13 March 2010 – Flower Power

Posted on | March 13, 2010 | 6 Comments

13 March 2010 – Flower Power, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Pale pink top – TJMaxx
• Blue cardi – H&M
• Flower belt – really old J.Crew, hand me down
• Striped skirt – Talbots
• Floral tights – H&M
• Gray wedges – Report, via Solestruck.com

Endnotes:

I couldn’t let Tights Week pass without pulling out my crazy floral tights. I got these this past winter and only wore them once because they’re somewhat of a tough item to style, but I stand by them nonetheless and think they are pretty fabulous. They’re just so crazy and fun and colorful, so practicality be damned.

Last time I wore them, I timidly paired them with an all black outfit. They’re so loud that I was afraid to add any other color or pattern, fearing the whole outfit would spiral out of control and into bright clown territory. But I think the black was actually too harsh and did more harm than good. One insightful reader suggested I try lighter neutrals, so that was my starting point this time around. This pinstriped skirt appears almost like a pale gray and the pale pink top, while not technically a neutral, serves the same purpose a beige or off-white top might do. With a base of light colors grounding the outfit, I took the plunge and added some brighter touches.

Flower belt, originally uploaded by academichic.

Pattern mix, originally uploaded by academichic.

Not only did I try color this time – bright blue cardi, coral flower belt buckle – but I even ventured into pattern mixing territory (pinstripe and floral). While this may sound like a recipe for disaster, I actually think this works much better than my ’safe’ all-black version. What do you think? How else would you wear these tights? S.

13 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

12 March 2010 – Sisters in Harlem

Posted on | March 12, 2010 | 14 Comments

(from left to right)

On L.:

• Dress: Ann Taylor Loft
• Scarf: borrowed from P.
• Bag: Forever 21
• Patterned tights: Anthropologie, gift from Mom
• Boots: Banana Republic

On P.:

• Top: H&M
• Skirt: Gap
• Tights: Anthropologie, borrowed from L.
• Shoes: Vaneli, borrowed from Mom
• Bag: Coach, hand me down from Mom
• Denim moto jacket: Zara, borrowed from Mom

On H.:

• Coat: Ann Taylor Outlet
• Dress: Ann Taylor Loft
• Wine cardigan: Target
• Belt: borrowed from Mom
• Gray tights: Banana Republic
• Boots: DSW
• Bag: Target

On E.:

• Scarf: Anthropologie
• Denim trench: adopted from sister-in-law P.
• Tights: Celeste Stein, gift from MIL
• Boots: Steve Madden, via eBay

(underneath)

• Navy dress: Target
• Gray blazer: C&C

End Notes:

Baby e. and I are in New York for a few days, visiting my sister-in-law P. Mom-in-law and the two other sisters-in-law are here too, and we’re having a grand old time shopping, seeing the Whitney Biennial, catching a show on Broadway, eating excellent food, and just wandering about town. I had warned my sisters ahead of time that this week would be tights week at Academichic, and I knew that they would all have some great tights-based looks to share.

And I was right. Click through the jump for individual shots, details, and a gratuitous shot of baby e.

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Experimenting with Tights and Peep-Toes

Posted on | March 11, 2010 | 14 Comments

Experimenting with Tights and Peep-Toes, originally uploaded by academichic.

• Tan Cardigan – Banana Republic
• Grey Tee – Banana Republic
• Scarf – Old Navy
• Brown Cord Skirt – Old Navy

• Grey Tights – BR Outlet
• Brown Lace Tights – Gift from S.
• Brown Ribbed Tights – Talbots
• Pink Peep-Toes – Seychelles, via DSW
• Brown Peep-Toe Wedges – Steve Madden, via DSW
• Navy Peep-Toes – Off Broadway

Some things I learned along the way:

• tights with toes that match the pattern of the rest of the tights work best
• your bright toe nail polish will show through thinner tights
• any combination is worth a shot

First for the navy peep-toes – I think these rather dressy navy shoes just don’t work with the rest of this outfit, so for me, it wasn’t a fair test.  I tried them with brown and grey tights and liked the way the shoes worked with both tights but not so much with the overall ensemble.

I tried these lightly ribbed brown tights with all three pairs of peep-toes and (aside from the Navy) I think these tights are the safest but also the most boring option.  They looked better with the pop of pink, but I still didn’t love the brown corduroy skirt on brown corduroy-like tights. I would wear either of these, but do to a bit of experimenting, I now know there are more fun options!

