The Defense

As a rule, I love to plan my outfits. I think about what I'll wear to events like weddings and conferences months in advance, revising the look in my head and even taking it on a trial run. But for some reason, a few days before my dissertation defense, I had not a though in my head about what I was I was going to wear. My parents came out for the occasion, and while my mom and I were going for a run a few days in advance, she asked me what I planned to wear. She had planned her outfit weeks before (so I guess I know where I get it from) but I still didn't have a clue. She recommended a dress -- and asked me to describe all the dresses in my closet -- and then advised, "You need to wear something that you feel good in, and then once you put it on, you forget about it."

It was a game-time decision, but I chose this dress because it fit those criteria perfectly. I always feel confident in a black shift dress. They're simple and elegant, they're appropriate for just about every occasion, and they've been my constant companions since I was in high school. I kept the jewelry simple with a single (under)statement necklace. I also wore leopard-print heels which were mostly for my mother's enjoyment and went unseen by my committee since I spent the entire event sitting behind a desk.

The defense itself was wonderful -- four really smart people asking provocative questions, offering brilliant suggestions, and helping me see what kind of a book this can be someday (eek!). And I didn't think about my outfit once.

dress: J.Crew factory [exact] | necklace: Dina Varano | shoes: Franco Sarto via DSW | bag: J.Crew factory