How to dress as a male PhD student

Hi all,I'm going to be starting a PhD in psychology at the University of Durham in October. I'm wondering how PhD students usually tend to dress? I'm trying to think back to my last University, but I keep drawing a blank. :-) I usually tend to wear a T-shirt, with a nice jumper and non-scruffy jeans. I also have a few shirts and a blazer, and a couple of pairs of chinos if I wanted a more formal look. Any guidance would be much appreciated!

Reply 1

Dr Otter

Base it off the other students and the lab leader. My PI came in every day in an old tshirt and jeans. Him dressing up in a shirt or tie was a noteworthy occasion. Generally you can get away with wearing anything you want. I'm a postdoc now and still usually come in in a hoodie and jeans.

Assuming you'll be working with participants, probably go business casual for them but usually even that doesnt matter.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 2

Helloworld_95

However you want, I'd say most people go for anywhere between very casual and smart-casual. Dressing more formal than that is a bit odd unless you have an event on, though it may be expected if you're doing patient or participant facing research.

Reply 3

A Rolling Stone

Original post by Tkang

geeky t-shirt with a 'joke' on it, old jeans and white unbranded trainers that look like they belonged to the said student's dad in 1995.

full beard, but at the very least neck beard.

smells ok.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 4

RichPiana

Like a roadman innit