Good Sabbath, darling ones!
A newbie minister submits this question:
How are you? I am settling into my internship with the XXX at the University of XX as of a week ago now… It will prove to be challenging but I am feling more confident as each challenge presents itself. But one challenge is definitely atire!!
I am young and I look young. I am dressing professinally – always more
than those I am working with and for – but I am wondering what I can
wear around town! Going to the store etc.The other part of this is that I have to bike everywhere! It’s hard to
look good after wearing a helmet and you can’t Ride easily in heals
lol Is it appropriate to wear shirts and a t to the store to get
groceries? Do you have any suggestions on dressy sneakers I could wear
with dress pants?I am going to keep a gym bag at the office / sanctuary but sometimes
it is hard to even run quickly to primp 🙂Thoughts?
Hi, Lovely Newbie!
First of all, I am so thrilled to learn of your new job and have every confidence that you will love this ministry and that it will love you, too. What an exciting placement!
At your age and with your fit build, I think you can dress for the day and be both professional, comfortable, bike-appropriate and youthful. First of all, let’s talk about the bike-appropriate question:
Obviously, we can’t have this sort of thing happening. Neither can you wear the babydoll dresses that are all the rage among the young professional gals. Too cutesy by far for the clergy.
This is also awful: too sporty and sloppy although at least she’s wearing a helmet, and you must promise us that you’ll always wear a helmet!!
This is chic but it’s not appropriate for a chaplain. The dress is too short and fitted. Again… hey sweetie, your hair looks great but you’re gonna wind up with a head injury if you don’t get a helmet!
Can you imagine biking around in all white? Me, neither. Still, this is a really nice look and if she’d slap on a helmet, she’d be fine by me for campus ministry. Of course I need not say that the flip-flops are incredibly dangerous footwear if you’re cycling, and ugly and unprofessional to boot.
You asked about shoes. These are around $90 but I feel certain that you could find something like them for much less, and they’re just SO CUTE!
So, Young Reverend Campus, let’s talk about a look that will work for you for both ministry and for the gal-about-town you’ll be when you’re not at work. I am ALL ABOUT JACKETS. And two in particular: the classic trench and the shrunken blazer. Let’s take a look at these great jackets:
Traditional blazers are a fast way to age yourself (which isn’t always a bad thing), so I would generally avoid the Classic Blazer on campus.
The Shrunken Blazer, however, is a fabulous garment for your wardrobe. In fact, I believe you could make a sort of uniform of a shrunken blazer and tailored trousers, knowing your knack for accessorizing. Check it out:
Obviously the pants are ridiculous for your position, but I LOVE the stripes the the fitted jacket. Absolutely classic!!
How much fun is the frilly blouse with the shrunken blazer? It’s wonderful, is what it is, and absolutely appropriate for work. I think you might cuff your jeans, too, and get away with it as a campus minister. I think this is a creative, funky, appropriate look for a young campus minister, and I know it’s a great look for you too, Newbie. ‘Cause I know you.
This layered look is also good for you. It’s just important that your layers be crisp and not rumpled or sloppy.
Here’s a shrunken blazer with the nefarious Skinny Jean that we’ve been seeing for the past year and are seeing again for fall. The proportions are good on this model, but I think that although you could pull this off, I wouldn’t. Stick with a classic, slim-cut jean if you’re going to wear them (and you certainly can).
Since it’s summer and too warm yet for jackets, here are some gals on the subway with their bikes in informal but still potentially work-appropriate pretty cotton shirts over tailored chinos. Add a necklace or scarf and you’re all about the workday and whatever else you need to do in comfort:
Don’t know how much Newbie Minister cycles, but a couple of tips for preserving your nice, professional clothes on a bicycle, and a couple of bonus tips as well:
1. Keep your bike (especially the pedals and chain) as clean as you can. (Also, just generally, look after your bike. You don’t want brakes failing at an inopportune moment, or to have to cycle home at night without lights, or whatever.)
2. Invest in trouser clips if you have to. You can probably buy the reflective horseshoe-shaped ones for a couple of dollars, and they’ll save any bootcut trousers you wear from an Unspeakably Oil Stained Fate. Just remember to take them off when you get off the bike.
3. Panniers are awesome, you can carry lots of stuff in them, and they mean you don’t get a sweaty back from wearing a backpack. If you can, get some. If not, get a basket!
4. Mudguards. If it EVER rains where you live, you’re going to need these.
Blessings in your ministry!
Great question! I’ve been a campus minister, and the need to be professional and approachable by 18-25 year olds is indeed a challenge. My grey hair helped (lol) but a few things our newbie might try: First, in the summer, a blazer is hot, but a light over shirt can dress up a T. Some of the crinkle, 3/4 sleeve shirts will even roll-up well in a backpack, so when she arrives, she can put it on over the T-shirt and look more together. Nice sandals also fit in a backpack, and can replace utilitarian biking footwear upon arrival. Keep a light powder around, to eliminate the ‘glow’ of the biking, without having to do a full makeover. About the bike helmet — spend a little money and go to a hairdresser you trust and explain the situation. He/she can work with you to make the best use of your hair type, and give you ideas for handling helmet-head.
Good luck! In peace and blessing…
Check out http://www.cyclechic.co.uk/ especially the blog for ideas on looking chic whilst cycling.
Also, I’ve never had any problems cycling in heels – you just have to be careful not to kick up the pedal with your toe otherwise you scuff the fronts!
And bewarned that if you cycle a lot in the same pair of trouswers a shiny patch will eventually appear!! (Guess who learned that the hard way?)
I ride to work regularly, but the climate here (Minnesota) often requires a full change of clothes before I work because it’s too hot or too cold out. I’ve never been good at riding so casually that I don’t break a sweat.
But, when the weather is good, here are my faves:
1. Patagonia skort. It’s a great microfiber with slits you can zip up for more motion and down for looking put together. Not too short. I wouldn’t wear it Sundays but it’s fine for a regular office day or visiting.
2. Merell Mary Janes — work with skirts or pants and have a great protected toe and good soles. Infinitely comfortable for walking too.
And, absolutely on the trouser clips. It may look dorky riding but is totally worth avoiding the inevitable grease stain from your chain.