keeping us company: Kelly from Elegantly Academic

While I’m off and away, teaching the youngsters and generally finding myself in way over my head with this whole teacher-student-haver-of-life balance thing, I invited some friends (some from the blog world, some from the non-blog world) to keep us all company here at The Life Academic and share their solutions to my current conundrum: outfits appropriate for teaching-studenting-living in the hot, hot summer heat.

Today, I roped Kelly in to my quest, which made great sense when I asked, because she lives in brutally hot Australia. However, I forgot that Australia is also on the other side of the world from me and that, ahem, she is therefore experiencing winter at the moment. Oh well, I promise I’m smart in a lot of other ways. However, Kelly is a doll and so she still agreed to help me out with this post — isn’t that kind? Anyhow, enough of my babbling, here’s Kelly!

Hi everyone! I’m Kelly & I’m Elegantly Academic. I was so excited when Martina asked me to do a guest post for her whilst she is teaching over the summer term. I love reading blogs by other academics, researchers and students, as it is always nice to know I am not the only student who likes to blog & procrastinates by blogging. My blog is primarily style based, but I also love to include other things I find inspiring, such as the elegance of 1950s academia.

Vintage Dress: thrifted, BC Shoes: Modcloth

Martina has asked me for some tips on what to wear when teaching or being at graduate student at the height of summer. As I live in the driest state of Australia & am quite familiar with trying to strike a balance between looking professional, fashionable & staying cool during temperatures of up to 104 degrees.

In summer, I usually where dresses or skirts and always try to pick natural fabrics (i.e. cotton, linen). I like to keep my shoulders covered, as this protects them from the sun and looks more professional. When it comes for footwear I try to wear inclosed shoes made from leather or canvas, which allow my feet to breathe & I don’t end up with stinky feet!

Out for a Walk Skirt: Ruche ,  Vintage Necklace: thrifted, Vintage Basket: markets

When in comes to wearing t-shirts and skirts, I like to dress up a t-shirt with a necklace or a brooch. I usually choose longer necklaces in summer, as shorter ones tend to stick to my skin. When it comes to carrying around my piles of books and paperwork, I try to choose bags that are also made from natural materials, as faux leather also tends to stick to my skin. I personally like to use canvas bags or a wicker basket to carry all my stuff  …  or a cute boy if I’ve got one handy. (Ed note: as far as I’m concerned, men should be used as purses whenever possible. It’s an eco-friendly stance, really…)

Thanks so much for reading my guest post & hopefully you enjoyed it. I would love for you to come say hello over at my blog, Elegantly Academic.

Delighful, right? I’d like to vote right now that I somehow have that bag in my hands, but I’m pretty sure that there’s no real election for that, so my vote is useless. But I will start carrying around my favorite picnic basket as a purse, because I’m easily influenced by fabulousness!

Anyhow, thanks heaps and loads and bunches to Kelly for giving me such great advice and keeping all of us company while I’m in class!

Tags: guests!, summertime all the time, teaching