1 September 2010 – Warm Welcome

Posted on | August 31, 2010 | 8 Comments

2010 Academichic – Warm Welcome, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Jersey Dress: Even via Off 5^th
Scarf: ?
Turquoise Shoes: Sam Edelman via Off 5^th
Necklace and bracelet: family

Endnotes:
Please forgive my bland backdrop. I have just completed two days of new faculty orientation and am now heading into three straight days of full faculty meetings, so unpacking and decorating my new apartment have both been put on the back burner for now. I wore this outfit to my new bosses house for dinner tonight, and I have to say, it hit just the right note. The headmaster held a lovely dinner at his house to welcome us newbies into the community, so I wanted to be dressed up enough for the occasion of being invited to the Head’s house, but also casual enough to survive the 90 degree weather and end-of-summer vibe. Based on the attire of my cohort, it would seem that I am among the minority who are more interested in dressing, and over the last two days I have consciously calculated my outfits to ease them into my style (i.e., I’ve been holding back on the full-on belting everything that I usually enjoy, and I’ve scaled down the accessorizing to a minimum). In fact, I didn’t even end up wearing the floral skirt I showed last week because, as many of you commented, it was a little too youthful for my first impression at a new job. Granted this has been a tricky time to broker, but I’ve still held to my mantra that over-dressing is better than under-dressing. This midnight blue jersey dress is perfect for the dog days of summer because it gives me full coverage while also being breathable.

2010 Academichic – Warm Welcome detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

Turquoise Shoes, originally uploaded by academichic.

I decided to embellish the built-in waistband with a little pop of color and then matched my turquoise faux snakeskin flats to the turquoise, purple, and green scarf. Because this was a somewhat celebratory dinner I also put on two of my favorite pieces of jewelry – my grandmother’s ultra-modern style turquoise bracelet and my Pisces zodiac charm necklace – both of which were handed down in my family.

Pisces Necklace, originally uploaded by academichic.

Zigzag Bracelet, originally uploaded by academichic.

This bracelet is definitely a powerful piece for me, and I think the lightening bolt zigzag makes me feel a little bit like Wonder Woman, which was just what I needed when I was seated next to the Headmaster at dinner! What power-pieces do you have in your jewelry box?

30 August 2010

Posted on | August 29, 2010 | 20 Comments

30 August 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Black Shirt Dress – BR Outlet
Belt – BR Outlet
Red Flats – Target
Earrings – Gift from A2
Bangles – Gift from S.

Endnotes:

With a little encouragement from E. and L., I purchased this black shirt dress from BR Outlet towards the beginning of the summer. I love the wrap top, full skirt, and of course, the pockets!

I was dying to wear it all summer but never had the right occasion in the right weather, so it made it’s premier at our department start of the year breakfast. These events can be tricky to dress for because you are asked to mingle with faculty, staff, and other students, meet new students, listen to announcements, conduct beginning of the year business, and what ever else your department chair might throw your way, all while awkwarly balancing a bad cup of coffee and a less-than-stellar pastry.

I, per usual, was one of the more dressed up graduate students, but I felt comfortable and confident – what more could you ask for?

It was at this department breakfast meeting 5 years ago that I first met E. We both often tell this story of quickly picking each other out of the crowd, as we were the only two people in skirts that day. After the breakfast we decided to go buy our books together and the rest is history. I’m glad that E.’s first impression of me was of a fashionable nerd!

Goodbye Summer…

Posted on | August 25, 2010 | 6 Comments

Goodbye Summer…, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Dress – Marshalls
Belt – BR Outlet
Flats – Target
Sunglasses – Marshalls

Endnotes:

Well, summer officially comes to an end this week as the semester begins tomorrow. I’m looking forward to the Fall, but sure will miss the summer! I successfully started a veggie garden, clocked over 400 miles with a new running buddy, met up with old friends, convinced my advisor my dissertation topic is a worthy one, and of course GOT MARRIED!!

