12 May 2010 – Leg Work

Posted on | May 12, 2010 | 22 Comments

12 May 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Silk scarf – erre, thrifted in Munich
Brocade blazer – Koan, thrifted in Munich
Tee – gift from e.
Jeans – S. Oliver
Boots – Banana Republic
Bag – Liz Claiborne, thrifted
Earrings – gift from husband

Endnotes:

Just like last year, I’m listing my legs as one of my favorite things about my body. It’s hard not to love something that’s carried me through the hundreds of miles it took to train for two marathons, several half marathons, and the odd 5Ks and 10Ks along the way. And just this coming Sunday, I will be lining up once more at the start of a half marathon here in Europe, willing my legs to do their best as they carry me the 13.1 miles it takes to get to the finish line.

Running has had a tremendous effect on how I view my body. I used to focus on it solely from an aesthetic perspective (the indulgence of the young and the healthy, right?) But viewing it from a mere aesthetic vantage point meant that I focused far more on its limitations and flaws than on its triumphs and achievements. Forget the physical makeover that came with running – let’s just talk about the mental makeover for a minute: I now appreciate my body (and particularly my legs) for their amazing physical capability. This merging of form and function has given me new eyes through which to view my body and I can no longer harp on some insignificant flaws – like a few cellulite dimples here or some thigh-jiggling action there – when these two machines of pure strength and endurance continue to carry me over so many miles and through all kinds of weather, just to test what I am capable of.

Braid Wednesday, originally uploaded by academichic.

Pattern Mix, originally uploaded by academichic.

(Have you experienced a shift in perspective that has made you appreciate your body for its function as well as its form? Without having gone through this myself, I hesitate to make this assertion, but I think that childbirth must have a similar effect. I’m also guessing that having recovered from a serious illness or accident must make someone appreciate their body for its amazing healing capabilities, its endurance, and its strength – qualities that I would all call beautiful.)

To celebrate my legs, I’m wearing my favorite jean style as of late – the skinny jean. It was right around the time I got to Germany that I fully embraced the skinny jean and started wearing it with or without boots to tuck the jeans into. And to think that I was afraid of this trend when it first started, when I should have been happy all along to embrace a style that highlights one of my best features – my legs. Thanks, skinnies! S.

1 May 2010 – Weekend Reseach Casual

Posted on | May 1, 2010 | 4 Comments

1 May 2010 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Graphic tee – Dave Matthews concert shirt
Green button down – J.Crew
Skinnies – S. Oliver
Flats – Palladium
Pinstriped blazer – Gap, thrifted

Endnotes:

This is a perfect example of a ‘research casual’ look for me, for weekends or on weekdays without teaching duties. Comfortable jeans and flats, a soft tee or worn-in button down, and some types of layers depending on the temperature. The warmer summer version being something like this or this. I also love the hoodie under the blazer look, as demonstrated by the super stylish remixer ‘Dolofe‘ below:

But I realized that I only have one hoodie here and it’s without a front closure and much too warm for what I needed now. So I improvised by layering a 3/4 sleeve button down over my concert t-shirt and under the pinstripe blazer. This allows for a little more breathing room than a pullover sweatshirt while still adding that extra bit of warmth that this outfit requires.

Layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

What’s your perfect weekend outfit? What items come to your mind when hearing the words ‘research casual’? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to finish up my second cup of coffee and get to work. Happy weekend, all! S.

1 May 2010 , originally uploaded by academichic.

19 February 2010 – In Search of Individuality

Posted on | February 19, 2010 | 20 Comments

19 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Scarf – vintage, from my grandmother’s closet
Green top – ON, thrifted
Blazer – J.Crew
Black skinnies – thrifted
Boots – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

First, some outfit remarks: This particular silk square scarf is actually from my grandmother’s collection. She decided that she doesn’t wear these kinds of bright colors anymore so she passed it down to me. It’s got a funny vintage carriage design on it with two carriage drivers in the center. This is not a design or motif that I would necessarily pick out for myself, but I realized that it doesn’t actually matter much what’s on the scarf as much as which colors are used for it. Once the scarf is folded, bunched, or tied, there’s often little more that a burst of color to be noticed. (See exhibit B here).

Today I pulled out this homage to 19th century transport because I really wanted that green edge to add to my green top + navy blazer combo. I tied the scarf using the ascot method and added black jeans and boots.

