academichic

    

24 February 2009 – Shades of Pink, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Pink button-down – Ann Taylor 
• Pink sweater – J.Crew 
• Fuschia skirt – Gap, remixed 
• Black boots – Banana Republic, remixed 
• Navy beads – my grandmother’s 

Endnotes:

I think A. has more than proven that she does amazing combos with shades of blue and green and looks stunning in them. For me, pinks and reds create that safe space and are probably the only hues I can create an entire outfit with and not feel like it’s forced and overdone. I might try to be more adventures in the next few days and attempt an all blue or all green monochrome look…but for now I’m cozy and safe in my rose-colored ensemble, off to a day of meetings and teaching. 

On another note, I look this smug and happy because this picture is taken post-Scary Camera Accident this morning. Lesson learned: do not balance camera on edge of table while windy or it will likely meet the ground in a horrible horrible lens-bending manner. After a frantic call to my fiance, I did what he suggested and used brute force* to pop the lens back in place and it actually worked again! So I took this picture in the non-windy indoors and was more than happy that it still worked. -S. 

*Disclaimer: I do not recommend force or do-it-yourself bending action to fix bent lens problems. This was a nothing-left-to-lose desperate move on my part, not to be confused with actual technical know-how.

  

24 February 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Tunic: Forever 21
• Blouse: Forever 21, with belt converted to neck-tie
• Pants: Old Navy Maternity, remixed
• Ballet flats: Old Navy

End Notes:

(I’m pulling a page from the fabulous megankills with my smirky face this morning.)

I’m completely cheating on this supposedly red-violet monochrome look today by adding these patterned shoes. But, A. and S., I was having a wardrobe meltdown this morning and these flats were the only way I could make myself not utterly hateful towards this outfit as a whole.

I’m having more of these days now, where nothing I grab fits the same way I remember it and where the silhouettes that I do put together seem very alien to my body. That said, I like this outfit slightly better on camera than I did in the mirror — the added level of mediation helps — and I’m thankful that this project is making me look more objectively and more creatively at the clothes in my closet that remain. So I’m telling myself, “Self, own this look today. And remember that you’re wearing cute shoes.”

A good shoe can always save the day.

  

Patterned Flats, originally uploaded by academichic.

  

19 week bump, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 February 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Light Blue Cardigan – J Crew Outlet
• Midnight Blue Ruffle Top – Gap
• Royal Blue Skirt – J Crew
• Brown Pumps – Nine West
• Frida Kahlo Earrings – Gift

Endnotes:

This is my first attempt at a monochrome look - its much less boring in person as you can see more variation both in color and texture.

Today I will help my students review for their midterm exam – there is nothing like midterms, cold weather, and Monday morning to give you the winter blues. -A

Frida Kahlo Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

Blue, Blue, Blue, originally uploaded by academichic.

Module 4: Monochrome and Split Complementaries

We enjoyed playing with multi-colored ensembles so much last week we decided to give it another go…but we’ll also try out more subdued monochromatic looks. Week 4 of our Fashion 101 on Colors again explores two different color schemes: split complementaries and monochromatic colors. There are not many examples of either of these schemes in our archive of outfits, and the split complementaries will likely be a challenge on par with triads. It even sounds a little bit complicated.

Monochromatic:

Monochromatic color schemes use multiple shades of the same tone. Rather than dressing head-to-toe in a single tone of blue, for example, you can mix a pure hue with lighter and darker tints. This simple combination can be quite subtle and sophisticatedly understated. But, because shades of the same color can risk looking rather boring, this is also a good opportunity to play with pattern and texture.

Monochrome, originally uploaded by academichic.

E. and A. both sported black and grey for monochromatic looks but not with out a pop of color in at least their accessories.

Split Complementaries:

Split complementary color schemes are a bit more complicated – they are a variation of the complementary color scheme covered in Module 1. In the split version you pair one color with the two colors adjacent to its complementary. Examples include yellow with blue-violet and red-violet (adjacent to purple) and (dark) blue with red-orange and yellow-orange (adjacent to orange). The best way to figure out a split complementary scheme is probably to pull out the old color wheel, draw a line straight across to determine a complementary pair, and then look to to the immediate right and left of the complement.

Split Complementaries, originally uploaded by academichic.

Only S. has worn a split complementary when she wore salmon (orange-red) with blue and green (adjacent to blue-green).

  

21 February 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Cardigan – Banana Republic
• Green Tee – Old Navy
• Scarf – J Crew
• Grey Cords – Banana Republic
• Earrings – Anthropologie
• Clogs – Dansko
• Book – Camp: Queer Aesthetics and the Performing Subject, Fabio Cleto

  

Blue -Green Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

Blue-Green, originally uploaded by academichic.

     

20 February 2009 – Triad with dog, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Green scarf – H&M, remixed
• Grey fleece hoodie – TJMaxx 
• Navy tee – free from race 
• Purple trouser jeans – American Eagle 
• Clogs – Dansko 
• Book – Sir Gawein and the Green Knight 
• Dog – Indie 

Endnotes:

I know this is cheating our Fashion 101 module, but it’s Friday and I’ve been cooped up indoors studying most of the day.  So here’s what I have to offer as my triad – purple pants, green scarf, and orange highlighter. I know the highlighter is not really a part of my outfit, but since I have been carrying it around as an extension of myself today, I’m deciding that it counts. I know, a lame outfit to end the week, but I think E. more than makes up for it with her cute ensemble today. Have a great weekend, everyone! -S.

    

20 February 2009 – Triad with [sitting] dog, originally uploaded by academichic.

  

20 February 2009 – Willing Spring In, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Green scarf – Ross, remixed
• Purple tee – Target, remixed
• Floral skirt – thrifted
• Purple tights – Banana Republic
• Boots – Steve Madden, via eBay, remixed just yesterday

End Notes:

As I discovered earlier this week, wearing a triad is a lot easier if you let a print do the work for you. Today, I decided to pull out this skirt with an orange and green print and finish off the triad by adding purple into the mix. It’s definitely a summery cotton skirt, but since my baby bump is growing I am on a farewell tour of sorts through my closet and am cheerfully ignoring seasonality in favor of finding pieces that I can wear one more time before I really pop. Plus, aren’t we all tired of heavy winter knits at this point? Spring, if you’re reading this, I’m ready for you. Bring it.

  

Earrings Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

  

20 February 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

  

19 February 2009 – Yellow and Green, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Mustard top – Forever 21
• Green patterned scarf – Chinatown
• Straight leg maternity jeans that fit – Old Navy, hallelujah
• Boots! – Steve Madden, via eBay

End Notes:

Between a visit and estimate from a contractor, teeth-gnashing computer issues, and trying to recover from a late night of reading, getting creatively dressed this morning was low on the priority list. And this is where Fashion 101 saved the day. I started with the basics of a tee, jeans, and boots, but instead of picking a neutral accessory or eschewing accessories altogether I spun my mental color wheel and grabbed this green scarf to make an analogous combination.

Being more self-conscious about mixing up the colors in my wardrobe proved valuable in my time of style need. It’s hardly a life-changing outfit, but I went out the door feeling put together enough to recover from a harried morning. And isn’t that what personal style is all about?