14 June 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.Sources:
- Sunnies – drug store
- Silk scarf – 1 Euro find at Vienna flea market
- Eyelet top – TJMaxx
- Brown cardi – TJMaxx
- Skinnies – S.Oliver
- Flats – Palladium
- Pendant – Anthropologie
- Earrings – gift from husband
Endnotes:
These are my last travel photos from Cluj, Romania. As you can see, I wore more of the same ‘uniform’ I’ve been sporting throughout my trip to Prague and Romania. I pretty much switched between two pairs of skinny jeans, rotated through a variety of loose, comfortable tunic-like tops, and wore the same tried and tested pair of Palladium flats each day…
This look works really well for me because I’m somewhat of a straight-up-and-down rectangle, so tunics, empire waist tops, and loose blouses work really well with my shape. Someone with more of an hourglass figure might do well to pack tops that define a waist and show off some curves, but for me, it ends up working quite well to highlight my thin legs in skinny jeans and not bother trying to create curves where there are none. When I’m just trying to get dressed quickly and comfortably, that is. Style savvy-readers like Sal mentioned trying travel outfits on at home before packing and I have definitely approached my packing in that well-planned way before. But when time is short and I just want to throw things in my bag that I know will work, I stick with simple pieces that work with and not against my figure. And with well worn-in and tested shoes. Even if it means that I wear pretty much a version of the same outfit each day. When I’m traveling, I want my surroundings to be my focus and not my outfits.
To vary my looks a wee bit and to make me feel like I’m adding a dash of style to my ‘travel uniform’, I packed a bunch of scarves and used those to add color, texture, and diversity. Scarves are great because they’re so light and small that you can pack a whole lot of them without sacrificing much luggage space at all…
I have actually been feeling a bit like a ‘one trick pony’ since so many of my outfits have been of this skinnies + tunic + flats variety and even wondered whether to post them or not, but then A.’s last post really struck a chord. I liked her honesty in saying that she doesn’t always look put-together, nor that she tries to always look put-together, and that she questions whether style bloggers ought to admit that or pretend otherwise. I have often thought about this myself (being of the not-always-so-put-together-as-I-may-like-to-pretend variety) and it seems to me that what sets fashion blogging apart from magazine spreads and professional models is the portrayal of a somewhat more realistic approach to style, fashion, clothing, and wearability. (Although the spectrum of fashion blogging runs broadly enough that arguments could be made both for and against this). Our site has always been about showing what we would wear on campus, to teach in, on research days, for office hours, or for any other given activity that we would realistically engage in. Thus, it follows that I shouldn’t have to edit out those images of me repeating the same jeans and top for the sake of creative documentation. At the same time, showing off the same look over and over defeats the purpose of creating a platform that seeks to inspire creativity and innovation in one’s approach to dressing.
If you’re still with me and I haven’t lost you with my ramblings, I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Where do you see the role of fashion blogging fitting in? Is it more of an art form and should a good blogger strive to create the kind of unique, often extravagant, and decidedly varied looks found in the pages of your favorite glossies, or rather, is it about documenting the everyday, albeit at times repetitive and perhaps even lackluster outfit creations of regular people? (And yes, I realize that I’m creating a somewhat oversimplified dichotomy here, but you get what I’m saying…)
So which type draws you in more?
Close-up, originally uploaded by academichic.
14 June 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.And as I leave you to ponder those questions, I will offer you a few more images of gorgeous Cluj… Hope you enjoy! S.
Cluj, Romania, originally uploaded by academichic.
Cluj, Romania, originally uploaded by academichic.
Cluj, Romania, originally uploaded by academichic.
First off, Cluj looks beautiful, and I’m so jealous of your time in Europe this year!!
And second, I think you bring up an excellent point. I feel that as fashion blogging becomes more and more popular and instrumental in the fashion industry, there is a different kind of pressure on bloggers to be endlessly innovative, creative, and new with each outfit, each day. While there is nothing wrong with that, and those are some of the blogs that I absolutely savor reading because of the beauty and artistic quality of the outfits, it’s not the way that I come at blogging myself. To me, blogging has been a means to explore my personal style, and show what I really wear on a day to day basis. That has changed since I started the blog, but I’m definitely in favor of posting endless remixes of a certain piece, rather than shy from those outfits that seem repetitive or less-than-groundbreaking.
I love your head scarf!
Honestly, I’m drawn to both sorts of blogs (if we’re going to create a neat binary here). I still read fashion magazines sometimes and I can appreciate style bloggers who are able to afford designer names and have a great photographer and who have blogs that are very much works of art. I also really love blogs that are more documentary in that they encompass individuals trying to express their style and experiment while on a budget and while taking risks that don’t always work (in their opinion and sometimes in mine).
