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Alice Vol. 3 No. 3

Published by UA Student Media in Summer 2018.

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SUMMER 2018<br />

LOOKBOOK<br />

First day, right foot<br />

How to start off your job or internship in style.<br />

Summer in the city<br />

Survival guide for empty college towns<br />

Sit back. Relax. Serve<br />

How to make service a part of your summer


Top: Lulu’s<br />

Jeans: Pause Boutique


Letter from the Editor<br />

On the web:<br />

alice.ua.edu<br />

@alicethemag<br />

pinterest.com/alicemagazinexo<br />

Contact Us:<br />

alicemagazine.editor@gmail.com<br />

Hi there. Welcome to our summer issue.<br />

Things look a little different around here, that’s for<br />

sure. Especially considering you’re checking out our<br />

~free~ digital summer issue. This digital copy marks<br />

the beginning of something new and exciting for <strong>Alice</strong>.<br />

We’ve pieced together this issue to give you a peek<br />

into what we’ve got coming up for the 2018 - 2019<br />

academic year. We’re spicing things up and doing a bit<br />

of rebranding — you may have noticed our new online<br />

logo — and soon you’ll be seeing a lot more from<br />

our online presence via alice.ua.edu and our social<br />

platforms. We’re also switching up our publishing style.<br />

Rather than splitting up our content into three issues,<br />

our team will be hand-crafting two hefty mags a year<br />

(a Fall/Winter and a Spring/Summer issue) packed<br />

from cover to cover with content that strives to inspire<br />

and empower.<br />

It’s better this way. Trust us.<br />

It is our hope that you will find reflections of<br />

yourself within these pages, as well as gain new<br />

perspectives into the world around you. This upgrade<br />

gives us an even bigger and better opportunity to<br />

provide our readers with glimpses into the heart and<br />

soul of college womanhood, in all its layered, diverse<br />

complexity. We are the same magazine with the same<br />

vision to harness the power of words and images to<br />

ignite a celebration of every woman.<br />

This little summer freebie has some of our favorite<br />

images from our trip to Sun Studio in Memphis,<br />

Tennessee (more of these to come in our Fall/Winter<br />

issue). The articles we selected for this issue cover<br />

“What <strong>No</strong>t To Wear” to your hip new job or internship<br />

as well as how to stay busy in a deserted college town.<br />

Whether you are lounging or laboring away, we tried to<br />

cover all of the bases for your varying summer plans<br />

while also keeping the online issue short and sweet.<br />

We hope you find some insight within these pages<br />

and get just as pumped as we are for the year to come.<br />

As always, dear readers, thank you for the endless<br />

support and love you show our little student-run mag.<br />

We couldn’t do any of this without each and every one<br />

of you.<br />

Editorial and Advertising offices for <strong>Alice</strong> Magazine are located at<br />

414 Campus Drive East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.<br />

The mailing address is P.O. Box 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.<br />

Phone: (205) 348-7257.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> is published by the Office of Student Media<br />

at The University of Alabama.<br />

All content and design are produced by students<br />

in consultation with professional staff advisers.<br />

All material contained herein, except advertising or where<br />

indicated otherwise, is copyrighted © 2018 by <strong>Alice</strong> Magazine.<br />

