Sources:

On S:

• Silk lace blouse – gift from mom
• Black tank underneath – H&M
• Skirt – $1 sidewalk sale, consignment shop
• Belt – Ralph Lauren
• T-straps – Talbots

On T:

• Retro print button down – thrifted in Germany
• Shorts – J.Crew, thrifted
• Sunglasses – street vendor in Puerto Rico
• Shoes – Nike

Endnotes:

If you’ve been reading academichic for over a year now, then you may have been around last summer when T. and I got married. Hard to believe that a whole year has flown by already. Last night, we celebrated our first anniversary by dressing up and revisiting ‘our wedding restaurant’ for a patio dinner and drinks. And since it’s neutrals (with a pop) week, I made my outfit abide by wearing an all black ensemble with a pop of color from this bright blue skirt.

We both chose a dressy-casual look since we wanted to bike to the restaurant and the heat index was still well in the high 90s. Since T. wanted to wear shorts, I opted for a more casual skirt and top look rather than the dress I initially had in mind. The lacey top adds a good dose of ‘dress-up’ but the full cotton skirt provides a good balance and gives this all a more relaxed feel. I just found this skirt at a summer sidewalk sale for $1. It’s slightly too large on me (the waist is a bit too loose) but I loved the color and the good construction (it’s from Talbots originally) and decided to try to make it work. A useful little belt later, this skirt does just fine as a high-waisted belted bit.

T.’s outfit is similarly comprised of lucky thrift finds. His retro print button down comes from a thrift store in Munich that I used to frequent and his J.Crew shorts come from the same consignment store where my blue skirt was found. T. isn’t much of a shopper for clothes but he does give me free reign (and good indications of what he needs) and lets me fill his closet on my thrifting expeditions. Do you and your partner shop for each other?

On our way to dinner, we passed the ceremony site where we said our vows one year ago and stopped to enjoy the memories. It’s been such an eventful year and we’re so excited to see what adventures this next year will bring. After a short pause for nostalgia, we peddled on to the restaurant where cold mojitos and a delicious dinner awaited. Happy Anniversary, T! S.

Sources:

• Eyelet top – thrifted
• Jean skirt – Urban Outfitters
• Yellow flats – Target (I totally copied A!)
• Pendant – Anthropologie
• Ring – Lala B Jewelry
• Bike – Electra Hawaii Cruiser
• Helmet – Nutcase

Endnotes:

Remember our home-made color wheel? It seems so long ago that we made it, gathering colorful clothing at my little condo and stuffing them into plates for our photographic project. I had no idea how much of a staple in my getting dressed approach that little installation would become. But since constructing that color wheel of clothes and getting dressed more color-consciously, I’ve developed a much greater appreciation of color theory and aesthetics.

So I’m excited that we’re revisiting our color modules this summer, taking a little refresher course with the newest member of our site, L. This week we’re focusing on Neutrals (with a pop). Since our last color course, I’ve come to embrace neutrals much more and so this week’s challenge is really no challenge at all. I pulled out a creamy eyelet top (so wonderful in this heat!) and my jean skirt (jeans count as neutrals in my book) and added a pop of color with a yellow shoe.

Such a subdued outfit presents the perfect palette for some statement jewelry. Enter my Lala B Jewelry ring that I’ve been wearing a lot lately. You probably noticed E’s Lala B ring, which she wears quite often as well. We got to choose a ring from Lala B and were asked to review them for our site, and I wouldn’t say this if I didn’t stand by it: their company and products are wonderful. While a bit pricer, their jewelry is well worth the investment because it’s not only beautiful but also hand-made my women artisans in Nepal. The feminist in me can’t help but love a company whose mission statement reads:

LA LA B Jewelry creates opportunities for poverty-stricken women to generate sustainable income in Nepal. Our mission is to bring about social and economic change by giving women the opportunity to participate financially in their family and society. [...] The Collection brings employment to over 150 artisans within the Kathmandu valley. Women’s lives in Nepal are dramatically elevated in society when they bring sustainable income into their families. This is exactly how LA LA B is helping.

So if you’re looking for a special gift for someone or just want to treat yourself to a unique and durable piece of jewelry, consider something from Lala B’s line of rings, bracelets, or necklaces. Not only will you be helping this socially conscious company help women in Nepal, but you’ll also be adding one heck of a ‘pop’ to your outfits. S.

Sources:

• Dress – Old Navy
• Sandals – Target
• Basket – Electra
• Bike – Electra Cruiser

Endnotes:

On most days while riding my bike I can be seen wearing a dress similar to this one. That is because it’s patterned. And not just any pattern – colorful, busy, floral pattern. According to Velouria, author of one of my favorite bike blogs, a great way to disguise sweat stains on clothing in the summer is to wear a pattern that doesn’t show that change in color (from sweat) as it just mixes in with the rest of the hues and swirls of the fabric. Velouria goes on to suggest that floral prints are optimal for this kind of chameleon game, which couldn’t work better for me since I am definitely a florals kind of girl.