These are pictures taken a few weeks back, while on one of the many mini summer vacations we took to visit friends and family. This is the dress I bought to wear the night before my wedding, but knew it would get a good amount of wear. I added the woven leather belt and red flats to dress in down enough for brunch and a walk around town.

Check back later this week to see what ensemble I pull together for the first day of the semester!

Goodbye Summer…, originally uploaded by academichic.

20 August 2010 – Miss Bling Bling!

Posted on | August 20, 2010 | 9 Comments

2010 Academichic – Miss Bling Bling, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Blue dress: Banana Republic Outlet
Orange-yellow scarf: Ferragamo via Filene’s Basement
Orange-yellow Bling: gifts
Purple belt: American Apparel
Purple flip-flops: Nine West

Endnotes:
First, I wanted to voice how much I will miss S! She, E, and A, have worked very hard on Academichic and I am so happy to be a part of this fine group of women!
The title of this post comes from the catcalls of the street vendors in Florence who would entice the foreign students to buy umbrellas, pashminas, or anything with the David on it by yelling “Heyyyyy Miss Bling Bling” as we walked by on our way to school. Somehow I managed to leave Florence with only one pashmina, one umbrella and an apron with David emblazoned across it – all of which have since been lost – but “Heyyyyy Miss Bling Bling” remains my favorite attention getting phrase. This has been a hectic week since I’ve recently moved into my new apartment and have been busy unpacking, assembling furniture, and generally nesting. Despite the inevitable stress of a move it does present an opportunity to assess what things you have and what things you can give up – this orange-yellow rhinestone S-shaped pin was a definite keeper worthy of “Miss Bling Bling” distinction and deserving of a prominent place in my next outfit. It also perfectly matched this citrine ring.

2010 Academichic – Bling!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Additionally, orange-yellow has split complements of blue and purple, both of which are easier colors for me. This blue dress is probably too short to be work appropriate, but hey, it’s still summer where I am, and I don’t start work officially until August 30th! I have paired this bright blue primarily with black in the past, but that’s the great thing about the color wheel challenge – it has really made me expand the range of colors I’m wiling to combine and to think far outside the safe confines of a neutral pallet with occasional splashes of color. It seems to me that this whole exercise has been one in basically just going with it – “it” being showy, close, or seemingly opposite color pairings. Rather than the neat and clean matching with which I was brought up, the last four weeks have been dedicated to pushing myself to be a little off-kilter, break with the usual and do something on the edge.

2010 Academichic – Miss Bling Bling, originally uploaded by academichic.

For some reason the idea of a slant-rhyme comes to mind as an example of something that takes reading aloud, speaking and articulating the words, to really make sense and function as a rhyme. Likewise these outfits needed to be aired, tried out, messed around with in order to broaden my horizons more generally. I think after this I’ll be more likely to think of these kinds of complements and pairings in my everyday attire. But back to this outfit. Once I’d found the pin I knew that I wanted to wear it with this orange-yellow scarf and purple was brought in with the belt and shoes to complete the split complement.

2010 Academichic – Blue-Yellow/Orange-Purple, originally uploaded by academichic.

As reader GingerR asked after E’s post from August 16th, “I noticed that your outfit contains a very small percent of the start color. Any thoughts about how the proportions of color should be balanced and what that does to the quirky effect?” I think personally I’ve been more obvious in my blocks of colors because of this challenge, and so for the sake of fulfilling the color wheel module of the week some of my outfits have had bigger color elements than they might otherwise. If I were to do a redux of this outfit I’d probably ditch the scarf and showcase the pin — maybe placing it directly on the belt for maximum contrast or string it on a simple chain to wear as a necklace. I loved the scarf and pin together, but I would likely wear those two with more neutrals in order for them to have the most pop. I think the proportion of colors should be one or two as dominant and one as accent – mostly because it is hard to equally incorporate that many colors into one outfit without looking like a Kandinsky painting run amok. But that being said, it’s really up to you and what you’re comfortable with or what effect you are trying to achieve. What are your thoughts on proportions of colors? Has this challenge made you think differently about unusual color combinations? What pairings have you come up with?

