The Sartorial Scientist: Everyday Clothes for the Everyday Researcher

Miss J (one of my best gals and a talented geekette specializing in semiconductors) and I would sometimes have online conversations that do not entirely refer to our own research projects.  We would eventually end up talking about sartorial issues in the (lab) office and workbench because we're women.

She would always despair on a few things on that matter, pertaining to her labmates, with a matching facepalm and sweatdrop.  Because they would be in either of the two modes: fashionable skank, OR a recent-flood victim.  And I've seen a share of those two modes myself in other lab groups (not in mine, by golly!), with some variations (e.g., Just Got out of Bed in Pyjamas, A Rat in a Gym-Suit for Meetings, Sex, Lies and Lab Recorders).  These sightings got the collective The Sartorial Scientist a-thinking--what would be considered as proper "everyday clothes for an everyday researcher"?

Three Basic Groups to consider: Jeans, Sleeved Shirts/Tops, Sensible Shoes.  These are nice basic denim pants from C&A; shirts from C&A, H&M and Pimkie; and shoes from Deichmann

Here's a list of basic items a grad student should have in order to not look like a drowned lab-rat:

• Jeans: Love 'em or hate 'em, but you need them.  A pair of properly-fitted denim pants will go a long way (as long as you don't spill corrosive things on them) as part of your lab uniform.  Get a pair made with thick, durable denim with sturdy stitching, and (as much as possible), no rips (sorry, punksters...lab safety is way high in the list).  You can go crazy in picking colors, or you can opt for the standard indigos to blacks (less risk of staining them), with or without studs, etc.
  TSS Recommends: if you spend most of your time in wet-lab, go as plain as possible, unless you're willing to risk ruining the studs and embroidery.
• Shirts with sleeves: Unless you're in marine biology and doing field-work, no sleeveless shirts or tops allowed in the lab.  Also a big no-no to deep decolletage (unless you want your leading ladies to be exposed to potential carcinogens and chemical burns).  There are various shirts and blouses available in shops in a rainbow of colors and designs; you can stock up on them during season-sales. With a plain pair of jeans, you can inject a bit of your humor with your top.
  TSS Recommends: Try getting tops made with natural fabrics like cotton for full comfort and an added bonus*.
• Sensible shoes: Especially for the ladies--sorry, girls, unless you're 4'11" or less, stilettos are out of the question.  But if you do need the added height (i.e., to reach for reagents/tools in high shelves), go for shoes with adequate heels. No open-toed sandals or pumps--except when you want to risk hurting your toes with broken glassware or a soldering iron. There are a lot of fashionable shoes available--from classy oxfords to smart casual boots to cute sneakers, ballerina flats and Mary-Janes.
  TSS Advice: Use maximum of 2" heels, block or wedge, for height and comfort. 

Seems simple, yes?  But there's more to it...in the next TSS post. Stay tuned!

*Fabrics made with natural fibers burn; synthetic fibers like acrylic and polyester melt and stick to the skin.  If the poor lab tech from UCLA didn't wear synthetic-fiber clothes, she would have had a chance of surviving the lab accident.