1 September 2010 – Punchy Prep

Posted on | September 1, 2010 | 13 Comments

1 September 2010 – Punchy Prep, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Knit blazer: C&C
Blue tee: Forever 21
Belt: thrifted
Skirt: thrifted
Shoes: Dolce Vita, c/o Solestruck

End Notes:

Yesterday was my university’s first day of classes. And guess what? I wasn’t on the student side of the classroom this time. Like Tania of What Would a Nerd Wear, I finished my PhD coursework in the spring, and now the only classes I’ll be present at this semester are ones where I’ll be on the teaching side of things. (My teaching assistant responsibilities cycle through observing the large-scale lecture and then teaching my own, smaller groups of students.)

My perennial outfit “concept” for the first day of school is one that mixes professionalism with little unexpected punches. I wanted to look put-together and competent, but not stuffy or preppy. I started with a very traditional color palette of pale blue, khaki, and gray, but kept things fresh by wearing a soft tee rather than a button down, a knit — rather than woven — blazer, a skinny belt, and, oh yes, orange pumps. Ironically, two of my male colleagues were wearing pale blue oxford shirts on their first day as well.

But no one else was wearing orange shoes. I had the corner on that market.

1 September 2010 – Punchy Prep, originally uploaded by academichic.

So here’s the other thing. Especially after reading the comments on a recent Chronicle of Higher Ed piece on professor “hotness” and dress (you should also read La Historiadora de Moda’s response) and L.’s admission that she’s “easing” her colleagues into her style, I also felt much more self-conscious this year about how the other teaching assistants (particularly my female colleagues) perceived me. I also didn’t want to come off as “trying too hard” or “showing them up.” But of course, not matter how carefully we try to craft a message through how we dress, we are not ultimately in control of how our attire is interpreted.

For me, a missing component in that Chronicle piece on “hot professors” — and something brought up by some commentators — was the role of gender, ethnicity, age, and even sexual orientation in how professors are perceived. As I’ve said before on this blog, bodies are never neutral and the fact that I’m relatively young, slim, and female already affects how I’m perceived, even before you take clothing into account.

On the other hand, all the above equivocations and ruminations aside, it’s really, really hard to be uncertain about yourself when you’re wearing an orange shoe. To paraphrase the inimitable La Historiadora de Moda, orange shoes do not make me mighty, but they remind me that I’m mighty, not meek.

1 September 2010 – Punchy Prep, originally uploaded by academichic.

(And don’t forget to check plenty of other great back-to-school looks at the Fashionable Academics!)

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?

25 August 2010

Posted on | August 26, 2010 | 17 Comments

25 August 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Mustard cardigan: Target
Ruffle top: Target
Belt: thrifted
Earrings-turned-brooches: thrifted
Ring: c/o Lala B
Skirt: Banana Republic Factory
Shoes: Lauren by Ralph Lauren, via Macy’s

End Notes:

Yesterday I led a question-and-answer session for new TA’s in the humanities at my university. I actually always find these beginning of the year, transitional summer-to-fall events difficult to dress for. I want to look competent but not stuffy, approachable but purposeful.

Ultimately, I ended up with an outfit comprised of pieces from multiple different “registers” of formality that — I think — still formed a coherent whole. I started out with my denim pencil skirt: a classic shape in a casual fabric. Then, I softened it up with a draping, ruffled top (originally used as a maternity top!). But then I added structure to the drape with a skinny belt that almost disappears in the gray froth and a cropped cardigan. I finished everything off with some “shiny” for polish: a chunky cocktail ring, enamel floral earrings used as mini brooches, and patent taupe wedges.

25 August 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Caylin Wedge, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, originally uploaded by academichic.

When I write it all out like that it sounds really complicated, but it actually came together very organically. That might be because in a lot of ways this is a reiteration of my monochrome olive outfit a few days ago. (I’m not concerned, though, since I’ve been steeping myself in critiques of the bourgeois notion of originality, ala Rosalind Krauss via Walter Benjamin. Ah, qualifying exams.) And besides, I’d call this a revision rather than an imitation.

Do you have a secret for stylish dressing in this transitional period between summer and fall?

