Please help me choose a defense outfit

MuseumGal

My dissertation defense is on Tuesday! And since the best defense is a good dress (what? that's not how the saying goes?), please help me figure out what to wear. Here are the options:

1 - Navy wrap dress I was intending to wear, but it's a bit too snug through the torso for comfort/modesty, I think.

2 - My ancient blue linen suit looks surprisingly modern - and tight. Too bad I can't drop 10 lbs in 3 days

3 - Same dress in purple and teal - I like these but they seem a bit party dressy as opposed to professional dressy?

4 - Navy blue sheath seems my best option?

5 - Same navy blue sheath with navy blazer

6 - Same navy blue sheath with different blazers

Don't worry I won't have my hair in a towel. And speaking of hair, how should I wear it? Up?

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11 years ago

Dressing

35 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

kkards

Veteran

I'm drawn to the navy, with the navy jacket. I also like the lighter blue dress, again with the matching topper.

11 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

OMG!!! CONGRATS!!! And the best of luck!!! Hopefully my day will be in about one year from now

11 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

I would suggest either #3 or #5. It's a little hard to see the details when the colors are dark. I would not wear #4 because it is sleeveless. Does the blazer in #5 match the dress exactly? If not, one of the jackets in #6 might be better.

Hair worn up might be good, but not in a bun.

11 years ago

Sharon

Veteran

I like the navy sheath - it is simple and elegant and understated. For this situation, I prefer the navy jacket as it makes YOU the focal point rather than the eye being distracted by the contrast in colours if you wear a different coloured jacket. Hair up is good. Good luck!

11 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

I meant to say good luck, but hit submit too soon. I hope all the hard work pays off!

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

My favorite is the navy with the navy blazer, like kkards. I also like the light blue, but you said that was too tight, so I suppose it will be uncomfortable. I also liked no. 6, the navy dress with the teal cardi. I think that the reddish-purple cardi reads a little too casual.

I think perhaps wearing your hair up would be a good idea. I think that always adds a touch of professionalism and sophistication.

Good luck with the defense!

11 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Ok - you asked about dress, I know

Is the defense a short thing with just the committee or an all day event open to the public, family and friends?

The navy sheath is really great and looks professional. Do you have another lighter topper you could wear? I'm just thinking it is spring and well, for the fun of it. I love the navy jacket too, but would be fun to add a bit of zest for the big day ahead.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

First of all, congratulations!!

Secondly, I vote with the others for navy with navy and hair up or half-up (half-back?) -- somehow off your face a bit but not too "studied" or "tight" if that makes sense. You always do great stuff with your hair so I'm sure you will figure out what looks best.

But now I will just throw this out there as an additional consideration: What is the custom AFTER a defence where you are? Because my step-daughter defended about a year ago and they immediately went for dinner and drinks following the defence -- so she needed to be wearing something that would work and feel good in that setting as well. No opportunity to go change. What that meant (for our casual small city) was a slightly less formal outfit. I think she wore a jacket with trousers of some kind (not denim, which would be usual around here at the university in her department.) But I know that customs differ in different faculties and different areas.

11 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Good question, Suz! In Norway, Sweden, Finland and Germany I know the defense is a formal all-day-(sometimes two days)-and-evening event and two outfits are required.

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Congrats. Wonderful news.

I like the purple dress in #3, and the magenta topper over the black dress is #6. Both fabulous looks on you. I vote hair down.

11 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Voting for picture 5!

And congrats to you!

11 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Congratulations!

I vote for #6 - either version. I actually really like the "suit" look in 5, but I worry that it's TOO formal/corporate for the situation. In my field it would definitely be too much. (For the record, I wore bootcut trousers and a purple buttondown to mine, with heeled loafers.).

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think I was trying to get at what Diana's saying -- I worry that the navy with navy is too formal/ corporate. But it does depend on your field and your location, I'm sure.

11 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

I like #5 and 6. I would, perhaps, go for #5 for the presentation/oral defense, and then change the topper to one of the colorful versions in #6 for the reception/celebration, if you have one the same day. I agree that #5 might be a touch too formal but (1) it depends on the field and (2) I personally don't mind if the presenter decides to dress overly formally - I figure it's a big day for them, and shows that they take the occasion seriously.

Like Diana, my personal choice for this occasion would be pants or skirt and a top (like a button-down shirt, a silk blouse, or a fine-gauge sweater) because we are a fairly informal field, but I like the outfits you picked.