Material herein may not be reprinted without the<br />

expressed, written permission of <strong>Alice</strong> Magazine.<br />

Allie Binford


Editorial<br />

Editor in Chief Allie Binford<br />

Creative Director MK Holladay<br />

Photo Editor Prestley Bramlett<br />

Managing Editor Meg Mcguire<br />

Market Editor Kristina Cusolito<br />

Beauty Editor Lawson Mohl<br />

Lifestyle Editor Rachel Wilburn<br />

Fashion Editors Abby Abston and Chloe<br />

whitney<br />

Food and Health Editor Analiese Gerald and<br />

Caroline Wells<br />

Entertainment Editor Ellen Johnson<br />

Social Media Coordinator Kristin Schulz<br />

Contributing Writers Danielle Waddell, Sara<br />

Beth Bolin, Kallen Sebastian<br />

Contributing Photographers Prestley Bramlett,<br />

Kathryn Grace Faulk, Kourtney King, Summer<br />

Mahand, Sabina Vafina, Lindsay Tatman, Sarah<br />

Davidson<br />

Models Kourtney King, Paige Burleson, Taylor<br />

Reece, Landry Starks, Chloe Henderson,<br />

Natalie Vande Linde, Abby Evans, Karina Tong,<br />

Vaishnvi Sridhar, Laura Mangan, Alex Gandara<br />

Hair and Makeup Vaishnvi Sridhar, Hailey<br />

Coleman, Natalie Vande Linde<br />

Advertising<br />

Advertising Creative Director Alexis Craft<br />

Assistant Creative Director Grace Bryant and<br />

Nataleigh Dang<br />

Sales Representatives (205) 348-7845<br />

Lizzie Mizenko, Jack Amthor, Gabbie Waller,<br />

Emma Pyne, Rayven Lane, Abigail Wolfe<br />

Advisers<br />

Editorial Mark Mayfield (msmayfield1@ua.edu)<br />

Advertising Julie Salter (julie.salter@ua.edu)<br />

Published by UA Office of Student Media<br />

Director Paul Wright


Table of<br />

Contents<br />

About the cover:<br />

Summer is the time for spontaneous<br />

road trips and sunsoaked afternoons.<br />

That’s exactly how we spent our time<br />

creating the images in this issue —<br />

from a quick trip to Sun Studio in<br />

Memphis where Elvis Prestley first<br />

recorded, to an escape to the southern<br />

oasis of Savannah, Georgia.<br />

4 SUMMER SIMPLICITY<br />

6 SIT BACK. RELAX. SERVE.<br />

8 MEMPHIS SHOOT<br />

16 EYESHADOW<br />

18 SUMMER IN THE CITY<br />

22 TERRANE CREATIONS<br />

24 FIRST DAY, RIGHT FOOT


summer<br />

simplicity<br />

4 <strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018


<strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018 5


Sit back.<br />

Relax.<br />

Serve.<br />

By Danielle Waddell<br />

Summer break typically means higher temperatures,<br />

slower days and fewer cares. Whether you’re<br />

staying in town for summer classes or clocking in at<br />

a new internship, summer is a chance for opportunity<br />

and growth. Either way, this season of “self” offers<br />

countless opportunities to give back by engaging<br />

with the communities around us.<br />

For Bama Year One team leader Allen Engle, these<br />

opportunities present themselves daily. He regularly<br />

serves alongside fellow college students through<br />

the Center for Service and Leadership (CSL) at The<br />

University of Alabama, watching the impact a dose<br />

passionate effort and servant-hearted willingness<br />

leaves on all involved.<br />

When asked about college students’ greatest<br />

gifts to offer in service, Engle’s answered without<br />

hesitation.<br />

“Their time and energy,” Engle said. “Unfortunately,<br />

many people don’t believe they have the ability<br />

to make a measurable change, but all it takes is an<br />

effort.”<br />

Engle said even if the project itself is small, the<br />

reward is undeniably fruitful. The benefits of community<br />

service don’t end at the grateful hands of<br />

recipients; it’s a win-win situation.<br />

“[Service] is clearly beneficial for those who are<br />

receiving help, but it’s also beneficial for those conducting<br />

the service,” Engle said. “It’s been shown<br />

that selfless behavior for the benefit of others leads<br />

to a happier life and gives a sense of purpose.”<br />

This happens, Engle said, when people find their<br />

passion and serve in that avenue. Rather than feeling<br />

confined to a preconceived idea of what service<br />

ought to look like, or forging a path toward an<br />

impassioned project, he encouraged partnering<br />

