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Fall, with many changes

cobaltblue

Veteran

Isabel's post on getting ready for Fall prompted me to start this thread. I have many lifestyle changes coming up and need to revamp my wardrobe accordingly.

I'm moving from Oklahoma to northern Indiana. (Cold weather and snow!)

I'm going from a MOTG lifestyle to MOTG who's also taking graduate courses in the hopes of starting a PhD program with these people next year. (Want to dress appropriately and be taken seriously.)

I'm moving from our home on a 1,600 acre cattle ranch to a townhouse (with neighbors - ack!) (Wearing the same outfit till it gets dirty unless I'm "going into town" won't work.)

I'll be walking and biking in my good clothes instead of driving anywhere important. (Need shoes that hold up to those physical demands.)

I'm two months postpartum and am 13 lbs too big for almost all of my fall clothes! (Hopefully that weight will come off, so I don't want to blow the budget on things that will be too big next year.)

I've bought a skirt (k/r forthcoming) for Fall and have another that will work as a transitional piece.

I have a pair of microcheck trousers with all my best Fall colors (grey, maroon, aubergine, dark blue) and hope I can squeeze myself into them.

I have a maroon (burgundy? I'm hopeless.) drapy knit top.

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell 3-tone heeled oxfords (Angie pick), Snakeskin Petty booties (Angie pick), outdated? Silver flats with round toe, black mid-height boots (no longer my style and showing their age)

Charcoal JCrew blazer I think I can wear open.

I think that's it for suitable pieces! Battle plan in next post.

Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from Jeanie

cobaltblue

Veteran

So, having written that makes me realize that I have two possible outfits, unless you count swapping out shoes. Red alert!

This is the shopping list I've compiled so far.
Blouses in cobalt, aubergine, maroon, or ink (Preferably silk) (definitely need blouses.)
White or cream lace top
Chambray top
pointy toed flats (shoes mayhave to wait due to budget)
Slipper flats or flat oxfords (ditto)
Wool pants (need suggestions here!)
Fall coat (I have no coats. My usual strategy is to swipe something off the hook - dad's coat, brother's hoodie, whatever, and then scurry to the car, bringing back the pilfered article on some warmer day. Not going to work for commuting sans car in Indiana.)
Winter coat
Sweaters

To be continued.

AviaMariah

Veteran

Wow. That's a lot of changes in a short time. I'll be interested to read what the others suggest as a starting off place. I guess trying on what you do have to see what will work would be a good starting place.

cobaltblue

Veteran

As I mentioned in another thread, I seriously need new bras. Top of the list.

Especially for those of you who are academics living in cold places, am I missing anything essential on my lists? How should I prioritize? The clothes budget will be stretched to the max here, as the kids will need fall/winter wear, too. Husband has been buying for a fantasy cold weather lifestyle since I've known him, so he is, happily, good to go!

I'm sure there is too much here for any one person to address all points. Feel free to pick and choose whatever strikes your fancy. General advice, retailers I might try, weather tips, all advice gratefully accepted. For reference, I aspire to dress as a cross between lyn*, Suz, and Ceit. I guess I want to be a ladylike tomboy!

Becky

AviaMariah

Veteran

Do you have any idea what your cold tolerance is? My guess is that it's going to be pretty low since you're coming from a warmer climate. My climate is similar to N Indiana except I think it might even get colder/windier there. If I knew I was going to be walking outdoors I would have to have really warm, comfortable, waterproof boots for starters. As for clothing, think layers and that will keep you a lot warmer, especially in the wind. Maybe look into silk long underwear that can be worn under wool pants, sweaters etc. Brrrr... making me cold just thinking about it. I am not ready to start thinking about winter!!

missvee

Veteran

What a lot of changes ahead for you, but bravo for trying to do some advance planning, I'll just make one comment on footwear and that is to suggest oxfords rather than slipper flats or flats if you are biking. I think they'd be sturdier and more comfortable. And for a cold weather coat, Lands End has some great down filled puffers, often at good prices if you watch their website.

rachylou

Veteran

A big adventure!

Yes, winter boots and a puffer would go to the top of my list. Some fleece-lined tights too... although once you get inside, things get hot. A balaclava. Thermals.

