Sources:

• Shirt – Gap
• Dress – J Crew
• Flats – Target
• Earrings – Aldo

Endnotes:

I promised there would be more blue and white stripes to come!  I wore this nautical (/patriotic?) ensemble on a much-needed date this past weekend.  We just went up to our local brewery for a casual dinner and some delicious beer and most people (including A2) were in shorts and a t-shirt. But, when a much-needed date comes around, you better believe I’m going to spruce it up a bit more than that.

I love summer dresses!  They are perfect for many of my favorite summer activities: casual date nights, summer parties, outdoor brunch, picnics, BBQs, music in the park, and so on.  I don’t have nearly enough casual summer dresses (I now have a decent selection for summer weddings),  but also don’t have the money for any new ones at the moment.  So, I decided to revisit my closet.

I have been particularly pining over summer shirt dresses with cap sleeves and popped collars – preferably in blue and white stripe pattern.  I’ve long loved this dress from Shabby Apple and for some reason this weekend the inspiration struck to try and recreate a similar look with pieces in my closet. So I pulled out a very old strapless white seersucker dress from J. Crew and this blue and white striped button-down shirt and started playing around with it.  I’m really happy with how the look came together and I think it approximates the Shabby Apple dress – full skirt, shirt collar, breast pockets, a tie at the waist, and of course, blue and white stripes.

I’m already thinking about other shirt + dress/skirt combinations that will give me a similar silhouette.  How are you creatively working with a summer budget?  A.

Sources:

• Top: Forever 21
• Shorts: maternity consignment store
• Tank: Old Navy (tall size)
• Necklace: Tilly Bloom
• Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell (I’m not tired of them yet…)
• Bikes: “Oliver,” a 2010 Raleigh One Way (for N.) and “Sammy,” a 1986 Schwinn Le Tour Mixte (for E.)

End Notes:

Over the weekend N. and I had the delightful gift of free babysitting (thanks, sister-in-law P.!) and the chance to go on a bike date picnic in a nearby park to watch the fireflies. (I’ll be sharing more about the date itself on S.’s bike blog in the near future.) It was a beautiful night and also a great reminder to me of why I should celebrate my legs during this year’s Dress Your Best.

My legs have always been “there” and I’ve rarely been that impressed with either their aesthetics or their extraordinary functionality. Unlike A., S., and L., I’m not a marathoner or a serious runner. I can’t say that my legs have carried me tremendous distances or that they’ve overcome great adversity. They’re kind of pale and kind of…normal.

But, since beginning biking last year, my legs have acquired greater value in my mind. It’s not because of their athletic prowess — because honestly I don’t really ride that far or that fast — but simply because they have allowed me to participate in an activity that my husband loves and that I, in turn, have come to really enjoy. My legs have taken me on many a bike date exploration of our city with N., with little e., and with visiting friends and relatives. It’s become our “thing” that we do…together. We bike to our respective jobs, to church, to the grocery store, to friends’ homes. And when I pulled out little e.’s trailer and hitched him up to my bike for a library run, all on my own accord, I think husband N. almost burst with pride.

So thanks, legs, for giving me the ability to spend a special kind of quality time with my family. You may not be hardcore or super long or super toned or super anything, but you’ve given me a great gift. And I’m celebrating you by wearing short shorts.

Usually it doesn’t take much for me to feel a little more evening appropriate, a little more fun, and very far from campus.  A quick switch of shoes, scarf, and bag and the addition on some jewelry can make all the difference.  During the day, the realities of running around campus and carrying a all my daily needs, mean I often opt for flats or boots and a large tote bag (usually my beloved Trubador tote from Crystalyn Kae):

So, to easily take this outfit up a few notches, I slip on my crinkled patten pumps, add a sparkly necklace, and freshen up my make up.  I also usually spruce up my hair a bit too.

Finally, I add a pashmina and a swap out the large tote for a sparkly clutch, just big enough for the evening essentials, and I’m ready to go!

Sometimes your daytime activity is just too different from your evening plans to make a these simple switches possible but for a quick transition, swapping and or adding accessories can easily take most ensembles from day to date-ready.

The easiest and most common switch for me is  a shoe switch.  While I do have a few pairs of go-to heels (and wedges) that I will wear to campus I’m never one to pick heels for a day or errands or for a non-teaching day on campus.  I think this makes slipping those heels on in the evening have a greater effect on transitioning my mood to date-ready.

