What To Wear As A University Teacher

[Lenalernt]

Hello everybody,

I will be working as a language assistant at Thammasat University.

How can I dress appropriately for such a job?

And what kind of shoes and bags are suitable?

Lena

[Scott]

Dress professionally and modestly and you will be OK. Make sure your shoulders are not bare. Skirt should be to the mid-knee (longer if you like, but usually not shorter). If you wear heels, make it a short heel and preferably not open-toed. If your hair is longer than shoulder length, then it should be tied back or up in a bun.

Take a look at a picture of your grandma and if you are dressed like a modern day version, you are probably on the right track.

I don't know anything about what type of bag to carry, but they look at me funny when I come in carrying my stuff in a Big C bag!

[sirchai]

Dress professionally and modestly and you will be OK. Make sure your shoulders are not bare. Skirt should be to the mid-knee (longer if you like, but usually not shorter). If you wear heels, make it a short heel and preferably not open-toed. If your hair is longer than shoulder length, then it should be tied back or up in a bun.

Take a look at a picture of your grandma and if you are dressed like a modern day version, you are probably on the right track.

I don't know anything about what type of bag to carry, but they look at me funny when I come in carrying my stuff in a Big C bag!

I'd 'carry" a Madame Tussaud bag. But not the wax version, Thailand's too hot.-

[Lenalernt]

Do I have to wear a skirt or could I wear trousers as well?

E.g. grey or black ones as seen here:

http://www.zalando.d...21a014-714.html

http://www.uniform-c...hing-p-806.html

Edited April 28, 2013 by Lenalernt

[Lenalernt]

:-)

Edited April 28, 2013 by Lenalernt

[Morakot]

Do I have to wear a skirt or could I wear trousers as well?

E.g. grey or black ones as seen here:

http://www.zalando.d...21a014-714.html

http://www.uniform-c...hing-p-806.html

Yes trousers are fine, as long as they are the type from a suite. Have look here. Should be a dark colour.

The suggested attire in the photo might be not suitable, unless you're planing an outdoor activity. You should also have a cardigan or something as you might get cold if the aircon is set too low.

Edited April 28, 2013 by Morakot

[Lenalernt]

Thank you!

[Lenalernt]

Is wearing jeans a no-go?

Edited April 29, 2013 by Lenalernt

[Scott]

Jeans is a definite no-no and to the best of my knowledge so are slacks unless they are specifically approved by the school.

If you are going to err, err on the side of caution. Once you have been there for a while, you will have a better feel for what is permissible and what is not.

[Stradavarius37]

I've been lecturing at Mahidol for 10 years, and have visited dozens of universities.

Day to day - Smart Casual would be the best way to describe it.

Ladies - Slacks (are perfectly fine for my university, and frankly speaking, most professional women at the university level of most schools wear slacks regularly), skirts or dresses, knee length or below the knee. Shoes - low heel, closed toed, no sandals, no bare shoulders, no jeans, no shorts.

Men - Slacks, button down shirts (long sleeve or short sleeve is ok), polo shirts are sometimes seen, especially if they are university issued. Need and tidy, black or brown leather shoes.

The dress at universities should be sensible. If you ask yourself, (is it ok to wear this?), the answer is probably no.

Dress very conservatively for the first month, and then just open your eyes and look at what your colleagues are wearing. Each faculty is different, even within a university. At the Mahidol University International College they tend to dress almost semi-formal, with most men wearing Thais and women wearing suites, since their classes are strict lecture only types, while at the College of Music, its slightly less strict, as they faculty deals with performing, body movement issues, etc..

Edited April 29, 2013 by Stradavarius37

[Lenalernt]

thank you, that was very helpfull