Ok. Anyways, so I have to admit when I picture your list in my mind, I'm seeing business casual, not Post Graduate MOTG - which would be more casual. Unless you do it LL Bean style, in which case I think that sounds perfect.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Wow, those are lots of changes! Will look for your battle plan. I did learn from my own changes to wait and see on things if possible... the things you think will solve new comfort issues don't always do it, for example. Like the way my issue with poly linings emerged.

cobaltblue

Veteran

Lands End puffer - will check!

I will probably change shoes to bike, though my Dutch-style bike is friendlier to commuter clothes than most.

Rachy, this cold weather stuff could be bad. What, pray tell, is a balaclava? As a child I had a great Soviet-era record of balalaikas in concert. Does that count? You may be right about my list skewing business casual... Do you think having quirky versions of basics would fix that? E.g., my microcheck pants come from Anthro and look like it, same for my new skirt. Does being a few degrees off of classic and into the unexpected help casualize things?

Toddler on the move - will come back later.

Makrame

Veteran

Wow, good luck with all the exciting transitions!

How are you doing on denim? As an academic in a casual field (life sciences), I think you could get away with wearing dark wash jeans as one of your go-to types of bottoms. You need to figure out what type of denim would work well with the flat shoes you are contemplating. I have really enjoyed wearing GAP real straight jeans to work, and was able to get them for $25-30 when they had 40% off promotions (looks like they have one now). http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....038;mkwid== I like mine best with shoes that have a bit of a heel but I also had one pair shortened for flats.

I like your idea of flat oxfords. Or how about leather "eurosneakers"? I just got Josef Seibel Caspian during NAS and they look pretty good for casual but not overly casual wear.

Maybe some nice shirts (like gingham or stripe) that work as blouses and also as a layer under sweaters? GAP had some nice boyfriend shirts, Brooks Brothers has some nice non-iron buttondowns on sale, some for $39. http://www.brooksbrothers.com/.....ftnav-menu Maybe get a couple of shirts, add a couple of sweaters to be worn on their own or layered over shirts, dark jeans as bottoms, and you'll have 2-4 outfits ready.

I live in a cold and snowy place - I can tell you I would be fine without any wool pants. What I really need are jeans or other pants that can be tucked into boots (I have nice tall Sorel snowboots that I wear to work and then change into something different, and also a pair of tall flat waterproof boots from Timberland) + layers on top (like a shirt and a sweater or a jacket) + warm puffer coat (I have a knee-long Calvin Klein puffer that is really warm that I bought on a fall sale at Macys several years ago). For the fall, I don't wear wool coats but I have this http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mi.....at/3364184 ; not sure if it is still available somewhere.

Here are some visuals. My coat and puffer are black, snowboots are black, too - this way it is easy to mix and match those and the dirt from the salt is not as bad.

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Gaylene

Veteran

Sounds like your life is going to get very busy, but very exciting, in the near future.

My two cents would be to start from the inside and bottom when re-vamping your wardrobe, especially if you are on a budget. I've always felt that Angie's advice to start with a couple of decent bras, a good haircut, flattering specs (if you wear them), and a nice watch was spot on. If you are moving to a colder climate, you might want to add a pair of silk long-johns and silk T-shirt/cami to the mix. My set was originally purchased from LL Bean years ago and it's still going strong. The silk long-johns are especially useful under pants because they provide extra warmth on chilly walks but are still comfortable in overheated classrooms.

If you will be walking instead of driving, you also need a good pair of comfortable, but good looking, 8-hour walking shoes. The Europeans have this kind of shoe nailed, in my opinion, because their brands manage to combine style with good support and grip. Hobbling around with blistered feet doesn't do much for a fashionable image. I'd also look for a comfortable, waterproof boot with a good sole for wet, snowy, cold weather. You'll also want a coat, or jacket, that will keep you dry and warm. Puffers are good for very cold, snowy weather, but, if you can only afford one coat, I'd make it an insulated trench that you can layer over a sweater or jacket for extra warmth. A hat, gloves, and scarf is also important to keep warm. And you'll need a good tote bag to haul your MOTG/grad student gear around.

