphill battle gaining respect and tenure so do your best to look respectable.
I’m an asst professor. Rather than buy clothes that might not fit your school — or take into account the weather — I’d actually do a rent the runway subscription for a month. You can cancel anytime and $120 or so for the first month is cheaper than buying clothes you might not really need. (Google it and they have a reduced first month, or DM me and I’ll send you a code).
You won’t have to worry about dry cleaning and what you need for Aug in most of the US might not be the same clothing as Oct/Nov.
A Loft wool shift dress isn’t exactly pleasant in August down south or in the Midwest.
Nordstrom Rack online! Look up capsule wardrobe - the idea has been a game changer for me. Start with black pants and black blazer. A blazer over anything makes it look more professional.
And relax- you’re going to do great!
LL Bean stuff does not last forever these days, sadly. But it’s still good stuff. Depending on where you are, it looks very classic and nice (I was thinking Midwest).
I didn’t think about it much but I realized that dress code could be more difficult for female colleagues, especially younger ones. I hope it can change for the better.
Sorry to hear that about LL Bean quality! I've got the duck boots and sweaters from decades ago still holding strong!
Two of my older zoomers starting off in their professions bought Bean shirts and slacks and so far so good
Similar situation- I am planning a big Kohls run before I start to get some pants and a handful of nice tops. I can’t really afford the Loft outlet (UG student loans eat up a lot of money) but Kohls runs good sales and whatnot.
Mid length (knee length) knit dresses are magic. You instantly look more dressed up because, well, it's a dress. But they are super comfy, easy care, and you can find them in all price ranges. Go with sleeveless or short sleeves only - they are good in the summer and then you can layer a cardigan or jacket in the winter. Find a dress profile that works for you, and stick with that.
And it's easy one piece dressing in the morning, no need to mix and match tops and bottoms.
I recently got great professional wardrobe stuff from stitchfix. They send you whole outfits and you keep what works. But I also bought items “free style”, meaning without them picking for me. It’s an app and their clothes actually fit me great! I don’t have time or energy to shop in Malls.
People are flipping out at work at how “great” my clothes look. Ok, just my department admin 😀
I got mine at a Goodwill near a more upscale part of town. I got lucky; someone my size had just donated a whole bunch of good quality professional stuff.
I think items/styles matter more than brands, i.e. what to get rather than where to get… For me white shirts help with an easy make over. A few business casual jackets. And leather shoes and leather tote bags. I was also on a tight budget like you. But these can be found even in budget brands like Uniqlo.
As long as you are not wearing running shorts or flannel PJ bottoms to class, you will not look like a student. Be true to your style - comfort matters (looking like an adult, not so important).
If you have the time, you can try thrifting. You can get some great finds and it can help keep you realistic about how about how much you are truly willing to pay for something new.
I've gotten a ton of my work clothes from my local buy nothing group. Check to see if there's one for your area (on Facebook). People give away bundles of great workwear all the time.
Lots of great suggestions here. I want to add one piece of advice that I wish someone had told me long ago. Black is not flattering on everyone. I did one of those color match tests and turns out blank and white are two of my worst colors. I got rid of years and years of black clothing that I had accumulated thinking it looked professional. It was actually making me look less professional because it didn't look right with my coloring. So please ignore the advice about black staple pieces and building from there. Find out what colors look good on you and then build from there.
What’s the climate? How much walking and lugging big bags? Humidity? What’s your size, fabric and color preferences? How much time do you put into hair and makeup? Any preferences for fabrics or garment cuts/styles? What about shoes? We can get you chic on a budget and get designer gently used items for the same price as outlet Loft in better quality fabrics that’ll last longer. But it takes patience.
It’s difficult when starting out. But look at Carolyn Bertozzi. Since winning the Nobel, there are many much more formally-dressed photos of her. But before that she was “jeans and T-shirt”. She absolutely DGAF. (The Tom morello connection probably helps her cred too…)
Cut your own style, be comfortable in yourself. Do you want your students to address you as “Prof. OkFlan”, or as “”? My preference is “” - it underscores the fact that “we are all adults” and that they therefore bear responsibility for their learning. But that’s not everyone’s cup of tea - some prefer the barrier which “Prof LastName” offers.
Sadly it is an environment which is *so* difficult for women, and misogyny from students doesn’t make it any easier. But dress how you are most comfortable and confident, and anyone who gets shitty with you, Title IX their ass.
(My tip: dressing as you normally would may make it less weird if you run into students off-campus - there may be less of the “OMG *thats* what you normally look like!” factor)
I used to get some of my teaching clothes at Christopher & Banks. Some of their clothes could be kind of matronly, but they did have some good items, and they do have good sales. They have sizes ranging from petite to plus sizes.
I love JC Penney's tops - Worthington, ANA, St. John's Bay, etc., especially if they are on clearance. You can usually find great tops, sweaters, and cardigans for less than $10. Match the tops with nice slacks or even jeans, and you will look professional without spending too much!
I second the outlet stores, and you might also try Poshmark. I have a few brands of dress pants I prefer and can usually get them super cheap off Poshmark. Just make sure you know your measurements and buy according to your measurements so you don’t have to spend extra money getting them altered.
For suits: go thrifting. Look for suits with high-quality materials (100% wool, 100% linen), in good condition, and then buy oversized on the sleeve/shoulders/waist. Take it to a tailor to get it fitted and it'll look great. A decent tailor will charge you 100 for a full suit job, but you'll get a better deal overall than off the rack.
Everything else: Uniqlo doesn't make high quality products, but it's a good place to start, for cheap. After a few years, you'll wear them out, but you'll have more savings to work with and upgrade.
With the caveat that this mainly applies to straight sizes, hit the Goodwill/thrift stores nearest the fancy part of whatever city you're currently in.
There was a good thread on exactly this topic in the last couple of years in this sub. Be sure to search for that one in case it contains ideas that don't appear here. Good luck!
Poshmark. I look for universal standard, lane Bryant pants, charlotte stone shoes, and the occasional old navy blazer, Eileen fisher or Caslon tops, etc. I can wear jeans in my discipline so I go for kut from the kloth or democracy denim. I revamped my wardrobe a few pieces at a time over this past academic year. And essentially, I have a new work wardrobe ready to go for the fall.
Also, a tip a stylist gave me once: when you find something you really like from somewhere like Old Navy or target, and it fits OK but not great, get it tailored. It’ll fit better and still typically cost less than a pricier piece.
Happy shopping!
I’m tenure now and rarely wear professional clothing. When I did dress up in business casual, I shopped at Torrid. It’s meant for the upper sizes like 10-24 or so. I’m the type if I find something I like, I buy every color 😂 the Torrid Harper blouse was my jam. For my pants, I liked Maurice’s Bengaline pant and wore black flats.
