13 May 2010 – Learning to Love It

Posted on | May 14, 2010 | 26 Comments

13 April 2010 – Learning to Love It, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Tee-Shirt – Ann Taylor
• Skirt – J Crew
• Belt – New York & Co
• Bracelet- Gift from sister M
• Pumps – DSW
• Earrings – American Eagle
• Puppy = Camp

Endnotes:

Firs,  a side note: taking pictures of this outfit yesterday was like a comedy of errors.  We have been getting some serious thunderstorms in Academichic Central and so I had to take my pictures on my covered deck  where I was out of the rain but not the wind.  My dog, Camp, hates thunderstorms and becomes extremely needy during them so, sorry for the strange cropping and the puppy interruptions.

Today I am dressing my butt, my backside, my bottom, my ass!  I used to hate this entire region of my body – until very recently actually.  It’s large and makes jean shopping impossible.  But, thanks to a good friend I have recently come to appreciate my butt, and particularly the way it looks in pencil skirts. It’s still a struggle to say that I love it (it would be a lie if I didn’t tell you that I often wish it were smaller, tighter, firmer) but I’m learning to love it.

Learning to love it!, originally uploaded by academichic.

13 April 2010 – Learning to Love It, originally uploaded by academichic.

As an added bonus, I’m liking how my collar bone and looks in this new t-shirt I picked up on sale at Ann Taylor.  Expect to see this one remixed again soon!

Be sure to enter our DYB giveaway and to check back later today for yet another giveaway!  A.

T-Shirt Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

6 May 2010 – Florals revisited

Posted on | May 7, 2010 | 7 Comments

6 May 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Black Blazer – F21
• Grey Pencil Skirt- Banana Republic
• Cami (unseen) – BR Outlet
• Belt- Gap
• Floral Scarf – Anthropologie
• Shoes – Anthropologie, via ebay
• Ring – on loan from sister M.

Endnotes:

Clearly, my guilt over not adequately participating in florals month runs deep! I put together this mismatched suit for a museum lecture I was invited to give.  I have this same pencil skirt in black, but the black skirt and black blazer was a little too corporate for my liking.  Even the black blazer with grey suit skirt needed the orangy-brown belt and red wedges to feel more me.

I wore a teal cami underneath, but let my floral scarf serve as a kind of  loose cowl-neck blouse.  It looks a bit like it is swallowing my head in these pictures, but I adjusted it so that the loop sat a bit lower.   I picked up on the blue flowers in the scarf with this fabulous flower ring I discovered while digging through my sister’s jewelry box the last time I was home.

Flower on Floral!, originally uploaded by academichic.

I think this otherwise severe suit was made fresh and approachable by the addition of the floral scarf and all the rich warm tones it allowed me to bring in through accessories.  Per usual for me, this is mostly just another mix of neutral with a little light blue in the scarf.  But, I am always amazed how much more interesting a simple ensemble is when you let brown, black, and grey mingle.

6 May 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

26 April 2010 – Rainy Day Greys

Posted on | April 26, 2010 | 10 Comments

26 April 2010 – Rainy Day Greys, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Grey Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
• Blazer – J Crew
• Belt – BR Outlet
• Necklace – Hawaii
• Bangel – gift from S.
• Shoes – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW

Endnotes:

These pictures are actually from a while ago, but I didn’t post them because I look so sick in them, and rather drugged, especially in the photos with the blazer.  But, I really did like this ensemble and so figure you can excuse my puffy eyes and red nose (thankfully that horrible head cold has passed).

I wore this jersey dress and blazer combo to lecture to 130ish students for an hour and a half.  I was on cold meds and fighting a runny nose, but managed to pull through with a pretty good lecture, if I do say so myself.   It was hot and rainy that day, which is common this time of year in Academichic Central, so I needed to look professional while managing to stay cool and comfy.   I love this jersey dress for just that reason – it’s comfy and chic, but I felt I needed to take the professionalism up a notch, thus enter the blazer.

26 April 2010 – Rainy Day Greys, originally uploaded by academichic.

This blazer has been enjoying quite the revival lately.  Once I rolled up the sleeves (making in 3/4 sleeved and revealing the contrasting pinstripe pattern of the lining) it suddenly seemed much easier to style and much more versatile.  I’ve paired in with a fuller a-symmetrical skirt, with baggy jeans, and now with a jersey dress.  I’m thinking next I might try it with my grey pencil skirt and eventually even with some walking shorts. Hopefully when I pull it out next time I won’t look half as red and drowsy!