The rest of your wardrobe is really up to you. Personally, I see my grad students wearing a uniform of jeans, sweaters, T's, and hoodies day after day. A silk shirt and wool trousers would be a pleasant surprise. As others have noted, academics are not generally thought of as a stylish, trend-setter group; I'd actually wait a bit to see what the academic group was wearing at your institution before laying out a pile of money on new clothes. The look does vary from place to place.

Anonymous

Holy cow, those are some serious changes Becky! My only advice is what I give my kids for starting school each year. Start slow and see what the other kids are wearing, and figure out what it is you really want. You might have to start the year with few choices, but then you'll be extra sure when it's time to pull the trigger. This comes from entering public high school after being in private school uniforms for a few years. Mom and I went out before my freshman year and did my back-to-school shopping and everything we got was totally wrong. Those clothes were never even worn because they were so incredibly "off".

Now I realize that you're an adult, and not likely to be overcome by peer pressure to dress a certain way, but there's nothing like dipping your toes in the water to see what you really need. Just trying to save you a buck or two.

rachylou

Veteran

I love your visuals Makrame! If I lived somewhere with actual cold, I would totally splurge on some Sorels.

A balaclava is *like* a ski mask. A cap and muffler in one. Does sorta make you look like a sniper... but I don't care! When you're cold, you're cold.

I think quirky versions of basics would work well. I'd probably steer more towards cottons than wools and silks... or pair wool and silk pieces with cotton ones so things aren't too slick.

cobaltblue

Veteran

Makrame, thank you for the tips, especially on the basics. Some dark wash denim would definitely ease the transition between MOTG and post-grad.

When I visited in March, I got the impression that the department (Medieval Institute at Notre Dame) was on the dressier (if not always more fashionable) side. I saw only one pair of jeans (on a very stylish guy), and the only female grad student I met was wearing a ponte knit dress with black boots. There was a lot of charcoal, blue, and black in evidence. All the guys were wearing collared shirts, some with ties. Sweaters were prevalent - one young man was wearing a vest and blazer. Take all this with a grain of salt - my visit was brief, so what I saw may not be representative.

Will check Gap and Brooks Brothers for shirts. Anyone have suggestions for good layering sweaters?

Gaylene, your post was so helpful. I'll be looking in particular for an insulated trench. I like the idea of getting by with one coat for this year, anyway.

Although I don't plan to splurge on everything at once, I do want to have a few solid outfits ready to go. Planning ahead will help me be as PPP as I can, but I remain open to changing direction as I gather more information, for sure.

Gaylene

Veteran

Good thought, Rachylou, to not look too slick. Otherwise you might get stuck with buying coffee for the other "impoverished" students in your group

Black ponte knit on women and wool vests on the men sounds about right for the medieval history department. Maybe try a darker cotton shirt from BB and a cardigan with your trousers?

cobaltblue

Veteran

Claire, you are beyond wise. Maybe I need just enough to make sure I don't go naked as soon as cool weather hits and then go from there! I think I've never really recovered from wearing uniforms for 12 years of schooling; I loved them but have never gotten used to needing more than a few non-uniform outfits!

Thanks, Rachy!

rachylou

Veteran

Sounds quite polished-preppy. I'm thinking a gingham button down, black wool A-line skirt, black cashmere jumper... lol, do that and you could crash my family Thanksgiving and no one would know you weren't a cousin.

Brooks, Gap... Maybe a visit to a Benetton if you've got one around would be in order.

Gaylene

Veteran

As Rachylou describes, usually worn with black tights, booties, and probably a light-weight wool scarf wrapped loosely around one's neck. Oh, and a sizeable black tote (backpacks are for undergrads!) Bobbed or loosely waved hair.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Cobalt, are you by any chance going to the land of Purdue? I ask, because I grew up there, and my folks still live in town. I might have some shopping tips!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Woops! Just read the thread comments. Notre Dame = South Bend and further north! How fun!

Just a note: I bet that good quality bus service comes with your ID. That will help with the commute.

cobaltblue

Veteran

Beth Ann, bully for old Purdue and all that (Dad's an alumnus), but we're headed for Notre Dame.

Rachy and Gaylene: you guys are perfect. Imagining myself preppy... Maybe it could work.