Pattern , originally uploaded by academichic.

So for many of my bike commutes, I have been throwing on a floral dress and taking on the heat. I do usually arrive pretty sweaty and appreciate that this type of outfit hides that much better than many other less suitable options. Although some of you may not ride a bike regularly, it’s likely that many of you are tackling some hot and humid weather this time of year, so I thought this type of ‘dress to disguise your sweat’ tip would still pertain. While certainly less glamorous than tips on belting, color combos, or chic shoes, I figured that this type of advice would still have its place on a site about staying stylish while being practical. Having to get from point A to B sans car, this is good know-how for me to have up my sleeve. This strategy might prove especially effective once I start teaching again and will have to face a class full of students after riding my bike to campus.

For those of you who do bike or are interested in more bike specific discussion, you can find a review of the above pictured bike basket here or my review of my bike cup holder here. Additionally, I’m very excited to feature Tania from What Would a Nerd Wear this coming week on Simply Bike on her essentials for bike commuting in style. And while we’re speaking of exciting upcoming posts, make sure to check back here for some academichic surprises we have in store for you this coming week as well!

Happy weekend, everyone! S.

Shoes, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Black shirt dress – H&M
• Pendant – Anthropologie
• Scarf as belt – my grandmother’s
• Silver sandals – Target
• Bike – Electra Hawaii
• Helmet – Nutcase

Endnotes:

Happy Braid Wednesday! It’s been a while since I’ve participated, but a simple outfit of a black shirt dress tied off with a scarf belt provides the perfect back drop for a more elaborate hairdo. Last time I posted a close up of this braid style, a reader asked how I did it. It’s pretty simple – I just twisted my hair into two Dutch braids, one on each side of my hair. I brought the braids and all of the unbraided hair together at the nape of my neck, divided it into three sections, and braided that into one long braid. I then took that braid and gathered it up into a loose knot at the nape of my neck. (I have no good pictures of this from the back because it’s surprisingly difficult to photograph the back of one’s own head, so maybe another time when I can employ a willing photographer…)

7 July 2010 – Braid Wednesday, originally uploaded by academichic.

Scarf belt, originally uploaded by academichic.

Riding my bike and wearing a helmet presents some hairdo challenges. I can no longer throw my hair up into a topknot (unless I’m willing to undo and redo it every time I remove my helmet, which I’m not). I also haven’t been wearing my hair down much because it’s so hot and humid. So differing braid styles have proven to be the best option. Even braids started at the crown of my head like these ones can snugly tuck into the helmet and look pretty unfazed when the helmet is removed. I think I will continue to experiment with helmet friendly hairstyle as the summer continues.

As for my shoes, they were eager to participate in Braid Wednesday as well…

Braid Wednesday , originally uploaded by academichic.

Will you be participating today? Check out the Braid Wednesday Group Pool for additional inspiration. Or, alternately, do you have any tips for helmet friendly ‘dos? Thanks! S.

Summer Date Night, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Earrings: Honolulu swap meet
• Tank: Target
• Skirt: Target
• Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell via Rue La La

End Notes:

I’ve had family in town for the past week, so I have to play a bit of outfit catch-up over the next few days. Happily, this post can also double as an entry for the third part of the LGRAB summer games, “New Territory.” When my now-husband and I were dating, one of our favorite things to do together was to explore the mountain on which our undergrad institution was perched. We hiked powerline trails, we found hidden waterfalls, and we discovered new bluffs and overlooks.

In our current city, bike riding has opened up a new way to explore. So for our date night last week, we dressed up, hopped on our bikes, and rode 8.5 miles through the city to a little microbrewery. While my husband regularly bikes 7 or so miles to work, I have hitherto capped out around 5 miles and my normal commute to campus is only about a mile and a half one way. So, as this category of the Let’s Go Ride a Bike Summer Games implies, this was definitely new territory for me. Although navigating through a not-always-bike-friendly city can be a little nerve-wracking at times, I was delighted to explore some different neighborhoods and take my time ogling gorgeous homes that we always drive by too quickly.

Dressing “cute” or at least in non-workout clothes when biking a mile and a half to campus is not that big a deal. The ride is short, I know exactly where I’m going, and I can run quickly into the very, very air conditioned building and into the restroom to freshen up if need be. Riding 8 miles for a date in your date clothes seemed a little daunting if I thought about it too hard…so I just stopped overanalyzing and went with an outfit that had plenty of give and breath-ability.

Cotton tank? Check. Lightweight skirt that still has some structure? Check. Sandals that secure onto my feet? Check. Other than some skirt flapping — that I fixed with the handy clothespin I always keep on my bike basket — it worked quite well and I cooled off quickly once we arrived at our destination.