Blazer, originally uploaded by academichic.

Pinstripe Jacket Four Ways

Posted on | March 22, 2010 | 22 Comments

I (E.) thrifted this like-new black pinstripe blazer several years ago, shortly after beginning graduate school. I guess I figured that since I was a grown-up I needed a grown-up jacket.

Thrifted Pinstripe Jacket, originally uploaded by academichic.

It’s in great shape, has nifty satin details — covered buttons, piping on the pockets — a subtly patterned lining, and a classic high, two-button stance with a notched lapel.

Jacket Details, originally uploaded by academichic.

Of course, since then, this blazer has had precious little wear, though it’s made predictable appearances at conferences and the occasional in-class presentation. Like I said in our Fashion 101 post on jackets and blazers, this is the kind of blazer that still makes me a little nervous, that I still tend to think about in very limited ways. So, what better way to kick off a week of blazers than challenge myself to re-imagine this jacket in a variety of outfits? Click through the jump to see four incarnations — from professional to casual — of this wardrobe basic.

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25 February 2010 – (No) Sense of Self

Posted on | February 25, 2010 | 10 Comments

25 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Gold scarf – gift
• Burgundy sweater – Calvin Klein
• Green cord skirt – thrifted
• Gray tights – drug store
• Burgundy pumps – vintage Etienne Aigner, thrifted

Endnotes:

Yesterday I had a meeting on campus that called for a semi-formal ensemble. It was one of those meetings where you can’t show up in jeans but is still casual enough that a suit would look like overkill. My attempt at semi-formal business ensemble resulted in this pairing of a burgundy sweater with a green cord tulip skirt, gray tights, and burgundy pumps. And, as a last nod to scarf month, I opted for a gold shawl wrapped à la Orchid Grey around my neck.

While a button down or trouser pants might be the more conventional approach to business-casual, I find this skirt and 3/4 sleeve sweater version to be more representative of me and my style as a whole. And since I wanted to feel at ease and confident, I chose something that would let me feel comfortable to the extent that I would not think about my clothes and just focus on my words. And this outfit did just that.

Shoes, originally uploaded by academichic.

Which is a nice lead into A’s question that she posted yesterday: How do we dress differently for different contexts or audiences? In her words: “How do different crowds of people, and your desire to connect with them, influence your style?” I noticed that without even trying, I automatically reached for a more conservative and professional outfit the moment I found myself back on campus and among professors and undergrads, in a subconscious yet undeniable attempt to align myself with the former group over the latter. While abroad and away from campus, I have been experimenting with cut-off shorts, wearing plenty of jeans, and often living in my hoodie. My living situation abroad has me staying with people a few years younger than myself and I find that I’m increasingly dressing as to “fit in” with this younger and trendier crowd. I like how that’s given me the freedom to experiment with new looks and styles and I kept thinking that I would want to bring that style back home with me, but now I’m wondering how well that translation of trends to my more professional persona on campus will work. While I aim to dress according to a personal sense of style and aesthetic, this oscillation between two cultures and lifestyles has shown me just how context-driven and malleable my performance of self is. S.

23 October 2009

Posted on | October 23, 2009 | 24 Comments

23 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

This afternoon I will be moderating a discussion after offering m thoughts on a campus-wide lecture given by a prominent activist. I figure, this time, it’s ok if I am one of the most dressed up people there.

I have to say, before our recent “roundtable” discussion about interview-appropriate wear, I would have worn something pretty similar to this for an interview. Now, I think I would definitely loose the sweater tights and belt, but I think I would still wear the rest. Does it need a suit jacket or a button down to be interview-appropriate?

A.

Shoes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

For the love of the pencil skirt

Posted on | September 1, 2009 | 11 Comments

Last week, when I wore my favorite denim pencil skirt, which I have remixed for all seasons, I wrote about wanting another pencil skirt to add into the rotation with my denim stand-by and my newer grey chino pencil skirt.  I love that both of these can be dressed up or down and can be worn with any color and across at least three seasons.

