academichic

23 of 30, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Sweater Dress – Old Navy
• Belt – Target
• Tights – Target
• Boots – Banana Republic, via ebay
• Scarf – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

Yep, it’s a new year and I am still posting 30 for 30 outfits!  I took a much needed and much enjoyed break from the internet these past few weeks.  I read emails on my iphone but answered very very few and did not crack my laptop for 10 straight days. So, today I’m posting some pretty old pictures and on Tuesday I’ll post a few more to finally wrap up this exercise (tomorrow, I’ll be posting a special date-sensitive outfit).

23 of 30, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 of 30, originally uploaded by academichic.

24 of 30, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Shirt – Urban Outfitters
• Skirt – J Crew
• Tights – BR Factory Store
• Pumps – Urban Outfitters
• Earrings – gift from E.

Endnotes:

I loved this outfit in theory and in person, but don’t love the way it cam out in the pictures… so, you will just have to trust me that this lumber-jack-meets-secretary look worked!

24 of 30, originally uploaded by academichic.

I chose this outfit to premier my new favorite earrings – a gift from E.  I absolutely adore these green glass tree earrings and multiple people have complimented me on them and commented that they are “so you.” Which, is exactly what E. claimed when she gave them to me.  I’m not sure if E. made this connection or not, but these earrings were such a special gift to me because they remind me so much of the wedding invitations E. designed for A2 and me.  I’m giving you a little glimpse of them below.  Thank you E. for a beautiful reminder of an earlier beautiful gift!

Earrings from E., originally uploaded by academichic.

When I wore this outfit, just one day later than outfit 23, it was much much colder. I wore my wellies with wool socks to walk around campus and carried my pumps in my bag.

24 0f 30 – Outerwear, originally uploaded by academichic.

25 of 30, originally uploaded by academichic.

Endnotes:

This simple ensemble of skinny jeans, ruffle tank, cardigan, and of course my beloved wool pumps was worn to an end-of-semester happy hour.

Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and was able to recuperate as much as I did!

29 December – TDM Milli Zebra Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Shirt: Banana Republic
• Pencil Skirt: BR
• Scarf: Napali by TDM Designs
• Belt: American Apparel
• Stockings (under): Calvin Klein
• Fishnets: Gucci
• Boots: vintage Charles David

Endnotes:
Hi all! Like E. said, I’ve also been home relaxing and enjoying time with family and friends (and fighting off a string of illnesses as well, unfortunately). I’ve mostly been sporting a variety of jeans and sweaters, and now that New England is covered in over a foot of snow, I’ve only ventured out in serious boots and a down jacket! However, I did manage to get out for an evening Boxing Day party on Sunday (I’m half Canadian, so part of my family celebrates the feast day of St. Stephen as well as Christmas). I knew I wanted to wear this infinity scarf by Napali by TDM Designs looped around my neck because the cashmere is light as a feather and soft as silk. The fun zebra print (which is actually brown) and the golden background are two features I do not usually embrace in my wardrobe, but I’m trying to give both prints and yellow a shot and this outfit worked well for me.

29 December – Scarf as Wrap, originally uploaded by academichic.

Because the infinity scarf is so wide — 22 inches — I also tried this as a shrug of sorts and decided to use my sparkly yellow pin as a clasp. Although much more subtle than the top of my outfit I also chose a purple belt and fishnets to layer over stockings to bring in some complementary colors and liven things up. The boots were a must due to weather as well as warmth. That’s all for now. Check back later this week for a potential New Years Eve outfit!

29 December – Scarf as Wrap back, originally uploaded by academichic.

(Full Disclosure: I arranged this outfit while still on campus during my end of term photo shoot, hence the wooded background!)

In Which I Resemble a Christmas Ornament, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Sweater: Forever 21
• Earrings: gift from Philippines
• Belt: Target
• Skirt: refashioned from a Wet Seal dress
• Tights: costume store
• Wedges: MIA via DSW

End Notes:

I actually did go to a party with professors this weekend! But after already photographing some holiday party looks, the shine had worn off a bit, leaving me looking through my closet for an outfit that assimilated my favorite parts of all three theoretical looks.

