17 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.Sources:
- Grey Sweater – Banana Republic
- Brown Corduroy Skirt – Old Navy
- Grey Sweater Tights- BR Outlet
- Wellies – Banana Republic
- Floral Scarf – Anthropologie
Endnotes:
First, for the scarf: I bought this scarf with a gift card and it was a deliberate attempt to break outside my comfort zone. This scarf is ruffled and floral and loose and billowy – not terms that usually apply to much of anything in my wardrobe. I premiered it a couple months ago by belting it over a a cardigan and simple jersey dress. Today I am attempting a new scarf style for me. I have seen many style bloggers wear their scarves this way (What Would a Nerd Wear for example) and usually like the result. So, when I saw this how-to video on Orchid Grey, I knew I had to give it a try.
Curly Hair, originally uploaded by academichic.Now, for the hair. I have written here a couple times about my hair struggles. I have naturally curly hair but rarely like the way it looks curly, despite all of my experiments with various products and various hair dryer adapters. Because my hair is blond and somewhat fine, I have trouble using product – it weighs it down and makes it appear greasy and darker than its natural color. So, I straighten. I have been straightening my hair for years and I really do like the result. I have come to appreciate my short straight blond hair with its natural fullness s one of my best features. But, I do often see curly hair on others (including S. and Sal) and want to give it a try. My sister, L., is in town for a few days and helped me style my hair this way. It took a bit of time, a blow dryer, and a curling iron, but very little product. I loved the result – it felt natural but polished and styled (not just the mop of curls I usually end up with). Unfortunately, I don’t think it is something I could very easily replicate by myself. Next time she is in town, I’ll try to better learn the technique, but for now, it will likely be back to straight tomorrow.
17 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
Lovely to see you back! You wear gray so beautifully, and it looks so chic with the brown accents.
I’ll bet you get the hang of your sister’s “curly hair method” before you know it. To me, straightening seems like a gargantuan task!
i love the curly hair! i hope you get the hang of it and try it more often. i only wish my hair would show a bit of curl sometime, so sorry if i sound gushy.
the scarf is a nice foil for the neutrals of the rest of the outfit.
It looks great! I have fine curly hair too and often have trouble with putting product in b/c it looks greasy. I’m glad you found something that works even if it takes two people.
MOP Lemongrass Root Lifter is an awesome product if you want to keep volume/wave/curl/body in fine hair without the icky product feel or smell. My hair color is fairly similiar to yours and it has never weighed my hair down or made it look geasy.
http://www.amazon.com/MOP-Lemongrass-Lift-8-45-oz/dp/B000B9WF8U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1266441926&sr=8-1
It looks just fantastic, lady. For years I was hung up on making my hair create perfect, Felicity-like curls. Once I finally let go and realized that the messy version is better and FAR more me, I was much happier with my look. Now, I have thick hair so I don’t have the same product woes, but I thought I’d share, just in case.
This is one of your most perfectly balanced and harmonious outfits ever, by the way. I adore it.
Two things:
1. I love the skirt and am wearing the same one today, but in a deep olive green.
2. I love the hair! I’m curly haired also and find that the older I get, the less I like it. I straighten quite often too. When I do go curly, I let it air dry and use about a quarter sized dallop of product. But my hair is about 3 inches longer than yours and very very thick.
PS
I’ll never get tired of seeing those boots!
The hair looks great. You should definitely do that more often. It softens your face and gives you are more artsy look.
It looks fantastic on you! I have curly hair and when I cut it into a “lob” I felt it was really easy to style. Try to washing at night then the next morning when it’s dry curling it. Oh and I use a small flat iron for the curls, so that it looks more natural. Since my hair is growing out I let the natural curls take over, but I used to do this alot: http://lizzypunch.blogspot.com/2009/12/video-success.html
Your hair looks gorgeous! I don’t quite understand how curly-haired people can not love their curly hair.
Your scarf is gorgeous by the way. I love how the pattern just perks up the otherwise neutral-ish outfit.