25 August 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 August 2010 – Rainy Days and Mondays

Posted on | August 23, 2010 | 14 Comments

23 August 2010 – Rainy Days and Mondays, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

T-shirt: American Apparel
Skirt: Calvin Klein Outlet
Belt: Old Navy Outlet
Shoes: Madden Girl via DSW

Endnotes:
One final post regarding our color wheel challenge. Since I had been putting this outfit together in my head for days, I wanted to share my monochrome blue-green ensemble. This outfit is very simple, but with the addition of a belt and heeled shoes it manages to look polished despite the easy T and skirt combo. This is another one of my super girl-y feeling skirts because it moves so well. It is surprisingly heavy since the pleating hides where several panels of material are added and you can’t see the many inner layers that help give it such a swishing motion. I was determined to get a picture of this skirt in mid-twirl, and I seriously almost fell over from dizziness at the end of this photo series! Oh, the things we do for Academichic.

23 August 2010 – Twirl!, originally uploaded by academichic.

The belt you might recognize as the same as E’s and A’s (although hers is teal) and it is one of the workhorses of my wardrobe. I wear a lot of grey and grey goes with everything, so the purchase of a stretchy grey belt was a necessity for me. I used to be very wary of mixing neutrals including metallics, so the brass buckle made me a little anxious. However, thanks to my co-bloggers I’ve realized that things like that don’t matter very much and I can still wear silver jewelry despite the color of my buckle. These shoes were also a major addition to my wardrobe this year and have proven very useful. I like the small heel because they are comfy enough that I can wear them all day, but give me a little height and my legs a little length.

23 August 2010 – Grey, originally uploaded by academichic.

It has taken some adjustment, but I’m getting used to how delightfully cool the weather can be in New England even in summer – I’ve taken to carrying a light cardigan with me and don’t have to wear tanks all the time. Lately it’s not only been cool, but also quite rainy, which somewhat inspired this marine blue pairing. If I’d had my whole wardrobe at my disposal, I would have tossed on my grey cardi or my navy blazer from Ann Taylor Loft (not the same as A’s, but similar!). As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve just moved into my new apartment, but I’m still bouncing around New England visiting relatives and friends, and hence, I don’t have access to my whole closet all the time. I have really enjoyed color wheeling for the last four weeks, and I do think it will make me think more about my options when it comes to colors and combinations. However, I’m looking forward to school starting so I can share my daily teaching outfits with you all. This week I’ll be deciding what to wear for my first day of faculty meetings – exciting!

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.

18 August 2010 – New Faculty Orientation Outfit

Posted on | August 18, 2010 | 15 Comments

Sources:

White tee – H&M
Wrap skirt – Boden, thrifted in San Fran
Yellow flats – Target
Necklace – thrifted

Endnotes:

No, your eyes are not failing you; this is neither a monochromatic ensemble nor do the colors make a split complimentary combination. I am sporting a triad (pink-blue-yellow) on my skirt, but even that’s a week too late.

I really tried to make a color challenge happen yesterday morning. I stood in front of my closet door and stared at the contents for a while before giving up and reaching for a trusted combination I knew I’d feel good in; this gorgeous Boden skirt, a simple white top, a navy cardi, and these yellow flats for a unexpected pop of color in the shoe. You see, yesterday was my first day of new faculty orientation and I was going to be meeting a bunch of new colleagues and university people and I just wanted to look both professional and comfortable (i.e. – like ‘me’) and the color challenge just wasn’t working with me on that one.

So while I knew I was dropping the ball on the color challenges, I went with my gut and picked the outfit that spoke to me. (Essentially a summer version of this fall favorite). I decided to post this because I think it’s a realistic depiction of how getting dressed often goes; you envision the expectations of others, you try to live up to some picture in your mind of how you should look, and you end up feeling frustrated when it doesn’t all come together the morning of. Even worse, that sometimes ends up ruining your day before you’ve stepped out the door or you end up wearing something you think you ‘should’ wear and feeling uneasy in it all day.

At said faculty orientation, I attended a very interesting session on planning for your first week. The instructor noted that all it takes is fifteen minutes for a first impression to be made. So it’s important to set the stage of how you want the year to go in those first fifteen minutes of class. If you don’t want your students coming to class looking disheveled or wearing pjs, then you might not want to show up looking like you’ve just rolled out of bed either – that sets the tone for the semester to come. I think this applies to other things as well; how you show up to an interview will set the tone for that hour, how you show up on a date will likely set the tone for the dinner and drinks to come, and how you show up to meet your partner’s family will likely affect how they understand you until they get to know you better.

This is not to say that there is a correct way to look for any given activity (there is a plurality of looks that work for most given contexts). It’s just to say that first impressions matter and that it’s not weird that we end up spending so much time thinking about what we put on in the morning. I opted for something that made me feel good, feel like myself, and was university-appropriate in my agenda despite knowing that it wasn’t what I was ‘supposed’ to wear for the day (I say that very tongue-in-cheeck since our color challenges are self-imposed and I hardly thought that E., L, or A. would begrudge my rogue outfit choice here).

