I'm a PhD candidate in a STEM field. Today as I was making my way to my office, I bumped into a female professor I happen to esteem greatly. Her work (though in a different field) is interesting, so she's very respected within our department. But more importantly, she has a reputation for being very friendly and willing to chat with students about graduate school, life, etc. I also took her class in 2020 to satisfy a degree requirement, during which time she was in her third trimester, and she actually introduced us to her newborn little one over Zoom at the end of the semester!

Anyway, I was wearing a pair of mule(s) heels, a high-waisted peach-colored maxi-skirt, a goldenrod crop top (no midriff showing), and a nice pair of brown-wood earrings. I also had my sunglasses hanging from my shirt. She complimented me on how put-together I looked and asked me for "my secrets" with a big smile on her face. I thanked her, mentioned that I just tried to dress for an office environment, and asked how her little one was (adding that I was in her class that semester). She seemed pleased that I remembered, said he was great, and then said that looking good was "important" and "underrated," especially in academia. And then she insisted that I reach out to her for a friendly chat over coffee, during which time I could offer her my "tips" and "secrets" on dressing so "beautifully."

I don't think she realized I spend very little on clothes/jewelry and instead try to make what I do have last as long as possible. I think that taking care of my skin/hair/health played a role too, as clothes can only get you so far. But my heart was singing because the reality is, most people in academia (unless they're faculty) don't try at all to dress for an office environment. I get compliments on the street, from friends/loved ones, and occasionally from my female colleagues. I have also noticed that other students and professors take me more seriously when I dress well. The facilities workers even wish me good morning occasionally. But today I was praised by a professor I have a ton of admiration for specifically because I looked feminine and put-together.