Pink with brown tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

Brown with brown tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

One such fun option…

I’ve had these lacey brown tights for a while now (thanks S.) but unfortunately they don’t get much wear, because I’m never quite sure how to use them.  I initially thought the brown lace tights with pink peep-toes would be a ridiculous combination, but I was pleasantly surprised.  I still think its a bit too busy for my tastes and don’t know that I would actually wear it, but I do wonder how it would look with a different skirt.

Pink with lace tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

Like with the ribbed brown tights, I felt the brown lace tights with the brown wedges made for just too much brown, but would again give this a try with another skirt or dress.

Brown with lace tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

My favorite combinations came from the grey tights.  I pulled these out mostly because I thought they would make the best pairing with the navy shoes, but loved the look with both the brown wedges and the pink pumps.  I like that the grey is a different color form the skirt, breaking up all that brown, and that it picks up on the grey tee and the dark grey in the scarf.

Brown with grey tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

The grey tights with brown wedges felt the most me (a mix of neutrals) but I went for the pink with grey because I love these shoes and don’t wear the nearly enough!

Which is your favorite?  A.

Pink with grey tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

11 March 2010

Posted on | March 11, 2010 | 9 Comments

11 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Striped top – Ralph Lauren, hand me down
• Sweater – J.Crew
• Brown tank – ON
• Purple cord skirt – American Eagle
• Black thermal tights – from Romania
• Knee socks – Target
• Boots – Dillards
• Bag – thrifted

Endnotes:

While we all three are quite quick to ditch the tights and throw on knee socks with boots at the slightest rise in temperature, we don’t very often experiment with the socks over tights and with boots look. Which is a shame, since I’m finding this option to not only add warmth but also a fun pop of color to a simple black pair of tights. Last winter, I had many more colorful and patterned pairs of tights to play with but most of those got stuck somewhere in storage during my move and I was reluctant to invest in more than just a few basic pairs in neutrals for this season. But I’ve found that even a simple black pair can be considerably spruced up with the addition of a pop of color from a pair of knee socks. (And they can also be used for a wee bit of pattern mixing as is the case with the stripes and floral example below).

For this look, I layered a pair of mustard colored socks to play off the deep purple of the skirt, creating a muted complimentary color pairing. While I rarely wear purple and yellow in their crayon box variety together, I’ve learned from E, that slightly muted or saturated versions of the complimetaries can create beautiful combinations together.

Layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

Layers II, originally uploaded by academichic.

I also like how the mustard yellow echoes the color of the oversized wood buttons of the sweater, bringing the top and bottom of this outfit together through this shared color match. And all aesthetic reasons aside, adding knee socks over tights is really just so practical when you’re trudging through snow in cold temperatures and need to keep those feet warm and toasty. S.

11 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

3 March 2009

Posted on | March 4, 2010 | 6 Comments

3 March 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

17 July 2009 – Playing Catch Up, originally uploaded by academichic.

Cardigan Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’ll also say something about tights here, since the weather may not cooperate with tights week (not that I am complaining by any means!!).  Reader DJ asked how I managed to wear my denim skirt over tights with out the skirt riding up.  I often layer my denim and corduroy over tights and I never wear a slip.  Unfortunately, my only advice is to test it out.  I have found that some tights/skirt combinations work well, while others don’t at all.  These grey tights seem to work under everything and I think it is their medium texture – that is, they are not too smooth and shiny but also are not as textured as say my sweater tights.

3 March 2010

Posted on | March 3, 2010 | 19 Comments

3 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Ruffled cardigan: Ann Taylor
• Leaf print top: H&M
• Trousers: Banana Republic
• Pumps: Madden Girl, via DSW
• Belt: thrifted

End Notes:

Like A., I was inspired by S.’s cardi pattern mixing and wanted to try some of my own. Unfortunately, I don’t actually own a patterned cardigan. (And I’m taking suggestions for one to add to my wardrobe this spring.)

I have, however, recently acquired this putty colored ruffle front cardigan from an Ann Taylor clearance rack. Ruffled and embellished cardigans remain popular for spring* and in some ways they can function much like a subdued pattern might, adding just a bit of visual interest and texture. So while it might be tempting to let the ruffles take center stage, they also provide a friendly baby-step into pseudo-pattern mixing.

3 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Despite the constrained color palette, I like how punchy this combination ended up being: soft ruffles against graphic black and white leaves. (I did belt the cardigan with to give a little more shape and even out the proportions of my epically long torso. Plus, introducing one more texture — leather — seemed like a good idea.)

I had a bit of a dilemma over whether or not to tuck the leaf print top into my pants or not. One the one hand, I like the more relaxed feel of the untucked top, and it allowed more of the pattern to be visible. On the other hand, tucking it in makes for a longer leg line, which I enjoy.

