#2 be vain, do what you want

So, I’ve been feeling really inspired by Quinta B’s Milly Rock video. The reasons being 1. Quinta 2. The high level of satisfaction I get by saying, ‘On. Any. Block.’ in the various situations I find myself in (clapping may be involved). So, this post is brought to you by Quinta B because without her as external motivation my willingness to do anything is pretty low soooo #claps4Quinta

...On any block.

A video posted by Quinta B (@quintab) on Mar 3, 2016 at 2:05pm PST

Anyway, it was depressingly grey and drizzling today and I was stuck inside studying, which is pretty much how I plan to spend the rest of my spring semester because I need to pass these classes. Between aforementioned classes, working, and the time suck that is commuting via public transportation I’m kinda fucking busy. As an undergraduate, I’ll admit to coping with my time issues (mainly, not having a lot of free time) by secretly crying wearing a basic wardrobe of t-shirts, big sweaters, leggings as pants (haters gonna hate), and a lot of black/neutral colors. Friends who know me, correct me if I’m wrong. Admittedly, my grad school wardrobe hasn’t changed that much, I’m just wearing better outfits formulated from the same (well, very similar) base clothing.

I dunno why, but I had this idea that when I went to graduate school the way I dressed would undergo a radical overhaul because:

1. As an adultier adult, I had to give up all comfy casual wear, including but not limited to my daytime thot clothing
2. Grad school is basically the precursor to full time work, and work is life, so I need to dress like I’m going to work for the rest of my life until I die
3. ?????

Yeah, I realized immediately that nothing was gonna change majorly on the wardrobe front once I actually got accepted into my graduate program because who has the funds for that? So, with the reality another two years of paltry part-time wages ahead of me I decided to prove to myself that despite my desire for new clothes, I could pull myself together and dress appropriately for most situations life threw at me without resorting to buying whole new outfits. Note, I’m not talking about professional attire (suiting, corporate setting clothing)- sorry kids, but you can’t really fake that. I would just suggest buying the nicest things that you can afford. (Don’ go to J-crew on a Rainbow budget y’all, it’ll just end in pain, regret, and overcharge fees if you ‘forgot’ what your account balance actually was.)

Case in point, this is what I wore today. Well, the top half:

serving bathroom selfie realness since the early 2000s

The pants are not quite as comfy as real leggings (which I still wear as pants, don’t get it twisted) BUT they are comfortable enough and make it look like I tried, which is important.

NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS, APPEARANCE IS A PART OF THE IMPRESSION YOU MAKE. SINCE IMPRESSIONS MATTER, APPEARANCE MATTERS.

This isn’t any respectability politics crap either, I don’t abide by that foolery, but it is important to not look any sort of way in school, work, etc.

For example; I met with a professor today. We were just talking about the class, job prospects and all that, and then without any prompting from me they told me they’d write a reference letter for me if needed. They said I seemed like a good student and a responsible employee, and other stuff like that pertinent to our conversation. Seemed.

To seem: to appear, to be, to feel, etc.

Appearance matters.

me as a wee undergrad (sophmore or junior year)

and this is me now as a salty grad student

Not very different objectively, but I think I dress a little nicer than I used to.

So, despite what my mom thinks I’ve been making a bit more of an effort to look decent and not like the constantly tired zombie person I truly am inside.

I’m not saying dress in a certain style (unless you’re in a place with a dress code). To potential graduate students I’m just gonna say, if you want to differentiate yourself from undergrad you (or undergraduates in general), ditch your worn university hoodie as the main component of your outfit, if you’re going to wear leggings as pants make sure they’re kinda nice. Do your hair. Don’t change completely, just refine your style.

And wear comfortable shoes because uncomfortable shoes are no joke. Uggs are my fashion vice; ugly as heck (they are folks, lets be objective) HOWEVER they are warm toasty outside slippers, and the only thing keeping me going to class on the colder days so you and your friends can pry the Uggs from my warm, cozy feet. (DON’T WEAR UGGS TO INTERVIEWS THO, THINK OF THE CHILDREN/YOURSELF)   

PS: Do your hair. Really. It makes everything look better. Just trust me on this. I went through a rough patch in undergrad hair-wise, and I’m just gonna leave it at that. 

It's hard to tell what I'm wearing really since it's all black and I take shitty photos, but I'll list the stuff:

• Uniqlo HEATTECH Scoop Neck Shirt (I buy them when they're on sale)
• John Paul Richard Sweater bought from Macy's (clearance)
• American Apparel Riding Pants  although I get them off Ebay when I find a pair in my size 
• Uggs; these actually went on sale a few months ago (I know, still too $$$). They were my winter splurge
• Lantern Necklace from Argeny. They're a black owned (two sisters) and based in Canada. When I bought the necklace there was a 50% off holiday promotion, but I think they have free shipping now