18 August 2010 – Split Take Two

Posted on | August 18, 2010 | 19 Comments

18 August 2010 – Split Take Two, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Dress: Max & Cleo, from BCBG Outlet
Scarf: thrifted
Shoes: Steve Madden
Sunglasses: vintage

End Notes:

(With apologies for the harsh sunlight) Like S. I stood in front of my closet for a while trying to think of a monochromatic outfit that didn’t turn me into a muppet…and came out empty handed. On the other hand, I think I’m getting the hang of split complements.

Pink, Yellow Green, and Blue Green, originally uploaded by academichic.

A pink shoe (from the red wedge of the color wheel), a blue-green dress, and a yellow-green scarf as a belt…and voila. Again, it’s kind of quirky and maybe I feel a little bit like a mix of Strawberry Shortcake and Kate Spade, but it’s also punchy and fun and puts an unexpected twist on the frequently preppy pink-and-green pairing.

Vintage Sunglasses, originally uploaded by academichic.

Plus, I’m wearing my new-to-me sunglasses and their funny inverted temples-with-wings, and they make me love whatever I’m wearing. My husband makes fun of my “bug eyed” sunglasses, but I remain devoted and I was tickled to find this pair at my favorite local vintage shop.

Several of you have commented on our “scientific” approach to color combinations and declared that you go by your gut instinct when it comes to mixing colors. I’m kind of fascinated by the implicit binary opposition between “scientific” and “emotional” approaches. Ever since middle school, I’ve been uneasy about the whole “right brain” versus “left brain” categorization and the suggestion that method and structure are somehow diametrically opposed to creativity and expression. Seriously, in seventh grade I had a little crisis (because that’s what seventh graders do) over what “side” brain I had and wanted to know if I could just claim a middle ground. A third space, if you will. (It ended up being something of a prophetic moment, I suppose.)

I’ve always thrived in situations where I have parameters or a methodology that opens up a new place or way to explore something. I find that structure feeds my creativity, or that a methodology helps me articulate and extend my intuition in really interesting and productive ways. I think this is a big reason why I’m in graduate school. I am passionate about shifting paradigms or interpretations of artworks within the boundaries of my discipline, using the methodologies that are available to me. Thus, the spill-over into my wardrobe “methodology” is hardly unexpected. I think that some of my favorite outfits have been ones that were created in response to some kind of challenge or within certain parameters!

Do you think that structure and creativity, “science” and “instinct,” are binary opposites? How do your proclivities — either for method or intuition or both — manifest themselves in how you dress?

18 August 2010 – Split Take Two, originally uploaded by academichic.

9 August 2010

Posted on | August 9, 2010 | 16 Comments

9 August 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Sheath dress: H&M
Belt: from another dress
Bracelets: gift
Pumps: Steve Madden, via Macy’s super shoe sale

End Notes:

This week we’re reviewing triads and analogous color combinations. An analogous color scheme takes two (or more) colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. I think for our purposes, an analogous scheme could be either a veryclose pairing with a tertiary color — like green and blue green or red and red orange — or it could be neighboring colors on a simplified color wheel — like yellow and orange or green and blue.

So today I’m “premiering” (as A. would say) my magenta pumps — let’s call them red violet for the sake of our color wheel — and pairing them with a purpley gray sheath dress that I’ve recently unearthed from my closet. I also added a true purple belt to push the ambiguously colored dress more towards violet and to underscore this tight analogous pairing.

9 August 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

(And yes, these shoes are just the magenta version of the blue pumps I’ve worn recently. It was one of those pick-your-own-birthday-gift situations and I couldn’t refuse. Not only are they great colors, they’re also quite comfortable with the rounded toe, padded footbed, and a heel that’s low enough to walk around in but high enough to give my calves a nice boost. I’ll admit, though, that my feet seem to just fit Steve Madden shoes and boots really well, so some of my comfort might be from finding a brand that jives with my particular foot shape.)