The forum of blogging does present us with an opportunity to edit the selves that we present – not only through the outfits that we choose to post, but also through the topics that we talk about.
As a reader of style blogs, I certainly don’t mind when bloggers post several looks that are similar to one another. (In fact, I wonder if a series of looks that feels “boring” to you might be the same series that we like because the commonalities give us an idea of what your personal style is like.) I especially like when bloggers discuss different ways in which to style the same items, because I dislike the idea that creativity in dress requires one to frequently acquire new items of apparel.
As a style blogger, the line between what looks I share on the blog and which ones I just wear around depends on how much I like the outfit and whether or not I attempted to style the look. The looks I don’t post are generally ones in which I’m going exclusively for comfort or if I haven’t attempted to inject any personality into my styling.
Thanks for this post and, in fact, for all of them! I’m relatively new to the blog, though I’ve managed to read through all the archives in a very short time! Its great. And, relative to this post, I think what I like best about your blog (and what I find to be most helpful and inspirational for my life as a transitioning grad-to-faculty) is that you three show regular academics (or, actually, academics who pay attention to dress aren’t necessarily ‘regular’!) how to put together fashionable yet practical, professional outfits on a more modest budget. My favorite glossies don’t do that! Repetition (within reason!) is a fact of a grad student’s life, I think, and its nice to see how others manage to spice up jersey dresses and bike-able skirts for a day at the library. And, I imagine that is why a lot of women read this blog in particular–not to find the most artistic or outrageous looks, but to find fashionable inspiration for our everyday lives. You’ve cultivated a niche, and its an important one!
I absolutely agree with you – the reason that I’ve found myself following style blogs is that I want to know how real people tackle the choice of what to wear in the morning. I feel so empowered when I see people trying new colors or styles that are out of their comfort zones and I feel comforted knowing that sometimes people just have bad days and the only way to make them better is to wear all of one’s favorite colors at once. :) That’s why I think it’s important to remember that everyone has a right to decide that sometimes sweatpants and tank tops are the right thing to put on in the morning. Keep up the good work and be just what you are on any given day.
Great post! I think there are as many approaches to fashion blogging as there are fashion bloggers and I don’t think there is anything ‘wrong’ or ‘right’. Different readers like different things and a blog will always find its niche.
Personally, I both prefer to read and aim to produce something that is somewhat in the middle. I have no time for blogs where every outfit posts is like a high fashion shoot, things that are highly styled and unrealistic. It’s important to me that blog outfits were actually worn somewhere to do something ‘real’, and are not just dress up. On the other hand, I’m also not particularly interested in seeing peoples’ nice-but-bland outfits. I wear pretty but boring stuff all the time, but I don’t feel that these outfits need to be documented. Who says we need to see *every single* thing a person wears? I use my blog to push myself a little, wear things that are interesting and varied and unusual in their own little way, and those are the kind of things I enjoy most in others’ blogs.
the thing about personal blogs for me, whether they are style blogs or just plain old “text-blogs”, is that I have to like the blogger even more than what they’re blogging about. I have to think “you know, I’d like to hang out with this person one day”, even when I’m not leaving them any comments and I am basically just lurking there (in which case hanging out becomes virtually impossible). I follow blogs because of the people behind them, not because of their subject(s). I like blogs with a strong personality behind them.
so, when it comes to style blogs, I tend to follow the ones that are more “down to Earth”, the ones where people also talk about their lives, what worked and what didn’t in their outfit, if they’re feeling good about themselves, how they feel about certain subjects, etc. I don’t really care for the more artistic ones; if I want to see an elaborate production, I prefer to buy a fashion magazine, to tell you the truth.
Thanks for all these great comments, everyone! It’s so interesting to hear other readers’ and bloggers’ thoughts on this topic!
@Fer – oooh, you echo a lot of my sentiments :)
S.
This is a very interesting point that you have brought up. Personally, I prefer blogs that show rel, every-day outfits that anyone could wear for work/school/weekend etc as this is the kind of inspiration that I am looking for. I admire those who present more extravagant and “arty” clothes, but this is not something I can relate to. I am searching for ideas how to dress in a unique and suitable way for every-day occasions, and repetitiveness is an ineviatble part of that! I admire bloggers like you, who manage to look superb without going over the top or making me think: “This is great, but how on earth is that an outfit you could go anywhere in?”, and I find your blog really stimulating!
I like seeing women with average bodies and average budgets use style to express themselves. It takes creativity to wear one dress ten ways; any dummy with a credit card can buy out the mall.
