Pimped Up Robes

*facepalm*

I'M GONNA LOOK LIKE BARNEY WITH A PhD!

And so, reality of my school's PhD grad regalia sets in, against the nice visions I had in mind...

Lordy.

That's right... purple. The PhD blue is there... but... purple. Velvet.

Purple velvet.

ZOMG, Katie - I will have pimp robes, after all!!!

Of course my school would go for the cheap-azzed cardboard mortar board hat, even for the doctors.

I don't care - I'm getting a tam. At least leave me that much dignity.

*wimper*

On a More Pleasant Note...

Finishing my dissertation is bringing more pleasant thoughts to mind. Thoughts of pomping my robes, baby!

I think I have decided to think positively in terms of someday getting a tenure track job at a university and, thus, needing my regalia for use at future convocations/academic processions (which are often mandatory for TT profs), so I think I am going to start saving towards purchasing my own gown, hood and tam for my convocation ceremony in the fall.

Since I won't need to buy them until October 2010 (though possibly only until August if I have to order via Gaspard's), it is possible I might be able to afford to buy my own rig, with contributions from family, etc. I should say, though, it is not 100% certain I will actually get to attend my ceremony, as I might already be living elsewhere by then. However, if I am not going to my grad ceremony, then that will just give me a few more months to save up for my outfitting and I can just have it shipped to me for future use.

So, here's my party dress of choice (traditional PhD blue and gold lined hood and gold piped coal gown with PhD blue panels/chevrons, with a six-sided blue tam):

Front, with gold piping, gathered sleeves,

PhD blue panels of piled velvet, and three chevrons.

Hood, with gold piping and the traditional blue and gold lining.

(Note: It may be mandatory at my school to have a hood of purple and gold,

with a blue velvet lining...

That would be acceptable, but here's hoping there's some give in there.)

SQUEEEE! POMP!

(I know - I'm a nerd!)

clothes update

Could not find a waistcoat or sweater vest to save my soul today. bugger.

I did get myself a couple of shirts today for the defence as a mother's day prezzie. Now I have two weeks to decide which one to wear.

Actually... less than two weeks now. Two weeks from right now, it'll be over!

ETA: I found a black vest I had in my closet - I used to wear it habitually back in high school! Thank heavens I held on to it. I can't believe it still fits me like a glove!

I Want...

A dark/Oxford blue long sleeved button up dress shirt, maybe with a nice pinstripe, that doesn't make me look dumpy, but one that will fit all of me in it for my defence - possibly with a grey sweater vest over it.

Is that too much to ask?

Fashion Update

I found a lovely dark aqua loose linen shirt, with a bright kelly green cami to wear underneath so it shows at the neck, a coffee-brown tiered skirt that is just so comfortable and flowy, and very dark brown opaque stockings. I also splurged on a aqua/green/purple/white bled gauze head scarf that matches it all perfectly. (Bled is sort of like tie-dye, but not tacky.) I even bought new undies! I plan on wearing my cardigan as a coat if it's not cold enough for my trench, but it will go as soon as I get there, likely. With all this, my clogs and simple silver Star of David should bring it all together.

Thanks for all the advice. I hadn't thought of blues very much, as for some reason I don't usually go that way, but I wanted something that could incorporate a nice touch of green (for St Pat's) - blues really bring down the redness in my cheeks, which is a blessing, indeed. The lady at the store was very good about helping me put things together, and the effect is smart yet comfortable and feminine, and the colours are really great for this time of year.

I look like a million in it (even if I do say so myself), and feel a ton more confident about this lecture!

THANKS!

Fashion Advice, Please

I'm a schlub. I dress awful. I look like a clean hobo most of the time.

And most of the time, this doesn't upset me. I don't like to clothes shop, and I don't really have the money to blow on clothes, so as long as I am generally presentable, comfortable, covered adequately and clean, I accept this about myself.

However, I have two career-type things coming up, and I want to look competent and grown up. So, I turn to you for advice.

The first event is a public lecture (the "public defence") for my dissertation completion. For this, I must talk for 50 minutes and have about 30-60 minutes of Q&A for members of the public on my dissertation, which is on Jewishness and film (romance, mostly). (I mention the subject matter, in case this alters the fashion advice, as I have no clue upon what these things are based.)

For this, I was thinking I might go professional but personal. I never wear skirts. Ever. But I thought of a long black skirt (I like those tiered kind), with black tights and shoes. My folks got me two fantastic heavy cardigans which look smart and adult, so I thought to wear one of those (one is camel and the other is black with flecks of cole). I thought a bright, jewel toned turtleneck would be nice under this (possibly green, as I look good in red, but I tend to get red faced when agitated). I wear a headcovering for religious purposes, and have a couple nicer ones, and will choose that based on the colour of the shirt. Does this sound at all appropriate for this kind of event?

My second event is the academic defence. For this I thought an oxford shirt and a pair of black dress pants, with whichever cardigan I don't wear to the public lecture. This defence is at 8am, so basically I want simple, but grown up.

I also never wear makeup, though I did when I was in theatre, and I do look ok in it. I plan on going very light with it, if I wear it at all. Do you all think make-up is essential for a 31 year old female who wants to appear grownup and professional and in control, etc? Does not wearing makeup (tastefully done) harm my credibility, do you think?

I know a PhD has no swimsuit competition or anything, and isn't about looks, but I really want to leave a good impression on these folks, as I am now moving into "real job seeking" times. Also, since I will have interviews (I hope) and graduation events in the near future, it is also a good idea to have some nice things on hand, instead of my usual schlumpy thrift store bell bottoms and bargain shop tees. But I find I am completely out of the loop on these matters.

So, please, any help would be great. What are some nice styles that one can achieve on a budget for these kinds of professional events?

I am at your mercy!