with an already-existing program. Engle said these<br />

types of partnerships allow for a more cohesive effort<br />

through use of gathered resources and manpower.<br />

Though offices like the CSL close for the summer,<br />

community needs and service opportunities remain.<br />

Engle cited organizations like Wings of Grace,<br />

the Boys and Girls Club and West Alabama Food<br />

Bank as a few who welcome volunteers at all times.<br />

Opportunities for community service aren’t only<br />

in Tuscaloosa, either. Through international organizations<br />

like Habitat for Humanity, United Way or<br />

Salvation Army, students undertaking summer internships,<br />

jobs or travels abroad can take part in<br />

community service.<br />

“A big thing any person — college student or not<br />

— can do is lend an ear just to listen,” CSL’s Bailey<br />

Duke said, “also just to be willing to be in an environment<br />

you’ve never been in with a person you<br />

have nothing in common with and to know that’s<br />

OK.”<br />

Duke, coordinator of volunteer management at<br />

the CSL, spoke of the connections people make<br />

through their time of service. Whether among a service<br />

team or with the people and families they’re<br />

serving, shared passions and experiences can build<br />

an unexpected bond.<br />

“Service is the center of all of that,” Duke said.<br />

“You really have no idea who you’ll be working with,<br />

which is such a fun aspect.”<br />

For Jan Sikes, executive director of Arts ‘n Autism,<br />

a non-profit organization located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama<br />

providing after-school and summer camp<br />

services for children-young adults with autism, fun<br />

is the essential part.<br />

“Each day we have a different after-school curriculum,”<br />

she said. “We have art, we have music, we<br />

have dance, we have yoga, we have karate, we have<br />

legos, we have photography, we have food exploration.”<br />

They’ve got it all, and in the summer it’s multiplied.<br />

Summer camps add to each of Arts ‘n Autism’s five<br />

programs, offering students and volunteers opportunities<br />

to learn new things and meet new friends.<br />

<strong>No</strong> matter the avenue, beneficial results are likely<br />

to follow service. Motivations, passions and organizations<br />

vary widely depending on personal preferences<br />

and beliefs, but Engle said the significance is<br />

lost on no one.<br />

“As a Christian, it’s important for me to show my<br />

love for God and others by my service. I use it as an<br />

opportunity to care for others like I’ve been cared<br />

for and let people know that they are appreciated<br />

and loved,” Engle said. “Whether you’re religious or<br />

not, though, you can find yourself by serving, and it’s<br />

a great way to meet new and caring people.”<br />

<strong>No</strong> matter the location, a summer of service is<br />

lined up for this season’s forecast.<br />

6 <strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018


<strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018 7


All clothes: Lulu’s<br />

Bellbottom Jeans: Pause boutique<br />

8 <strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018


<strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018 9


Outfit: SOCA<br />

Glasses and top: Lulu’s<br />

10 <strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018


<strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018 11


Jumpsuit: SOCA<br />

Top: Lulu’s<br />

Dress: SOCA<br />

12 <strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018


Jeans: SOCA<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018 13


Editors: 15 • Photographers: 12 • Lifestyle Writers: 4 • Beauty Writers: 4 • Fashion Writers: 4 • Makeup Artists: 2 • Health and Food Writers: 3<br />

• Entertainment Writers: 5 • Models: 21


<strong>No</strong>ne of the<br />

images of<br />

<strong>No</strong>ne of the<br />

images of<br />

women in<br />

this magazin<br />

have<br />

<strong>No</strong>ne<br />

been<br />

of t<br />

retouched.<br />

images of<br />

women in<br />

this maga<br />

have bee<br />

retouched<br />

women in this<br />

magazine<br />

have been<br />

retouched.


