California fashion.

I've never been especially well dressed or fashionable, but I have to say that in California it's different. The dress of choice in Davis is t-shirt and shorts, for everyone, everywhere. At university, a lot of the students, the postdocs and the professors happily walk around in things that I'd wear for the beach. I guess I'm used to seeing people dressing with a bit more formality in academic environment. In my previous labs there's always been a certain level of formality or fashionability; women who wear beautiful skirts and tops, and the men, especially faculty, who wear shirts with collars.

I just find it baffling when I see professors shuffling away in flip flops. I don't think I have seen a single collared shirt. And last week, a postdoc from the lab next door was panicking because he got an interview for a real job and he needs to buy his first suit ever.

Maybe my first university was a tad too big on the formality, but really, a postdoc who does not own a suit? How about old little me starting at a new university worried if I've got enough formal wear if I got only a black pant suit and two cocktail dresses! And how about all the students from various European universities who own at least two different suits, a dinner jacket (tuxedo) and a tail coat (white tie) for academic dinners and their thesis defense!

So shock and horror, what I wear - simple cardigans and tops and summery skirts (or jeans, the aircon is not my friend) - is considered formal! But it it so nice wear dresses and skirts in this hot weather! And as I'm not backpacking anymore, my wardrobe is bigger and I actually can choose what to wear each morning! Maybe California will change me and I'll revert into wearing just t-shirts and jeans in no time and maybe I give up wearing my pretty leather pumps for more comfortable trekking sandals... we'll see! 

And as a quick fashion side note, San Francisco seemed to be the home of hipster. I like the style in tiny doses, but when everyone dresses the same, it just loses it's edge. And surely the trend should be over by now?