Librarians and Fashion: Mortal Enemies?

Staff smock it to Ryan

Recently I saw this article linked through one of the library email subscriptions I get at work.

It made me look around at the library a bit and notice that most librarians in my range of vision were definitely fashion flops. Having always hated fashion myself, I was comforted by this and secure once more in the knowledge that I've chosen the right profession.

However, I have to acknowledge at the same time that--let's face it--fashion gets people places. We have to dress up a little if we're to put a good face on our organization. No, we don't want to look like we're going to a formal dance and alienate our patrons that way, but we don't want to look like a sofa either.

Apparently Paula Ryan did not mean to stereotype librarians, and meant only to offer her services as a fashion consultant for work clothing--help give people a little more confidence.

Although I feel good and have more confidence when I know I look good, what I will say for myself and other librarians is that there are other things we value more than this. Our main confidence does not lie in the fact that we look great in that shirt, but in our provision of something valuable to society. And while I would rather look like a well-dressed knockout than a shapeless man-thing, settling for something in between is sometimes necessary if I also want to get enough sleep and have breakfast in the morning.

Also: some (coughmostcough) people don't have the money to buy lots of nice clothes that fit just right.

So, Paula Ryan--if you have any fashion tips that take less than five minutes and cost less than ten dollars, lay 'em on me. Otherwise, I will quietly don my decent slacks and my ill-fitting blouse, braid my wet hair, have a good breakfast and head off to work, thank you kindly.