Switching out my scarf is another common swap for me.  This is mostly because I have a large scarf collection and it’s an easy way to change the look of a outfit built of simple basics (my usual). For a transition from babysitting to a casual date, I traded my wellies for olive pumps, buttoned up my cardigan, added big earrings, and swapped out a bulky playful scarf for a dressier (but still bright and fun) silk scarf.

Sources:

• Dress: Olian Maternity, via consignment shop
• Camisole: Old Navy
• Gray belt: Old Navy
• Red wedges: Naturalizer, via DSW

End Notes:

It’s been a wild few days in our household, and this morning I just needed something easy to wear to campus. And this dress was easy…until it came time to choose my shoes for the day and I vacillated between brown wedges, cognac sandals, orange pumps, or red wedges. But, that got me thinking of all the ways that a seemingly “non-basic” dress can be subtly transformed through the most minimal of accessory changes. I didn’t do anything fancy with layering, I just swapped out shoes, belts, and jewelry (okay, and one hat) to create a range of looks that run the gamut from weekend casual to day-wedding ready. Do you have a favorite?

Farmer’s Market Visit:

• Hat: Banana Republic Factory
• Cut-out sandals: Jeffrey Campbell, via Gilt
• Cork bracelet: thrifted

Teaching Day, Take Two:

• Coral necklace: consignment shop
• Orange pumps: Dolce Vita

Date Night:

• Architectural wedges: Crown Royale Vintage, via DSW
• Earrings: Wet Seal
• Bracelet: gift from A.

For a Day Wedding:

• Feather necklace: Tilly Bloom
• Obi belt: from another dress
• Taupe wedges: Ralph Lauren, via Macy’s

The changes aren’t wildly dramatic, to be sure, but they’re enough to move between occasions and registers of formality. Weirdly, I am sometimes overwhelmed by the utter blank canvas-ness of a little black dress. But a “statement dress,” like this one, offers an unexpected prompt towards creativity. Oh, the things you can do with a bunch of good shoes!

Sources:

• Shirt: Ninety via Filene’s Basement
• Camisole: Banana Republic Outlet
• Necklace: made by my aunt
• Belt: mom’s closet
• Skirt: Juillet via Neiman Marcus
• Shoes: Crown Vintage via DSW

Endnotes:
Dear DSW,

Thank you for my $10 birthday month gift certificate. I bought these shoes and I love them.

Sincerely,

L.

But seriously, if you’re a shoe junkie like me and live near a DSW outlet then it is definitely worth signing up with them (and no I’m not being paid to say that – but I would accept payment in shoes if anyone reading this is from DSW!). I know rewards programs are really ploys to make you spend more money, but I love that DSW sends me gift cards in the mail to spend on shoes. Only shoes.

I bought these at the end of March and was envisioning this exact outfit when I was debating the purchase. I know that I’m about two years late on the oxfords trend, but that’s what happens when you only shop sale and clearance (with very rare exceptions). I like the contrast of traditional men’s pieces (oxford shoes and button down shirt) with the ultra femme floral and eyelet lace skirt. I was inspired by other bloggers like the lovely Monkeyface, who wears her oxfords with jeans, with skirts, and even with red socks! You should also check her out because she’s a talented photographer AND a witty writer AND has amazingly perfect hair. I think I have a bit of a blog-crush :)

In other news, last Thursday night my mother and I went to the Boston Ballet’s opening performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and let me tell you, it was spectacular (look at the video on their website for a glimpse)! The costumes, made of diaphanous chiffon, were gorgeous and ethereal. The music was mellifluous. The glittering wings on fairies and donkey head for the character Bottom were fine and delicate and in contrast bumbling and hilarious. It’s the first time I’ve actually laughed at the ballet! Also the first time I was sipping on champagne while watching – who knew you could do that?!

Sources:

• Dress: Banana Republic
• Belt: J. Crew
• Scarf: vintage (from mom)
• Shoes: vintage Calvin Klein (from mom)
• Purse: Lauren Merkin via Neiman Marcus (gift from mom)
• Necklace: from mom
• Ring: gift from mom

As for my attire, I had been trying to think of a way to wear this purple scarf (which my mom had bought at street market in Paris a million years ago), but the deep fringe stymied me and it seemed like it was not for everyday wear. For this more formal event I wanted to wear it over my shoulders, but didn’t want it just hanging loose down my front. The trick was to belt it and put the belt backwards so just the pink patent leather showed and the buckle was hidden behind the back.

It was a wonderful evening with my mom, and as you can see, I take much of my style sense – and much of my clothing, jewelry, and looks, for that matter – from her! Thanks mom, I love you!