Scarf detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

Ok, now on to the recent discussion we’ve been having over here. I really enjoyed E’s distinction between style and fashion and would like to add, that like E, I tend to use both high fashion and street style photography as a launching point (rather than an exact blueprint) for my own outfit creations. I would like my style to be a blend of different influences and aesthetics, not necessarily identifiable as a certain ‘look’ or ‘trend’. This is one of the reason why thrifting appeals to me so much; so many of my thrifted finds are unique and different and when I put together a stellar ‘thrifted’ outfit, I feel most successful in having performed Style rather than Fashion.

Which brings me to the topic of thrifting – I had asked in my last post about the ways that I – or you – use clothing or style as a means of resistance. And several of you pointed to thrifting as a conscious act of resistance against conspicuous consumption, or, as reader Lisa put it, as “an obvious rejection of our throw-away society”. I was struck by this comment because thrifting used to be a need-based practice for me while growing up. My clothes came from thrift stores because that’s all we could afford. It was by no means a political act back then. But as my financial circumstances have changed, the motives behind my shopping second-hand have as well. Now I thrift because I love the search and the hunt, but also because I really believe in the political practice of reusing, recycling, repurposing, and making things last.

It’s funny how resisting during totalitarian regimes would mean sneaking in foreign goods, which usually reflected the latest trends and the most modern creations, while resisting capitalism has us reaching for the old and the discarded. While these may appear like completely disparate practices, I’m struck by the similarity in the objective of both practices: it seems like both acts are done in search of individuality and out of a desire to be unique. And that bring me back to where we started – the question of Style vs. Fashion. I believe the reason so many of us prefer the term style blogger over fashion blogger is because we perceive the first to be more about expressing individuality and creativity rather than just following the masses. And as history has shown us, no matter what the political context, there is a certain irresistibility to standing out and perceiving oneself as unique and contrary to the status-quo. I guess wanting to be unique is not so unique after all. S.

19 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

2 December 2009

Posted on | December 2, 2009 | 13 Comments

2 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Brown Vest – American Eagle
Black Belt – Gap, from Sal
Plaid Shirt – Urban Outfitters
Cords- Gap Outlet
Orange Flats – Old Navy
Earrings – Gift

Endnotes:

When I was younger I wore plaid all the time – almost as often as I wore overalls (yes, I did spend much of my childhood looking like a farmer and or train conductor). Then in junior high, I wore flannel shirts and corduroy because my older sister was testing out grunge. I also wore a plaid uniform for 12 years! So, when I made it to college I gave up plaid for quite some time. I’m always finding myself drawn back to plaid, as much as I try to pull away.

Belted Vest, originally uploaded by academichic.

I now own a few plaid throws, scarves, and even a plaid belt, but only recently have I started trying on plaid shirts and even skirts! In fact, there are a few plaid items on my Christmas list, including this plaid jacket, which looks suspiciously like the pattern from one of my grade school uniforms.

Floral and Plaid, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’m still not sure how to style this new plaid shirt without falling back into either junior high grunge or childhood farmer, so I’m taking another cue from J Crew and belting my puffy vest and pairing it with flowers and a slightly dressier bottom half.

I know, I know, I’m belt crazy! What can I say, it’s what I do! :)

2 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

30 November 2009

Posted on | November 30, 2009 | 11 Comments

30 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed except vintage brooch:

Maroon top – a.n.a., thrifted
Skinnies – thrifted
Poncho – F21
Scarf – TJMaxx
Boots – Banana Republic
Vintage clutch – AIG Kanis, Oxfam Munich
Vintage brooch – vintage shop in Munich

Endnotes:

I wore this outfit this past weekend for more sightseeing with T. followed by dinner with friends. I’m glad that some of you commented that I don’t seem to be wearing the same stuff over and over again albeit the restrictions of my small ‘abroad wardrobe’. I am starting to feel like I wear the same things over and over, like these dark skinnies tucked into the boots or this blue scarf, or even this maroon shirt that I wore twice last week: to Salzburg on Wednesday and in the above picture on Saturday.

To keep the same items from feeling too repetitive, I’ve found that experimenting with accessories goes a long way; even just intertwining the same old blue scarf with the same old pink scarf to create a blue and pink scarf can breathe new life into something.

With this outfit, I kept it from feeling too much like this almost identical version by wearing my black boots instead of my brown ones, by looping the scarf under the collar and pushing it up to create a turtleneck effect (rather than over the collar like last time), and by adding that touch of ‘whimsy’ with this cute vintage brooch.

Two birds on a branch brooch, originally uploaded by academichic.