Have you embraced embellished cardigans?** How do you wear yours?

3 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

* At least, so says my unofficial perusing of J Crew and Anthropologie, an admittedly limited style sample. But whatever.

** If you’re unsure, stay tuned for a DIY post in the next few days explaining how you can make your own embellished cardi on the cheap.

2 March 2010

Posted on | March 3, 2010 | 24 Comments

2 March 2010 – Cardi, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Cardi – TJMaxx
• Lace top worn backwards – Maurices
• Jeans – Filene’s Basement
• Boots – Dillards
• Bracelets – Big Lots
• Earrings – made by me

Endnotes:

The generous folk over at Maurices recently sent us a few gift cards, one of which we gave away to you a while back, and three which were for us to redeem for something of our choice. Not having a Maurices in Germany, I tucked away my gift card until my trip home, when I was finally able to go to their store and pick something out.

Until recently, I really wasn’t too familiar with Maurices, but I was really pleasantly surprised to walk into their store and find so many things that appealed to me: professional yet stylish blazers and jackets, many beautiful drapey cardigans, fun evening tops, and pretty accessories. Their prices are comparable to those of H&M, Forever 21, or Zara’s, and they carry everything from smalls to cute plus- size clothing. I chose a few tops and jackets to try on eventually narrowed it down to this green lacey top I got and this pink ruffled evening top, that would have also made a fun addition to my wardrobe. I chose the green lacey top because I think I can get more mileage out of it, particularly since it lends itself to being worn backwards (as I did here – with the lace in the front) or the intended way, with the lacey embellishment in the back.

2 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Lace detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

Before deciding to wholeheartedly recommend Maurices to you, I came home and did what any decent scholar would do – I researched the company I was about to endorse…

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1 March 2010

Posted on | March 1, 2010 | 15 Comments

1 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Teal cardigan: Anthropologie, gift from MIL
• Green jersey dress: Gap Outlet
• Brown tights: HUE
• Oxford booties: Civico10, via DSW

End Notes:

I’m starting off our week of Cardigan Fashion 101 with a non-standard cardigan: this floaty, drapey number in a gorgeous color that was a gift from my mother-in-law. It’s actually a fairly versatile piece as those long dangling bits can be tied in the front, back, or even behind the neck to create different shapes.

But today I’m using it to share one of my favorite uses for longer length (i.e. over the hip) cardigans: wearing it over a dress. I don’t think there’s a magic ratio of cardigan to dress that makes this combination work, but there should be enough of a difference between hemlines so that it looks intentional rather than sloppy. The benefits of this pairing are manifold.

First, there’s the obvious warmth-adding factor:

Second, a longer cardi over a patterned dress can help control a bold print.

Third, it gives you something to do with those very long cardigans that can sometimes look like bathrobes when worn over jeans.

Fourth — and my favorite — by belting the cardigan in place with a gap between the edges you can create a long visual line that is oh so slimming.

Perhaps because the longer cardi is a trendier shape, it also keeps the dress + cardigan combination — which admittedly has the potential to veer into stodgy territory — feeling a bit more modern. Especially when it’s in a fun color. Thanks, mom-in-law!

How do you wear your longer cardigans? Do you have a rule of thumb for layering them over dresses or top+skirt pairings?

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.

25 February 2010

Posted on | February 25, 2010 | 17 Comments

25 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Jacket: Banana Republic Factory
• Top: thrifted
• Scarf as belt: courtesy of Echo Design
• Pants: Old Navy
• Pumps: Madden Girl, DSW

End Notes:

If our scarf month has made anything clear to me, it’s that I my collection was missing a good, patterned silk scarf. I say “was,” because the good folks at Echo Design graciously sent us some scarves to play with, including this long, narrow estate scrolls scarf. At first glance it may seem like a surprising choice for me, but I love the stylized, swirling vines and I think the red and tan color combination will actually prove surprisingly versatile.

Especially for renewed attempts at pattern mixing.

25 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

I actually really love how these patterns look together — the geometric diamonds with the more organic scrolls — and the color combination is classic as well. I’m excited to try this scarf out in other iterations, including as a “blouse” under a blazer or cardigan.

Finally, I’ve loved readings everyone’s comments on A.’s post about dressing for different audiences and identity groups. As you can probably tell from my post about dressing to announce a cultural affinity back in January and Sally’s guest post on style and the social self, this is a big, recurring question that we all return to frequently. And yet, there’s always more to say!

25 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

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Three feminist PhD candidates at a Midwest university, on a crusade against the ill-fitting polyester suit of academic yore.

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