On 11/29/05, (562)Librarian <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I think you've carefully avoided my point that if an institution 'requires'
> professional attire for an internship some kind of compensation should be
> offered.  An unpaid internship that requires professional dress and cleaning
> costs is a little unreasonable.

There are plenty of non-dry clean options for people interning at
museums (and people who just hate to take things to the dry cleaners).
As others have pointed out, most museums have a more business casual
dress code instead of the more form suit and tie. Stores have a bunch
of washable trousers, shirts, and blazers available for men and women.
Plus Shout Wipes and Dryel are your friend. If you take your clothes
off and hang them up as soon as you get home, they should stay clean
all week.

Plus, the corporate world takes in unpaid or underpaid interns all the
time and requires them to adhere to the same dress standards. Why
should museums be any different?

> I hear a very good historical and working knowledge of professional attire
> from you.  I would like to see you hold a workshop.  It would really benefit
> the many students out there who have economic hardships, no idea where or
> how to shop like you, or are just generally fashion unconscious.

Sure! Give me an invite and I'll come along. I've got an undergrad
degree in costume design and history. I'm no Donna Karin or Jean Paul
Gaultier but I can put together a decent look.

> Until then, I'm going back into dream state where institutions appreciate
> people for their minds, not their bodies.

I think it was Mark Twain that said, "Clothing makes the man. Naked
people have little influence on society."

deb

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