This resulting outfit brings together a full skirt, a bright tight, and a fun shoe into one festive package. I probably should have added more accessories besides little earrings, but since I knew I would be spending part of the night chasing baby e. around, I decided to take a more minimal approach and let my tights bring the bulk of the holiday cheer.

Lest you think me so brave for wearing these tights to a department party, let me assure you that I had to give myself a pep talk before hand: “Self, you have met every department expectation this year. Tonight you show them that you are your own woman.”

I don’t know if that’s exactly the message that got across. I received a lot of, “Oh, how festive!” comments, and as I was leaving the party one professor told me that I looked like a Christmas ornament in my “wonderful skirt and amazing shoes and those red socks.” I’m just going to take that as: you look like you’re celebrating.

And I was.

In Which I Resemble a Christmas Ornament, originally uploaded by academichic.

It’s that time of year again when holiday parties abound and seasonal social events give us the opportunity to break out the sparkles, satin, and sequins. However, tailoring an outfit to the appropriate formality of the gathering can be challenging. E., A., and L. decided to put together some outfits that could work for the holiday parties we’ll be attending (or at least imagining attending!).

Cocktails with Colleagues:

Cocktails with Colleagues, originally uploaded by academichic.

On E.:

• Sweater: Banana Republic
• Skirt: made from Wet Seal dress
• Belt: thrifted
• Tights: Target
• Booties: Steve Madden via DSW
• Scarf: vintage store in Chattanooga

On L.:

• Dress (as tunic): Sweetees
• Pants: Anne Taylor
• Belt: Betsey Johnson via Filene’s Basement
• Shoes: Steve Madden via DSW

On A.:

• Ruffle Tank: J Crew
• Blazer: Express
• Jeans: Banana Republic
• Pumps: Seychelles
• Brooch: Vintage Threads, etsy

Endnotes:
Meeting up with friends is a more common event, but the holiday season is a great reason for jazzing up an outfit more than you might normally. As you can see, each of us is wearing a little more sparkle than usual. E. pairs her full black skirt and sweater with more dramatic lace tights and booties and tops it off with a golden scarf. L. takes her black ponte pants up a notch by wearing this grey and silver sequined dress as a tunic of sorts and a patent leather belt and heels complete the look. A. plays with textures and wears a rich velvet blazer over a ruffled shirt and denim jeans. Teal shoes add a little pop of color, and she uses a sparkly brooch to keep the blazer in place.

Party with Professors:

Party with Professors, originally uploaded by academichic.

On E.:

• Blazer: Forever 21
• Blouse: Forever 21
• Skirt: Gap
• Tights: Target
• Booties: Steve Madden

On L.:

• Shirt: Banana Republic Outlet
• Dress: Banana Republic
• Belt: Betsey Johnson
• Stockings: Calvin Klein via Filene’s Basement
• Shoes: Steve Madden

On A.:

• Shirt: Anne Taylor
• Belt: F21
• Skirt: Banana Republic
• Tights: Target
• Pumps: Steven Madden Girl

End Notes:
Cocktail parties with professors or bosses can be especially hard to navigate since the level of formality is ambiguous and outfits tend to be a little more conservative while also festive. Short skirts and low tops should probably be shelved in this situation, but style and fun need not be! E. uses a shirt with cascading ruffles and textured tights to accent her more structured black jacket and full crinkly navy skirt. A. too mixes black with navy pairing a more casual blue embellished T and tights with her black satin-banded skirt and shiny patent belt. L. breaks all the “rules” of redheaded style by wearing a bright red bubble dress. What you might not realize is that this dress is strapless, but belting a tailored black shirt over it makes this look more understated (and less prone to wardrobe malfunctions!).

Dinner with Donors:

Dinner with Donors, originally uploaded by academichic.

On A.:

• Dress: J. Crew (customized by E.)
• Belt: sister’s closet
• Tights: BR Factory Store
• Pumps: Madden Girl via DSW
• Necklace: borrowed from E.