Summer Date Night, originally uploaded by academichic.

On the way home that evening, we followed a bike path that wended its way through a tall grass field in the corner of a park. Fireflies were out in full force, making the field glitter all around us. It was beautiful, and it was something I would not have seen on our date had we taken a car. I felt very empowered and accomplished once we returned home — proud of myself for having ridden so far through unfamiliar territory and for keeping up with my husband — and delighted that I’m finding more ways that this mode of transportation can fit seamlessly into my life and my wardrobe.

Sources:

• Gray tee – Gap, thrifted
• Navy skirt – J.Crew
• Black patent sandals – Target
• Pendant – Anthropologie
• Bike – Electra Hawaii Cruiser
• Helmet – Nutcase

Endnotes:

I apologize for the poor quality of this picture, but this photo was taken pretty late in the day as T. and I set out for an outdoor concert on our local college campus. (You can read all about that here, should you be so inclined). This was by far one of my favorite ‘dates’ we’ve had recently and one I’m sure we’ll repeat. Since the evening would go down as a date and we would be cycling, I needed an outfit that would meet the criteria of both….enter What Would a Nerd Wear.

Tania of What Would a Nerd Wear is one of my favorite style bloggers and not only does she look super cute all the time, she also does so while riding her gorgeous vintage bike. So she would to be my outfit muse for this one…

One of Tania’s signature looks is pairing a simple fitted top with a high-waisted fuller skirt. This ensemble always ends up looking polished while still playful and laid-back. I have long shied away from this particular silhouette because I tend to want to hide my midsection and wear things that flow away from my torso, but sometimes a bit of experimenting with new shapes and lines is all you need to spruce up an old wardrobe. And I’ve found that wearing a high waisted skirt that fits well with a not-too-tight tucked in top can actually create that coveted silhouette of the small waisted even for those of us not blessed by nature in that department.

I also love the juxtaposition of the plain and simple gray cotton tee paired with the more polished and formal navy skirt. And I’ve discovered a new favorite for cycling; while this skirt is on the shorter side, the stiffer and heavier material translated into it staying in place and hardly blowing ‘open’ while pedaling … win!

Thanks, Tania, for a great outfit idea. I know I’ll be replicating this look a lot more this summer, be it for bike dates, coffee shop outings, or even just for showing off to my dog at home. S.

It’s no secret that I harbor a slight bike obsession. My husband and I currently house eight bikes in our basement and we’re always up for renting bikes and exploring a place on two wheels when we’re traveling. Through this style blog, I’ve actually come across a number of really wonderful bike blogs and I’ve been contemplating for some time now how I can add to the bike discussion in said medium. Since our focus on academichic is on fashion, feminism, and academia, I have created a separate space dedicated to my love of bikes: Simply Bike.

I would like to invite anyone interested to check out Simply Bike and to read more about this project here. Fellow cycle enthusiasts, I look forward to seeing you there! S.

Sources:

• Gray tank with ruffles – Filene’s basement
• Purple bubble dress – TJMaxx
• Pendant – Anthropologie
• Damask flats – Old Navy
• Silver cuff – gift from dad
• Bag – Etienne Aigner hand-me-down
• Helmet – Nutcase
• Bike – Electra Hawaii Cruiser (named Mojito)

Endnotes:

And I’m back in the States. Boy, it’s good to be home. One of the first things I was really looking forward to doing was hopping on my newly acquired cruiser and taking it for a spin around town. It’s also so nice to finally feel like it’s summer after so much rain and cold in Germany over the last month. Hot weather calls for breezy dresses, so I donned a light and comfortable purple bubble dress paired with black and white damask flats. I added some silver jewelry, a slouchy bag, and my new powder blue Nutcase helmet (it’s so cute, I don’t even mind sporting a helmet)…

24 June 2010 – with helmet, originally uploaded by academichic.

In Germany, I had a little vase with (fake) flowers on my desk and I decided to bring the flowers back with me to add to my bike basket as a little keepsake from my year in Munich. I was inspired by the Let’s Go Ride a Bike Summer Games challenge, which requires participants to decorate their bikes as one of the entries…

I like how this Electra bike basket just pops off and can be taken along once the bike is parked. I did just that as I went to the library and then a consignment shop downtown, where I couldn’t resist filling my basket with lovely books and an awesome thrift find. Incidentally, another task in the LGRAB Summer Games is to carry a load on your bike…

Bikes, Books, and Other Goodies, originally uploaded by academichic.

Bike Commute, originally uploaded by academichic.

Well, that’s about it for my bike adventures. Now, for a less exciting task, I need to go tackle those suitcases needing to be unpacked. Anyone want to do it for me? S.

Damask flats, originally uploaded by academichic.