How do you figure out how to best present yourself in a first-impression situation and do you remember to strike that balance between dressing as you should and dressing as you want? S.

PS: I met a lovely reader at faculty orientation who recognized me from the site and came to say hi. Hi, Rachel, it was great to meet you!

17 August 2010 – Monochromatic Orange!

Posted on | August 17, 2010 | 18 Comments

17 August 2010 – Monochromatic Orange!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Rust Top – Banana Republic
Denim Pencil Skirt – BR Outlet
Red-Orange Belt – BR Outlet
Navy Blazer – Ann Taylor Loft
Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW
Bag – Crystalyn Kae
Earrings – Gift from A2

Endnotes:

That’s right, not only am I sporting orange, but I’ve pulled together three items in orange! I usually leave oranges and reds to E. and S. (although I do think L. pulled if off beautifully) but there is something about this unique rust color that I think works for me. Then, A2 bought me these lovely little orange earrings and I decided what better way to embrace the Fashion 101 Challenge then to do Monochromatic Orange!

Orange Branch Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

Both the earrings and the top have quite a bit of red in them so I added my red-orange belt and a few neutrals to complete the outfit. I like how the orangey tone of my cognac tote bag from Crystalyn Kae, adds to the monochrome and draws out a similar shade in my old stand-by brown wedges. Monochromatic does NOT mean you need to dress from head to two in one color but rather that the only non-neutral you wear is one color. Personally, I think neutrals are essential for keeping a monochromatic ensemble from looking to costume-y. Here I chose to mix my neutrals – brown and navy, which I think adds a bit of sophistication to this orange number.

Earlier this summer, I asked for suggestions on where to find a cropped navy blazer to replace my increasingly faded and misshapen one. A couple readers pointed me to Ann Taylor loft, where I found this 3/4 sleeve cropped blazer with a striped lining – perfect! I’ve had it all summer and wore it a bunch in the classroom and have a feeling it will get tones of year-round use.

What’s a color you usually shy away from? Do you have one item in that color you keep returning to?

17 August 2010 – Monochromatic Orange!, originally uploaded by academichic.

16 August 2010 – Splitting Complements

Posted on | August 16, 2010 | 21 Comments

16 August 2010 – Splitting Complements, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Top: Ross
Cardigan: Anthropologie
Belt: Old Navy
Skirt: Banana Republic Factory
Pumps: Dolce Vita, c/o solestruck.com

End Notes:

I think that this week’s color module — on monochrome and split complementary color schemes — is our most challenging, especially in the summer where there are fewer layering possibilities. Furthermore, trying to figure out what exactly constitutes a split complementary color scheme kind of makes my head spin.

Basically, a split complementary color combination means that you pick a color, draw a line straight across the color wheel to its complement, and then ignore that complement in favor of the colors on either side. For any given color on the color wheel, there are three split complementary color schemes possible.

Allow me:

Here I’m using blue-green as my main color. The complement of blue-green is red-orange, but the split complements are red and orange.

Blue Green, Orange, and Red, originally uploaded by academichic.

But, blue-green could also be on the “split” side of the equation. For example, if red was my main color, then the split complements would be blue-green and yellow-green (on either side of red’s “true” complement, green).

Red, Yellow Green, & Blue Green, originally uploaded by academichic.

Or, as I managed to cobble together today, when orange is the starting point, the split complements are blue-green and blue-violet, on either side of the “true” complement, blue.

Orange, Blue Green, & Blue Violet, originally uploaded by academichic.

Whew. I do think that split complementary color schemes, despite being a bit complex initially, have a big pay off. They’re unexpected and a little quirky and they have both the lush feel of analogous pairings and the pop of a complementary color scheme. Perhaps I need to introduce a personal mandate to wear a split complement at least once a month?

16 August 2010 – Splitting Complements, originally uploaded by academichic.

11 August 2010 – Cool Colors

Posted on | August 11, 2010 | 8 Comments

12 August 2010 – Cool Colors, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Silk Tank: Banana Republic
Obi Belt: mom’s closet
Skirt: Julliet
Shoes: Tahari via DSW
Bracelet: gift

Endnotes:

Today I opted for a cooler rendition of the analogous colors green-blue and blue. My silk knit tank top is a silvery blue that I actually have trouble pairing with things other than neutrals, but I noticed that there is some blue in this skirt so I thought I’d give it a shot. I usually wear this skirt with brighter pink or green tops, and it seems like the blue cools down the whole outfit despite the floral splashes of pinks, yellows, and greens in the skirt.

