~Museum Core~

The other day, I was telling Dr. Urbano about how I have noticed a lot of the women at the museum I work with dress very similar, not identical, but we all own a lot of the same pieces. So, I have coined the term, “museum core,” (I’ve actually bought a patent, so if you try to steal it, you are a goner!). Now, you may be wondering what is museum core, well I have your answer. OK, so imagine the way Mrs. Bryan and Ms. Barenkamp (RIP, you aren’t dead, but you are now in TFS former teacher heaven) dress. Lots of sweaters, boots, clogs, jeans, linen, that’s like how we all dress, and I say we because I have adopted this look as well. Personally, I have always admired Mrs. Bryan’s and Ms. Barenkamp’s style so I have no problem with this. It is professional, but also very comfortable. So, here are some staple pieces of museum core: denim shirts worn as shirts or as jackets over tank tops, plain tank tops and / or t-shirts in cotton materials, sweaters SO MANY SWEATERS, cardigans either worn open over tanks and dresses or fully buttoned as a shirt, wide leg or straight leg pants, I occasionally see skinny cut pants, but rarely. The pants can be denim, cargo, khakis, trousers, anything. Linen, linen everything: linen tops, linen dresses, linen jumpsuits, but especially linen pants. I own two pairs, one in white and one in an oatmeal color, they are fantastic. They feel like sweatpants, but still look put together, and in the summer they keep you cool and are really lightweight and breathable. I got one from Target, the other originally came from Target, but my mom found thrifting. Button ups are a staple, fun pants as in like a bright color or pattern, midi / maxi dresses and skirts. For shoes, it is pretty varied some wear flats, some wear boots heeled or flat, some wear birkenstocks the sandals or Boston Clogs, some wear tennis shoes like Adidas sambas, reeboks, vans, or converse. The other big thing is to decorate your lanyard with pins and buttons that show off your personality and things you like. Right now, I only have two. One I purchased from the gift shop that says “Museum Nerd” the other is the “I heart TFS” button. I plan on getting a George Michael / Wham one, a “Freaks and Geeks” one, a Bill and Ted one, two cherries on a stem, Bart Simpson, hopefully saying, “Ay Caramba!”, and one with my pronouns on it. I was looking for a she/her pin at the gift shop, but they only had he/him and they/thems! Anyways, this is museum core. I can’t really say that there is as distinct of a look for the male employees, but a lot of them wear plaid button ups, jeans, cargos, and suits. Sort of like Mr. Kickham, Dr. Urbano, Dr. Hurwitz, and Dr. Austin! None of them really dress like Mr. Mitchell, though, I guess you are just too unique of an individual, and it makes sense because you hate the humanities departments! Which gets me thinking, does each niche department have their own core? Is there a Science Center / STEM core and if so what is it? Does English major core differ from history major core and does that differ from political science major core and does that differ from anthropology core? So, many fashion related questions, it’s gonna make me start vogue-ing like Madonna! Also, side note apparently my dad loves Madonna, Lady Gaga, and now likes Taylor Swift since he listened to “You Belong with Me,” (he said it reminded him of when he was first trying to get my mom to go out with him, back in the day). He also knows how to vogue and I am trying to challenge him to a dance battle, but he won’t accept! Is he scared or too powerful?!