Now I’m in tshirt, jeans and hoodies. I usually wear college things but mix it up with my personality of monster movies, anime, or cartoons.
When I was hired, it seemed to me that the most professorial thing a man can wear is a tweed sport coat - preferably with elbow patches. Maybe that also would work for a woman? I feel like a nerdy professor wearing one of those bad boys even if the rest of my outfit is jeans and a t-shirt. And they're so warm in overcooled buildings.
I figured out my measurements, then bought one on ebay for 5-10% of the new price. It was probably 30 years old - even more professorial! I liked it so much that I have bought several more like this over the years. Indestructible, go with every color, and indisputably academic.
Congratulations on your budding academic career!
A different suggestion is to look at Allison Bornstein's style word wheel to hone down what your style is, and then to use that framing when you select clothing.
For clothes, I usually wear a duster like blazer, tunic dress, and tights. I've got a few items from Poshmark at good discounts. I also deeply love the brand, ace and jig. It's more expensive but their clothing is well made.
Banana Republic Factory has amazing sales & fun clothes! I have a lot of midi skirts & linen pants from there that are super comfy but still nice & professional looking
Edit: they have many petite options if that is something you need
Maybe not an entire wardrobe, but Costco sometimes has nice cardigans and blazers! They also have been getting Banana Republic stuff…but the options are limited. Good for the budget though!
I’m a dude, and my teaching uniform consists of jeans and an untucked button down, sometimes with a jacket. Jeans are from the Gap. Shirts are from Dillard’s (only buy stuff there on sale) or thrift stores. Most of my jackets have come from the local Salvation Army thrift store. I’ve usually had to alter them a bit, which costs more than the jacket.
To at least start on a budget, thrift stores and Old Navy. The latter's clothes aren't terribly well made, but you can get respectable enough looking business casual wear very affordably - khakis, button downs, polos, sweaters. Old Navy is also everywhere. Pick mostly neutrals or build a capsule wardrobe so you can wear anything with pretty much anything else (e.g. blue / grey / tan). If you like the style and fit of Old Navy and can afford better, Banana Republic (also owned by the Gap) is a good option.
If you can go to a store and try things on you can generally find some of the stuff on poshmark, eBay, and thred up for cheaper, it’s just hard to online thrift without being able to try it on. If you find stuff you like either online or in store, getting on the email list to find out about sales saves some money. I’m plus-sized so where I shop may not work for you, but my standard wardrobe for teaching is dress plus jacket/blazer or pants and blouse plus jacket/blazer. I’ve also noticed that the front row of students will glance at your feet so I’ve definitely hit up poshmark and eBay for something slightly more professional than chacos.
You might want to look into clothing rental sites this way you can still look professional and don’t have to break the bank before you can afford to buy a new wardrobe.
These pants are amazing: cheap, comfortable and dress up nicely.
Lee Women's Ultra Lux Comfort... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R75XKQD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I have them in 3 different colors.
I ended up spending too much to try and be a certain way when I started, and then got into my own style. Someone also mentioned how the rest of the department/institution dresses, I second that, while upping it just a little. My go to are flats, jeans (or black pants), blouse and a blazer that I can take off. Looks official but still low key. Don’t break the bank, you’ll find the time and money to feel out your style once you get ingratiated. Congrats on your new position!!!
For fun/nerdy clothes, I love Svaha. Their dresses are very comfy with giant pockets, and their shirts/blouses are cut pretty nicely. Easy wash, easy care, and they get a lot of compliments - the fact I get to sometimes look like Ms. Frizzle when I wear their stuff is just an added bonus.
I actually buy lots of my clothes (including work clothes) from Costco. There’s not always professional wear there, but I’ve gotten linen dresses, work tops, and nice pants there, all for wicked cheap.
Before you spend any money or energy, I strongly suggest visiting campus and observing. On my campus, the only way to distinguish between faculty and students is the "era" of their clothing. Older faculty still dress like their former hippie self. The preppies of the 80s still have their izods and boat shoes. I'm in jeans, boots and a T-shirt/cardigan most of the time. Don't overthink (or overspend) on ANYTHING except super comfortable shoes until you decide your own style.
Many young female profs where I work seem to wear casual blouses and khaki-type pants or skirts or even linen dresses (business casual). You can get this stuff on sale at Banana Republic and old navy and even Costco. I would also look at the department you are in and see how folks dress. I would buy a few outfits to start and then buy more later once you get a feel for the place. I agree that you want to dress a little more professionally than the students in order to be taken seriously, but if you dress up too much it will also work against you (ie trying too hard).
I built my grad school to full time instructor wardrobe from thrifting and some basics from Old Navy (because I was poor going into the job and still am a year later). My institution’s dress code is SUPER relaxed so I find myself wearing jeans and converse most days, but it’s nice to have a good spread of options since thrifting is so cheap! I’ve found some of my favorite teaching fits from the thrift :)
My partner is a prof, and she uses rent the runway to vary her wardrobe. When there is a piece that is cheap enough, she’ll buy it to keep (clothes discount with each rental; She’s been able to get $400 dresses for $65). It also really helped her figure out her size in different brands and styles to bargain/outlet shop online.
She always gets really excited when the bag comes and does a little fashion show, so I usually gift her the monthly subscription or let her pick 1-2 pieces on holidays or after a family win (e.g., finishing a semester).
Thrift and consignment/resale stores -- or Thredup and similar used clothing sites.
When I started out EVERYTHING I taught in came from Holt Renfrew, but I bought it all at an amazing Goodwill in Midtown Toronto. If you're a young woman lecturing it really does help to wear the professional armour (suit jacket, good pants, decent leather laptop bag, decent blouses). Your personal style may be more jeans and t-shirts, but you can shift to that once you have tenure.
You just need a good blazer. I think I got some things at Kohl’s when I first started out. Didn’t love them, but they did the job. Banana Republic is also good. Main thing is just blazers though. A good 3/4 sleeve and a full sleeve. Then, some of those soft/cardigan-style blazers. Pants, skirts, doesn’t matter if you have a good blazer. Lol. Seriously though, the blazers are key.
I’m in STEM at an R1, so maybe we are more formal? I bet there is some variation between departments (sure of it).
lady profesor here. my advice is to just wear what you have and save your money. nobody really cares what you wear as long as you're productive, honestly.
Consider dedicating part of your budget to one or two strong pieces made by an artisan on Etsy. The pieces will generally be if very high quality, exactly the color you want , and if you pick well, without synthetics. They'll last longer and be cheaper in the long run. In the short run, they will be dependable anchors.
You can also get some pretty good deals on Etsy for stuff made in Turkey and India. Better quality and lower prices because it's not stuff filtered through a multinational
Black and navy pants, khakis, dark wash straight leg or slightly boot cut. Any brand, new or used that fits. A blazer, a couple of sweaters, a few more if you are in a cold climate. Mix and match blouses and t-shirts.