8 June 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

On N.:

• Polo: Banana Republic Factory
• Pants: Banana Republic Factory
• Wingtip Shoes: vintage
• Helmet: Lazer
• Bike: Raleigh

On E.:

• Blazer: C&C
• Tank: Target
• Belt: Old Navy
• Skirt: Banana Republic Factory
• Wedges: Naturalizers, via DSW
• Helmet: Nutcase
• Bike: Takara

End Notes:

The outfit itself is a pretty standard one — full skirt, structured knit jacket, pop of color wedges — though I have to say that I love it when my helmet “goes” with the rest of my outfit. The fun part is that there, in the corner, is my husband N., aboard his Raleigh, aka “Oliver.”

N. and I really wanted to go on a bike date, ala S. and T., but we never quite managed to squeeze one in in time to count for the “Social Biking” portion of the Let’s Go Ride a Bike Summer Games. Okay, to be honest, we never really managed to squeeze in what one might traditionally term a “date.” No dinner. No movie. No romantic ride around the park.

What we did do, however, is leave together in the morning on our bikes, N. heading off to work and me heading to campus for French class. We actually did this a couple of times over the past week, and though our ride together is brief — only a mile and a half or so — I’ve come to really treasure these morning commutes. As much as both N. and I enjoy riding alone, working off the stress of the day or pedaling hard to get some exercise, there really is something delightful about doing and going somewhere with your partner. The act of looking out for each other as we bike, checking for traffic, being aware of the other person’s space and speed and rhythm, imbues an otherwise mundane commute with thoughtful and even joyous camaraderie.

And besides, it totally counts as a date if your partner hauls your bike up the basement walkout for you.

8 June 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Black tunic – thrifted
  Gray ruffle sleeve tank – Filene’s basement
  Scarf – H&M
  Skinnies – thrifted
  Flats – Palladium
  Sunglasses – Shop in Romania
  Bag – Old Etienne Aigner

Endnotes:

T. and I were fortunate enough to enjoy two glorious days in Prague on our way from Munich to Romania. Neither one of us had been there before and I’m confident in saying that this won’t have been our last trip to this amazing city. Sorry, Salzburg, I think I’ve found a new favorite.

I was feeling pretty inspired by how much fun we’d had on our ‘bike date’ in Munich, that I wanted to try the same in Prague. But given that we didn’t know the city, didn’t speak the language, and didn’t feel too comfortable navigating the town on bikes with maps in hand, we decided to do the next best thing to riding around on our own – book a guided city tour on bikes! I think all the social riding talk going on at Let’s Go Ride a Bike has had me looking for ways to ride with a group or with T. much more than usual. There is just something so enjoyable about grabbing bikes, a few friends, and spending the days outdoors. (You can read about my other LGRAB Summer Games participation posts here, while E.’s entry is to be found here.)

Prague Bike Tour, originally uploaded by academichic.

T. was more than enthusiastic about my suggestion and so we spent our first day in Prague exploring the city on two wheels with a knowledgeable guide. We booked our tour with City Bike. I would highly recommend them to others; our tour guide was well informed, patient (while we stopped and took many pictures), funny, and excited about sharing his city with us. The bikes were in good shape, the group size kept to no more than ten (we had seven in ours), and we were rewarded with a free local beer (or water) at the end of the ride.
We were also told that the average walking tour in Prague covers about a 2 km stretch throughout the old city, while the standard 2.5 hour bike tour covers 12 km of the city. We were able to see far more of the city this way, covering points of attraction further out and at further distances from each other than one would be able to do on foot. And as I already mentioned, our guide was more than gracious with allowing us plenty of photo stops along the route…

As for our outfits, I wore my stretchy skinnies because they’re great for bikes even without chain guards (they’re such a snug fit). I added a comfortable cotton tunic top and a loose scarf (more sun and tan-line protection around the neck line), my trusty flats, and sunglasses. My Etienne Aigner bag can easily be thrown over my back messenger-style, which was a wise choice seeing as how my bike didn’t have a basket. T. wore jeans, sunglasses, and this awesome ‘bike evolution’ shirt I found on Etsy a little while back.

Prague Bike Tour, originally uploaded by academichic.

After our two-plus hour bike tour, T. and I dismounted our bikes beaming from ear to ear. We had such a great time getting our bearings this way and were so glad that we had decided to splurge on a guided bike tour of the city.

Prague Bike Tour, originally uploaded by academichic.

Prague Bike Tour, originally uploaded by academichic.

Thanks, Trisha and Dottie, for really pushing me to think of creative ways to work social cycling into my day, I’m not sure that I would have considered this outing if it hadn’t been for my reading of the Summer Games on your site. And now I’m definitely on a roll…I’m thinking of working a bike tour of a Romanian city into our schedule here. Stay tuned and ride on! S.

30 May 2010 – Prague, originally uploaded by academichic.