Back to the dress. Between pregnancy, breastfeeding, and re-learning my postpartum body, I haven’t worn a sheath dress in over a year and a half. It had been so long, in fact, that I totally forgot how much I actually adore sheaths. It’s a body conscious shape that makes me feel really sleek and put together and powerful. As Emeril Lagasse would say: “Bam.” Sure, this is not really bend over and pick up baby e. friendly nor do I think I can ride my bike in this particular dress, but I am about ready to toss function out the door in favor of pursuing a previously loved-then-lost form.

I think I’m going to shortly launch a search for a back-to-school sheath that has a little stretch in it. Suggestions for where to look — particularly from fellow long-waisted ladies — are definitely welcome.

9 August 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

30 July 2010

Posted on | July 30, 2010 | 10 Comments

30 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Dress – BR Outlet
Belt – Old Navy
White Tank – Banana Republic
Grey Flats – BR Outlet

Endnotes:

I took this picture at 6:15 am before leaving for NYC so please excuse the tired face. I am now in NYC having a great time and will post a picture or two from my visit soon. For my early morning flight I chose a comfy jersey dress in a bright color and grey flats that would easily slip off at security and allow me to walk all over the city one I arrived.

I have to admit, I felt slightly out of place at the Met Library (and in the upscale cappuccino joint nearby) in my bright colors. I probably would have looked more like a New Yorker in one of my black or grey jersey dresses or better yet my black pencil skirt. But alas, this is NOT neutrals week! So, I added my favorite belt to make a 2/3 color combo blue-green + red-violet (+ yellow-orange).

Any New Yorkers out there participating in the color challenge, proudly wearing their bright colors? Bright berry pink even?

24 July 2010 – Pattern

Posted on | July 23, 2010 | 3 Comments

Pattern , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Dress – Old Navy
Sandals – Target
Basket – Electra
Bike – Electra Cruiser

Endnotes:

On most days while riding my bike I can be seen wearing a dress similar to this one. That is because it’s patterned. And not just any pattern – colorful, busy, floral pattern. According to Velouria, author of one of my favorite bike blogs, a great way to disguise sweat stains on clothing in the summer is to wear a pattern that doesn’t show that change in color (from sweat) as it just mixes in with the rest of the hues and swirls of the fabric. Velouria goes on to suggest that floral prints are optimal for this kind of chameleon game, which couldn’t work better for me since I am definitely a florals kind of girl.

Pattern , originally uploaded by academichic.

So for many of my bike commutes, I have been throwing on a floral dress and taking on the heat. I do usually arrive pretty sweaty and appreciate that this type of outfit hides that much better than many other less suitable options. Although some of you may not ride a bike regularly, it’s likely that many of you are tackling some hot and humid weather this time of year, so I thought this type of ‘dress to disguise your sweat’ tip would still pertain. While certainly less glamorous than tips on belting, color combos, or chic shoes, I figured that this type of advice would still have its place on a site about staying stylish while being practical. Having to get from point A to B sans car, this is good know-how for me to have up my sleeve. This strategy might prove especially effective once I start teaching again and will have to face a class full of students after riding my bike to campus.

For those of you who do bike or are interested in more bike specific discussion, you can find a review of the above pictured bike basket here or my review of my bike cup holder here. Additionally, I’m very excited to feature Tania from What Would a Nerd Wear this coming week on Simply Bike on her essentials for bike commuting in style. And while we’re speaking of exciting upcoming posts, make sure to check back here for some academichic surprises we have in store for you this coming week as well!

Happy weekend, everyone! S.

Shoes, originally uploaded by academichic.

Shabby Apple Review: La Tour Eiffel

Posted on | July 15, 2010 | 41 Comments

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.

13 July 2010

Posted on | July 13, 2010 | 34 Comments

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.