academichic

20 July 2010 – Turquoise Two Ways, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Above:

• Ruffle cardi: Ann Taylor
• Belt: Forever 21
• Skirt: Target
• Cage heels: Target

Below:

• Gray tank: Target
• Necklace: bracelet-turned-pendant
• Belt: Old Navy
• Skirt: Target
• Sandals: Target

End Notes:

I cannot entirely explain my affection for this turquoise tulip skirt. This is a pretty different silhouette than my usual fare of full skirts or structured pencil skirts: it adds fullness to a place that I usually prefer to skim on over and is shorter than many of my skirts as well. At one point while wearing this, I panicked and wondered if I was wearing the skirt equivalent of so-called “harem pants”.

But perhaps it is precisely the freshness of the silhouette to my wardrobe that has me reaching again and again for this skirt. (Plus, I figured that I could take a page from Dress Your Best week and acknowledge my birthing hips.)

On one hand, this tulip shape plays well with other stand-bys in my summer mom casual wardrobe: a simple tank, a belt, and colorful sandals. The skirt is breezy and quirky and a fun color to boot.

20 July 2010 – Turquoise Two Ways, originally uploaded by academichic.

Orange Sandals, originally uploaded by academichic.

On the other hand, the different-for-me shape also inspires different-for-me outfits, like the edgier look up top. Although there’s a lot going on — cage heels, draping, and ruffles — the relatively subdued color palette, with just a sole pop of color, pulls everything together. I actually really love of the play of soft lines up top, cut through by a strong belt and finished with the graphic geometry of the cage heels.

Cage Heels, originally uploaded by academichic.

If a single garment in your closet could be a style muse, I think this skirt might be mine of the moment. It is familiar enough to be a staple and just different enough to encourage experimentation. Do you have a garment that inspires you to try new things in your style? What is it?

80s Party, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

On L (left):

• Vintage romper – thrifted in LA
• Shoes – Payless
• Hoops – her first pair from age 6
• Bracelet – gift

On S:

• Navy tank – Old Navy
• Leggings – Target
• Silver skirt – Express, via TJMaxx
• Silver flats – Target
• Off-the shoulder tee – thrifted and cut up for 80s party
• Earrings – loaner from L.

On T (right):

• 80s workout jacket – from his closet in the 80s
• Jeans – Izod, bleached for 80s party

Endnotes:

While A. was enjoying a serene (I assume) picnic in the park with her friends and A2 this weekend, T., our roommate L., and I spent a rockin’ night at an 80s throwback party. It was ace. We all pulled out our best 80s garb and improvised by making some last minute DIY alterations to complete our looks. T. actually owned this black, white, and neon orange workout jacket back in the 80s (don’t ask) and he made his white jeans by soaking a pair of old jeans from his to-donate-pile in a bucket of water and bleach solution for an hour. He even pegged his pant cuffs the way he used to have the cool girls at his schools help him do it during his 80s childhood.

80s Party – L & T, originally uploaded by academichic.

Meanwhile, our roommate L. sported an awesome pink, green, and yellow striped romper that is an actual vintage piece she scored at a thrift store in L.A. a while back. L, a native Californian, was hoping to actually wear this item this summer (since rompers are definitely making a come-back) but was dismayed to see that Midwest fashion hasn’t quite embraced the romper look yet. So she played it safe and pulled it out for our 80s theme party instead, where she more than rocked the look with her matching pink hoops and perky side ponytail.

80s Party – L & S, originally uploaded by academichic.

I improvised by throwing items together out of my existing wardrobe and just making a last minute run to Goodwill for this oversized teal tee. I then had T. cut the neckline for me while I was already wearing it (to easily see how much to cut off), creating that signature one-exposed-shoulder look of the 80s. Big hoop earrings and my own big poofy side ponytail finished my ensemble.

We had such a blast listening to 80s chart toppers, pulling out any 80s slang we could remember, and hanging out with our friends. We even rode our bikes there (teens in the 80s always rode bikes and then threw them carelessly on their front lawns, right?) and, of course, posed in the Karate Kid Shower Curtain photo booth. It was totally boss. S.