I wasn’t much of a fan of gold jewelry until recently, but I think the gold of this bag’s lock plays nicely with the gold bird brooch and there is something bold about adding some shiny gold touches to a rather simple ensemble, don’t you think? S.

Vintage brooch, originally uploaded by academichic.

Vintage clutch detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

25 October 2009 – Salzburg

Posted on | October 27, 2009 | 21 Comments

25 October 2009 – Salzburg, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:
All remixed:

White button down – J.Jill
Blue cardi – H&M
Pink pashmina scarf - H&M
Skinnies – thrifted
Boots – Banana Republic

(Technical Side Note: I will now only link back to how I’ve ‘remixed’ items since being abroad so that you (and I) can better get a sense of how I’m trying to stay creative with a more limited capsule wardrobe.)

Endnotes:

Ahh…Salzburg. My favorite city in the world. This past Sunday I spent the day revisiting my most favorite place on earth (I spent two years studying there as an undergraduate and first year MA student) and remembering why I loved it so much. I think my NaNoWriMo novel is going to be set in Salzburg so that I can vicariously live through my protagonist and walk those streets daily.

Salzburg, originally uploaded by academichic.

Since there was going to be a lot of walking, I stuck to flat boots and comfortable jeans. I always love a good white button down and find it the easiest thing to throw on when inspiration for anything more exciting fails. A cardi and scarf finish the look and I’m all set. The same pink pashmina scarf that was my opera cover-up shrug on Saturday night, served me well as a cozy neck scarf for Sunday’s day trip. And, not to be left out, Taygee wore her own pink neck scarf. With matching pink scarves we roamed the pastel colored streets of my favorite city ever. Perfection. S.

25 October 2009 – Salzburg, originally uploaded by academichic.

16 October 2009 – Man Pants

Posted on | October 16, 2009 | 10 Comments

16 October 2009 – Man Pants, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Blue blazer: BR Outlet
Leaf brooch: Vintage Threadz on Etsy
Yellow sweater: F21
Wide leg pants: Banana Republic, thrifted new
Orange pumps: Dolce Vita

End Notes:

When I stumbled on these wide(ish) leg pants at Goodwill a couple of weeks ago I had to chuckle. They are basically the women’s version of a pair of Banana Republic pants that my husband owns, made of essentially the same material, in the same indeterminate brown-gray-green color, with the same wide straight legs. It’s a little freakish, really, and I have promised to never wear my “man pants” on the same day that he wears his matching pair. It’s too bad, really, since we both love our respective pairs. Mine are ridiculously comfortable and, as the evident wrinkles attest, they are great for sitting on the floor with baby e.

Because of the more masculine cut of these pants, I wanted to make sure that I paired them with pieces that would create an interesting counterbalance, not look like I was playing dress up. For that reason, I doubt that I’ll ever wear a button down shirt (unless it has ruffles!) with these pants. Instead, I chose a slim fitting sweater and a cropped blazer. As A. mentioned yesterday, playing masculine and feminine pieces off each other is a great way to mix registers and craft an outfit that creates interest through juxtaposition. This outfit is not too drastic in its pairing, but it makes me want to try some more daring combinations in the future.

Do you have a favorite contrasting pair that you are particularly drawn to? Ruffles and tweed? Pearls and leather? Floral and denim? Sequins and chinos?

16 October 2009 – Man Pants, originally uploaded by academichic.

13 October 2009 – Raindrops on Roses…

Posted on | October 14, 2009 | 19 Comments

13 October 2009 – Raindrops on Roses.., originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Sweater cape – F21, remixed
Green button down – J.Crew, remixed
Maroon top – a.n.a., thrifted, remixed
Skinnies – thrifted, remixed
Blue pashmina scarf – TJMaxx, remixed
Boots – Dillards, remixed
Green tote – Kenneth Cole, remixed
Umbrella – Totes, remixed

Endnotes:

It’s been raining on and off for the past few days here, and it even snowed a bit this morning! It’s not so bad actually, after having lived in Salzburg where it rains about 200 days of the year, I’ve developed a few good rainy-day coping mechanisms:

1) Don’t bother straightening hair. It’s pointless.
2) Always carry a cute purse-sized umbrella to pull out at a moment’s notice. Having that available will make a rainy commute much less of a bother.
3) Boots. They keep your feet dry and the bottom of your pants from turning into an upwards-creeping soggy mess.

