11 August 2009

Posted on | August 11, 2009 | 12 Comments

11 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed except new plaid flats:

Blue necklace – thrifted
Purple top – Target
Blue cami – BR
Jean skirt – Urban Outfitters
Plaid flats – Target
Green tote – Kenneth Cole

Endnotes:

For this week’s color review, we’re experimenting with triads (as E. did today) and analogous colors. When it comes to analogous pairings, A. is the queen of greens and blues. I’m usually more drawn to the warmer color combos, like purple and red or red and orange. Today I’m meeting A. half way and combining purple with blue – a neither cool nor warm color mix that creates a beautifully balanced result.

As for the shoes, I’m going to join E. in raving about my new pointy flats although they’re no superb yellow snakeskin like hers but still pretty cool in their own rights. I had been wanting to add another patterned flat to my collection since I practically lived in my black and white damask ones this spring. I was also repeatedly inspired by E’s use of her patterned flats to spruce up many an outfit during her pregnancy when she felt like her shrinking wardrobe was becoming an increasing style challenge. Her patterned flats were not only comfortable but also gave her looks that pop of visual interest that she could not always count on from her clothes. Well, lesson learned: patterned flats is where it’s at.

And on a technical ‘cycle chic’ side note: I discovered today that it’s not very easy to hop on a bike when wearing a pencil skirt. Pencil skirts do not exactly allow for much hopping or peddling. This one allowed for more movement once I undid the bottom button, but I think in the future I may have to avoid narrow cut skirts for my bike commute. Fellow bike commuters, any tips or thoughts? S.

Category: Beltless, Color Combinations, Office Hours, Our Best Flatware, Research Casual, Skirting the Issue, Vélocouture
Tags: analogous colors > color theory > color wheel > jean skirt > patterned shoes > plaid > triads

Comments

12 Responses to “11 August 2009”

Rose
August 11th, 2009 @ 5:40 pm

I have also been inspired by all of your cute patterned flats here on academichic and purchased these exact plaid flats at Target a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Anna
August 11th, 2009 @ 7:02 pm

I love this!
Clare
August 11th, 2009 @ 7:07 pm

Lovely colors! I’ve been wanting to invest in some patterned flats myself….I might have to make a Target trip soon!
Sabrina
August 11th, 2009 @ 8:50 pm

As a very chic person, you should continue to wear whatever you ordinarily would when bike commuting (as long as it is not too delicate). I like to wear knit skirts (pencil or not), skinny jeans, and leggings. Just hike up your skirt and if you feel immodest, add a part of bike shorts. Hiking up the shirt is probably the most efficient way.
Sal
August 12th, 2009 @ 5:29 am

The flats are so fun – and perfect for fall!

I find fuller skirts to be easier for biking. But then again, I generally bike around in my scrubs. ;)
Trisha
August 12th, 2009 @ 6:16 am

Jean skirts in general have been problematic for me and I avoid them. Pencil skirts made with a bit of stretch can work on a bike, as long as there’s a back slit. I know Dot has a wool one she doesn’t like, but the plain black cotton sateen pencil skirt I have is excellent for biking.
charlotte
August 12th, 2009 @ 6:57 am

I’m wearing a narrow white linen skirt today, and it was a bit of a challenge on the bike.

I lean the bike WAY over to step over my top tube (downside of a triangle frame) and the skirt stays hiked up a bit but in the end it’s no big deal. However this would not have worked if there was any more of a load on my bike (baby in a baby seat, groceries, etc).
penny
August 12th, 2009 @ 7:31 am

I love the patterned flats! By the way, what is your opinion on the following combination: Red T-shirt (real red) with Blue skirt(deep blue)? I watched carefully the color wheel and I think they are not colors that are intended to go together,but I made an attempt in front of my mirror and the result was no so bad!Have you ever tried a similar one?
admin
August 12th, 2009 @ 9:28 am

@Penny – Red and Blue make two-thirds of a red-blue-yellow triad! This means that wearing only 2 of the 3, it actually makes for a bright and bold color mix, but slightly less so than had you built a full triad.

I think your outfit sounds fabulous and if you like how it looks, then go for it!

I’d worn something similar when I wore my blue skirt with a red cardi and red shoes:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/academichic/3765804401/in/set-72157612580944904/

I don’t have a picture with the cardi on, but I did put it on once inside and really loved the blue and red combo!

Hope that helps! S.
Amanda
August 12th, 2009 @ 12:34 pm

Good tips with the leggings/bike shorts. You could also try a step through bicycle, it makes it ten times easier to ride in a skirt.
Little Red
August 12th, 2009 @ 12:44 pm

Those flats are so cute!

I don’t bike, but I definitely agree fuller skirts would be best for biking. Just wear some bike shorts underneath!
Carla
August 12th, 2009 @ 3:58 pm

I used to worry about it too, but I agree with the wearing of bike shorts or leggings underneath. I generally tend to prefer fuller/stretchy skirts though, just for comfort’s sake. If my commuter were shorter, I wouldn’t care.