Rollback to the 80s, originally uploaded by academichic.

Summer Picnic, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Skirt – Gap
• Ruffle Tank – J Crew
• Belt – F21
• Bracelets – gifts from S.
• Sandals – Charlotte Russe
• Basket – gift from Sister S.

Endnotes:

This weekend I spent a lovely evening with friends in a nearby park.  My contribution to the picnic included plates, bowls, cutlery, cups, and a bottle of white wine (in the cooler not pictured), but I also tucked a bottle of ice water, some bug spray, sunscreen, and an umbrella into my multi-purpose red basket.  My sister gave me this collapsible canvas basket for my birthday a couple years ago.  I’m pretty sure she got it from The Container Store, but I recently discovered a similar item at Garnet Hill.  They come in a wide selection of colors and patterns and even in different sizes. I’m adding a mini basket in blue and a large basket in brown paisley to my wish list.

I figure I could easily use one or two more, since I’ve used mine for hauling plants, shopping at the farmers market, transporting baked goods for my family or hot dinners for new parents (like E. and N.), and for packing up picnic supplies.  Because it had been used for the dirtier plant hauling most recently, I lined it with a brightly patterned fresh linen for the picnic.

Picnic Basket, originally uploaded by academichic.

For my picnic-perfect ensemble, I chose a tank that would keep me cool but had enough detail for an evening out.  I paired in with a full skirt so that I could sit comfortably on the picnic blanket and not worry about flashing anyone!

I love summer! Especially when spent with good friends and good food!  A.

PS: Thanks for all of the interesting comments last week about slogan t-shirts.  I responded to some of the questions/concerns raised in a lengthy comment of my own.

Summer Picnic, originally uploaded by academichic.

14 July 2010 – Shabby Apple Eiffel, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress: c/o Shabby Apple
• Belt: Target
• Shoes: Ralph Lauren, via Macy’s shoe sale

End Notes:

Maybe it’s because I spent the first half of my summer learning how to translate French, but when the kind folks at Shabby Apple asked if I wanted to review one of their dresses, I gravitated fairly quickly to this faux-two piece number that is aptly named “La Tour Eiffel.”

Now, the bad news. As much as you may want it to, this dress will not transform you into a blithe red head frolicking in the Champ de Mars. Bummer.

Not a Model, originally uploaded by academichic.

It does, however, inspire a certain carefree attitude. Perhaps it’s the fact that, for once, I’ve found a faux-two piece dress that is both long enough overall and accommodating of my long torso. Or perhaps it’s the fact that it has a great balance of stretch and structure (there’s a hidden side zipper through the skirt and top), creating a crisp, chic silhouette that still allows for easy movement (no retucking your blouse every time you stand up!). Or maybe it’s because I know that this dress is almost seasonless, and will stand up to scarves and cardigans in the fall and a flower pin in the spring. Or because it’s a great canvas to play with long necklaces, pop of color shoes, and brighter belts.

Or maybe it’s the pockets that have me feeling so insouciant.

Pockets!, originally uploaded by academichic.

No matter how many sizing charts there are, I am always uncertain when first purchasing clothes from an online-only retailer. Thankfully, Shabby Apple makes returns and exchanges free and easy, as I had no problem exchanging one size for another. And although the tag on the dress recommended hand washing, I did machine wash it in a lingerie bag and it’s none of the worse for wear.

I’m really taken with Shabby Apple’s desire to make dresses that don’t necessitate a camisole or cardigan for modesty, but even beyond their dresses, I’m quite intrigued by their retro-inspired swimwear and aprons!

Enjoy 10% off at Shabby Apple with this coupon code: academichic10off!

14 July 2010 – Shabby Apple Eiffel, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Vote Equality Tee – HRC
• Denim Skirt – Gap
• Red Flats – Target
• Earrings- Gift from A2

Endnotes:

Between trying to finish up with my summer teaching and having my camera crap out during our wedding weekend, I haven’t been able to contribute much here lately.  But, I wanted to add my two cents about slogan tees.  I’ve enjoyed reading E’s post, both of S’s posts, and the many thoughtful comments, all of which have had me doing quite a bit of thinking on this topic.

