J Crew Library Cardigan
Even those of us who worry about the image of librarians can’t get upset about J. Crew’s “library shawl cardigan,” with its sexy-smart thing workin’ for it.
Although — full disclosure — in the real world, my library sweaters have typically been ratty, lint-flecked monstrosities designed to be furtively donned in the privacy of an overly-cold office.
(Sandy has even crocheted me various “office blankies” to help keep my shoulders warm.)
As someone who spends half the month working in red flannel jammies, I really shouldn’t talk. But I look at this ad and ask, girl, what is it with the shorts? Can you really see an ARL dean garbed in this outfit, strutting into the provost’s office to discuss construction projects? Well, if I were an ARL dean and I looked like this, perhaps in this economy I wouldn’t be shy about tarting my way into a mano-a-mano meeting with the Big Guy or Gal if it meant saving a capital campaign. I suppose I could drop a pen and then lean over and giggle softly… “Times are hard, are they not?” … while the boss ogled my long, long legs and pert bottom. But now I’m writing a porn movie.
My guess is they paired the sweater with a long skirt and realized that cardigans are fundamentally dowdy (which is why I haven’t worn them publicly since my Maud-homage long-sweater-scarves-and-dark-lipstick phase of the early 1980s, and fortunately, few photos of that era survive). Yet the marketing of this sweater is a knowing nod to the essential sexy-smart hotness of librarians… I suppose no matter how modest our garb in real life, in our hearts,, we’re struttin’ down the librarianship catwalk in our short-shorts.
Posted on this day, other years:
- Go Read Burger's Blog - 2006
- Google and ALA: One Pair of Matching Bookends? - 2005
- Two Blogs I Can't Resist - 2005
- PLA 2004 Congrunt 2-25-04 - 2004
- Newsom to hold LGBT Town Meeting, Saturday 2/28/04 - 2004
16 Comments
If worn with stilettos, it’s definitely a porn movie. Maybe the shorts would work with a nice pair of sandals? C’mon, let’s start a trend.
And what’s with the color of those shorts? My mother used to have a fridge that color… in 1979.
Oh my goodness… hail to the evolution of business casual! Maybe by the time I graduate, this will be an acceptable way to dress for work? Great post — thanks for the laugh!
As a Librarian wearing a dowdy Cardigan I am outraged by this post! Personally I love the “traditional Librarian” look, but then again I’m a post-ironic hipster d-bag so my opinion is questionable.
I prefer cardigans because I look like a doofus in Tweed. One stereotype at a time!
I have the noicest longline navy cardigan in my drawer, which I bought about ten years ago, well before the thought of being a librarian even popped into my head. It was moderately priced and washes like a dream. I will cry when the fine stitches that have been dropped on one sleeve edge finally ravel up the arm and I have to kiss it goodbye, I wish I had bought three.
does it come with tissue tucked in to the cuff?
What’s with the belt around the sweater? Yuck. And you, with “long, long legs”? Sorry to burst your bubble, but that’s a fantasy, hon, not a porn movie. Heh, heh. Thanks for the laugh, sweetie.
HA! Yes, what is with the short-shorts?! Thank you for asking that question… I was wondering the same thing myself.
Oh, so THIS is what they meant when they complained that I “don’t look like a librarian” at my new job. And here I thought it was my nose stud, Keens, and brown skin! It was actually my SHORTS! *snort*
$98 and dry clean too?? I don’t think so.
Yeah, Amy, the “long, long legs” are right up there with having a “pert bottom” — not quite me.
Jessica, hah, right… it was the shorts!
Loved this post. And if anyone hasn’t told you lately, *wow* you can write!
Michelle, thank you. You are sweet!
Love the tagline on the j.crew site: “A smart sweater for the season.” Why yes, I WILL beat you at Trivial Pursuit because I’m wearing my Smart Librarian Cardi.
It takes a smart hot chick to know when to wear her smart librarian cardi!
Here in Technical Services of UC Berkeley library there is no dress code. So if she wants to come to work wearing shorts, no problem.
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