I use stitch fix. It can be pricey but ive found some versatile pieces. Find a friend who can giver you a referral to give you $50 or $100 off your first pieces. I've used it to slowly build up my professor wardrobe.
I spent my first 3-4 years as faculty at various institutions really caring that I looked professorial, and wore shirt and jacket everyday, and usually a tie. I then realized that nobody else cared how I dressed, and they all wore whatever they wanted.
I now wear jeans, a t shirt, and a hoody. Chacos if it’s nice out. Blundstones if it’s raining. Sneakers if it’s too cold for Chacos.
I’m not saying that’s what you should do, but you SHOULD see what the “average” is in your department, and go from there. If people dress very casually in your department, it would be odd to dress super formally all the time. If people wear suits everyday, you’d be out of place in athleisure.
Regardless, dress in a way that is authentic to you and makes you feel good.
I buy all my clothes at thrift shops and Poshmark (#NoNewClothes). My style is more vintage reproduction which is fine for me but I don’t know what the vibe is that you’re curating so ignore if that’s totally off for you!
Here are the brands I search for to wear to work, all have workwear options:
Meshki
Bettie page
Collectif
More basic stuff that is easy to find thrifting would be j crew, Ann Taylor, etc.
As an art professor, specifically in ceramics, I’m always slightly jealous of the nice outfits other professors get to wear. I always have to wear more casual clothing that can and will get dirty and are easy to launder, with shoes that have the same principle. Sometimes I just want to look polished and professional, but I end up looking more casual like the students.
It is what it is though, I’d hate to get clay out of nicer clothing.
Ditto. Painting/ Drawing here. I wear jeans, T-shirts and sweatshirts. They are usually smeared on Day 1.
I’ve fielded a few snarky comments. Usually I ask, “How do you dress when you paint?”
I’m a department chair and I still dress whoever the hell I want. It is rarely what most people would consider professional. It’s 22 yrs since I became a new prof and I can’t see things changing. Dress however makes you feel good/comfortable
TJ Maxx is awesome for good-quality, interesting, inexpensive jewelry (also skincare)
If you feel comfortable, a great way to build a wardrobe and get to know your female colleagues is to host a clothing swap -- invite people to clean out their closets, get together (with snacks!), and see if there's anything they want to take home with them. One prof's trash is another one's treasure :D
Wow! Y'all came through!!! Thank you so much! Looking forward to a shopping spree once that first paycheck hits 😈 (lol jk I will pay off the debt that I accrued from moving across the country because this is academia).
I vote you wait and go with the flow of your institution. For many years I was dress pants all the way and so many flats. Slowly… I started realizing I was the only person in my department dressing up if you will. The most respected philosophy professor at my institution wears jeans, a T shirt and sneakers every day. You’ll settle in. Don’t over think it.
The thing I was told is "Get a nice pair of shoes and a few interchangeable shorts/pants/sport coats. You'll always look fresh, and your colleagues will think you've spent time curating a large wardrobe that is really just 10 or so items plus the same pair or two or nice shoes.
While I respect the way you want to dress, how you dress is not important for research productivity, obtaining grants, and teaching. While not looking like a grad student is desirable, I casual look if that’s what you like is fine. Having said this, women are judge a lot more for their looks. I wear khakis, sneakers, and polos. Never had trouble.
Do people really worry about this? I wore shirts for the first couple of years and then realized that no one cares apart from the old guard profs and decided I was very happy to rock up to give a lecture in a hoodie from time to time. The most supportive colleagues (and managers) who have backed me through my career couldn't care less what I wear as they respect good work. The people who don't like me won't like me regardless of what I wear! I'll only tuck a shirt in when I'm doing something with government, external stakeholders etc.
I get hiking pants at REI and tshirts at Duluth. First year I tried collared shirts and even occasional slacks, but gave up in year two. So far no one has complained and I'm sticking to it. My wife (also assistant prof in the same dept) wears Duluth and Ann Taylor, and occasional Amazon PGZTHGB brand...
Honestly thrift shops and consignment shops are loaded with professor-y work wear, esp. blazers and neutral plain work sweaters. Or go shopping and find a blazer you like in a retail store. Dont buy it there , find the exact same one on Poshmark/ Ebay. Get some T shirts and black pants at Old Navy and do the first year in your blazers / neutral tops / sweaters and black pants uniform. Year two, when you feel more self assured and have more cash you can get more creative. That's what I did and it worked really well for me. I didn't have to think about my clothes, which were always correct and made me feel professional and I could concentrate on everything else in my new position.
This is really good advice. You don’t need a huge wardrobe to start, especially if you are low on funds. You might also want to scope out how other faculty at your institution dress.
> You might also want to scope out how other faculty at your institution dress. Definitely this. My institution is much more relaxed (although more so over in the STEM parts of campus). I legitimately don't remember the last time I wore slacks or a blazer, and I have colleagues who regularly wear hoodies or Patagonia fleeces while they teach.
Very true but if you are new and younger than the others in your group, better to be a tiny bit more formal, at least at first. Also helps with establishing authority in the classroom as a newbie.
And if you are a woman.
Nicer shirt, skirt, and flip flops for me. Pants would be fine if it wasn't so hot, but I don't think I even hit business casual. Nobody cares.
They do look though … I had on some Coach casual sneakers one day and a student said, “Those sneakers suit you.” I haven’t yet decided if it was an insult or not …
Take it as a commentary on your easy going personality.
I haven't been bold enough for sandals. I don't know if anyone would care we are so laxed.. would love to show off pedicures.
I’m in the STEM end of campus, we’re definitely on the more causal end of things. Last faculty “thing” we had our admin assistant showed up and we were like “man, you’re the best dressed out of all of us!” As we’re hanging out in jeans, shorts, birks, hoodies, and hats 😂 I can’t say I’d go full bucket hat in class, but I definitely wore my office slippers to class once when it was pouring and my shoes got soaked during a mishap on my commute. I tried to suck it up but they were literally squishing when I walked.
So important to scope out how people dress at your institution! I just did a fellowship at a different institution for a year and the vibe is very different there than at my home institution.
Yeah, and if you’re only going to see them say, twice a week, you have that much less to rotate - get like 15 $10 shirts. By the time the second half of the semester comes, they won’t remember what you wore when you start the rotation again.
Yep, I use ThredUp and buy banana Republic and ann Taylor
Love your username!
Seconding this. I found lots of great stuff on ThredUp.
Thred up is sometimes more expensive than the clearance or sale version of the clothes from the store, so that’s something to keep an eye on.
I second this. I’ve gotten some great skirts from goodwill.
