Looking Smart

It’s true that the world looks to Harvard professors for their academic insight, not their hot threads. But a chosen few academics have turned the ivory tower into their own personal runway. The following professors are some of those who have escaped the bad suits and paisley prints of academia’s hideous closet. FM crowns them sartorial superstars.

Nina C. de W. Ingrao, senior preceptor in Romance languages and literatures.

Courses taught: Spanish Ca, Cb, 27, 30, 41, 42, 45

What one item of clothing can you not live without? A well-cut jacket. To me, an impeccably well-cut jacket, in a wonderful fabric, is a work of art.

Have your academic studies affected your fashion sense? No. For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed dressing up with an eye on style. My two grandmothers were stylish; my mother and my father were stylish. Whether style is in one’s nature, or it is learned, is an interesting question. Maybe it is a combination of the two.

Describe your style. My style is classic. Fashion-forward classic. Fashionable, not trendy.

Your typical wear-to-class outfit? Typically, I wear a suit—a pantsuit, or a skirt suit paired with a blouse or a sweater. I accessorize with jewelry—sometimes a scarf and, of course, always high-heeled shoes!

Michael Rodriguez, lecturer on psychology

Courses taught: “Human Sexuality” and “Psychosocial Aspects of HIV/AIDS,” both in the psychology department.

What one item of clothing can you not live without? Can moisturizer be considered clothing?  No?  Okay, then cologne.  All right, this season it’s all about my tan suede jacket; after two years it’s finally broken in just right.

Have your academic studies affected your fashion sense? This is kind of like, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”  All I can say is that I’ve been aware of clothes and fashion about as long as I’ve been interested in human sexuality, which is a very, very long time.

Describe your style. 364 days of the year, I’d say I dress pretty much the same as I would have liked to had I been able to buy all the clothes I wanted during my 20s and 30s. On Drag Night in Adams House, my style is full-on glamour with all the sex-appeal I can muster. Or simply, “Pain is Beauty, Beauty is Pain.”

Your typical wear-to-class outfit? A dress shirt and slacks with a great tie, usually left open at the top because I’ve been running to class trying not to be late, or a cashmere sweater and jeans.

Francesco Caselli, Sack associate professor of political economy

Courses taught: Various macroeconomics classes.

What one item of clothing can you not live without? My wedding ring.

Have your academic studies affected your fashion sense?

My what?

Describe your style. No ties. Can’t beat Alesina’s collection anyway.

Your typical wear-to-class outfit?

Something I didn’t wear to the previous class.

Geraldine A. Grimm, teaching fellow in Germanic languages and literatures.

Courses Taught: German A, Bab, Da/Db, 60, S.

What one item of clothing can you not live without? Bavarian Lederhosen, of course. What else?

Have your academic studies affected your fashion sense?

Vice versa! After all, Sacher-Masoch must be read in a fake-fur coat and black leather thongs.

Describe your style.

I have clothing from when I was 16, and when I was 36! (Aha! 1636). And I make stupid jokes. Makes my clothes look less stupid.

Your typical wear-to-class outfit? Never the same twice. And always tight.

Lino Pertile, professor of Romance languages and literatures and Master of Eliot House.

Courses taught:

Italian literature classes in the Romance languages department and “Dante’s Divine Comedy and Its World” in the Core.

What one item of clothing can you not live without?

I cannot do without my speckled tweed Irish waistcoat.

Have your academic studies affected your fashion sense?

Didn’t I say that I teach Italian ?

Describe your style.

The whole is more than the sum of its parts.

Your typical wear-to-class outfit? Black corduroy jacket everyday, bow tie on special occasions.