next »

[fraggles]

I have a campus visit for a tt SLAC job in an MLA field and it seems I will be doing my research presentation soon after being picked up at the airport and taken to dinner - I don't think I will have time to change. BUT I have a long day of travel and really don't want to wear my suit for my multiple flights. How risky would it be to wear slacks and a sweater set that first evening? The next day I have multiple meetings (presumably some with administration) and teach in the afternoon after a campus tour - I wouldn't have chosen to wear the suit for the teaching demo, but would have for the meetings. Would it seem strange to wear my suit that morning then change into a different slacks/sweater set combo for the tour and teaching?

Thanks!

[prof_gnu]

I'm still in the job search phase, so take this with a grain of salt if you so desire.

I think it would be very weird to change in the middle of the day on the second day.  Additionally, I can't think of a single campus interview that I've had where I would have had time to change (or a reasonable location to do so).

[shiraz]

I imagine that you probably won't have time to change. (As Prof Gnu notes).  At various campus interviews I was barely given bathroom breaks, let alone time to change.  But even if you do have time, I probably would not.  

As far as traveling on the first day, I wouldn't worry about wearing slacks and a sweater (as opposed to a suit).  As long as you are not in sweats or jeans, I think it's fine.  

Good luck!

[mirada]

As long as you look neat and professional, clothing is really not that big of deal (and don't pile on with all the disaster stories now).  That said, if wearing the suit is important to you on arrival but not for the whole travel day, I've known of people changing during a layover, on the plane, or after landing but before emerging from security, etc.

[brixton]

Many slacs pride themselves on a culture of casual comfort.  A stiff suit mussed by multiple airline changes might actually work against you.  Go for simple, comfortable, wrinkle-free black pants with a black or white top.  Have a neat jacket/blazer handy in your suitcase.  When you get off the plane, pull it out and you're good to go.

[drnobody]

When I fly, for whatever reason, it makes me feel just out of sorts. If I have to be off the plane and ready to go, I carry clothes and pop in the restroom as soon as I leave the gate. Takes 5 minutes to change and emerge like I just got up and put on clean clothes. So decide what you want to wear to the first night, dress comfortably on the plane, and just to a Superman routine when you exit.

[msparticularity]

Okay, two thoughts:

They're having you do your research presentation at night, after a full day of travel and dinner??? Yikes!!! If so, then I think Brixton gives excellent advice.

For the teaching plus meetings day, do wear a suit. For the teaching demo, think about some kind of a nice top or lightweight sweater that you could wear that would allow you to dump the jacket while you're in the classroom. I find a suit jacket confining, too warm, and too rigid-looking for actually teaching, and it sounds as if you may feel the same way. 

[fraggles]

Okay, two thoughts:

They're having you do your research presentation at night, after a full day of travel and dinner??? Yikes!!! If so, then I think Brixton gives excellent advice.

For the teaching plus meetings day, do wear a suit. For the teaching demo, think about some kind of a nice top or lightweight sweater that you could wear that would allow you to dump the jacket while you're in the classroom. I find a suit jacket confining, too warm, and too rigid-looking for actually teaching, and it sounds as if you may feel the same way. 

Great advice from everyone - thanks! I think I will follow Brixton's advice for the travel/dinner/research presentation day (yikes indeed) and msparticularity's for the 2nd day.  I didn't get the sense from the MLA interview that the committee would be offended if I didn't wear a suit, but I also don't want to violate any unwritten rules about campus visits.