So here is the last of my Banana Republic outfits – a casual yet fun look that I’d wear for drinks out with friends (were I not pregnant and able to drink…). This outfit started with those denim leggings I already raved about and an eye on this ruffle trimmed jacket. I knew I wanted a bright pop of color inbetween so I picked up this punchy coral top. I kept everything but the coral silk top in muted greens and blues and just let the coral do the talking. (This, by the way, is the same silk top that E. styled in navy here).

Although this outfit is pretty simple, I love all the details that make it special – the ruffle trim on the jacket, the lace trim on my cami, the darker silk trim on the coral top, and of course, the snakeskin clutch and awesome green leather platform wedges.

There is a lot of coral in Banana Republic’s Spring line and I for one love it. I bought the beautiful coral and navy scarf that A. styled in this outfit and have already worn it a bunch this week. I would have bought more from their Spring line if my body weren’t in a stage of (pregnancy) transition. As it is, it was fun to make outfits work for me in a non-maternity store despite my growing midsection. It’s how I’ve been approaching getting dressed with the things in my own closet – trying to make the most of non-maternity items by thinking creatively – and this experiment with a non-maternity capsule wardrobe at Banana Republic just served to remind me that I can do a lot with the things I already own at home from my pre-pregnancy days.

Here is where you can find the silk top, the jacket, the denim leggings, the t-strap wedges, and the clutch I wore.

The final two looks I prepared from the BR spring line fall neatly into the categories of “Teaching Outfit” and “Night without Grading” meaning, one of these I’d wear in my classroom and the other I’d wear when meeting my friends S., E., and A. out for drinks! The first look incorporates my two (new) favorite items: the stretchy flower belt and these little olive suede studded flats (neither of which is available online but this belt and these flats are similar, and these flats have the same flower as the belt on them, are equally adorable, and come in more colors in the store). The cropped jacket with a small ruffle and wider leg trousers dressed things up and the “Market Tote” was buttery soft and definitely could hold a day’s worth of books. I had first tried out the belting over a jacket look last week with a wide woven belt and blue blazer and I’m definitely a convert. I’d seen A., E., and S. do this before, but hadn’t tried it out myself until now.

Dinner Out?, originally uploaded by academichic.

This look, however, was fun, sleek, and definitely going-out-worthy. Had I not just recently stumbled into a few pairs of skinny jeans that I really like, I would have snapped these dark wash skinnies right up. The slight sparkle of the sweater (jacket?) and the skinny spike of these platform heels seemed evening appropriate and the soft silk edge of the tank and the cardigan played nicely off this bling-tastic necklace.

Sparkly!, originally uploaded by academichic.

So that’s it for my spring time inspirations from BR. A big thanks to the great sales people who allowed me to take photos in their store and helped me out! I know there has been some fruitful debate going on about this week of academichic playing dress-up with the BR spring line, and I hope that our readers have enjoyed seeing how we took new styles and brought our own aesthetic to some spring trends. Now we can rifle through our own closets with fresh eyes!

Sources:

• Cardigan – Banana Republic
• Petal Front Top – Banana Republic
• Jeans – Lola Skinny c/o Lucky Brand Jeans
• Pumps – Steve Madden Girl, via DSW
• Boots – Steve Madden Intyce, via ebay (below)
• Earrings – F21

Endnotes:

…I love these jeans!  I haven’t been shy about sharing my struggles in the denim department. So you know that I’ve tried many many kind of jeans with very little luck (yep, I’m still word playing).  When Lucky offered to send us each a pair of their Lola skinny jeans to review, I was skeptical.  Because of my history with jeans, I almost declined–girl, am I glad I didn’t!

I recently purchased another pair of skinny jeans that I will show you later, but having both of these pairs, I have come to realize that I don’t necessarily need one pair of jeans to fit every occasion.  I mean, I would never think to ask that of a pair of shoes, so why should I expect it of jeans.  While these might not be the jeans I would chose to wear while rolling around on the floor with kids or while doing manual labor (the rise passes the sit test but not the squat test), they are the perfect pair of jeans to wear with boots for coffee with friends or with heels for a date night.

Lucky Jeans w/ Boots, originally uploaded by academichic.

I think the dark wash (called rinse), the cut, and the thick denim combined with a bit of stretch make these jeans supper flattering on my legs and even my butt, without gapping at the waist.  They are the perfect length for my long legs and are skinny enough to tuck into jeans, but not so skin-tight that I’m self conscious wearing them with flats or heels. All in all, I’m a fan!

Lucky Brand Jeans, originally uploaded by academichic.