12 August 2010 – Skirt Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

I fondly refer to this skirt as my “Granny skirt” because the florals and delicate cream-colored wedges of eyelet lace remind me of the Liberty prints my grandmother loved. It is a distinctly feminine piece I believe, and I always feel like a lady when I’m swishing about in it. I know the question of femininity and clothing is a recurrent theme in our blog (see our Theoretical category), and this outfit reminds me anew of the balance we strike between being both professional and women. The length of the skirt and the coverage provided by the cowl-neck of the tank makes me comfortable in an office. However, the bias cut of the floral panels gives great movement and the lace inserts add more volume to the bottom of this skirt for a fluttering (and you might even say flirty) effect when I walk. In all, one of my favorite pieces!

12 August 2010 – Obi Belt, originally uploaded by academichic.

In another shopping trip into my attic I found a cache of my mother’s old belts. She had several “Obi” belts that are simple, wide pieces that wrap around and tie in the front. These belts are inspired by traditional Japanese kimono outfits. I’m not sure exactly when my mother was sporting this belt, but I think it’s time for a come back! The mossy green and subtle silky sheen of the belt plays off the silvery-blue and picks up the same tones in the skirt. As for the bracelet I’m sorry to say I have no idea where it came from, but the cream color and flower design match the themes of the skirt nicely.

12 August 2010 – Cool Colors, originally uploaded by academichic.

I appreciat that A. dressed out of her color-comfort zone the other day, and I admit that this outfit is pretty tame for me and I could easily wear this to work. Not all color challenges have to be the big-bold-bright ones, but those are definitely fun to throw in to spice things up and take people off guard. Have you ever made a splash at your office with an unexpected color combo?

Product Review: Crystalyn Kae Bag

Posted on | August 11, 2010 | 3 Comments

Sources:

gray striped top – thrifted
black linen skirt – H&M
belt – H&M
yellow flats – Target
Green clutch – courtesy of Crystalyn Kae

Endnotes:

I recently received this clutch bag from Crystalyn Kae to review. If this name rings a bell, it’s because A. has been using one of their totes as her daily campus bag and has reviewed it here.

Since I’m biking to campus these days, I usually go for my backpack to hold my laptops, books, and various other necessities. Upon arriving home, it’s been so nice to dump that backpack in a corner of my living room and transfer my basics – wallet, keys, cell, ipod, chapstick – into a small little clutch. And this one is just perfect, I’ve been in love with it since it came in the mail.

Why do I love it so much? Here’s a handy top ten list to explain:

10) The wrist band makes it easy to carry while leaving my hands free
9) It’s surprisingly roomier than it looks
8) Its awesome pleats and folds give it a cool ‘relaxed’ look
7) But it’s still elegant enough that I would use it for a night out too
6) How can you go wrong with a little vintage fabric insert (mine’s striped and corduroy)
5) [Each bag comes with a different fabric embellishment in the center]
4) It’s hand-made in the US (Seattle) so I’m supporting local artisans
3) It’s vegan-friendly
2) It’s simply gorgeous
1) No one else has one like mine

I’m not much of a clutch wearer, I tend to prefer large roomy bags and totes, and still I’ve found myself using this on a daily basis. Since my life resides in my wallet, cell, and ipod (gone are days of large paper organizers and address books), this little clutch is all I need to grab my must-haves.

If you’re thinking of treating yourself to a new bag, I highly recommend checking out Crystalyn Kae’s site. Especially if you’re concerned about shopping locally (from the US) and getting a gorgeous looking bag that is not made of animal products. They come with a one year warranty and shipping to anywhere in the US is free.

Have fun perusing all the different colors…

Or the different sizes…

I used my green bag with yellow accents to create an analogous color combination with my accessories today. Since it’s analogous week over here, I took my neutrals outfit (black, gray, white) and added touches of green and yellow for some interest. While A. voiced her reservations regarding warm color analogous schemes, I can say the same about cool color ones. I typically gravitate towards reds, purples, and fuchsias but went for yellow and green today instead. A yellow bracelet and yellow flats mixed with the green and yellow clutch add a little pizazz to an otherwise subdued color combination.

Are you experimenting with analogous pairings this week? If so, what are your favorite combinations? And are they tried and tested old favorites or are you pushing yourself to try new things? S.