Glam

This semester, I'm teaching film for the first time. I've studied film and written about film and incorporated film into my other courses, but now it's the real deal: the intro class for film majors. I'm sad to admit that when I embarked upon this process, I spent relatively little brain power bulking up on discontinuity editing and the Hollywood star system and auteur cinema compared to the mental space I devoted to the questions "Am I stylish enough to teach film?" and "What does a film teacher wear?" Despite all evidence to the contrary, I am under the impression that the kinds of people who teach film wear sleek all-black outfits and have edgy asymmetrical haircuts. Why I think I need to look like Rooney Mara in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to be a credible teacher of Casablanca is unclear to me, but there you have it.

This is what I in fact wore to teach Casablanca. Neither edgy nor artsy. But it does have what I consider to be relatively subtle touches of Hollywood glam in the red blouse and leopard-print pumps. Red and leopard are super glam, right? In retrospect, I could have added even more glam -- maybe a gold necklace or sparkly earrings -- without the outfit turning costumey.

The lessons I learned in film class today? Film teachers need not look edgy, or wear black, or have asymmetrical haircuts. A touch of old time glamour works just fine. And perhaps they should know something about film.

blouse: LOFT (this seasons colors -- I can't decide if I love the "ominous teal" or "maize gold" better!) | jeans: Gap | belt: American Eagle | shoes: Franco Sarto | bag: J.Crew Factory | bangles: J.Crew Factory

The Scholar in Her Natural Habitat

  

I love being in the library -- any library -- which is good because I spend a lot of time in libraries. I have traveled to libraries around the country and the world for research, and I spend most of my time in the main library on our campus. I start and end each day there and spend my time there whenever I don't have to be elsewhere. I also have a carrel where the 173 books currently checked out in my name reside. I barely fit inside.

Since I log a lot of hours in the library, I have a few thoughts about library style. I guess I could wear anything at all to the library, especially on days that I don't have any other teaching and meetings, but I almost always make an attempt to look put together. First of all, even though I rarely plan to see anyone in the library, I run into friends and colleagues all the time (and students during midterms and finals). More importantly, I feel much better when my clothes are both stylish and comfortable. It's amazing what a colorful scarf or great print can do for my mood, which makes me happier and more productive.

My Library Style Essentials

1. A jacket or cardigan. When I'm in the classroom or in a meeting, I tend to generate a lot more heat. I'm talking, moving around, gesturing... but when I'm in the library, I sit still for hours on end. This means that I get pretty cold. For that reason, I try to make sure I wear a jacket or cardigan every day, even when it's nearly 100° like it was today. That way, I don't have to wear the grubby old hoodie I keep in my library carrel for emergencies. This jean jacket is much sleeker!
2. A scarf. Our campus library has very few windows and tends toward the dreary side. Not only does this help with the cold, it also helps amp up the coziness and cheeriness. I may not be home on my couch under an afghan and wearing fuzzy slippers, but a soft, bright square of fabric helps! I'm planning to buy a few more this fall... I'm especially excited about getting my hands on one like this. And maybe also this and this.
3. Comfortable layers. One of the reasons this skirt has been a great addition to my closet is that it has a stretchy waistband and soft knit fabric. Knit dresses, elastic-waist skirts, and jeans are my go-tos for days I'm planning to camp out at the library. I'm even guilty of wearing leggings (with a long sweater!) when my students won't be around.

jacket: Target | scarf: LOFT | skirt: LOFT [exact on sale in limited sizes] | t-shirt: Banana Republic | shoes: Banana Republic [similar]