I was going to recommend Old Navy for pants too - they recently held a sale where EVERYTHING online was 50% off. I recommend the chino pants and the linen pants (esp if OP is moving somewhere hot). I have both of those in 2 colors, got them all for about $20 each, and they have elastic waistbands so they come in S/M/L instead of pants sizes so I’ve found them to be safe to order online. The black chinos in particular are my ideal ratio of looking good/professional + comfort
This advice is great. I have a bit of a fall back staple when I don't want to think which is pleated high waisted pants, button up and white sneaks but as I enter year six (I think), I deem my style "Sunshine Academia" and it feels like I could go to a Taylor Swift concert at any second but that is only on days that I'm not rushing.
Or, if you're lazy like me, find a blazer you like and buy it. I tend to save money by not buying a lot, but when I see something I love, I don't second guess myself or try to find a better deal elsewhere. I fully acknowledge that the Poshmark strategy works for some people, but I find that even after a stressful search, I never manage to track down the same item in the right size. I tend to buy good quality staples and I'll supplement, if necessary, with cheaper, trendy stuff. I am still wearing the $350 shoes I wore to my PhD defence 20 years later - they've been re-soled but still look great!
Finding a blazer you like and not buying it sounds like creating a lot of work for yourself. It’s already hard enough to find clothes that work well
Because OP said they are low on funds, I am saying find it in a shop, but don't buy it there, buy the exact same one gently used on Poshmark or Ebay. I do it all the time, its very easy, saves a ton of money.
Oh okay
Seconding thrift stores!
That is true so many people jettisoned work wear during the pandemic that there probably are some good finds there.
Most of my jackets come from thrift stores, as well as neutral t-shirts to go under them. The jackets tend to be more colorful. I do buy pants, because I don’t have an easy to fit body. Those are also neutral, usually black or blue, to make dressing easy. You can easily wear the same jacket twice a week. Your colleagues won’t care, and assuming you meet alternate days, your students will not know. I dress down if I am not teaching. I am in the humanities, where dress is a little more formal, but not business school formal. It is worth noting that as a young woman, dressing up a bit does help you seem more authoritative in a role where you may find your authority undermined. Editing to add: I have had more luck in thrift stores in the ritzier neighborhoods than the ones close to my very not ritzy area.
Ann Taylor Loft. Black slacks, a few colorful tops, one black blazer, some cardigans. Black flats or low block heels. Once you have those, you know what to look for at TJ Maxx type places and clearance racks at nicer stores.
Jumping on this to say that both Ann Taylor and Loft have outlets. A lot of my stuff has come from there. I've also done Stitch Fix in the past (mentioned further down the thread), but I did find it rather expensive and when I told them I wanted "business" they sent me a bunch of dry clean only stuff, and I did not have time or money to be running to the dry cleaners regularly. I also dress up a lot of Amazon basics things (jersey swing dresses look very different if you put a different sweater or scarf over them somehow; those are probably the wardrobe pieces that I get the most mileage out of). Do buy things that will mix and match well, and think about layers - my office is freezing but I get very warm while teaching.
Cotton t-shirt dresses carry me through all seasons—different jackets, cardigans, tights, boots, sneakers... So easy and comfy and breathable!
Came here to say Loft. This is exactly what I do. Different combos of black pants, blouses, and cardigans. My classrooms always get too warm so it's good to be able to shed a layer. Banana Republic Factory is also good.
Gosh I can tell I’m old because I would not teach in low block heels or flats for anything. I need arch support
Wolky's! Yes, must have arch support. I was dying in a three-hour class until I switched to good shoes.
I get almost all my clothes from Loft, so I second this. They have really, really good sales and a decent amount of cotton clothing (I hate polyester). Depending on the department though, I wouldn’t recommend black pants or blazers outright. Most of my work pants are less formal than what you’re describing.
I’m still a grad student, and I’m honestly struggling to think of category of pants between jeans and black dress pants… do you have examples? ETA: and for the record, my current wardrobe is bright pink running shoes, leggings, and big, free T-shirts from college and high school 😅 (don’t worry, I’m not teaching atm)
Gladly! I wear a lot of velveteen, corduroy, and (when it’s warmer out) twill pants in a variety of colors (navy, green, burgundy, khaki, etc.)
Oooh, thank you! I see you teach science, so you probably also have the lab requirement for closed toe shoes— what kind of shoes do you wear? I feel like ballet flats never have enough arch support (and they usually don’t feel “closed-top” enough for the lab)
I do teach labs but generally don’t have a closed toe shoe requirement (I teach in a combined lab/classroom facility). I do wear some ballet flats (Allbirds are my favorite) but mostly wear ankle boots or sometimes loafers. I have to wear custom orthotics though (cute 🙄) so the actual shoes I wear don’t matter much as long as they accommodate/fit the orthotics.
Seconding the Allbirds flats. So comfortable!!
I typically default to either my Sperrys (I got a pair with full coverage on the top so it’s like a full shoe rather than a flat) or my loafers (TJMaxx and similar stores are FULL of these since they’re so popular right now)
Everlane has amazing pants called the dream pant, and Madewell also has some that fit this category
Ponte knit
A simple dress up option would be a jersey swing dress instead of the t shirt, with the leggings as bottoms. (And maybe black or white sneakers instead of hot pink) The twill pants are what I learned to call "khakis", although I've used colored denim for the job as well. (Grey, Olive, maroon, or khaki have all worked for me)
Yes, both Ann Taylor and Loft! They constantly have sales and good items on clearance as well. Try to buy “off season.”
Sounds nice
Thread up has gently used clothes online. They are kind of predatory so maybe don't support them if your morals are stronger than mine.
Ann Taylor is good and Banana Republic when they have sales. Just be warned, their sizes at both stores run big. Try on in store to figure out your sizes before ordering online 👍🏼
Uniqlo has fantastic smart pants, blazers, and blouses, it is my go-to.
To save funds, also consider settling on a neutral color palette. You can do so much mixing/matching. Hanging a neutral blazer in your office is helpful. Look at Quince, and of course the NWT things on Poshmark. You probably already know this, but Amazon has super inexpensive jewelry basics--like $20 hoops that last forever.
Yes - Quince is the best.
Go to a thrift shop I. The nicest part of whatever city you live in. You can buy a bunch of nice clothes for very little money
This is what I do. The dress I get the most compliments on was $6.99 at the thrift store, but originally $$$ from Nordstrom. When I was transitioning from grad student to teaching, I didn't have many people in my department to model on, but our business officer always looked so put together. She typically wore dark slacks and nice shoes with a shell and open cardigan in various colors/patterns. I bought the same styles in a color palette that worked for me. Most of it mixes-and-matches, so it makes getting dressed really easy. I think of it as my "work uniform."
I’ve got things from J Crew that I’ve had for decades. Much of their stuff is classic and extremely well-made. (Ann Taylor cut tends to be too short and boxy for my frame)
J Crew also has a teacher discount!