I have found, much to my surprise, that the pencil skirt is a very flattering shape for me and it has become one of may favorite pieces for a professional look.  I wear my denim, black cotton, and grey cotton skirts all the time – as I am sure you have noticed.  I have also gotten some good wear out of my pinstripe pencil skirt, but this is a much dressier look (perfect in place of a suit for conferences or interviews), and I love to wear my blue felt skirt in the winter. Now I want more!

Many of you left comments asking for recommendations on where to find a classic and versatile denim pencil skirt and requesting that I share my fall pencil skirt wish list with you.

Well, first the denim pencil skirt:

I love mine!  I bought it almost two years ago at Gap after trying on a number of denim skirts at several different stores.   I remember I also really liked one at Banana Republic, but the Gap one was significantly cheaper.   Gap doesn’t currently have the same skirt (mine was called trouser, or something of the like) but, they do have one that looks like it would serve the same purpose.  Ann Taylor Loft also seems to have a few options that look promising.

I recently purchased a black/grey denim skirt from Old Navy.  I do like this one, but it will by no means be replacing my beloved Gap skirt.

Now, for my pencil skirt wish list:

I hope this list gives all of you some shopping ideas for yourself, but as my birthday is just over a month away, this list also serves as a birthday wish list for my mom!

The J Crew Corduroy Skirt:

I love the slim sleek cut of this, making it very professional and even dressy, while the corduroy allows it to be a perfect fall teaching skirt.

I have always loved corduroy – over the years as corduroy has come in and out of style, I have stayed true to my favorite material.  I have many corduroy pants, a couple corduroy skirts, my share of corduroy jackets, and even a few corduroy accessories, including a few totes, a pair of flats,  some slippers, and a headband.  I think I could more than qualify as a member of the Corduroy Appreciation Club!

Moving on from the corduroy tangent, my next wish list item…

The Banana Republic Classic Pencil Skirt:

This is dressier than the black skirt I own and I love the pockets and the wide, high waist band.  I’m not sure how this one would actually fit  but I can imagine it looking great with both summery sleeveless blouses and thicker winter sweaters with tights.

The Banana Republic Classic Skirt:

Now, this is technically not a pencil skirt but I have found that some BR “A-line” skirts actually fit me more like a straight skirt.  I haven’t tried this one on either, so I’m not sure how those pleats in the front would work for me but I love that it comes in navy!

The Ann Taylor Plaid Skirt:

I took this picture from the website but can’t actually find this exact skirt for sale.  This is really stepping outside my comfort zone when it comes to skirts, but I do  love that it is plaid and purple!  Let me know if you figure out how to purchase it.

I would also like to note that New York & Company has a ton of very affordable pencil skirts in several fabrics and cuts and with some fun color choices.

What item will make several appearances on your fall wish list?   A.

4 April 2009 – England Day 2

Posted on | April 4, 2009 | 8 Comments

4 April 2009 – England Day 2, originally uploaded by academichic.

Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

Earrings and Pinstripes, originally uploaded by academichic.

3 April 2009 – From England

Posted on | April 3, 2009 | 4 Comments

3 April 2009 – From England, originally uploaded by academichic.

Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

Packing Update!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Academichic Travels: An International Conference with A.

Posted on | April 2, 2009 | 12 Comments

The Preliminary Carry-On Spread (I tend to throw many a thing in at the last minute):

The Carry-on, originally uploaded by academichic.

Yes, that is my straightener! I seriously would be devastated if it didn’t make it. I’ve also packed: face wipes- so I can do a quick refresh after the overnight flight; makeup and hair product- all other toiletries can be easily and cheaply replaced; and an emergency outfit plan (see below).

Now on to the real stuff!

The Spread:

• Black Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
• Grey Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
• Pin Striped Skirt – J Crew
• Skinny Jeans – Gap Outlet
• Dress Pants – BR
• Long Beige Cardigan- BR
• Long Grey Cardigan – BR Outlet
• Pin Striped Blazer – J Crew
• Cap Sleeve Black Blazer – F21
• Coral Cardigan – Gap
• Purple Cardigan – Gap Outlet
• Purple Tee – H & M
• Green Sweater – BR
• 2 White Sleeveless Blouses – Gap
• Green Tee – Old Navy
• Black Tee – Macys
• Brown Boots – BR, via ebay
• Beige Wedges – Gap Outlet
• 5 Camis – Various
• Running Clothes – Various
• Running Shoes -Saucony (not pictured)
• Underwear, socks, spanks  (not pictured)

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