Mathematics-related accessories and clothing for women

July 14, 2013 6:58 PM

I'm learning to accessorize! I'd like to find some little mathematics-related accessories, kind of like the women's equivalent to a (relatively subtle) mathematics tie or cufflinks, that are work (think secondary school educator) appropriate. Simple and relatively understated is preferred. I'm also interested in clothing that would be work-place appropriate (not t-shirts!). I had a lot of fun with my regex skirt from XKCD a few years ago.

Categories I'm interested in:
- jewelry (necklaces or earrings, NO bracelets, anklets, or rings)
- scarves
- knit items (patterns would be most welcome)
- other suggestions welcome

I did like the Pi necklace listed here (scroll down), but it looks like its no longer available. I did see a golden spiral necklace earlier, which looked nice.

I have knit myself some math-related hats, but am looking for something I could wear inside, on a regular basis, possibly even to interviews. I do have a pattern for a lace Sierpinski triangle shawl and plan to try it out.

What I'm not looking for:
- charm bracelets or necklaces
- cutesy items
- rings, bracelets, anklets
- collage-type pins or broaches
- ties and/or cufflinks (not a good look for me)
- text pendants
- "math is fun/awesome/wonderful" type slogans

Thank you!

posted by wiskunde to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (18 answers total)

Have you tried a search for "math jewelry" on Etsy? On the understated front, I quite like these empty-set earrings and this fibonacci numbers pendant (also comes in a digits-of-pi variety). But there are lots more options where that came from!
posted by ootandaboot at 7:08 PM on July 14, 2013

The internets abounds with patterns for the mobius scarf
posted by Trivia Newton John at 7:12 PM on July 14, 2013

Thinkgeek.com often has math related jewelry, but it looks like the only one currently in stock is this one: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f15f/. Keep checking back, though, because they add new stuff all the time.
posted by rakaidan at 7:18 PM on July 14, 2013

This is more science-y than math-y but have you seen made with molecules? It's some really beautiful jewelery made using molecule shapes. Totally classy and yet, kind of fun. You could spell math related items using custom amino acids!
posted by machine at 7:20 PM on July 14, 2013

It's quite expensive, but Diana Eng from Project Runway has a Fibonacci scarf.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 7:24 PM on July 14, 2013

The Etsy store nicholasandfelice sells Pi earrings. NBDesigns sells a cute acute triangle necklace. These earrings by OreganickJewelry are inspired by non-Euclidian geometry. AngelwearCreations has decahedron earrings. AgateandElm has golden ratio necklaces.

Also, they're not exactly mathematical, but A to Zoo sells brain earrings that aren't too cutesy or large in case you feel like repping the organ that lets you do math.
posted by topoisomerase at 7:44 PM on July 14, 2013

I've always admired the Tiffany infinity pendant.
posted by gatorae at 8:00 PM on July 14, 2013

I know there are at least a few math-inspired knitting patterns out there, but the ones that immediately jump to mind are the Fractal Cowl by Emily Peters and the Escher inspired blankets, Tiling Fish and On the Shore by Jana Huck.
posted by Diagonalize at 8:05 PM on July 14, 2013

Branching out slightly to something that may be too casual for teaching, Tom's has a version of their shoes covered with the periodic table of elements. I did see a math related ones a year or two ago (and am still kicking myself for not buying them (but at least I have the element ones)).
posted by hydrobatidae at 8:08 PM on July 14, 2013

Bathsheba Grossman has some pretty jewelry. I really like the hypercube pendant.
posted by leahwrenn at 8:38 PM on July 14, 2013

Hyperbolic Space knitting patterns can be used to make some funky scarf/cowl/throw things.

One of the interesting things is that the patterns themselves are often *very* simple, since they're so highly procedural/algorithmic in nature.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 9:19 PM on July 14, 2013

Jewelry for math lovers has a nice selection.
posted by JujuB at 10:46 PM on July 14, 2013

While I don't think they do anything that is directly representational of a math concept or symbol, nervous system makes algorithmically-generated, 3D printed jewelry that uses mathematical modeling to generate forms that echo natural things like crystals and cells and tree roots.
posted by contraption at 12:38 AM on July 15, 2013

The Science Teecher? clothes and more
posted by Lesser Shrew at 5:03 AM on July 15, 2013

I've been coming up with some crochet designs for granny-square-variant polyomines; a 3x20 packing of the pentominoes into a rectangle might make a satisfactory scarf (I've made all the units, but I stitched 'em into a 6x10 afghan in worsted-weight). Memail me for details (the pattern's not quite gotten into publicly-releasable form, but I'm happy to pass it along to anyone who wants).
posted by jackbishop at 6:13 AM on July 15, 2013

It's not ready made, but this custom vintage-style dress printed with Haskell code made me squee; you could have a dress made with your favorite proof?
posted by animalrainbow at 6:39 AM on July 15, 2013

I'm a high school math teacher, and my calculus toms are my absolute favorite shoes to wear to school. They're super comfortable, and the kids love them. I don't know if they actually make the calculus ones anymore, but there are geometry ones now!
posted by elsewhen at 7:51 PM on July 17, 2013

Thanks, everyone! If anyone's interested, the Museum of Mathematics also has some jewelry available.
posted by wiskunde at 6:18 PM on November 28, 2013