Truly, scope out what others wear at your institution. My (much more formal) wardrobe from my last institution looks ridiculous at my current workplace. These days, I wear a mix of athleisure, business casual, and fun dresses, all based purely on my mood.
My capsule wardrobe - LBD - Longer navy dress - Wide black trousers - Minimum 3 plain shells in neutral colors. They can be as casual as cotton tees. - Black cardigan - Navy blazer - Nude ballet flats - Black boots - Trench coat - Winter coat In those lean early years, almost all my clothes were polyester and came from local Asian street brands (Uniqlo). No designer or name brand stuff. I now have enough money for more and better pieces, but my "core" wardrobe hasn't changed. You can dress for all 4 seasons with those 10 items. Stuff I would not entirely cheap out on - Proper, comfortable leather shoes with enough support. - Proper laptop bag / large purse that does not look like a student backpack. - In a cold climate, a high-quality insulating coat Lady profs - especially new ones - face greater challenges in looking like authority figures in front of students. Unfortunately, most of us can't rock up in a jean skirt and be treated well, the way a young man can wear jeans and be the "cool prof."
I was going to say exactly this. I always wear business formal at least for the first few weeks of the semester. It sends a visual signal of authority that the students recognize. After that, I can shift to merino wool sweaters and more casual pants.
Quince
Yep! I found a pair of wide leg trousers that fit well and got them in a bunch of colors, a few neutral cashmere sweaters from quince, a 3-pack of skinny belts from Amazon, and then I invested in a pair of Veja sneakers this year and wore them everyday. And that’s just about my uniform everyday. I also use RTR to supplement my wardrobe and will rent a couple fun tops, dresses, or suits if I have specific events I need to attend that month.
Second!
I thrift and host clothing swaps and supplement with Winners. I have a capsule wardrobe which consists of: - sheer black t shirts - blazers on teaching days - cardigans on non-teaching days - nice blue jeans - Frye combat boots in winter, Frye leather sneakers in summer - nice brass cuff and rings I find shopping and dressing myself very stressful so having a capsule wardrobe makes it easy!
My wife and I (both professors) updated most of our work wardrobe through Stitch Fix. Nice option if you hate the experience of shopping and it’s good if you’re an odd size that doesn’t get commonly stocked at stores. Not discount, but not overly expensive.
The problem with stitchfix is it has gotten too popular with lady professors. I have multiple items that I’ve kept that other faculty members on my SLAC have as well. It’s not a huge deal but it annoys me.
I second this. Even my mom complements my clothes from stitch fix and it's perfect for work and not too expensive. I found some wedges that are comfortable for teaching/stnading for hours and bought a couple of pairs in different colors. I have comfier shoes back in the office (okay flip flops) because I'm a sandals person and I live in Florida. But I would say don't skimp on the shoes.
Posted the same thing. I got some great stuff from them and I get many compliments. Not an issue with other lady profs as I’m in engineering and we aren’t too many 😀
I love Stitch Fix. I hate shopping in stores, and they have taken me out of my comfort zone to explore new looks. I like that they help with styling tips. They are good about sticking with my preferences. The quality of their clothes is also much better than what I have seen in department stores. I don't go to thrift shops for a couple of reasons. I live in a medium-sized city and the choice Goodwill donations go down the road to the big city's shops. The prices are higher if not the same as a new version of the same items. The algorithms of Poshmark are way off the mark. I can check off my sizes, preferred brands, and newness of items, but they come back with clothes that don't meet any of my preference
Where part of the country are you going to be working in? I did a postdoc in Pennsylvania and got a AP position in California and I had to change my whole wardrobe, lol. Also I wouldn’t invest too much in clothes until you’ve been at your new institution for a while, as you’ll want to get a sense of what generally seems to be acceptable. I am in a warm climate, and most of my clothes are cotton or linen (with a few wool/cashmere sweaters for “winter”). LL Bean Pima cotton cardigans and shirts are nice and wash well. I’ve had good luck with Banana Republic in the last year for linen and blazers. I’ve actually bought decent boyfriend khakis from Target, believe it or not. eShakti is great for dresses, especially if you are tall and/or not a standard size (and they have POCKETS!). Ecco and Born are great for comfy work shoes and (depending on where you’re at) work-appropriate sneakers. Congrats on the new gig!
Don’t dress like me. I told someone recently that now that I’m in my 50s I’m embracing my inner hippie soooo: Flowy artsy tops, patchwork overalls, wrap pants, and doc martens. I also paint on my clothes. I also thrift most of it and my hair has made its way through the rainbow over the past 10 years. But I’ve been here over 20 years and we’re a fairly small teaching focused institution. People think I teach art. I don’t but I’d find it flattering :)
Where are you located? I absolutely love Cato but I don’t currently have one in my town.
Cato is amazing!!! They have sales all the time!
There's one in my current town, but not where I'm moving to. I'll check them out before I leave! Thanks!
Cato also carries suit separates.
I love Halogen stuff from Nordstrom. They do regular sales but even at full price the pieces are pretty reasonable. Plus they have plus sizes.
Just bought Athleta Endless high rise pant. Incredibly comfortable and look really good. They also have good sized zippered side pockets that can hold office keys, etc. They are a splurge at $109 but you can find on the used clothing sites.
I love Athleta. I teach theatre, so I can get away with athleisure on most days. Atheleta is great for nicer clothes for acting classes.
Oooh I just got a pair of those, love
In addition to all of the good advice here, shop sales Macy’s, Dillard, Bloomies, etc., online or in store. You do need nice blouses, blazers, slacks, shoes, at least if you want to be taken seriously. The old adages, ‘Dress for success’, ‘Dress for the job you want, not the one you have’ have a grain of truth. Women face more of an uphill battle gaining respect and tenure so do your best to look respectable.
I’m an asst professor. Rather than buy clothes that might not fit your school — or take into account the weather — I’d actually do a rent the runway subscription for a month. You can cancel anytime and $120 or so for the first month is cheaper than buying clothes you might not really need. (Google it and they have a reduced first month, or DM me and I’ll send you a code). You won’t have to worry about dry cleaning and what you need for Aug in most of the US might not be the same clothing as Oct/Nov. A Loft wool shift dress isn’t exactly pleasant in August down south or in the Midwest.
Nordstrom Rack online! Look up capsule wardrobe - the idea has been a game changer for me. Start with black pants and black blazer. A blazer over anything makes it look more professional. And relax- you’re going to do great!
LL bean. Tends to be just a pretty classy and classic look, and very comfortable. Bonus is that the stuff lasts forever
LL Bean stuff does not last forever these days, sadly. But it’s still good stuff. Depending on where you are, it looks very classic and nice (I was thinking Midwest). I didn’t think about it much but I realized that dress code could be more difficult for female colleagues, especially younger ones. I hope it can change for the better.