I paired the lovely Lola jeans with my new midnight blue cardigan and purple top – both Christmas gifts from my mom (L. has the same shirt in teal).  My mom also purchased the Steve Madden Intyce boots for me.  I love having a mom with great taste and a great sense of my personal style!
Now go check out the Lola Skinny at Lucky and tell your mom about them too!   A.

Lucky Brand Jeans, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

On A:

• Plaid Ruffle Shirt – Gap
• Black Pencil Skirt – Banana Republic
• Tights – BR Factory Store
• Pumps – Urban Outfitters

On L:

• Black Tuxedo-front Shirt – BR Factory Store
• Black Tank – American Eagle Arie
• Skinny Jeans – Target
• Croc Flats – Nine West
• Necklace – J Crew

Endnotes:

As you can probably guess from our background, these pictures were taken quite some time ago.  I’m behind on posts (30 for 30 conclusion still to come) and am trying to catch up on some things before Academichic celebrates a birthday next week!

My little sister L. flew into Academichic Central to spend a few days with A2 and I before making the drive with us to my parent’s house for the Holidays. We spent our time baking Christmas cookies, shopping for gifts, and laying around the house cracking each other up.  We took these photos before attending my department holiday party.  We could barely keep straight faces as A2 struggled to snap a few decent shots before we headed out the door.

After discarding several options, I finally settled on my old workhorse, my black BR pencil skirt, and a ruffly plaid button-down and threw on my currently-favorite pumps.  L. was working with a more limited selection, as she was living out of a suitcase.  She went with skinny jeans and a black tuxedo front shirt and added some bling with her large J Crew chain necklace.

Holiday Party w/ Sister L., originally uploaded by academichic.

But, before leaving, we of course had to try out eachother’s shoes.  I have been eying her adorable flats since this summer, and she has been jealous of my flannel pumps since she photographed my T-Day outfits the month before.  I loved how the high cone-shaped pumps made her legs look a mile long in her skinny jeans.  In the end, we quiickly switched our shoes back and took off for the party giggling as A2 pushed us out the door!

Thanks L. for an awesome visit!  I miss you already!  A.

Holiday Party w/ Sister L., originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Cardigan – Gap, gift from mother-in-law
• Striped Tank – J Crew
• Ponte Pants – Ann Taylor
• Grey Wedge Boots – Steve Madden, gift from Mom
• Necklace – gift from sister L.

Endnotes:

Happy Birthday E.!  I took these birthday-tribute photos last week while in Florida knowing that E. would be in Hawaii for her birthday.  I was also happy to have the opportunity to put together an E-inspired outfit that didn’t require several snow-proof layers!

3 January 2011, originally uploaded by academichic.

A couple of the items featured in this ensemble are exact duplicates of items in E.’s closet, while others are just close approximations. Like L., I have E. to thank for my obsession with the Ann Taylor ponte pant. She gushed about them for months and then finally convinced me to try a pair on.  I’ve taken much inspiration from the various ways she has remixed her pair (like as fantastically fun supermom pants, or as perfectly polished teacher pants).  I received my grey wedge boots for Christmas, just a few week’s after E. scored her’s on ebay, so they were an easy choice.  But, they also seemed appropriate because I so clearly remember the first time I pointed out the Steve Madden Intyce boots to E. while we were grabbing coffee/tea before seminar.  It seems like so long ago and it makes me smile to think about how much our friendship has grown over the past 4 plus years, yet we still love to talk about much of the same things — modern art, feminism, balancing professional and personal life, identity politics, and good shoes!

Necklace and stripes, originally uploaded by academichic.

Stripes are perhaps one of my signature looks, but this particular black and white stripe tank makes me think of E.  I love both her striped tank, which she wore quite a bit this past summer,  and her black and white striped tee, which she has rocked many a times, including several times during her 30 for 30.  I’ve always been a bit covetous of E.’s signature bauble necklace, so I was very excited to receive this necklace for Christmas.  Now, the big stretch for me in this outfit is the open drapey cardigan.  E. is always encouraging me to “surrender the waist” every once in a while and I love this cardigan precisely because it reminds me of something E. would wear unbelted and loose.  Overall, I was hoping to pull together something that looked effortless, chic, and just a little bit edgy.

E., you are one of my dearest friends and we have seen each other through some huge professional and personal hurdles and triumphs!  I’m looking forward to sharing so many more of life’s great events with you and feel so lucky to have you (and your family) as a regular fixture in my life!  I love you!  A.

3 January 2011, originally uploaded by academichic.