16 <strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018


<strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018 17


Summer in the City:<br />

A guide for surviving empty college towns<br />

By Sara Beth Bolin<br />

As finals wind down and graduation passes, everyone<br />

has their minds on one thing: summer. Students<br />

return home, get an internship or summer<br />

job, study abroad or spend their time tanning on the<br />

beach. However, there remains just a brave few who<br />

stick around after the campus empties and the traffic<br />

becomes much more bearable.<br />

Maybe you’re taking classes, working or trying to<br />

save money after a botched attempt at subletting<br />

your apartment. Whatever the case, these boredom-busters<br />

are sure to add a little extra fun to<br />

your summer.<br />

Mix Up Your Routine<br />

In the midst of boredom, sometimes mixing it up<br />

can add that little change you’ve been searching for<br />

during a busy semester. Try a new coffee shop or<br />

bar to frequent. Been a yoga junkie for a few years?<br />

Give kickboxing a try. A simple change in diet, music,<br />

or wake up time could radically change your<br />

outlook on your college home.<br />

Explore Somewhere New…<br />

Sometimes, getting out of town for a day or two<br />

can be enough to come back refreshed and ready<br />

to go. Don’t be afraid to walk around the main<br />

square of the next town over or travel a few hours<br />

to a bigger city. Go to a nearby zoo or scout out a<br />

music festival.Marianne Martin, a senior at The University<br />

of Alabama, spent last summer taking classes<br />

and decided to take off with a friend for a week<br />

of adventure.<br />

“We drove to Wyoming from Alabama to see my<br />

roommate’s relatives,” Martin said. “And honestly, it<br />

was just good to get a change of scenery. I came<br />

back ready for the second session of summer classes!”<br />

...Or Your Own Backyard<br />

Have a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try?<br />

<strong>No</strong>w’s your chance! Since there are fewer students<br />

in town, wait times will be lower and you’ll likely get<br />

more personalized service. Check out the hiking<br />

trails or stores you’ve always eyed but never had a<br />

chance to go explore.<br />

Can’t think of anywhere new to venture? Try playing<br />

what I call “The Dice Game.” Bring a friend and<br />

some dice and roll to find your next destination.<br />

Ones and twos mean right, threes and fours are<br />

straight, and fives and sixes call for left. There’s no<br />

telling where you’ll end up!<br />

Discover an Unknown Passion<br />

If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do<br />

but never had the motivation, now’s your chance!<br />

Maybe you’re a really good chef but never had time<br />

to cook because you were too busy studying for exams.<br />

Invite your classmates or co-workers over for a<br />

girls night with a new recipe. Want to see if you’re an<br />

artist? Pick up a canvas and some paint and go for it!<br />

There are tons of hobbies like running, rock climbing,<br />

knitting, finding a passion, becoming an activist,<br />

baking-- even checking out books from your local<br />

library and becoming a bookworm counts!<br />

Find A New Crew<br />

There’s lots to do, but your friends are off on their<br />

own adventures. Who do you invite to come with<br />

you? Don’t be afraid to talk to your new coworkers<br />

and classmates; they won’t bite. Chat up the barista<br />

who makes the perfect chai, or befriend the next<br />

door neighbor you’ve never talked to. The town<br />

may be empty of college students, but that doesn’t<br />

mean no one’s there!<br />

Yes, summer in a college town is different, but that<br />

doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. There’s plenty<br />

of fun things to spice up your summer if you have a<br />