On L.:

• Dress: vintage (thrifted)
• Belt: Betsey Johnson
• Stockings: Calvin Klein
• Shoes: Steve Madden
• Necklace: gift

On E.:

• Dress: Banana Republic
• Belt: borrowed from A.
• Tights: Target
• Booties: Steve Madden

End Notes:
While we don’t often have reason to dress up to this extent, it is still fun to imagine going to a holiday fete at a museum or dinner at the chancellor’s house. A. “winterizes” the beautiful (and customized!) dress she wore to her autumn wedding party by adding grey tights, a black belt with sparkly buckle, and black patent shoes. A statement necklace of several strands of grey beads draws attention to the lovely neckline of the dress as well. E. also plays with a dramatic neckline in this one-shouldered satiny magenta dress. Geometric textured tights, booties, and a simple belt add more structured elements to the delicate and diaphanous material of the dress. L. embraces the 2010 trends of jewel tones and lace in this vintage sapphire colored dress layered with shimmering lace. A wide patent belt creates a defined waist, and a simple necklace accentuates the scooped neckline while highlighting her collarbone.

As always, we don’t pretend to be experts on this! What will you be wearing to your holiday parties this year?

To The Nutcracker, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Skirt – Banana Republic
• Sweater – Banana Republic
• Ruffle Tank – J Crew
• Tights – BR Factory Store + Gift from S.
• Necklace – Vintage brooch on chain
• Clutch – gift from S.
• Earrings – American Eagle
• Bracelet – gift from S.

• Velvet Blazer – Limited (pictured below)
• Pashmina – clothing swap (pictured below)

Endnotes:

First, congratulations to our first giveaway winner!

As I mentioned on Friday, A2 and I got to see a top rate production of the Nutcracker this weekend.  It was magical!  We use to have this VHS of the ballet that we would all watch around this time of year when I was a kid, but I had never seen it live.  I am a sucker for the holiday season.  I love Santa, Christmas trees, baking cookies, twinkling lights, stockings, the mixing smells of cinnamon and pine, snow, presents (given and received), the break from school, and of course getting dressed up!

To The Nutcracker, originally uploaded by academichic.

This is essentially the same outfit I wore the last time A2 and I had theater tickets.  I know this might be cheating to count it as another of my 30 outfits, but I did change up all the accessories, including clutch, tights, jewelry, belt, and outerwear.  I wanted to wear something fancy but also a little playful.  The full satin trimmed skirt mixed with ruffles, two finishes of patent leather, layered pattern tights, velvet, and a fair dose of sparkle hit that mark for me!

Last week someone asked what we do for outerwear, so I’m going to try and show you outerwear every once in a while (it doesn’t usually change that much).  For the Nutcracker I pulled out this rarely-worn and surprisingly warm velvet blazer and a soft black and grey pashmina. I made do without a hat and gloves for the evening.

A.

To The Nutcracker – Outerwear, originally uploaded by academichic.

For our first Friday Study Break Giveaway of the season, enter to win this fabulous Sequin Front Top from Fashion to Figure. We think this dramatic piece would look great with a pair of skinny jeans and heels for a Holiday Party with colleagues!

To enter check out Fashion to Figure, including their plus size dresses, and leave us a comment letting us know what you would choose to sport to a holiday party. For a second chance to win, leave us a separate comment telling us about your funniest, most embarrassing, or most memorable work or school holiday party story!

You must enter to win by Sunday night at Midnight US Central Time. We will randomly select and announce a winner on Monday morning. Good Luck!

A’s Thanksgiving Day Option 1., originally uploaded by academichic.

A.’s Thanksgiving Outfit Option 2, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Option 1 (#12):

• Top – BR Factory (dress worn as top)
• Skirt – Gap
• Belt – Old Navy
• Navy Tights – Target
• Shoes – Steve Madden Girl, via DSW

Option 2 (#13):

• Skirt – BR Factory Store (Dress worn as skirt)
• Sweater – Banana Republic
• Belt – New York & Co.
• Navy Tights – Target
• Olive Pumps – Urban Outfitters
• Earrings – Gift
• Chocolate Pumpkin Pie – Made by me!

Endnotes:

Packing for a few days at my parents house was so easy with the limited 30 for 30 wardrobe.  I decided this was the perfect time to plan on remixing several elements throughout my stay.  I’ll share more pictures from the weekend tomorrow.