One of the reasons I love the personal style blog community is because it shows real women wearing real clothes in real ways, repetition and all. Magazines/tv/other media just don’t ever even TRY to do this, but reality can be so much more awesome than fantasy!
I have to also point out that as a researcher in the community I have to acknowledge that, though this is how I value the community, I KNOW that’s not how everyone sees it. I cannot push my perceptions onto others. Clearly, many loud voices prize a Bryanboy or a Sea of Shoes as the cream of the crop, even though I find them completely unrealistic. That’s still a major part of the community.
Like several previous commenters, what draws me to style blogs is the inspiration they provide for every-day, attainable style. Fashion magazines sometimes give the impression that you need to spend $250, minimum, to update your look or experiment with a new trend. As a grad student, that’s totally unattainable for me, and so what I like about style blogs (at least, the ones I’m drawn to) is that they empower me to try more experimental styles and looks without spending huge amounts of money.
Even just seeing that it’s possible to pack lightly and comfortably for a trip without looking bland and boring in t-shirts and jeans is illuminating, from my perspective. That kind of illumination is what I read this blog for!
I can’t believe you’re in Cluj! My grandmother was born there, and we actually visited with her and a good portion of my mother’s side last summer. Our trip was quite different– she escaped right before the war, but the majority of her family died during the Holocaust. We visited her great-grandfather’s synagogue in Albajulia, the rundown Jewish cemetery in Cluj, and even the house in which she grew up. Being in that physical space with her was an emotionally draining but incredible experience, one that I will never forget.
And as for your “ramblings”– I, like LHDM, read both high and low fashion blogs. I do find, however, that the friendships I have made through blogging are with real women who post about their successes and their failures. The others are eye candy, but I do not feel that I can really relate to someone showcasing designer duds constantly. Your uniform is inspiring, especially as I plan for my European vacation next week.
I think I find inspiration from both kinds of blogs. I love seeing really creative outfits on normal-looking people, but I also love the more “fashion-y” or “arty” blogs because of how they really push the envelope – and thus inspire me in my everyday wardrobe to try the same. Maybe it’s a byproduct of my personality that sees inspiration in all things.
However, I do really, really love the real-world and real-life aspect of fashion blogs – it provides a much needed counterpoint to all the fashion magazine spreads of ultra-thin models & celebrities and crazy, non-real life (and unaffordable!) outfits that they put together for a spread.
I am always way more interested in the realistic/everyday bloggers. I need to feel like there’s a real person wearing those outfits, and not someone just trying to create a fantasy magazine spread.
I prefer blogs that show more every-day wear. I can’t relate to high fashion or “out there” outfits. This blog is my favorite fashion blog, because you three women show real clothes for real people, and none of it is spendy. I also personally think all three of you have a style that is ageless, so as a 40-something-year-old, I feel like your style is appropriate for me, too.
I actually stopped reading magazine fashion spreads awhile ago because even “budget” spreads would claim that “at $75, you can afford 5 of these skirts!” which doesn’t mesh with my economic goals.
As for “uniforms,” it’s helpful to see how people do them without using the exact same colors or tops. There are a fair number of people (including some ADD women) who are counseled to set up a go-to uniform look when they can’t handle decisions in the morning. Seeing how someone else creates a uniform look without having the same white blouse with the same blue skirt every day is actually quite helpful.
The only really “crazy” things I like in fashion blogs are when people do capsule challenges because those also seem like a great way to use the same items in multiple ways.
I’ve looked at lots of fashion blogs, but you Academichic is the only one to have made it into my google reader list and earn my faithfulness.
Academichic inspires me because the looks are real and practical. I can imagine myself wearing these looks, trying these techniques and enjoying being a bit different in this small, western college town. But still feel true to myself and meeting the needs I have of fashion and clothing.
So thanks for keeping it “real.”
personally, i feel that while i dont need to see the same outfit shown over and over again, i do like to see how people use the same piece in different ways.
also, i like to see a little “truth in advertising” — meaning that, i like to know that someone wears their grubbies from time to time. do i want/need to see that in every post? no, of course not. but to me, that is still a part of fashion, even if it just worn to paint the house or work in the garden.
i like to see a little bit of everything.
Completely agree with T.!
While I don’t exclusively read “every day style” kinds of fashion blogs, I do prefer them overall because I feel like it’s more applicable to my real life & the sort of style I could develop myself. I can’t afford $700 pairs of CL shoes, so sometimes the bloggers that focus more on that kind of purchasing can feel very removed from my lifestyle and much like a copy of a high fashion magazine instead of a real person I can relate to. So overall my favorite blogs are definitely the ones like this, which feature people and clothing that seems similar to myself :)
Definitely, without any doubt, I fall for the “daily style” blog type. I also dress for everyday activities like teaching, staff meetings, conferences, etc. I’m not interested in dressing for mirror as I call it but for life, if you know what I mean. “How others do that” is what I’m looking for. And your blog is my daily read!