little imagination and an open mind. Maybe you’ll<br />

meet your new BFF, pick up a hobby that becomes<br />

your greatest passion, or just successfully get to the<br />

fall semester. <strong>No</strong> matter the outcome, with these<br />

tips up your sleeves, you’re ready to combat the<br />

summer blues!<br />

18 <strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018


<strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018 19


All clothes: Lulu’s<br />

20 <strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018


<strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018 21


Molly Sullivan<br />

Terrane Creations<br />

By Kallen Sebastian<br />

Background<br />

Molly is a sophomore studying journalism at Mizzou.<br />

Wares<br />

Clay Jewelry<br />

Why “Terrane Creations?”<br />

“Terrain” refers to land and the necklaces are made of<br />

clay. There is a verse in the bible about how all people<br />

are created from clay and I think that’s a great message:<br />

that we are all made from the same body and<br />

can come together and move past our differences.<br />

The name and mission of Terrane are kind of a sharing<br />

of the gospel.<br />

Let’s talk about your jewelry.<br />

Since they are made from clay, they have a very<br />

earthy feel. I tend to shift to neutral colors like pinks,<br />

army greens, granite. The girls who purchase my<br />

necklaces are into those vibes as well; more organic.<br />

My four main necklaces resemble boldness, kindness,<br />

simplicity and openness, and are named after<br />

my friends who embody those attributes. I really value<br />

my relationships. I think that community is so important.<br />

When I came to college, community was a blessing<br />

the Lord put into my life through tons of prayer. A<br />

couple really great relationships speak louder than a<br />

few surface-level ones.<br />

How does social media play a role in the success of<br />

your business?<br />

My business is run entirely through Instagram. That’s<br />

where I get the majority of my orders. Without social<br />

media, my business would be nonexistent. Instagram<br />

is a platform that is really growing for entrepreneurs<br />

and small business. I asked around to see what other<br />

small businesses were doing and found that it is the<br />

most profitable platform, even over places like Etsy.<br />

Customers DM me if they want something and I do<br />

custom orders; people can message me if they want<br />

a specific necklace or keychain.<br />

22 <strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018


<strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018 23


First Day, Right Foot<br />

By Kallen Sebastian<br />

It’s your first day on the job. Maybe it’s an internship.<br />

Maybe it’s a real-life, rent-paying position. Either<br />

way, you’re probably overdressed and a little<br />

sweaty.<br />

Good. You should be.<br />

Overdressed, I mean. <strong>No</strong>t sweaty. Ew.<br />

Workwear is kind of like politics: while most people<br />

think they know what’s going on, the vast majority<br />

of people are completely wrong and will never<br />

know it. Fortunately for us, correcting our wayward<br />

workwear habits is a lot less painful than becoming<br />

politically educated, and it usually involves fewer<br />

Facebook posts.<br />

The most important thing you should know, whether<br />

you are an intern, an entry-level job employee, or<br />

simply “the new girl,” is that it is always better to be<br />

overdressed than underdressed. Because you are<br />

young, people are inclined to not take you as seriously.<br />

Sharper silhouettes, cleaner lines and simple,<br />

high contrast colors can help to establish you as a<br />

professional. That being said, it’s difficult to establish<br />

a blanket “professional look” because the standard<br />

for professional attire varies across industries and<br />

positions.<br />