I once saw a sign in a Colorado storefront window that read something like “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing”. I too have found that given the proper attire, most weather is manageable and even enjoyable. If there were only sunny days, I wouldn’t get to snuggle with a cup of hot tea, acquire a collection of fun and colorful umbrellas, wear fun wellies to go puddle splashing with my dog, or watch the streets turn glossy and shiny with beautiful reflections of the colored buildings in the rain. Don’t you agree? S.

PS: Fellow Müncheners, you’ve been good about recognizing my photo backdrops thus far! Do you know where I’m standing today? (I can see this turning into a fun game…

9 October 2009 – The Skinny on Skinnies

Posted on | October 9, 2009 | 25 Comments

9 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Black cropped jacket – thrifted, remixed
Burgundy top – A.N.A., thrifted
Green tank – BR Outlet, remixed
Skinnies – thrifted, remixed
Gray wedges – Report, remixed
Green tote – Kenneth Cole, remixed
Sunglasses – H&M, remixed
Onyx earrings – TJMaxx, remixed

Endnotes:

Until recently, I was under the misguided notion that there had to be at least 2 inches of visible space between one’s upper thighs to be able to pull off the skinnies look. You know, the full-out skinnies without the mitigating effect of boots or a long thighs-covering tunic.

Being in Europe has only confirmed how wrong I was. Seeing women of all shapes and sizes rock the skinnies with confidence and pep has led me to adjust my position on this matter. So much in fact that I unapologetically wore my skinnies with full thigh-touching action on the streets of Munich today. And no mitigating boots to balance out the fuller top portion of my legs with added ‘boot bulk’ on the bottom. A. and I have talked about this before, noting that we fear the ‘drumstick’ effect of untempered skinnies since neither one of us is endowed with stick-thin rail-long legs.

9 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Well, call me a drumstick if you will, but I liked this look today and felt confident walking around like this. It also made me think of Sal’s recent post on having a quiet beauty revolution. I really like Sal’s approach of “localized and highly personal” activism that starts with oneself; feeling good about oneself despite conflicting messages from the media or popular culture. I may not have the kind of skinny jean-wearing legs that would make Christophe Decarnin come knocking on my door, but that’s just fine. My quiet revolution starts here.

6 October 2009 – From München, With Love

Posted on | October 6, 2009 | 21 Comments

6 October 2009 – From München, With Love, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Blue scarf – TJMaxx, remixed
Tan bag – Etienne Aigner, remixed
Skinnies – thrifted, remixed
Boots – BR, remixed
Sunglasses – H&M, remixed
Trench – vintage, from my grandmother’s closet!

Endnotes:

Greetings from Bavaria! I made it and I’m settling into my new ‘home’ here. It’s been a crazy few days, but I love this city and I love getting to use so much of my German as I’m desperately trying to take care of everything needed before I can settle happily into my research.

As far as first (style) impressions go, these Münchner sure know how to dress! I’m seeing a ton of very stylish men and women and taking note! And talk about the many chic cyclists on the roads. As for my own outfit of this past weekend, it’s been a simple skinnies-boots-and-coat combo that manages to feel both practical and comfortable without screaming ‘tourist’.

A while ago, when I acquired this yellow bag, I asked readers how one knows when something is truly vintage. Well, this time, I know. This classic trench is definitely vintage since I can date it back to at least 1974, when I have photographic evidence of my grandmother wearing it:

These pictures were taken in Budapest in 1974 with colleagues of hers on a work trip. Can you spot her in the group shot below? (She later had the coat shortened to the length you see on me today).

This trench has made many more appearances in our family photo albums, as it was my grandmother’s one “good” spring and fall jacket. She’s often told how how “back then” you had “one good item” and you just took good care of it. She’s certainly done that since I was able to find it in perfect condition on this recent visit and claim it for wear.

Her point about having less things but of distinction calls to mind the difference between today’s consumer culture with emphasis on more, more, more and perhaps a more ‘vintage’ mindset of acquiring fewer pieces with quality and longevity in mind. Although I like the latter approach better, I must confess that thrift shopping and the ease with which one can collect and acquire things today makes me more of a participant in the prior category.

How to do you feel about this dichotomy, do you see yourself consciously opting for one approach over the other? And in this age of ready-made clothing, thrift-store abundance, and ebay-auction-accessibility, can these same ‘vintage’ mores still be applied? While you ponder those questions, I leave you with one more picture of my beautiful grandmother at age twenty-three, photographed with a monographed “V” for her name, back in 1950. S.