Wardrobe Essentials for Grad Students: Tops
I honestly hate tops. Even though I dress up almost everyday, T-Shirts are my go too. Tucked into fancy skirts, with a cardigan, a scarf, etc. Even when I have attempted to amp up my shirt collection, I often fall into the habit of buying fancy T-Shirts (you know with a ruffle or puffed sleeves) etc. But you can absolutely wear T-Shirts in grad school settings.
Everyone calls white Tees essential and I just cannot agree. Do you not drip coffee? Wear deodorant? Have multi-colored bras or undershirts? They certainly have their place, but I think the black v-neck is underutilized. With nice jeans and a cardigan it can even pass as kind of professional. With a skirt, it can be a fun outfit. I like mine longer (leggings, tucking, etc) so I often buy the Black V-Neck’s from Everlane’s Men Section. Added bonus, they are on sale way way more often than not. The Modcloth Tunic’s are much more long Tee length and look great with everything. Universal Standard’s V and T Rex tops are amazing and soft and you can get a referral for a super cheap one. They are pricey, so if you want to stock up get coupon codes (for example, you can donate items for recycling and they will you send you for 25 percent off codes).
For the longest time, I associated blouses with bland workwear, the kind of thing my Dad bought me at Macy’s before my first “professional” internship. But then I realized the same places I buy fun vintage inspired skirts and dresses have nice tops. Button ups that aren’t boring or corporate. For these, I love Hell Bunny (they go up to 4x), Modcloth, and Retrolicious. They do both super quirky prints (think fox prints, halloween blouses, etc) but they also have cute peter pan collared shirts in nice collars and other simpler tops!
While these are still Button Ups, they aren’t the formal button ups of business casual wear. My favorites are menswear inspired and from Big Bud Press. They usually only have one of these tops at a time, in some sort of crazy floral print. I buy them oversized intentionally. And they are amazing (with a huge size range). There are tons of other brands out their who do this type of top, but many of them (like Wildfang) don’t go into plus sizes. So if you are straight sized, you probably have more options.
So the thing with super professional work wear tops is that I find them uncomfortable. They always gap and the material is usually not so great for me (I have some weird sensory things). I really like cotton soft things. (I know). But Universal Standard has their Elbe top in this amazingly cozy material and it has really transformed this for me. So the times I really want to do a professional look (say, a conference or interview or something super serious) they are amazing.
Cardigans are my one true love. I got my first (cashmere) cardigan from TJ Max in 11th grade and wore it constantly, washed it in the machine, and wore it until it was actually disintegrating. I like my cardigans in all varieties: oversized (Madewell is great for this), classic (J.Crew all day), and quirky (Modcloth, Collectif, Hell Bunny again). They are the perfect outfit completer. They can make something more casual (see professional button ups) or more professional (tee shirts! wildly printed oversized shirts).
Sweater Blazer. Once you get a sweater blazer you will never not want to wear it instead of a regular Blazer. My partner literally napped in theirs the other day. For a nicer (re: more expensive) option, I love this from J.Crew. But I also have and love a striped one from Old Navy I got a few years back. They are essentially comfortable cardigans with more structure and have served me in all kinds of professional and not so professional occasions,
I love a graphic Tee. I taught in my Big Gulp Forever 21 top (with a skirt and heels). And I think graphic tees, especially when they support an artist, cause, or whatever, can be appropriate. I am not talking about the shirt you got for running a 5k or the free Tee Shirt you got at an event in college. But with the growth of shops like Bonfire, I have gotten graphic Tees with designs of my favorite artists, that support small bookshops I love (favorites include my “Never Trust a Man Who Reads Ayn Rand” shirt from Second Shelf Books). If you want to go this route, just make sure it looks purposeful. Make it a little artsy or political. Maybe wear that sweater blazer for a cool teacher look.