There are four basic levels of attire in the professional<br />

world.<br />

Smart Casual: These are your Silicon Valley geniuses.<br />

This is as casual as you will ever be and is<br />

usually only found in hip startup environments. Like<br />

your everyday clothes, but less edgy. Dark wash<br />

jeans over light wash, that kind of thing.<br />

Business Casual: This is fairly common in the artsier<br />

industries like advertising and communications.<br />

You’re not wearing a suit, but you’re not not wearing<br />

one either. This would be a nice shirt tucked into<br />

culottes or capris. Jeans usually aren’t allowed, but<br />

fabric options are typically going to be flexible. To<br />

stay in the professional zone, tighten your silhouettes<br />

when you wear more casual fabrics. You’re not<br />

confined to a pencil skirt, but skirts should still never<br />

be any higher than an inch above the knee. Fun<br />

colors and patterns are still an option and you have<br />

plenty of room to play. Jewelry can be fun but not<br />

distracting. Blazers are typically optional.<br />

Business Professional: This is where business and<br />

finance professionals will be found. You will be wearing<br />

a suit; pant lengths and styles may be flexible depending<br />

on your office environment and standards. If<br />

you wear a skirt, make sure to wear a pencil skirt. A<br />

structured blazer is required; this typically isn’t a level<br />

of attire where you can play with looser, oversized,<br />

or less structured blazers. Tread lightly with shoes:<br />

your options are pumps or flats. Open-toed shoes<br />

and wedges are not allowed. Jewelry is allowed, but<br />

your big tassel earrings are going to have to take a<br />

backseat to simple hoops and studs. Tops are still<br />

fairly flexible as far as fit, style and fabric goes, although<br />

I recommend sticking to small patterns (if<br />

any) and simple tones and colors.<br />

Business Formal: It is very unlikely that you, as an<br />

intern or entry-level worker, will ever need to dress<br />

at this level. Maybe for a presentation, award ceremony,<br />

or other formal work event. This is more for<br />

the C-Suite and is the most strict level of business<br />

attire. Rock that pantsuit, but make sure that the<br />

pants are full-length. Your go-to colors? Black and<br />

navy, baby. This is not the time for that fun pink suit<br />

piece. If you opt for a skirt, it must be of the pencil variety.<br />

Tops should be plain colors: I suggest sticking<br />

to blue or white. A button-down is standard, as are<br />

pumps. Keep the jewelry to an absolute minimum:<br />

wedding rings, watches, stud earrings.<br />

Most offices dress in business casual, business<br />

professional, or a mix of the two. On your first day,<br />

opt for what you think is the absolute dressiest level<br />

of attire this office may expect. It is significantly better<br />

to be overdressed than underdressed in a professional<br />

environment. Spend your first day observing<br />

how others in the office dress and match yourself<br />

to that standard as you move forward. Also, most<br />

offices will have some sort of orientation session,<br />

during which they will teach you about their rules for<br />

workplace attire.<br />

You may find that your bosses and co-workers<br />

break the standards for attire that your office sets.<br />

Just because your boss breaks the clothing rules<br />

doesn’t mean you can.<br />

Again.<br />

Just because your boss breaks the clothing rules<br />

doesn’t mean you can.<br />

Why? Because your boss is the boss. You are<br />

the intern, or the “new girl.” Who is more likely to<br />

get called into HR? The new girl. Who is worse off<br />

if they get called into HR? The new girl. Don’t wear<br />

24 <strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018


All clothes: Crimson Closet<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018 25