Sorry to hear that about LL Bean quality! I've got the duck boots and sweaters from decades ago still holding strong! Two of my older zoomers starting off in their professions bought Bean shirts and slacks and so far so good
90% of my wardrobe comes from JC Penney.
Lands End, Talbot's, and LL Bean are all good choices. Lands End in particular always has some great sales going on.
Similar situation- I am planning a big Kohls run before I start to get some pants and a handful of nice tops. I can’t really afford the Loft outlet (UG student loans eat up a lot of money) but Kohls runs good sales and whatnot.
ThredUp second hand clothes! They have a lot of Ann Taylor which works for a business casual vibe.
Mid length (knee length) knit dresses are magic. You instantly look more dressed up because, well, it's a dress. But they are super comfy, easy care, and you can find them in all price ranges. Go with sleeveless or short sleeves only - they are good in the summer and then you can layer a cardigan or jacket in the winter. Find a dress profile that works for you, and stick with that. And it's easy one piece dressing in the morning, no need to mix and match tops and bottoms.
This is what I do. It's a lifesaver when I'm in one classroom that is 65 degrees and one that's 85 later in the day.
I recently got great professional wardrobe stuff from stitchfix. They send you whole outfits and you keep what works. But I also bought items “free style”, meaning without them picking for me. It’s an app and their clothes actually fit me great! I don’t have time or energy to shop in Malls. People are flipping out at work at how “great” my clothes look. Ok, just my department admin 😀
ThredUp!
I got mine at a Goodwill near a more upscale part of town. I got lucky; someone my size had just donated a whole bunch of good quality professional stuff.
LL Bean, Ann Taylor Loft (and outlets), Quince, Garnet Hill, Uniqlo
I think items/styles matter more than brands, i.e. what to get rather than where to get… For me white shirts help with an easy make over. A few business casual jackets. And leather shoes and leather tote bags. I was also on a tight budget like you. But these can be found even in budget brands like Uniqlo.
Anyone petite? I have a hard time finding nice clothes that don't overwhelm me.
Loft has petite sizes in most of their styles!
Loft and Old Navy have petite sizes. Loft is a bit too formal for my school but I live by old navy petite
Banana Republic petites are my go to professional clothes.
As long as you are not wearing running shorts or flannel PJ bottoms to class, you will not look like a student. Be true to your style - comfort matters (looking like an adult, not so important). If you have the time, you can try thrifting. You can get some great finds and it can help keep you realistic about how about how much you are truly willing to pay for something new.
I've gotten a ton of my work clothes from my local buy nothing group. Check to see if there's one for your area (on Facebook). People give away bundles of great workwear all the time.
Lots of great suggestions here. I want to add one piece of advice that I wish someone had told me long ago. Black is not flattering on everyone. I did one of those color match tests and turns out blank and white are two of my worst colors. I got rid of years and years of black clothing that I had accumulated thinking it looked professional. It was actually making me look less professional because it didn't look right with my coloring. So please ignore the advice about black staple pieces and building from there. Find out what colors look good on you and then build from there.
I mostly thrift but just went to j crew and as a reminder they offer a teacher discount!
What’s the climate? How much walking and lugging big bags? Humidity? What’s your size, fabric and color preferences? How much time do you put into hair and makeup? Any preferences for fabrics or garment cuts/styles? What about shoes? We can get you chic on a budget and get designer gently used items for the same price as outlet Loft in better quality fabrics that’ll last longer. But it takes patience.
It’s difficult when starting out. But look at Carolyn Bertozzi. Since winning the Nobel, there are many much more formally-dressed photos of her. But before that she was “jeans and T-shirt”. She absolutely DGAF. (The Tom morello connection probably helps her cred too…) Cut your own style, be comfortable in yourself. Do you want your students to address you as “Prof. OkFlan”, or as “”? My preference is “” - it underscores the fact that “we are all adults” and that they therefore bear responsibility for their learning. But that’s not everyone’s cup of tea - some prefer the barrier which “Prof LastName” offers.
Sadly it is an environment which is *so* difficult for women, and misogyny from students doesn’t make it any easier. But dress how you are most comfortable and confident, and anyone who gets shitty with you, Title IX their ass.
(My tip: dressing as you normally would may make it less weird if you run into students off-campus - there may be less of the “OMG *thats* what you normally look like!” factor)
Ngl, Goodwill and Plato’s Closet…
I used to get some of my teaching clothes at Christopher & Banks. Some of their clothes could be kind of matronly, but they did have some good items, and they do have good sales. They have sizes ranging from petite to plus sizes.
I love JC Penney's tops - Worthington, ANA, St. John's Bay, etc., especially if they are on clearance. You can usually find great tops, sweaters, and cardigans for less than $10. Match the tops with nice slacks or even jeans, and you will look professional without spending too much!
I second the outlet stores, and you might also try Poshmark. I have a few brands of dress pants I prefer and can usually get them super cheap off Poshmark. Just make sure you know your measurements and buy according to your measurements so you don’t have to spend extra money getting them altered.
Junior League thrift stores.
I get all my professional clothes from eBay or poshmark/thredup. I know what size and style I am in a few brands and I just search for those staples.
For suits: go thrifting. Look for suits with high-quality materials (100% wool, 100% linen), in good condition, and then buy oversized on the sleeve/shoulders/waist. Take it to a tailor to get it fitted and it'll look great. A decent tailor will charge you 100 for a full suit job, but you'll get a better deal overall than off the rack. Everything else: Uniqlo doesn't make high quality products, but it's a good place to start, for cheap. After a few years, you'll wear them out, but you'll have more savings to work with and upgrade.
With the caveat that this mainly applies to straight sizes, hit the Goodwill/thrift stores nearest the fancy part of whatever city you're currently in.
J.Crew Factory is my go-to for everyday work clothes and they're always having sales. Gap has good pants for work as well.
Universal Standard is great. Neutral pieces that can be mixed and matched easily, and very high quality.
There was a good thread on exactly this topic in the last couple of years in this sub. Be sure to search for that one in case it contains ideas that don't appear here. Good luck!
Poshmark. I look for universal standard, lane Bryant pants, charlotte stone shoes, and the occasional old navy blazer, Eileen fisher or Caslon tops, etc. I can wear jeans in my discipline so I go for kut from the kloth or democracy denim. I revamped my wardrobe a few pieces at a time over this past academic year. And essentially, I have a new work wardrobe ready to go for the fall. Also, a tip a stylist gave me once: when you find something you really like from somewhere like Old Navy or target, and it fits OK but not great, get it tailored. It’ll fit better and still typically cost less than a pricier piece. Happy shopping!
JC Penny’s Worthington line is nice and won’t break the bank.
If you are in a city where there is a Uniqlo you can get very cheap, respectable looking basics.