Your hair really does look great! I can completely empathize with having curly hair but it never really look right. I used to straighten my hair every day but since Christmas time I’ve been really trying to give it a rest. It does make for some bad hair days though!
Also, love the scarf! I like how you paired it with the solid clothes too to let it stand out. I tied my scarf the same way today. It’s so nice and warm and comfy!
The gray and chocolate brown are to die for!! That scarf is also perfect in colors and styling for this outfit. You look great.
I also love your hair today. That was my first thought… A’s hair looks awesome today!
I actually like this hair on you, but I think your struggle with curly hair might come down to the cut. I notice that you have a straight bob, usually. With your natural hair texture, have you considered a pixie? I know it’s very short, but I have stick straight hair and can’t wear a pixie without product. I’ve always admired people with curly or wavy hair who could wear a pixie hair cut without much effort. Anyway, you look lovely and those colours make your eyes look very blue. Thanks for the post today.
I love absolutely everything about this outfit. The colours suit you so well and your hair looks gorgeous.
First thing I thought when I saw the photos come up: love the curly hair!
I love the repeated colors throughout this look. It just pulls your attention to each part of this fabulous outfit, and the scarf keeps the highlight on your face and that BEAUTIFUL curly hair!
First, I love the scarf!
Second, have you tried Aveda’s Be Curly Products? My hair is somewhere between wavy and curly, and left to its own devices looks a hot mess. The Be Curly Products tend to put a bit more spring and curl into my hair without weighing it down.
I love the scarf! And are your eyes blue or grey? They look really blue in the photos! I have hair that’s straight on top that turns wavy at the ends and i straighten it everyday. People love my natural hair but i prefer it straight. I prefer you with straight hair too. Maybe if you grew out your hair a bit more, the waves will look better?
Always love to see the photos when you’re trying a curly style. I’m always in favor of curly girls embracing their curls and avoiding the straightener. Adding to the list of the suggested products in the comments, now: have you tried the Living Proof products at Sephora? They won’t weigh the curls down or be greasy. (I too have tried lots and lots of products to find the best way to style my curls, and I’m liking the Living Proof stuff these days.)
Love the hair, love the scarf and wow are your eyes blue!! The middle picture really shows off how gorgeous you are!
That scarf is gorgeous! I’ve been addicted to trying my scarves like that lately as well.
oh I just love how you’ve done the wavy-style for this post! curly/wavy hair can be quite a bitch (excuse my swearing), I know from experience! I was the girl with the ponytail for most of my life until I went and chopped it all off to look like Gwyneth Paltrow in 1998. Then I just had to learn how to deal with my curls, but it wasn’t until about 4 years ago that I truly felt pretty wearing my hair curly.
My hair is a different texture/thickness than yours BUT I’m going to recommend the product I use anyway because it freaking rocks for lots of different curly-haired ladies I know (including me!). It’s Aveda’s Be Curly Curl Enhancer, and it’s more of a cream than a gel. I use about a quarter size amount on my hair, but I have a LOT of hair so I would suggest you use probably more like a dime-size amount. The product is great because as your hair air dries (I always like mine better air dried than diffused), the product kind of shrinks around it, enhancing your curl (hmm… wonder how they got the name?!). Sometimes if I use too much it can look a bit stiff like gel as it’s drying, but if I just scrunch the hair the stiffness goes away immediately leaving no trace that I have any product in at all. Seriously, I swear by the stuff!
Finally, I love this combo. I’ve been meaning to try Julie’s scarf look, but… well, just haven’t. You are re-inspiring me with this post!
I love this look! The color palette, the scarf, your hair, everything!
Love the curls on you! I have wavy/borderline curly hair, and finally learned to embrace it and let it do its own thing when I stopped shampooing. Your straightened hair does look chic and elegant, but I’m always happy to see another curly girl set her curls free. I agree that it softens your face. And your eyes do look really blue in this post for some reason.
It actually isn’t an obvious flowery or billowy from the photos. :)
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