I don’t own too many slogan tees, but the ones I do own tend to be fairly political.  I own the same Obama tee that  S. does, very similar to the one Tania wore for the 4th of July (I wish I had thought to wear today’s outfit on the 4th).  I also own a few equality tee-shirts from HRC and a Lambda Legal shirt.  I wear all of these on a regular basis with shorts or jeans when studying at a coffee shop or running errands on the weekend.  I have in fact worn this tee and denim skirt combo many times, including on election day, but have never posted it, mostly because it’s rather plain and casual.

This tee in particular reveals several of my values that I am 100% confident about conveying to any stranger.  I believe in equality for all, including marriage equality, I am a liberal, and I believe everyone should take the time and make the effort to exercise their right to vote.   I agree with E’s point that long, intimate, and nuanced conversations about politics and personal values are far superior to the messages conveyed on any tee-shirt or bumper sticker.  However, there are some things I believe so strongly in, like equality, that I want to be able to spread this message to more people that just my friends and family.  So, I wear my tees and sport my bumpers stickers (equality and Obama) because I think it is is an easy way to reach more people and maybe, just maybe, change minds.

One comment on S’s post particularly resonated with me.   Two Chicks Nest explained that one purpose for slogan tees is to ” show support to others who are impacted by the issue.” She goes on to say “For example, if I was in a town that I’d never been to before and I saw that pro-equality shirt from the other day, I’d think ‘This is a friendly, welcoming place’ or at the very least, ‘Phew, there is someone who is on my side.’”

I have often found myself in that exact same situation: relieved to see an equality sticker on the back of someone’s car or suddenly a bit more comfortable in my skin because of a tee-shirt worn by someone else.  As we have argued over and over on this site, clothing is inherently political, fashion is a powerful thing.
A.

Bumber Stickers and Slogan Tees, originally uploaded by academichic.

13 July 2010 – Brunettes have more fun, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• ‘Brunettes have more fun’ Tee – thrifted (Sorry, A!)
• Necklace – gift from roomie from Costa Rica
• Silver skirt – Express, via TJMaxx
• Silver sandals – Target
• Little brunette (below) – Shasta
• Bigger brunette (below) – Indie

Endnotes:

My recent wearing of my ‘Marriage is so gay’ t-shirt has sparked an interesting conversation. I appreciated reading E’s viewpoint and all of yours in the thoughtful comments you left – I welcome all of those, whether you agree with me or are challenging my take on something. Some of you have echoed E’s concerns about the reductionist nature of a slogan tee and have in part mentioned upbringing as an influencing factor, so here is where my upbringing has shaped me to take on a different viewpoint.

Growing up in a Communist country, you didn’t have the freedom to voice your opinion in a pithy yet controversial statement and conversations about politics always had to take place in very private places with only close and trusted friends. My parents brought me to a country where that’s not the case in order for me to exercise these freedoms they didn’t have. During my childhood, I was constantly warned not to repeat what I had overheard at home. After the revolution and our leaving Romania, I was constantly encouraged to voice my opinion as long as I did so in a respectful manner. The phrases “what you heard at home is not to be repeated” and, later, “you may say whatever you want as long as you say it respectfully” are kind of two pillars of my childhood upbringing. My family sacrificed too much on the road from that first statement to making that second statement a reality in order for me to guard my political and ideological convictions behind closed doors.

While slogan tees, rally posters, or bumper stickers are certainly explicit and attention-seeking, they are not automatically rude or aggressive. And people wear their opinions on their bodies in other ways (as many of you already noted). Jewelry with religious symbols, tattoos, religiously coded garments – all of these express a belief in a condensed and abbreviated version. I anticipate that my beliefs will be met with disapproval and discontent at times, but I also find that I’m constantly confronted with signs, campaigns, slogans, and propaganda that offend my worldview. My being visible with certain messages that are important to me makes me feel like I am offering a counter position to all of those messages confronting me on a daily basis. Of course I’m not always able to offer my position in the in-depth and complex manner that it deserves, but I think that sometimes just saying something is better than not saying anything at all.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, there are two other little brunettes waiting to have some fun…

S.