Fantastic post and very interesting comments. I read and follow many style blogs and magazine that are both similar to my own style/interests and far from them. I love that there is this wonderful mix and endless inspiration out there; even when it’s something I wouldn’t wear myself, if I think about the outfit, I usually find something in it that makes me have new ideas about my own wardrobe.
And I love seeing repeats in style blogs. Repetition, I think, shows readers that a blogger cares about the things she has acquired, and that she wants to wear them again. I love the creativity and attention to detail that remixing demonstrates.
[...] ironically, although S. and A. have been having days of simple or repeat duds while traveling or working away from campus, [...]
Loved reading your post and A.’s. My simple answer is: I CONCUR. I like the “realism” that style blogging tends to bring about. Blogging definitely influences how I dress at times (“I could wear that dress…but I featured it last week…”), but for the most part I like to think I keep it honest and “me”. I absolutely wear sloppy clothes around the house and, sure, occasionally to run errands. And I think that’s just fine :)
These are all such great comments! I was up late last night finishing an assignment, so I can’t form much in the way of coherent thoughts . . but I love the real-life aspects of blogging with real-life clothes, makeup, hair, and practicality considerations. And I love seeing people remix things over and over.
Personally I am right now stuck in the WORST dress-with-leggings rut. It’s terrible. I need to keep warm (it’s winter) and I need to be able to move freely, and I’m sorry but elastic waistbands and lycra have got me held hostage!
“Where do you see the role of fashion blogging fitting in?” – Inspiration, period. The same way I check Italian Vogue – the best of all IMO – and try to assimilate colors and shapes and translate some ideas into my life, may it be a certain way to wear a classic white blouse or some flower composition in background of a picture.
I read fashion blogs and it is the same, but people with far more “real” bodies and way less makeup and photoshop. But fashion blogs – in the large sense – add some interesting discussions about self-image, projection, finances, refashion etc.
I like how fashion blogs, and especially this fashion blog, is about fashion in context of a woman’s normal life. The mags have a special place in my heart, but you can’t always get the full story from 1 photo of a great looking outfit on a model posed in a professional scene, there is no real context. So, although I do not want to see what you guys wear every day per se(esp. the “what not to wear days! haha), I do enjoy seeing what you wear for certain occasions whether it is for a wedding or running errands, and the commentary on why it works along with a guide on where you got the goods. (So jealous of E’s white skirt from Gap!)
I guess I’m reiterating what almost everyone else has said, but what’s refreshing about most fashion bloggers is that their looks are realistic for everyday life and monetarily obtainable. Fashion magazines are great and all to get an idea of what’s coming around the bend in terms of trends, but a lot of the spreads are looks no one would wear on the street in real life. That’s where the fashion bloggers come in.
And yes, sometimes there are repeats of clothes on blogs, but that’s natural! I never buy something and only wear it once because oops, I already posted that on my blog. I find that my blogging forces me to become more creative with my dressing, and to try to not duplicate my outfits for work.
I like seeing outfits that aren’t hard to recreate and that are very functional. Sure, the heels, skirts, belts, etc are adorable, but the flats and skinnies are practical and still super cute. We all should dress not only for how we’re feeling, but what we’re doing. What do our clothes need to do for us that day?
Thank you for all your feedback, everyone! I do feel like I’m polling a somewhat biased group of people here and I do wonder what the responses would be were this question to be posed on sites such as Sea of Shoes or Le Blog de Betty.
I think it’s interesting that even with such a new (democratic) medium like blogging, there’s a culture of ‘high’ vs. ‘low’ art developing. And I also find it fascinating that what is deemed as a ‘high art’ blog is the kind of blog that is actually farthest removed from a realistic or quotidian depiction of clothing and style. I guess new mediums still fall victim to old mindsets. Hmmm…. S.
Hmm..I have a craft/fashion blog so I focus more on vintage/thrifted/handmade clothing when I do fashion posts. I guess it depends on the “purpose” or vibe of your blog. I think you girls are doing wonderful :)
I think that the type of oufits pictured on the blog should depend on the goal of the blog. Websites like Sally Jane Vintage have such a key photographic element that I am sure it would be time prohibitive to see what she really wears everyday and maintain consistent photographic value. For blogs like academichic, I think the goal is to inspire yourselves and others and not necessarily document what you wear every day, so photos that show outfits where you have tried to achieve that goal seem appropriate for posting. On my blog, I try to photograph what I really look like even on bad days to motivate myself to dress better and feel better(unless I am doing yardwork or don’t leave the house). I try to incorporate interesting settings for photos but that is really just a side interest for me in photography. A lot of the time, I just take pictures in a few minutes right by my front door. People will see the less than glamorous outfits I put together, but I also see them and then want to try harder. I think it helps keep me honest.
