29 January 2010

Posted on | January 29, 2010 | 14 Comments

29 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Button down: husband’s, thrifted
Navy blazer: Banana Republic Factory Store
Sweater for warmth (hidden): Forever 21
Black skinnies: Old Navy
Necklace: Target
Black crinkled patent pumps: Steve Madden Girl, via DSW

End Notes:

If you squint your eyes just a bit you may be able to catch on that today I’m tipping my metaphorical hat to the inimitable archibald maximillion who, while not a style blogger per se, is a style demigoddess in the wardrobe_remix community over on Flickr. She started documenting her daily outfits (and I do mean daily) around the same time that we did, so we got to be wardrobe_remix newbies together.

Archibald Maximillion (henceforth referred to as “Archie,” since that’s what I call her in my head) has one of the most unique and Fabulous-with-a-capital-F personal styles I’ve ever seen. She mixes high end designer pieces with thrifted gems, creating looks that are always stunning. She plays blithely with proportions and textures, pairing items that I would have never, ever considered as possible partners.

archibaldmaximillion

At first I was frankly overwhelmed by Archie’s style. After all, I think it is unlikely that I will ever own a pale pink Trelise Cooper blouse with three huge bows running down the front, much less pair it with a green jacket and gold floral skirt…and pull it off. Eventually, however, I realized that I could pull valuable style cues from Archie’s looks and translate that into my own more conservative wardrobe.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the art of taming the poofy. One of Archibald Maximillion’s signature moves is to wear a structured piece — a cropped jacket or a little vest — over a voluminous blouse or dress. And that’s what I’m trying to emulate today. Without the little blazer over it, my husband’s shirt looks rather ridiculous and shapeless on me. But, ah, with a bit of structure, things are contained without being stuffy.

(Except for the unrolled cuff. I apparently need to work on my cuffing skills.)

As these tributes have hopefully demonstrated, there’s a lot to be gained by following style bloggers whose styles may not necessarily reflect our own. It becomes personal in translation and it’s folks like Archibald Maximillion that first inspired me to think outside my comfortable style box and to take more risks — and as a result, have more fun! — with my closet.

Necklace Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

29 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Category: Beltless, Pants Please, Proportionally, Teaching Outfits

Comments

14 Responses to “29 January 2010”

Ana
January 29th, 2010 @ 12:48 pm

Super cute, love it! This amuses me because I wore one of my husband’s very large (on me) white button-down shirts yesterday.

- Ana
http://www.ToilTroubleStyle.com
Amanda B.
January 29th, 2010 @ 2:22 pm

I love this outfit, though I’d probably roll the sleeves up a tad more so they weren’t hanging out. It’s perfect with the cropped skinnies though.

I need an SO to steal shirts from, ha!

Amanda
Farrielle
January 29th, 2010 @ 3:24 pm

Love this look, and I love Archie’s style.
fashion therapist
January 29th, 2010 @ 4:48 pm

You look so adorable in that last picture. You pull off this look so well and it would be a fantastic alternative to the stuffy suit.

Have a great weekend!

fashiontherapist.blogspot.com
Jade
January 29th, 2010 @ 8:56 pm

I love Archie too, and the fact that for 365 days she never repeated an outfit- crazy! I loved this week with all of you creating looks inspired by other bloggers, you all have spotlighted girls who are new to me, thanks!
All Women Stalker
January 30th, 2010 @ 7:08 am

Yours is a cute look. Very academe appropriate of her style. Love it. :)
catherine_sr
January 30th, 2010 @ 8:53 am

I love archibald maximillion’s style, she’s one of my w_r favorites! You do a great job of channeling her look, while at the same time making it distinctly yours.
Christine
January 30th, 2010 @ 1:07 pm

Ugh, I know!!! She is so insanely stylish and a genius at playing with volume! I’m in awe of her every day! Plus she is so super-duper nice and supportive! Love your interpretation!
Archibald Maximilion
January 30th, 2010 @ 1:27 pm

I just wanted to say thanks again for including me in ‘tribute week’! I am so flattered to be included alongside such wonderfully stylish people! xx
Claire
January 31st, 2010 @ 2:15 pm

Great look! Fab jacket and good call to put it with oversized shirt, unique look!
MusingAround
January 31st, 2010 @ 5:23 pm

I dig! Adding “Tame the Poof” to my list of things to do. And thanks for the link to Archie.
Diana
February 1st, 2010 @ 11:03 am

I love this outfit! I usually feel baffled when trying to figure out how to style button downs, and this looks fantastic.
Sarah
February 1st, 2010 @ 3:31 pm

I’ve been hesitating over whether the cropped skinnies (I have them in brown and black corduroy from J Crew) are appropriate TA-wear. I’ll totally wear them to seminar, but whether to teach in them… but… after this post, I think so!
16 February 2010 – Spot the Scarf : academichic
February 16th, 2010 @ 9:29 am

[...] grounding the poof — per Archibald Maximillion’s influence — with a lined, structured jacket with a strong shoulder and low stance. I initially had no [...]