January 23, 1998

Frumpy or Chic? Tweed or Kente? Sometimes Clothes Make the Professor

Academic wardrobe selection can involve ideology, discipline, and job-hunting strategy

By ALISON SCHNEIDER

There was just one problem with the English department's job candidate: his pants.

They were polyester, green polyester, and the members of the hiring committee considered that a serious offense. For 10 minutes they ranted about the cut, the color, the cloth. Then and only then did they move on to weightier matters.

He did not get the job.

Neither did a woman lugging an oversized tote bag (too working-class). Or a man sporting a jaunty sweater and scarf (too flaky). Or a

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