The attraction to fashion blogging, for me, is exactly what you do : documenting what you wear throughout your life. The one you have, not the one you fantasize about .
I have always had uneasy feelings toward magazines like Vogue. I can’t imagine ever being in a place where I can wear a $20 K gown and rubber boots to water tomato plants. I tried to be more elegant once in housecleaning, but all that sweating in a non-washable garment was not such a good idea. The tricky part is in taking what inspires us or attracts us and making it work in life. It is not always applicable. ( For example, I love stand up comedy, but I wouldn’t go around doing a Kathy Griffin routine.) I enjoy seeing how you all make it applicable. There is, afterall, a huge difference between dogmatic and pragmatic.
Cluj: duly added to my list of must-visit cities. I’ve been longing to visit Romania.
I really enjoyed this discussion, as well as the comments. Like many others here, I prefer to see outfits that people actually wear, and that normal salaries can buy. The over-stylized photo shoots don’t hold much appeal for me, so that type of blog tends to make up a very small percentage of my reading list, with the exception of a few that are just pretty to look at.
On the other hand, I don’t want to see a majority of boring pants-and-a-shirt outfits either; I don’t need inspiration to put those together! But I do love to see some stylish casual outfits in the mix, because we all have our weekend lives we must dress for too, and sometimes that can be tougher than work or occasion dressing. I also appreciate the realness of it, because I think that very few people can look perfectly put together at all times. Like Fer, I enjoy seeing a little of the person behind the blog, otherwise I don’t feel enough of a connection to keep coming back.
My general rule on blogging is that you should first and foremost write for yourself – document and write about whatever you’re feeling. I tend to write about cooking and the truth is, sometimes you want to eat the same thing every night, or two, three times per week. Especially when it’s really good and in season. Clothes are the same way. Eventually your body, mood, or the weather will change. Enjoy your “favorite” as long as you can!
I am getting ready for a European vacation next week and I think that I’ve been wrestling with the same push-pull that you describe in your post. On one hand, travel seems to demand the comfort and functionality of a daily uniform, like skinnies and tunics. At the same time, you want to be a little wacky and experimental — the anonymity of travel affords it.
[...] here’s another incarnation of my ‘uniform’ look that I last wrote about. Except I’ve switched out the flats for orange sandals. This for two reasons: I like how the [...]
S, I’m sorry to be getting around to commenting on this so late in the game, but it’s been on my mind since I saw this post. You really hit on the main tension I feel about style bloggers, which is between being real and being always fresh and inspirational. the reason i read blogs and not really magazines or high fashion news is because real girls wear things that are more accessible, more affordable, and more real. but real girls also look schleppy some of the time (even the most fashionable ones!). is it a paradox for me to go to blogs looking for the real but to expect something fresh and new every day?
this has been getting to me especially recently because i think if i didn’t have a blog, i’d probably be wearing cutoffs and hanes tees every day (and you know what, i sort of miss doing that!).
personally, i love seeing your looks, especially the ones that are a little repetitive–it’s your signature travel look and you do it well.
I’m realizing AcademicChic is my Playboy…I enjoy the images of your collective, seemingly boundless creativity/style, but read you for your “articles”!
When it comes to style bloggers, I skew away from photo-only documentation or save it for when I’m in an e-magazine mood. Whether it’s the what, why, where or how of an item, I enjoy the backstory.
…and I’m a terrible reader…make that “Academichic”!
I like normal everyday outfits better than get-ups that really aren’t realistic for everyday wear. I think, especially with the variety of bloggers out there, that even looking at other girls’ daily wear inspires me since our styles are so different.
I love to see fun outfits that people create for the camera and I love to see normal day-to-day wear done creatively. I follow blogs of both varieties, and I enjoy both. I also find myself doing a bit of both in my own blog. Sometime I record something just because it’s what I wore, even if I don’t think it’s anything particularly special. Other times, I put more thought into the details of my outfits, knowing that I will be photographing and posting them.
Carmen electra having sex nudity….
Carmen electra. Carmen electra boobs….
i love european vacations because the places in europe are very beautiful _
european vacations are very exciting sepcially if you got to visit many places at once :“
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