25 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.Sources:
- White eyelet top – TJMaxx
- Jacket – Gap, thrifted
- “L” pendant – Anthropologie
- Leaf pendant – gift from husband, Etsy find
- Shorts – DKNY, thrifted, chopped by me
- Black tights – from Romania
- Boots – Banana Republic
Endnotes:
Renee Sturme’s blog (formerly known as Fashion Fillers) was one of the very first style blogs I ever read. I was instantly intrigued by this beautiful Dutch girl (who’s picture I stumbled across in the wardrobe_remix pool on Flickr) with gorgous long curls and a compelling style composed of vintage and modern pieces. I loved her thrifted and somewhat mismatched aesthetic and how she interspersed it with cutting edge and über-modern elements. But mostl vividly, I rememer one of the first posts I read on her blog in which she talked about living in a small town in the Netherlands, where she definitely stood out for her eclectic wardrobe and where she was seen as somewhat of an oddity for the way she dressed. (She’s meanwhile based in Amsterdam). I was so impressed by this then (I think) sixteen year old who had such conviction in her sense of identity and style that she wasn’t afraid to stand out and be an individual challenging the status quo. Thus, Fashion Fillers appealed to me for various reasons: it represented a wardrobe made of mostly thrifted items that still managed to look stunning and up-to-date; it pushed me to become more creative in my own mixing of seemingly incongruous elements; and it encouraged me to define my own sense of style without apologizing for it.
I still check in on Renee’s blog regularly and I still find all those above mentioned components to be present in her posts. Her blog has undergone some changes but the ambitious and creative individual behind each text and outfit is still unchanged. I look forward to following her for a long time still.
So for my tribute outfit, I pulled out some Renee inspired items like the structured blazer and the cutoff jean shorts. Just like Renee loves to mix fabrics and registers in her outfits, I juxtaposed the formal blazer with the cutoff denim and the structured lines of the jeans and jacket with the looser fit of the delicate eyelet top. Layered necklaces (also a Renee classic) finish the look.
This outfit is definitely out of my usual comfort zone but there is something about it that really appeals to me and I’m finding it really exciting to push my boundaries and try something on that is outside of my usual style. Being away from campus on this research sojourn abroad has definitely allowed me to experiment with my look and wardrobe more and I think I should be taking full advantage of this situation.
Stay tuned for a DIY on making your own pair of 90s throw back cutoffs tomorrow. S.
25 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
Oooh, I hadn’t heard of Fashion Fillers … thanks for the tip! This is going to be a fun week of learning about loads of new, inspirational blogs.
For what it’s worth, S, I think this outfit suits you perfectly. If it’s outside your comfort zone, you certainly wear it with aplomb. And my GOSH your hair looks GLORIOUS!
Definately checked out her blog…thanks.
I like how experimental your year abroad is proving to be. The monochrome colour palette worsk well on you and I love the casual feel of the cuffed blazer.
What a great tribute! I’ll be checking out her blog during my next work break for sure.
Your hair looks beautiful. I love all of your takes on the shorts with tights combo!
The different layers are fabulous – the denim shorts, the tights, the boots – and that jacket goes amazingly with that blouse. Love love love this look!
And thank you for the link to Renee’s blog. I love adding new inspirational style blogs to my Reader!
wow I really love this outfit! Everything looks great together!
Melanie
This is a beautiful tribute outfit, and your hair continues to look gorgeous!
Wow! You look terrific! Good work on pushing yourself, you’re owning this look even if it’s new to you.
I think this looks so cool!
Thank you S! You’re so kind! (And I love your hair… Thinking about dying it the same color for a while now…)
I’m surprised this is out of your comfort zone, because you look so beautiful and natural and relaxed in it. It think it is a concept you could make your own very sucessfully.
your hair looks really really great
I know I should be commenting on the outfit but I am just really loving your hair! I don’t know if I would have noticed as much if you hadn’t introduced the No Poo to academichic but it looks great! The outfit is really fun – I love the blazer paired with cutoffs. Definitely out of my comfort zone but it’s fun to think about how to pair them together.
what an awesome post! this girl sounds so cool. sometimes i wish i were braver about what i wear–props to her for wearing what she wants when she wants!
Fantabulous! You look really great, not too much out of your normal style, but enough to make you look lovely.
And yes, I did make up the word fantabulous.
Hi, S. I love the blazer, and I love your willingness to try new things on the blog. I like much of this outfit, but I don’t like the shorts at all, maybe because of the fact that the light-colored cuff breaks up your leg (which I don’t see in the pictures you posted from Renee’s blog). Or maybe I’m just too slow in warming to the 90s revival. :)
Also, I agree your hair looks magnificent.
This is a great tribute. I always love me a fashion blogger who loves thrifted stuff ;)
Just for the record (about my last post)… I know I have a terribly patient husband! And I was maybe being unreasonable about wanting pictures in the mudhole. It was just funny because I’ve never seen Matt be so stubborn!
[...] across her site a little over a year ago, I was drawn in for many of the same reasons stated in my Ode to Renee post: Jess was similarly gifted at composing amazing outfits made of mostly thrifted pieces and was also [...]
I LOVE this outfit! The jacket, the shorts, the cuffs, the boots, the tights. It’s great! I just discovered Renee’s blog in that past months. I enjoy following her!