PhD in Clothes
Clothes. Career. Thrifting. Productivity.
What to wear to your thesis / dissertation defense, 2024 edition
Every March my “what do I wear to my thesis defense” post starts popping off, and I know it’s time. Masters students and PhD candidates everywhere are submitting final drafts and sitting in that two week waiting period between paper and oral defense, and the outfit question starts to creep in. Dressing for a dissertation defense can be such a strange prompt–so I asked three recent grads what they would wear. Their ideas, and outfit options, below.
“Dress confident, feel confident” – one recent grad, who opted for dark wash denim, a black blouse, and brown leather shoes.
She also suggested a black top is a great way to not let them see you sweat (literally and figuratively).
– Top ( plus size option )
– Fun necklace
– Jeans
– Sandals
“Some sort of bright shirt and dress pants” -a recent grad, who also suggested wearing something that is like you but “a bit more elevated.”
This outfit is meant to say: it’s ok to show your personality in your defense! If you wear Doc Martens everyday, wear them, if you like bright feminine colors, go for it! It’s important to dress for you! Shoptions:
-A top in a fun pattern or in a color you love
– Fun earrings
– Dress pants
– Flats
“Some sort of dress and cardigan” -several professors
Yes, for fun I asked my professor friends what they would wear if they had to defend a thesis right now. Several said a dress and cardigan over top for comfort!
– Shirtdress
– Cardigan
– Boots
“I don’t remember, I was quaking in my boots” – one of my recent advisees
I just put this point here to say that what you wear will ultimately be one of the least important parts of the day. Whatever you put on, make sure you feel physically good in it, and that it’s out of your way.
Also, yes, a defense can feel so scary! But remember that it’s a rare opportunity to have 3-5 people in a room to solely discuss your ideas and how to improve them. It’s kind of cool if you think of it as a conversation, versus a grilling session!
Have you planned your defense outfit yet? Please share!
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4 thoughts on “what to wear to your thesis / dissertation defense, 2024 edition”.
- Pingback: What should I wear to my dissertation or thesis defense? – PhD in Clothes
I was in search of a good interview outfit for next week and came across your posts of nice outfits. You have a great sense of styling!
I want to wear this dress but I don’t know how to style it to fit the academic vibe! Do you have any styling tips? https://curtsyapp.com/item/anthropologie-the-cecily-fit-and-flare-sweetheart-dress-by-maeve/ActehPpvHF
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Showing up wearing a suit and tie or similarly formal business attire is a strong signal that you are taking the defense seriously. Although they're not everything, first impressions matter and formal dress can also help you look (and feel) authoritative, knowledgeable, and a way you can show that you've taken the time to be prepared.
Here are my two biggest tips for defense outfits: This is a chance to be seen as a colleague with your professors, so dress like your professors. If your department wears suits, wear a suit. If you department is business casual, go business casual!
Men should wear standard formal attire: a jacket, dress shirt, and tie, conservative slacks, and dress shoes. Under no circumstances should men wear gym shoes to their defense.
For men/masc people this would be suit and tie, or slacks, button down shirt, tie, and optional blazer. For women/femmes you could do the same, or a skirt and blouse, or a dress, not too revealing on the top or short on the bottom.
Your dress choices will, fairly or not, influence the committee's perception of how seriously you are taking the process. Showing up in ripped jeans and a t-shirt suggest a lack of preparation and seriousness--but wildly over-dressing in tuxedo and tails may also read as mockery of the process.
It’s important to dress for you! Shoptions: -A top in a fun pattern or in a color you love. – Fun earrings. – Dress pants. – Flats. “Some sort of dress and cardigan” -several professors. Yes, for fun I asked my professor friends what they would wear if they had to defend a thesis right now.