16 April 2009 – Cropped

Posted on | April 16, 2009 | 15 Comments

16 April 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Coral swing jacket – Simply Chloe Dao, gift from the mother-in-law!
White slub tee – F21
Straight leg jeans – Old Navy Maternity, remixed
Metallic peep-toes – Target.com, remixed

End Notes:

I like my ankles and wrists. They are perhaps the most delicate part of my body with tiny knobby bones that stick out just so. Today my husband told me that my ankles looked “precarious;” I told him they looked “dainty.” He agreed to go along with that. At first I wasn’t sure how — per our Proportions assignment this week — to dress to showcase these little joints. But I realized that my predilection for jackets and tops with cropped sleeves and my preference for skirts and dresses perhaps have something to do with wanting to emphasize these admittedly random body parts.

Now onto other matters of proportion entirely. I am doing so many thing “wrong” today. I am wearing a cropped swing jacket while pregnant, even though I read someone somewhere say that such a cut is a poor choice during peak pregger bumpiness. I am wearing my pants cuffed and at a questionable length. And, to be fair, I had serious pant length anxiety this morning and tried several different pairs of pants and several different cuff and non-cuff options with these jeans. Oh yes, I wondered if you all would point and say, “Look, she actually knows nothing about proportion after all. Look at those pants.”

But here’s the deal. On this day, with these wedges, this jacket, and this top-and-jeans combo, it all works for me. I look in the mirror and I don’t worry about looking poochy or stumpy. I don’t particularly care if my legs don’t look as long as they could or if my tummy looks weird popping out between all this coral fabric. I left my mirror this morning in love with the color of this jacket and how it and my pants-wedge combo show off my little wrists and ankles. As I’ve scuttled around campus all day, the glimpses I catch of my silhouette in full length windows have made me feel confident and happy. So perhaps, at some point, rocking proportions has just as much to do with drawing confidence from dressing those body parts that you love as it does mitigating the areas you’re uncertain about.

Simply Chloe Dao Jacket detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

Category: Beltless, Office Hours, Pants Please, Preggers, Proportionally, Reaching New Heights

Comments

15 Responses to “16 April 2009 – Cropped”

Sal
April 16th, 2009 @ 12:31 pm

It SO does. And besides, sometimes – and only sometimes – looking as slim/tall/curvy as possible isn’t the objective. It’s just looking cool or interesting or feminine that you want.

And, for what it’s worth, this outfit is no proportional disaster. It’s DARLING.
Anna
April 16th, 2009 @ 12:34 pm

You look fantastic! Sometimes, you just know an outfit is right, even when it seems like it should be wrong.
Diana
April 16th, 2009 @ 12:43 pm

I think this outfit looks great! Style rules are often not hard and fast – sometimes the best outfits come from breaking them.
Julia
April 16th, 2009 @ 1:52 pm

Even though apparently some style rule says you shouldn’t wear that jacket, I think it looks just perfect on you!

I just started reading this blog a couple weeks ago (although I’ve since caught up since January) and this is one of my favorite outfits. It just works great!
Kimberly
April 16th, 2009 @ 3:39 pm

I agree with all of these ladies – I think you look wonderful! I have always been a fan on cropped/cuffed jeans that hit at that length. Also, that jacket is truly adorable!
laniza
April 16th, 2009 @ 4:49 pm

Hi! I’m a new fan of your blog :). I love your metallic wedges and am close to ordering them for myself. I have wide feet and am wondering should I order a half-size up or my regular size?
Madeline
April 16th, 2009 @ 4:55 pm

I love this outfit, especially that amazing jacket! You know what they say, rules are meant to be broken. I still can’t believe how well you pull of pregnancy!
Sher
April 16th, 2009 @ 5:56 pm

Love that jacket! Go ahead, break the rules ;)

fashionafterforty.blogspot.com
Jozee
April 16th, 2009 @ 7:18 pm

That is a great outfit. I love that jacket. So Chloe Dao is actually making something of her Project Runway winnins huh! Great to see.
freeteyme
April 16th, 2009 @ 7:42 pm

well, i love your outfit. I do not see anything wrong with it – in fact i think it’s gorgeous and I happen to recently wear a similar outfit sans the tummy bump =). love your blog btw.
K @ Blog Goggles
April 16th, 2009 @ 10:06 pm

You look great! Plus, I think cuffs are coming back, so definitely don’t worry about that.
lopi
April 17th, 2009 @ 12:25 am

That’s a perfect example of the “rules are meant to be broken” saying. You look amazing! I wouldn’t consider changing even a single detail in this outfit, it looks perfect just the way it is. And may I say, cropped jackets rock during pregnancy. Not that I have personal experience, but I always admire well-dressed pregnant women and I try to keep in mind inspiring ideas when I see some.
LeeHovey (Kendra)
April 17th, 2009 @ 6:20 am

I love love love this jacket! And you are obviously the exception to the rule because you look fantastic!
Katie K
April 17th, 2009 @ 7:14 am

I think you look lovely and very chic! I’m also quite tall (5′10″) and I once asked my friend if the rolled up jeans I was wearing made me look stumpy. She responded “Katie, you’re 5′10″. That’s a ridiculous question.” :)
e.
April 17th, 2009 @ 7:26 am

Aw, thank you all for your kind words! I feel like a bona fide rebel :)

@laniza – I have loved these wedges — they’re super comfortable and go with everything! I would probably order a half size up. I’m usually an 8 and I got these in an 8.5 to accommodate inevitable pregnancy swelling.

@Jozee – Yes, Chloe Dao sold a line on QVC. My mother-in-law saw it and (very rightly) knew that I would love the detailing on this jacket.

@Katie K – Ha! Good answer, friend!