I knew I wanted to wear this leaf print dress on Thanksgiving and I knew I wanted to wear it as something other than a dress! I had these two options in mind but no time to try them on, so I threw all the elements into my Tom Bihn and figured I would make the final outfit decision with the help of a few sisters.

It’s that time of year when professional and personal lives blend a little more than usual thanks to the ritual of department holiday parties. Like last year, we’ll be brainstorming ideas to wear to a range of possible events, but one of our readers wrote in with a more time-sensitive request:

This is my first semester in the masters program and one of the profs (not from my department) is having a little “Dessert party” for this class because everyone is staying in the area for Thanksgiving.  It’s very nice of this gentleman to do this for us students.  However, what to wear?!  It will be casual held at his house and with all my classmates.

We think that you actually have quite a bit of creative freedom in this scenario, and a lot depends on your own sense of what constitutes “casual” and the general feel of your campus. Two things to consider when it comes to mingling with professors and colleagues-that-aren’t-close-friends in a casual setting:

» Read the rest of this entry «

14 November 2010 – Date Night, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Wrap Sweater – Banana Republic
• Black Skirt – Banana Republic
• Grey Ruffle Tank – J Crew
• Tights – HUE
• Shoes – Steve Madden Girl, via DSW
• Earrings – F21

Endnotes:

A2 and I bought theater tickets for last night months ago, so I knew when picking my 30 items to remix, I would need some items that could be easily dressed up.  I love this full, black, wool-crepe, skirt with satin trim — but rarely wear it.  I’m not sure what my mental block on it is.  I decided adding it to the remix would force me to figure out ways to wear it.

For my date night at the theater, I paired it with a wrap sweater, ruffle top, bold earrings,  and these fabulously whimsical HUE tights:

HUE Floral Tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’ve been finding it such a challenge to get pictures taken since daylights savings.  I actually got all dolled up well before I needed to, just so I could squeeze a couple pictures in before the sun completely disappeared.  As is, I ended up mostly with washed out flash pictures or blurry long-exposure pictures.

The pay off?  Daylights savings helps with my morning productivity (my most productive time already) so I had all three of my fellowship applications turned in yesterday morning, well before our date night!

14 November 2010 – Date Night, originally uploaded by academichic.

14 November 2010 – Poppy, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Tunic: Tucker for Target
• Belt: Gap Outlet
• Skinnies: Ann Taylor
• Wedges: thrifted
• Wooden hoop earrings: Wet Seal

End Notes:

Last night, in a well-calculated bid to keep me loose before my qualifying exam tomorrow night, my husband took me to see one of our favorite musical artists perform. (Hint: the name starts with a metal, ends with an alcohol.) It seemed like an appropriate moment to debut this Tucker for Target tunic that I grabbed off of the clearance rack a week or two ago.

Purchasing this tunic actually broke one of my general rules-of-thumb for shopping at Target: don’t buy “signature” pieces at Target. This is less about shopping wisdom and more about my run of bad fashion doppelgänger luck. I showed up to my senior banquet wearing the same dress as another girl (thanks, Ross Dress for Less) and once I wore a jersey halter dress from Target to a wedding, only to realize upon arrival that I was wearing the same dress (albeit in a different color) than the bridesmaids. Oops.

14 November 2010 – Back, originally uploaded by academichic.

In any case, the lure of this bright orange, red, and turquoise print was too much for me to resist. It’s almost obnoxiously bold, but I love the whimsy of the poppies, the unexpected elbow length sleeves, and the fun little ruffled back. Because, yes, it’s “supposed” to be worn with the ruffled “v” in in the back.

And did I mention its levitating qualities? I love clothes that are so fantastic they defy gravity.

14 November 2010 – Levitating, originally uploaded by academichic.

It’s pieces like this one that make regimented remixing fun for me. I’m wearing it in a most basic fashion here, but what happens when I spin it around and pair it with a big necklace? What can I layer over it? Or under it? Hopefully, this will be tunic will be popping up in unexpected places over the rest of my 30 for 30.