CALLING ALL UNIVERSITY LECTURERS/ACADEMICS...

[SloppySlippers]

I need to ask a very important question: what do you wear to work?

I have a new job upcoming, as a uni lecturer. In the past, I've always dressed casual to work (and to most other things), but I suddenly have a massive craving to buy a suit. Realistically, will I ever have opportunity/need to wear a suit? Would wearing a suit to work, just to lecture or do my admin, be considered twat territory?!

Many thanks in advance.

Not an academic but work at a uni. In my experience dress style varies greatly depending on subject and seniority. PVCs and senior exec definitely suit territory. Below that unlikely to be seen in the Arts and Social Sciences but more common in the Sciences. Engineers are comfortable and practical. Business School 50/50.

Thank you @BugsyDrakeTableScape . I'm social sciences, unfortunately. Damn it, I want a suit. Would it be bad to look for another job just so I can get a new outfit I like?😬

My husband is a lecturer (humanities) and he often wears a black suit with a textured "smart" plain white t-shirt or long sleeved top.

"Suit" doesn't have to make you look like an air hostess. It can be something v cool like this - www.sezane.com/en/product/christie-jacket/camel#size-4 (with the trousers you can see in the first picture).

If you want a suit then buy a suit!

Oh that's encouraging, @Passerillage . Amazing link!! Thank you

I work in science. All our academics seem to wear jeans, even at fairly senior levels. If we have a public seminar or conference, then there might be an upgrade, but still pretty casual.

Yes - thank you. I know that's the real answer here; just have some remnants of fear of looking like a tosser, despite advancing years... but you're totally right.

Yes, suspected as much. Thank you

I wear jeans and a nice shirt and cardi. Or if I'm actually teaching that day, I might wear black jeans! I'm also in the social sciences. I think the last time I wore a suit was for a job interview 2 jobs back. I don't even own one. But some people do dress a bit more formally for days they teach or for a bit meeting or conference. I just can't be arsed.

Our lecturers all wear a sort of semi casual academic type uniform - dresses with blazer and floaty scarf, DMs or loafers. Men tend to go smart trousers casual ish top half or a sort of blend of semi casual but not casual enough to blend in with the students. The Deans and very senior staff wear suits.

Whatever you like, seems to be the norm, from the very casual, to the extremes of fashion/suits, to the sloppy/almost scruffy.

No one will bat an eye at your suit, and it certainly wouldn’t be unwelcome to your bosses.

Good luck with the new job, I hope you and your student find it enjoyable and enriching.

Whoever posted the camel suit, wow, beautiful! I’ve not seen anyone THAT well dressed yet!

I dress up for work because I want to. Nice dresses, boots, smart jackets etc... Others in my department wear jeans and jumpers. I like to keep a difference between what I wear at home and what I wear to work. But anything goes. Noone would bat an eyelid where I work if you wear suits. I am in health sciences.

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. I once worked with a technician in University labs who wore the most amazing outfits to work. Formal trousers with beautifully co-ordinated tops, including suit-type blazers. She always looked amazing and was also a great technician!

I really struggle to find suits which fit or look good on me and I really don't feel comfortable in them. I usually wear smart (sometimes from a suit!) trousers and a jumper or smart(ish) top. Occasionally a dress. My current job is in Healthcare Science and involves some interaction with clinicians, managers, and patients, so we are expected to dress a little more smartly.

I'm a lecturer in a creative subject and we are pretty casual - more so since Covid. Today I'm in a sweater dress, black from Oliver Bonas, with opaque tights and DM boots, but I wear black jeans a lot. I don't tend to wear blue jeans in work, but mainly per pp to keep a distinction from work and home outfits.

Only senior management here wear suits - and even then only the male managers.

Humanities academic. I'm usually in jeans and converse or a dress and boots. If I owned a suit I'd probably wear it for conferences.

I’m a senior lecturer in college of social sciences. Nobody wears a suit, not even the head of school.

I wear quite a lot of dresses. Sometimes smart jeans and a jumper.

This is a London and the surrounding miles universities, and there’s a great deal of diversity and anything goes culture. A fair bit of eccentricity, too.

I don't think a suit will be what your peers /colleagues are wearing.

I suppose weigh up why you really want the suit and whether that confidence boost will ultimately be undone by potentially feeling out of place when you actually wear it.

You can always get one that works for parties (xmas new year) and wear it socially, or get one and wear it as separates at work in a less formal fabric or shape.

I am now picturing me teaching in an actual camel suit 😅

Is that a French online shop / design?

It’s a French company, yes. They have a physical shop in London too. If you look on the Style & Beauty board there are plenty of threads about them to help with sizing and quality. I have a few things from there and they’re lovely, but I also use them as a style guide and assemble outfits from other brands to mimic a particular look I might want.

I'm a deputy head of school in the social sciences. For me, I do like to dress up a bit (compared to joggers or jeans when wfh), so I tend to almost always wear a dress for work on campus, as a bit like a uniform. Tights and boots in the winter, sandals in the summer, job done! I do keep a suit jacket in my office in case I suddenly get called into a meeting that I think might be more 'corporate'. So if you want to wear a suit, and it will make you feel good, then wear the suit

I agree with this. I'm in social sciences.

You must look amazing.
Great tips, thanks.
Why are the French so stylish!

We have a massive variety where I work too (not UK though - and a very international faculty which might account for some of the variety). It really is just wear what you’re happy in. Some turn up in scruffy jeans and flip flops, others in smarter work clothes.

There are a wide variety of suits about. Maybe get something a bit more casual, less ‘power suit’? I like the blazers which are ruched so it looks like you’ve pulled your sleeve up.