13 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress: Max & Cleo, from BCBG Outlet
• Belt: Gap Outlet
• Earrings: Honolulu swap meet
• Wedges: Lauren by Ralph Lauren, via Macy’s super shoe sale

End Notes:

You know that seafoam green belt that I’ve blogged a couple of times? It’s actually came with this dress: a wonderfully tailored jersey dress with inverted pleats at the neckline and pockets tucked away in the waistband pleats. I only had this dress for a little while before becoming pregnant, and I had been reluctant to pull it out this summer, wondering if I would fit it again and not wanting to be disappointed if I didn’t.

The good news is that my post-preggers body — particularly my breast-feeding boosted chest — quite possibly fills out this dress better than I did before. Whee! I want to be honest, however, and admit that not all forays back into my pre-preggers wardrobe have been as successful. Things have just…shifted…or something…and my pile of summer clothes to donate has grown. But, whenever I am tempted to despair over the fact that a skirt or a top or a pair of shorts no longer flatter my body, I try to remind myself that the fact that my body overcame some pretty substantial obstacles to have a baby in the first place, and that tends to refocus my perspective.

Speaking of refocused perspectives (like the segue?), S.’s post yesterday resurrected some of my personal neuroses concerning slogan tees. Due in part to personality, in part to upbringing, and in part to the fact that I have close relationships with people in radically different cultural, political, and religious spheres, I’ve never been much of a slogan tee kind of person. I would, to give one example, always prefer to write a long letter than go to a rally.

I am, unfortunately, quick to extrapolate and file. If I see a stranger wearing a certain t-shirt, I assume that I know the entire gamut of the owner’s political views, whether right or left, and I similarly assume that the same assumptions would be made about me. I have never had a good experience of striking up a conversation with a stranger whose slogan tee I disagreed with. Instead, after a few past encounters that devolved into frustratingly hyperbolic one-way expositions, I tend to shy away altogether. My personal rule of thumb has become one of only discussing politics with people that I have a close personal relationship with, in safe spaces where nuance and fuzzy gray borders and third spaces can exist. In these conversations, I surprise my friends and am surprised in turn as questions and counter-examples and confessions come out in messy ways that don’t lend themselves to pithy statements.

But this is my experience, and I’m willing to reconsider. I certainly think that there are inherently political aspects to how we dress, but I tend towards implicit rather than explicit expressions. Have you ever had your mind changed by a slogan tee? Has such a tee sparked a great conversation with someone of an opposing view? Do you make your politics or religion explicit in what you wear? I’m curious.

- E.

Caylin Wedge, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, originally uploaded by academichic.

13 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

12 July 2010 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Tee – American Apparel ‘Equality’ shirt
• Belt – Banana Republic
• Skirt – Talbots
• Espadrilles – gift

Endnotes:

Have you heard of American Apparel’s marriage equality campaign? I have to say, I’m usually a little wary of AA’s ad campaigns and the often questionable choice of models/outfits they put forth, but when I came across these ‘Marriage is so gay’ tees, I was intrigued. As it turns out, American Apparel came up with these ‘Marriage is so gay’ shirts in order to help promote equal rights and to support three different human rights campaigns working on marriage equality.

Marriage is so gay, originally uploaded by academichic.

You can read all about the project here. When you purchase your shirt, you get to choose between the three different organizations that have paired up with AA for this campaign.  Besides getting to choose whether you want your shirt in blue, red, or black, you also get to choose whether you want the proceeds from your purchase to go to The Human Rights Campaign, Marriage Equality USA, or Freedom to Marry. Each t-shirt also comes with a hand written number on the tag, telling you which number shirt you bought. By keeping track of each sale, AA is counting how many people are showing their support at large.

Once I read more about this project, it didn’t take long to hit that ‘add to cart’ button and order my own tee. I strongly believe in marriage equality and in working towards a future that sees no group of people being denied the citizen rights of their fellow country people. I’m often baffled that we’re even having these discussions and arguments and I can only hope for (and work towards) a time when my children and their fellow people will respect each other as equals regardless of gender, class, race, or sexual identity. Today, I’m proud to be number 9398 laying claim to this cause. S.