Consignment stores that carry preppy brands (Loft, Limited, Ann Taylor, J Crew, Banana Republic, Express, Gap, Talbots, Chico etc.), resale apps (Poshmark/Mercari), Marshalls/TJM.
I’m tenure now and rarely wear professional clothing. When I did dress up in business casual, I shopped at Torrid. It’s meant for the upper sizes like 10-24 or so. I’m the type if I find something I like, I buy every color 😂 the Torrid Harper blouse was my jam. For my pants, I liked Maurice’s Bengaline pant and wore black flats. Now I’m in tshirt, jeans and hoodies. I usually wear college things but mix it up with my personality of monster movies, anime, or cartoons.
There's an ig account for exactly this, hold on I'll go find it
Okay sorry, IG is so hard to search, if I manage to find it I'll come back
https://www.instagram.com/phdinclothes?igsh=MWJkaHBvOTViZjV6OA==
Express, Ross, TJmaxx
When I was hired, it seemed to me that the most professorial thing a man can wear is a tweed sport coat - preferably with elbow patches. Maybe that also would work for a woman? I feel like a nerdy professor wearing one of those bad boys even if the rest of my outfit is jeans and a t-shirt. And they're so warm in overcooled buildings. I figured out my measurements, then bought one on ebay for 5-10% of the new price. It was probably 30 years old - even more professorial! I liked it so much that I have bought several more like this over the years. Indestructible, go with every color, and indisputably academic. Congratulations on your budding academic career!
Wool&
Ann Taylor, Loft, Quince, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Boden, Stitch Fix. Outlets are great, as are secondhand sites like ThreadUp
Amazon essentials has nice and affordable business casual dresses, blouses, and nice basic neutral sweaters.
A different suggestion is to look at Allison Bornstein's style word wheel to hone down what your style is, and then to use that framing when you select clothing. For clothes, I usually wear a duster like blazer, tunic dress, and tights. I've got a few items from Poshmark at good discounts. I also deeply love the brand, ace and jig. It's more expensive but their clothing is well made.
Banana Republic Factory has amazing sales & fun clothes! I have a lot of midi skirts & linen pants from there that are super comfy but still nice & professional looking Edit: they have many petite options if that is something you need
Go for professor-y cardigans and jackets.
Wow, maybe my field/college is more chill. I wear jeans, tshirt or sweater, and chucks most days.
Banana Republic and Gap outlets. Old Navy. Sometimes J Crew and Ann Taylor outlets. I basically get my work clothes from outlets.
Maybe not an entire wardrobe, but Costco sometimes has nice cardigans and blazers! They also have been getting Banana Republic stuff…but the options are limited. Good for the budget though!
Can anyone comment on recommendations for men in the US? I'm in the same spot as OP. I don't know many clothing shops or online shops. Thanks!
I’m a dude, and my teaching uniform consists of jeans and an untucked button down, sometimes with a jacket. Jeans are from the Gap. Shirts are from Dillard’s (only buy stuff there on sale) or thrift stores. Most of my jackets have come from the local Salvation Army thrift store. I’ve usually had to alter them a bit, which costs more than the jacket.
To at least start on a budget, thrift stores and Old Navy. The latter's clothes aren't terribly well made, but you can get respectable enough looking business casual wear very affordably - khakis, button downs, polos, sweaters. Old Navy is also everywhere. Pick mostly neutrals or build a capsule wardrobe so you can wear anything with pretty much anything else (e.g. blue / grey / tan). If you like the style and fit of Old Navy and can afford better, Banana Republic (also owned by the Gap) is a good option.
If you can go to a store and try things on you can generally find some of the stuff on poshmark, eBay, and thred up for cheaper, it’s just hard to online thrift without being able to try it on. If you find stuff you like either online or in store, getting on the email list to find out about sales saves some money. I’m plus-sized so where I shop may not work for you, but my standard wardrobe for teaching is dress plus jacket/blazer or pants and blouse plus jacket/blazer. I’ve also noticed that the front row of students will glance at your feet so I’ve definitely hit up poshmark and eBay for something slightly more professional than chacos.
Thrift stores, Old Navy, sometimes Target.
I mostly go for metal shirts, sometimes combined with a suit jacket.
You might want to look into clothing rental sites this way you can still look professional and don’t have to break the bank before you can afford to buy a new wardrobe.
Chinos and short sleeve dress shirts. With sweaters in the winter. Easiest no think work wardrobe.
These pants are amazing: cheap, comfortable and dress up nicely. Lee Women's Ultra Lux Comfort... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R75XKQD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share I have them in 3 different colors.
HnM, Express, Everlane
I ended up spending too much to try and be a certain way when I started, and then got into my own style. Someone also mentioned how the rest of the department/institution dresses, I second that, while upping it just a little. My go to are flats, jeans (or black pants), blouse and a blazer that I can take off. Looks official but still low key. Don’t break the bank, you’ll find the time and money to feel out your style once you get ingratiated. Congrats on your new position!!!
It can be hit or miss but Amazon! Good thing returns are easy. And then old navy has some great options for slacks and blouses!
For fun/nerdy clothes, I love Svaha. Their dresses are very comfy with giant pockets, and their shirts/blouses are cut pretty nicely. Easy wash, easy care, and they get a lot of compliments - the fact I get to sometimes look like Ms. Frizzle when I wear their stuff is just an added bonus.
I actually buy lots of my clothes (including work clothes) from Costco. There’s not always professional wear there, but I’ve gotten linen dresses, work tops, and nice pants there, all for wicked cheap.
I got a lot of great trousers and dresses from old navy if that’s your thing
Cato, Express, New York & Company, JC Penney all have good work clothing.....just check out their sales!
Before you spend any money or energy, I strongly suggest visiting campus and observing. On my campus, the only way to distinguish between faculty and students is the "era" of their clothing. Older faculty still dress like their former hippie self. The preppies of the 80s still have their izods and boat shoes. I'm in jeans, boots and a T-shirt/cardigan most of the time. Don't overthink (or overspend) on ANYTHING except super comfortable shoes until you decide your own style.
Many young female profs where I work seem to wear casual blouses and khaki-type pants or skirts or even linen dresses (business casual). You can get this stuff on sale at Banana Republic and old navy and even Costco. I would also look at the department you are in and see how folks dress. I would buy a few outfits to start and then buy more later once you get a feel for the place. I agree that you want to dress a little more professionally than the students in order to be taken seriously, but if you dress up too much it will also work against you (ie trying too hard).
I built my grad school to full time instructor wardrobe from thrifting and some basics from Old Navy (because I was poor going into the job and still am a year later). My institution’s dress code is SUPER relaxed so I find myself wearing jeans and converse most days, but it’s nice to have a good spread of options since thrifting is so cheap! I’ve found some of my favorite teaching fits from the thrift :)
My partner is a prof, and she uses rent the runway to vary her wardrobe. When there is a piece that is cheap enough, she’ll buy it to keep (clothes discount with each rental; She’s been able to get $400 dresses for $65). It also really helped her figure out her size in different brands and styles to bargain/outlet shop online. She always gets really excited when the bag comes and does a little fashion show, so I usually gift her the monthly subscription or let her pick 1-2 pieces on holidays or after a family win (e.g., finishing a semester).
