Yes, the cardigan is required

Courtesy of Wheelock College Library blog

When most people think of librarians, a certain image pops into their minds: old lady, gray hair in a bun, glasses perched on the end of her nose, a stern look on her face, and of course, a cardigan sweater.  As a library worker (I don't have my MLS, so I can't technically call myself a librarian) and an avid wearer of cardigans, I just want to take a moment to dispel this myth.  Not all of us are cranky, old ladies with buns.

Courtesy of iheartdaily.com

That being said, unfortunately, many librarians are not what the average person would call snappy dressers.  I say this because earlier this week, I attended a library workshop and was reminded of the frump factor that often accompanies library science.  In fact, looking around at the other ladies (and few guys) at the lecture, I felt unusually fashionable.

You see, I don't consider myself all that fashionable most days.  I prefer to wear comfortable shoes and carry purses that don't resemble large pieces of luggage.  I have a handful of fashionable items, but I rarely mange to coordinate them all together.  However, many of my coworkers and I would be first in line to grace the covers of the fashion magazines in comparison to some of our frumpier compatriots.

Let me just paint you a picture . . . pants that are at least 2 inches above the ankles, yet not intended to be capris or cropped; sack-like jumpers; socks with cats on them; t-shirts, sweaters, scarves, and bags that say things like "I [heart] books" or "bibliophile" or the like (because apparently these ladies did not get the memo that you don't wear the t-shirt of the band you're going to see).  Anyway, I think you get the idea.  All I'm saying is TLC's What Not to Wear could change some lives if they had a booth at most library conferences.  Especially if the minimum of what they did was provide some conditioner and a little mascara.