12 July 2010 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Addendum: I apologize for crediting American Apparel with the above campaign, as I now see, it’s actually a company called ISSO who is using American Apparel tees to promote this cause. Although the campaign is run by ISSO, the shirts used are AA.

In response to several commenters who have written about their disapproval of AA, I would just like to assure you, our readers, that we are not promoting American Apparel and that this blog post or my shirt were not sponsored by or offered as paid advertisement for the aforementioned company. In fact, I myself noted my distrust of AA’s previous ads at the beginning of this post.

I wore this shirt and shared my thoughts on this with you because I was interested in promoting an issue so hotly debated and so critical to our current events in the US: same-sex marriage. I purchased this shirt because 20% of the proceeds went towards my organization of choice – Marriage Equality USA – and I presented it with no other agenda than my very explicit one: to promote marriage equality.

9 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Leaf pendant: c/o Vintage Threadz
• Top: Banana Republic Factory
• Belt: from another dress
• Skirt: ages old, from Ross
• Bracelet: gift from Anna
• Turquoise pumps: Steve Madden, gift from MIL

End Notes:

Today I got to do one of my favorite things: teach a class with A.! We had a “focus” day on Manet’s infamous painting Olympia and talked through — and demonstrated — a range of methodologies that have been applied to this well-known work. The fact that you can approach a single work of art in so many different ways is one of those nerdy delights that cements my certainty that I am an art historian at heart.

Turquoise Steve Madden Ulltra Pumps, originally uploaded by academichic.

A not-quite-as-nerdy delight? Pairing these bright turquoise pumps with an otherwise neutral outfit. All hail, the pop of color heel. Since I wasn’t going to be by baby e. in this outfit, I decided to accessorize a little more than I have lately, using blue green and green jewelry to tie the outfit together a bit more. And, oh yes, I’m pattern mixing my florals in the top and the bracelet. It’s wild, really.

Bracelet, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’ve been flipping through old outfits, imagining what they might look like with a turquoise shoe and getting excited about the possibilities. I think it might be time to return to the color wheel for another round…

9 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

6 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Necklace: c/o Beadle Bop
• Dress: Ann Taylor Loft
• Belt: from another dress
• Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell, via Rue La La

End Notes:

My summer class is finally over and I am looking forward to days spent reading in my backyard while baby e. plays in his new sandbox. At least, that’s how it will work in my head.

Simple summer outfits like this drapey gray jersey dress (really, it’s like a big t-shirt) provide the perfect backdrop for breezy accessories like — pun intended — this gorgeous wind tossed flowers necklace from Beadle Bop’s shop on etsy.

(You may recall the Beadle Bop giveaway that we did during Dress Your Best week, in which the ultra chic Liz won a flower-bedecked clutch. If you didn’t win, don’t worry, there’s another Beadle Bop giveaway coming soon!)

Wind Tossed Flower Necklace from Beadle Bop, originally uploaded by academichic.

There’s something about wearing floaty, dreamy flowers around your neck day that is just so…summery. In terms of form, I love how lush these flowers are and the fact that they are in orange, my favorite accessory color of the moment, is the proverbial icing on the cake. In terms of function, I love how the necklace closure is actually a snap cleverly disguised to look like a bow. No more trying to tie a neat bow behind my head or upside down below my chin! (Better still, baby e. is quite taken with these blooms, and pats them gently when I’m carrying him.) And while Anthropologie may be selling something similar for $198, you can’t beat Beadle Bop’s $15 price tag or the fact that you can custom order a color to suit your taste and wardrobe! That’s a pretty good deal for a piece of statement jewelry.

Wind Tossed Flower Necklace from Beadle Bop, originally uploaded by academichic.

Where do you look for statement jewelry pieces? A jewelry store? The jewelry lines of retailers like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, or Anthropologie? Do look for hidden gems at Target? Or do you go vintage? Or look to Etsy? Do you set out looking for a certain style or color or motif? Or is jewelry something you tend to just pick up along the way?

What suggestions do you have for finding a piece of jewelry that makes the impactful statement you want?

6 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.