Congrats and good luck!

11 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations and best of luck for Tuesday!
My preference would be #5 as the most "serious" outfit and the hair up. If you think it is too corporate then either from #6 will do too.
What men would wear to the dissertation defense in your field? Suit and tie? Jacket and trousers without a tie? No jacket at all, just button down and slacks? (I hope not jeans and tee ) I would take it as a dress code guideline: after all you need to look serious for that day, right?
Again - good luck!

11 years ago

Dee

Veteran

First, congrats!!! That so exciting to reach this point.

I think the navy sheath dress in 5 looks lovely and would totally work, but second the above comments that it may be a little too formal if you're planning on going out after. My department had a long standing tradition of going out for drinks at the local drive bar post-defenses, so we weren't always super-formal. If that's true for you too, I think you could wear one of the dresses in 3. I'd add a scarf for the actual defense and a some tights or nice shoes to make it look a little more professional.

11 years ago

Debra

Veteran

You have some great dresses I like the navy sheath and navy blazer for your dissertation. A great outfit

11 years ago

Lucy

Veteran

Congratulations on getting this far - soon we will be calling you Dr Museum Gal!
I think the main thing is to be comfortable, so that you can concentrate on the Defence itself, not the clothes.I like the navy on navy, or the purple dress - that doesn't seem too OTT to me for an academic "occasion". And as for going out afterwards, I reckon you can wear whatever you want to that - it's your day!!

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Happy dance!!

I like the navy sheath with the teal blazer. It has a bit of great color, but in a business silhouette.

11 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

My fav is #6 with the purple cardigan. Hair maybe down but sleek? I also like the purple dress, and the navy sheath with unbuttoned blazer, but think it might read too corporate.

I would wear what feels most 'you', and strong, confident, and thoughtful.

11 years ago

MuseumGal

Veteran

Thanks you so much for all your feedback. Hmmm, those of you who mention that I might be a tad overdressed are totally correct. This is archaeology, I could get away with clean jeans and a button down. OTOH, I'm always overdressed, and known for wearing dresses on campus. For my M.A. defense in 2009 (same Uni, 3/5 same committee) I wore the navy wrap dress in #1 with knee high boots and my Granny's jade jewelry. I wanted to wear the same dress again for continuity, but I'm heavier now, and while it doesn't feel snug, I fear it looks snug.

Maybe I need to take a look at my conference wear capsule, which is trouser based ...

11 years ago

Mann

Active Member

Congrats!!!! I echo the comments above to focus on finding an outfit that makes you yourself very comfortable and confident for the occasion. It's been my experience in my old department that students have worn everything from a formal suit to trousers and not-very-formal top, and there are no strict guidelines. I myself wore a formal suit for my defense as that's what I was most comfortable in given the occasion, and I did not want my clothes to draw attention in any way - beyond a "oh she's wearing a suit" comment I've found people are not very likely to analyze the details in that case.
Good luck!!!

11 years ago

Anonymous

Heh, I was going to say jeans and a button down is what faculty usually wear to our defenses!

Congrats, and I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday!

11 years ago

Helena

Veteran

What an achievement.

I vote for navy sheath with whichever topper you feel most comfortable in. The wrap-style dresses are really nice but I worry they might feel "fiddly" when you are in the spotlight (e.g. if the cami starts shifting on you and you feel you need to adjust). Hair back so it doesn't distract you.

Best of luck!

11 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations! I like the navy with navy but the dresses in #3 also look good. Good luck!

11 years ago

crutcher

Veteran

You should first and foremost be comfortable and confident in what you wear so that you can put that aside and concentrate on presenting the best side of what you have done for your degree...I like 5 the Navy with a jacket...Having a jacket gives the outfit an air of authority...My best to you as you defend your work...I can only remember how nervous I was with my defense just three days away...Will send you the best thoughts for a very successful Tuesday...

11 years ago

carambola

Veteran

I like both dresses in 3 and the navy sheath with the blazer in 5 and the berry cardigan in 6. Any of those options would be appropriate in my field, so go with the one that makes you feel the most confident and comfortable. Congrats on making it this far and good luck!

11 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I like 3, 5, and 6 best, and would wear whichever I felt most comfortable and confident in.

Best of luck!

11 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I like the navy - navy look -- but only if you don't mind looking like the chair of the department which I don't think is a bad thing. Second choice is the navy dress with either of the colored jackets. I would wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable and most confident and enables you to forget what you are wearing.

11 years ago

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