Computer Science Wear

This post is for "Mr. Mellow", he informed me my blog needed updating this morning.

This post comes out of an uncomfortable exchange I had with a co-worker during the Spring Conference. I was running to breakfast to grab a cup of coffee (which was excellent by the way) when a coworker stopped me to tell that I need to see the host of the conference to pick up a sweat shirt that they were giving to conference alums. After informing him that I wasn't an alum, he looked like he wanted more explanation, so I told him "Besides I don't rock 'computer science wear'."

OOPS!!!! I forgot the guy I was talking to wears "computer science wear" in fact he was a wearing it at that moment. I immediately try to cover my tracks but it was too late. The statement was uttered.

Are you familiar with "computer science wear"? Think of it like a race t-shirt for the computer geek crowd except there is a whole lot less to be proud of here. They are often made of flamboyent colors with the loudest color going to the technology for the conference you covered. For example this conference had a black t-shirt with the "The Spring Experience" in bright neon green. It would be acceptable if this where most "computer science wear" stopped. The back has a list of the presenters on the back in the same bright neon green, as if these guys were rock stars out on tour. Rod Johnson may very well be a rock star, but I'm not so sure of all those other names. Couldn't we just stick to the name of the technology, a place, and a date?

The selection of clothes are fairly interesting. The t-shirt is very ubiquitous, but from there the second most popular item is a toss up between the polo t-shirt and the golf pullover sweatshirt. From there we go on to the baseball caps, hand bags, and computer bags which file more under the accesories section of one's closet. There is really is no end to what ends up being "computer science wear." Notice these aren't clothes meant for the active lifestyle. I can't say that they don't know their target demographic. I should also mention that none of these clothes ever seem to correctly fit. Being oversized is my single greatest complaint against most "computer science wear". I can get a medium sized shirt and it won't fit me (too small), but in computer science wear, it would fit almost two of me. It looks like I am wearing a smock.

And why can't they make something that would go well with something other than pleated cotton dockers? The "computer science wear" tends to look rather rediculous when part of an ensemble that reflects real world fashions. For instance try wearing a brightly colored, oversized sweat shirt with a decent pair of slim fit jeans. Just don't come over when you do.

The fabric is also very mysterious. Cotton is for the t-shirts, but any other article of clothing will almost likely try to venture into a new technology of synthetic fabrics. As if to represent that we not only push computer technology but fashion tech as well. The Rayhon-Cotton-Polly-Mesh is always a popular option for sweat shirts. Feels like a burlap sack when you put it on.

So that is why I don't rock the computer science garb. I'm not saying it ain't for you, in fact you are more than welcome to have my shirt too.