Jacket: Pause Boutique<br />

open-toed shoes just because your boss does. Don’t<br />

wear skirts shorter than an inch above your knee<br />

just because the girl in the other cubicle does. Your<br />

coworkers will absolutely break professional attire<br />

standards. That is absolutely not an excuse for you<br />

to do the same.<br />

What rules are they breaking exactly? A big one<br />

is shoes.<br />

Shoes<br />

Heels are always appropriate in the work environment,<br />

but not all heels are appropriate. They should<br />

never exceed 2.5 inches. 2.5 inches is the maximum<br />

heel height. Do not exceed 2.5 inches. Just don’t do it.<br />

I don’t care how cute they are. I don’t care how comfortable<br />

they are. 2.5 inches is the maximum heel<br />

height and the maximum heel height is 2.5 inches.<br />

Be cautious with open-back or sling-back heels.<br />

This is going to depend entirely on your office environment<br />

and standards. In a hospital, for example,<br />

you cannot wear shoes with an open heel for safety<br />

reasons.<br />

One of the largest complaints about heels is that<br />

they are not comfortable. There are a few ways to<br />

get around this. First, wear a lower heel. Higher heels<br />

put more pressure on your feet. Second, invest in<br />

some shoe inserts. They are miracle workers. Blisters<br />

are a bad time. Third, chunky heels are going to be<br />

more comfortable than stiletto heels. If you have the<br />

option to wear open-toed heels, go for it. However,<br />

26 <strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018<br />

most offices do not allow open-toed shoes so proceed<br />

with caution.<br />

Tip: When you try on heels (you should never buy<br />

heels without trying them on), do so at the end of<br />

the day, especially if you have been walking around<br />

a lot. You want to try on shoes when your feet are<br />

swollen and sweaty. Sounds gross, but that’s when<br />

you will find out if your shoes are too small (pinch) or<br />

too large (you’re slipping around in them).<br />

Flats are allowed at every level of attire except for<br />

Business Formal. Do not give a presentation in flats.<br />

If you can’t wear heels due to pain or preference, explore<br />

other options. Cute loafers do exist. Mules may<br />

be acceptable. Even kitten heels can work (although<br />

personally I do not understand why you would<br />

choose to be .5 inches off the ground and find them<br />

very difficult to walk in).<br />

<strong>No</strong>te: If you are at a conference or professional<br />

event where you will be on your feet all day, feel<br />

free to bring shoes to change into in between sessions.<br />

Just make sure that they are also professional.<br />

There is nothing more heartbreaking than a woman<br />

in line for lunch wearing a fantastic suit with flip<br />

flops. Please, in the name of everything glorious and<br />

good in this world, don’t ever be the girl at the conference<br />

in flip flops.<br />

Oh, right. I almost forgot wedges.<br />

Yeah, no.<br />

Skirts


Skirts are also an area of contention for many a<br />

working woman. Many women are under the misconception<br />

that any professional-looking skirt is a<br />

“pencil skirt.” A pencil skirt actually has a fairly strict<br />

definition. A pencil skirt is high-waisted (should reach<br />

the top of your hips), made of lightweight wool or<br />

cotton with stretch, tapers at the thigh, has a subtle<br />

slit in the back and hits mid- or below the knee.<br />

Mid- or below the knee.<br />

<strong>No</strong>t one inch above the knee. <strong>No</strong>t three inches<br />

above the knee. Mid- or below the knee. If the skirt<br />

hits higher than mid-knee, it is not a pencil skirt.<br />

That isn’t to say that all skirts above the knee are<br />

inappropriate. Many shorter skirts are quite appropriate<br />

for the office. The distinction is an important<br />

one to make, however, as more formal work environments<br />

will only allow for pencil skirts. The more<br />

formal the office, the longer the skirt length. You do<br />

not want to show up to an investment firm in a work<br />

skirt that doesn’t make the length requirement for a<br />

pencil. I’m looking at you, J. Crew.<br />

Also important to note is the distinction between<br />

pencil skirts and bodycon skirts. Some girls are<br />

blessed with a little more booty and struggle to find<br />

a skirt that doesn’t create those tense lines across<br />

the thigh. I get it. But that’s why tailors exist. Just because<br />

that skirt at Forever 21 is midi, high-waisted<br />

and clings all the way down does NOT mean it is a<br />

pencil skirt or that it is appropriate for work.<br />

<strong>No</strong>te: Please do not buy professional attire at Forever<br />

21. H&M offers a range of professional attire for<br />

affordable prices. You will not find pencil skirts at<br />

Forever 21. It is a bodycon wasteland.<br />

Be wary of slits. As a general rule, do not buy work<br />

skirts with slits in the front or side. Don’t do it. It is<br />

dangerous territory. If you buy a wrap skirt, make<br />

sure that at no point does it rise higher than two<br />

inches above the knee. Pro tip: only buy midi-length<br />

wrap skirts to avoid that issue. Work skirts should<br />

only have slits in the back for increased mobility and<br />

breathability. They shouldn’t gap open to reveal your<br />

bee-hind. Make sure to remove the thread in the<br />

back before wearing.<br />

It is impossible to set guidelines for appropriate<br />

skirts without running into the fact that women face<br />

many more clothing restrictions in the workplace<br />

due to the sexualization of women. These guidelines<br />

are for meeting professional workplace standards,<br />

not for “covering you up.”<br />

If your skirt is too short, that is not an excuse for<br />

someone to sexualize you. If your top is sleeveless,<br />

that is not an excuse for someone to sexualize you. If<br />

you show up to work in a bikini, that is not an excuse<br />

for someone to sexualize you.<br />

Harassment is not and never will be excusable or<br />

tolerable, regardless of your attire. If you are being<br />

harassed, contact Human Resources. You are not<br />

being unprofessional; your harasser is.<br />

<strong>Alice</strong> Summer 2018 27

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