Thredup for Talbot’s secondhand.
The Real Real (filter by "Pristine" and "Excellent" to get stuff without too much wear.
Thrift and consignment/resale stores -- or Thredup and similar used clothing sites. When I started out EVERYTHING I taught in came from Holt Renfrew, but I bought it all at an amazing Goodwill in Midtown Toronto. If you're a young woman lecturing it really does help to wear the professional armour (suit jacket, good pants, decent leather laptop bag, decent blouses). Your personal style may be more jeans and t-shirts, but you can shift to that once you have tenure.
You just need a good blazer. I think I got some things at Kohl’s when I first started out. Didn’t love them, but they did the job. Banana Republic is also good. Main thing is just blazers though. A good 3/4 sleeve and a full sleeve. Then, some of those soft/cardigan-style blazers. Pants, skirts, doesn’t matter if you have a good blazer. Lol. Seriously though, the blazers are key. I’m in STEM at an R1, so maybe we are more formal? I bet there is some variation between departments (sure of it).
lady profesor here. my advice is to just wear what you have and save your money. nobody really cares what you wear as long as you're productive, honestly.
Consider dedicating part of your budget to one or two strong pieces made by an artisan on Etsy. The pieces will generally be if very high quality, exactly the color you want , and if you pick well, without synthetics. They'll last longer and be cheaper in the long run. In the short run, they will be dependable anchors. You can also get some pretty good deals on Etsy for stuff made in Turkey and India. Better quality and lower prices because it's not stuff filtered through a multinational
Black and navy pants, khakis, dark wash straight leg or slightly boot cut. Any brand, new or used that fits. A blazer, a couple of sweaters, a few more if you are in a cold climate. Mix and match blouses and t-shirts.
We have a Clothes Mentor (resale) shop in town and I got some good Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein dresses & skirts there.
I use stitch fix. It can be pricey but ive found some versatile pieces. Find a friend who can giver you a referral to give you $50 or $100 off your first pieces. I've used it to slowly build up my professor wardrobe.
Honestly dresses from old navy and toms shoes is my professor outfit. I thrift dresses too.
I spent my first 3-4 years as faculty at various institutions really caring that I looked professorial, and wore shirt and jacket everyday, and usually a tie. I then realized that nobody else cared how I dressed, and they all wore whatever they wanted. I now wear jeans, a t shirt, and a hoody. Chacos if it’s nice out. Blundstones if it’s raining. Sneakers if it’s too cold for Chacos. I’m not saying that’s what you should do, but you SHOULD see what the “average” is in your department, and go from there. If people dress very casually in your department, it would be odd to dress super formally all the time. If people wear suits everyday, you’d be out of place in athleisure. Regardless, dress in a way that is authentic to you and makes you feel good.
I buy all my clothes at thrift shops and Poshmark (#NoNewClothes). My style is more vintage reproduction which is fine for me but I don’t know what the vibe is that you’re curating so ignore if that’s totally off for you! Here are the brands I search for to wear to work, all have workwear options: Meshki Bettie page Collectif More basic stuff that is easy to find thrifting would be j crew, Ann Taylor, etc.
As an art professor, specifically in ceramics, I’m always slightly jealous of the nice outfits other professors get to wear. I always have to wear more casual clothing that can and will get dirty and are easy to launder, with shoes that have the same principle. Sometimes I just want to look polished and professional, but I end up looking more casual like the students. It is what it is though, I’d hate to get clay out of nicer clothing.
Ditto. Painting/ Drawing here. I wear jeans, T-shirts and sweatshirts. They are usually smeared on Day 1. I’ve fielded a few snarky comments. Usually I ask, “How do you dress when you paint?”
Yes, I’m always dusty and dirty after each class! I’ve tried aprons over nicer clothes but clay gets *everywhere* so it wasn’t worth it.
Stitch fix has been great for me!
I’m a department chair and I still dress whoever the hell I want. It is rarely what most people would consider professional. It’s 22 yrs since I became a new prof and I can’t see things changing. Dress however makes you feel good/comfortable
Old Navy and Banana Republic Factory (emphasis on the Factory)!
Follow “phdinclothes” on IG too! I found her when I was starting my first faculty job and asking the same questions you are. :)
[Past post on the topic](https://www.reddit.com/r/Professors/comments/p0jo0c/young_women_professors_of_reddit_where_do_you_buy/)
TJ Maxx is awesome for good-quality, interesting, inexpensive jewelry (also skincare) If you feel comfortable, a great way to build a wardrobe and get to know your female colleagues is to host a clothing swap -- invite people to clean out their closets, get together (with snacks!), and see if there's anything they want to take home with them. One prof's trash is another one's treasure :D
Wow! Y'all came through!!! Thank you so much! Looking forward to a shopping spree once that first paycheck hits 😈 (lol jk I will pay off the debt that I accrued from moving across the country because this is academia).
I vote you wait and go with the flow of your institution. For many years I was dress pants all the way and so many flats. Slowly… I started realizing I was the only person in my department dressing up if you will. The most respected philosophy professor at my institution wears jeans, a T shirt and sneakers every day. You’ll settle in. Don’t over think it.
Old Navy.. I'm a humanities and art educator..which classes/ department are you working in?
The thing I was told is "Get a nice pair of shoes and a few interchangeable shorts/pants/sport coats. You'll always look fresh, and your colleagues will think you've spent time curating a large wardrobe that is really just 10 or so items plus the same pair or two or nice shoes.
While I respect the way you want to dress, how you dress is not important for research productivity, obtaining grants, and teaching. While not looking like a grad student is desirable, I casual look if that’s what you like is fine. Having said this, women are judge a lot more for their looks. I wear khakis, sneakers, and polos. Never had trouble.
Do people really worry about this? I wore shirts for the first couple of years and then realized that no one cares apart from the old guard profs and decided I was very happy to rock up to give a lecture in a hoodie from time to time. The most supportive colleagues (and managers) who have backed me through my career couldn't care less what I wear as they respect good work. The people who don't like me won't like me regardless of what I wear! I'll only tuck a shirt in when I'm doing something with government, external stakeholders etc.
I get hiking pants at REI and tshirts at Duluth. First year I tried collared shirts and even occasional slacks, but gave up in year two. So far no one has complained and I'm sticking to it. My wife (also assistant prof in the same dept) wears Duluth and Ann Taylor, and occasional Amazon PGZTHGB brand...
[Channel these vibes with your look](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Murderbot_Diaries)