Epiphany: My nice clothes have probably always been nicer than I can "afford" because I haven't needed many of them, just for Sundays and the occasional smart casual trip into town. I just wear the same couple cheapo tees and old jeans the rest of the time (in my far-from-society compound on the anscestral homestead, where all others do likewise). I'm going to have to spread my $$ further and come down a notch from my beloved natural fibers to poly, I fear. At least there's still cotton!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Woops! Just read the thread comments. Notre Dame = South Bend and further north! How fun!

Just a note: I bet that good quality bus service comes with your ID. That will help with the commute.

Also --- I've lived in Oklahoma. Winter in N. Indiana will be colder, but mostly seem l-o-n-g-e-r. And Summer isn't as brutal!

Beth Ann

Veteran

And I second the insulated trench!

cobaltblue

Veteran

Beth Ann, yes, cold does come to OK (I have a picture of our thermometer at -12!), but it just doesn't last for sustained periods that make you want shell out for new winter wear. In OK, a ski parka that has been hanging in the basement since the 70s works in a pinch!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Becky, this is so exciting!! The dress code at Notre Dame sounds like the dress at U of T's Medieval dept. years ago....I would say you'll do well with Gap, Banana Republic (for some stuff), J. Crew., Brooks....

Practically speaking, I love the advice to go for silk underwear, an insulated trench (though I'm not sure that will be warm enough for deep winter...a puffer might be required), good bras to replace those that aren't working for you. And decent denim....it will work well for you if you have some good knits or blazers for the top.

I'd try the Blondo boots at NAS. They may not work (your calves might be too slender for them) but if they do work, they are waterproof, durable, comfortable, wearable with skirts or with jeans tucked in, and relatively sleek and warm.

You might be sized out in Land's End. The stuff is mostly too roomy/ boxy for me (but the occasional piece will work, so it's worth a try for a puffer). Also check the TJ Maxx when you get there. I agree with others that you can probably get by with what you have and then do a shopping expedition in September.

Have you checked the Academichic archives? They might have some good pointers.

Good luck! This sounds like a fun change for your family!

Jjsloane

Veteran

My advice when the needs seem so great is to build a flexible base of items until you get there and can look around a bit. I'd start with bras - get fitted properly and then purchase online for best deals.
Dark dressy denim jeans that can be worn with blazer are a must.
And then a proper winter coat (another recommendation for the LE puffer coat) if you can find a good deal at this time of year.
I discovered Uniqlo cashmere sweaters last year and find them a great value - lots of colors and very soft. I'd probably wait a bit though for sales (I paid $39 for mine)
At this time of year you can scour sales racks for items that can be layered (weed through the summer only items) like light cardis, blouses, tees to mix it up with the pieces you have.
You've come to the right place for help.

cobaltblue

Veteran

Suz, Medievalists must change but slowly! I'm so glad to hear you chime in regarding both style and practicality. I should give the Blondos a try. I have been eyeing them, and you've given me the needed extra push. My calf diameter seems large for my size (might be a body image/perception issue), so they may work well. Gap, BR, and J.Crew are about the only stores I visit with any regularity, so I can probably do well there. And my daughter loves TJMaxx! Unfortunately, the selection in my size at our local store is always abysmal - hopefully better there. And goid to know that I should budget for a puffer.

Jjsloane, I will check out the Uniqlo cashmere!

Betti

You will laugh now, but thank me later: long underwear. Cuddle Duds makes some great ones, I get them at Kohls.

Anonymous

Wow, big changes indeed! I get 90% of my clothes from the Gap, so if you like what I wear you should find it easy to duplicate

I work in an anthro department, but see lots of PhD and MA candidates in the Arts, Sciences and Humanities, and in general anything well put together will make you stand out. My formula is nice jeans/pants, some great boots and a fab topper. That serves me well for teaching and interacting with faculty.

Anonymous

So exciting, now that the details are coming out! You could put a small capsule together at least, until you see what type of formula works best for you. I'd rather have a small wardrobe with some really nice silks and cashmere than racks of less quality things, so I can understand where you're coming from. And nice things don't have to look flashy, I could totally see you as a pretty preppy!

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