Sources:

• Dress – Banana Republic Outlet
• Necklace – J.Jill
• Damask tights – Anthropologie
• Boots – Banana Republic
• Red cuff – H&M

Endnotes:

This is probably my favorite outfit worn since becoming pregnant. I’m not counting the first few weeks when my body was the same size as before and I could still wear everything I own just as before. I’m talking about my favorite outfit since my jeans and skirts all became too tight, since I switched to preggers pants, and since I’ve felt a bit self-conscious in clingy jersey dresses.

Yesterday I wrote about how I’ve been wearing loose tops and baggier layers to camouflage what I perceived as my ‘new lecturer 15’ look. Then, at the end of last week, I decided to just wear what I wanted to wear and not worry about prompting the “is she? isn’t she pregnant?” look from others based on my growing but not yet baby-bumpish midsection.

I loved this outfit because it wasn’t built around my changing body but came to be inspite of it. It’s got all these elements that I love and would have worn before: the little black dress, the pop of bright red color, the crazy damask tights…

Incidentally, the day I wore this, one of my students did ask if she should congratulate me. But no, not because she assumed anything by looking at me but because she had facebook stalked me (yes, we all had a good laugh over this before class, but be careful what you make available on your profile!) and she had seen my profile picture (the only thing visible to my students), which has me grinning and pointing to my belly. This particular student is a mother herself and was thrilled for me. As were my other students, who immediately congratulated me and asked questions about when the baby’s due and whether I’d have to suffer through summer while preggers (the answer, a resounding yes, as I’m due at the end of July).

Two of my classes now know that I’m pregnant and the response has been positive yet not overwhelming. While my students seemed genuinely pleased for me, once class began, our focus was on the course and the tasks at hand. Last year, we discussed the pregnant body as the ‘public body’ in the classroom during our roundtable discussion for Sal’s site Already Pretty. E. made some interesting observations based on her experience of teaching while pregnant and I’m interested to see how my experience will go as I become more visibly pregnant and my belly takes more of a presence in the room. Maybe I’m being naïve, but I don’t see things changing much.

This, of course, is due to the fact that I find myself to be on a pretty family friendly campus in a very family friendly department. My colleagues and chair have been very kind and positive and my students have shown the same consideration. Several readers have asked to discuss the question of academia and pregnancy/motherhood and I’d be happy to continue addressing this topic over the next months. I can only speak from my personal experience, which has been very positive thus far. In fact, I have a possible ‘very awesome project’ I’m working on for the month of May with a (male) colleague, who has been incredibly supportive and undisturbed by the fact that I’ll be seven months pregnant by the time this project comes to fruition and we’ll be spending a lot of time on foot carrying it out. So I’ll gladly discuss my experience, but I warn you that it’s been altogether good thus far, and I may end up gushing unabashedly.

I’d love to hear from others out there who are navigating a professional life along with being pregnant or mothering children. What were your experiences like? Alternately, if you’re someone who asked about balancing grad school with pregnancy, what are your main concerns? The work load? The response from your department? The reaction of your colleagues or students? Thanks, in advance, for your always stimulating feedback! – S.

Symposium Wear, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress: Banana Republic
• Belt: Old Navy Outlet
• Shoes: Banana Republic
• Jade Necklace: my design
• Silver Ring: gift
• Jade Bracelet: gift

End Notes:
I purchased this dress last fall for a symposium in which I was a participant. This was my first graduate school foray into greater academe, and I bought this dress with the event in mind. I knew I wanted to look nice and certainly professional, but seeing as how the symposium was being held at a very forward thinking modern art museum, I figured that a suit was not the best way to go. As usual, Banana Republic had just what I needed.

Symposium Wear, originally uploaded by academichic.

The knee-length skirt, high neck, and cap sleeves of this dress all meant that I wasn’t showing too much skin, but the print kept the look fresh and steered well clear of the “polyester suits of yore” of which there were certainly a few on display.

Neckline and Cap Sleeves, originally uploaded by academichic.

The high waist also meant that this dress was made for wide belting! The bold black, purple, and cream print needed little embellishment, and I have been wearing this outfit with mostly black shoes and belts ever since. However, in the spirit of a new school year I decided to go way out on a limb and wear grey (can you tell I’m very sarcastic?). I had just bought these shoes with a 35% off coupon for Banana Republic that I had been holding on to for literally months.

New Grey Shoes!, originally uploaded by academichic.

These shoes might look familiar as they are indeed the sister shoe to the blue suede shoes I’ve had my eye on (which they apparently don’t sell in stores!). The wool material makes this a cozy fall/winter shoe and the stacked wooden heel is exactly the right height for daywear. I’m in love. I decided to do some neutral mixing with this outfit and in addition to the grey accessories threw in some of my favorite stones.

Jade and Silver, originally uploaded by academichic.

I adore green and the color of jade can vary widely from deep mossy greens to bright jewel tones. This bracelet was a gift all the way from China and the ring is from Peru thanks to my sister, who is a fabulous traveler and always brings me the best presents! The necklace is a product of another hobby of mine: beading. I find it meditative and creative at the same time, and much of the jewelry I wear is my own. This outfit was certainly the right fit for the symposium I was at last year, and once again has hit the mark this time as a terrific teaching ensemble. How have you transitioned pieces that were purchased with a specific event in mind into your daily wardrobe?

Sources:

• Striped Cardigan – J Crew, birthday gift from mom
• Long Black Tee – don’t remember
• Grey Long-sleeve Tee (not seen) – Gap
• Grey Cords – Banana Republic
• Brown Boots – Banana Republic, via ebay
• Scarf – China Town, NY
• Silver Hoops – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

Online shopping has long been one of  my favorite forms of procrastination.  Now, this online shopping rarely actually results in purchasing, but I do love to make mental wish lists, get ideas for how to style items I already own, and be reminded that there are things deep in my closet that are suddenly in style again.

I often clip photos of ensembles I like or new styling ideas I want to try out.  These images  most often come from J Crew — I think they offer really creative styling that I  wouldn’t think of myself, but can imagine recreating in some way.

Lately, I am also really liking Banana Republic styling too.  I loved this warm cozy layered look and decided I could recreate it with items I already own.  I swapped in my teal and grey floral scarf for the red plaid (although now I am pining for a large plaid scarf) and my brown boots for thee black (I wanted flats and my black boots have heels).

My cardigan is much thinner and shorter than the rather bulky sweater coat featured in the BR version and I  discovered that my bootleg grey cords are a little too bulky for tucking into boots, so now I may be adding skinny-leg cords to my Christmas wish list.

BR Inspiration, originally uploaded by academichic.

Stripes and Flowers, originally uploaded by academichic.

In a few weeks’ time, I will be a grad student myself and will have to make the daily trips to the campus. My laptop will now always accompany me and, unfortunately, it is too large to fit into a tote bag – and way too heavy for me to carry it over one shoulder, especially with the added weight of books, notes and other necessary paraphernalia.

How can one look stylish with a backpack? Seems impossible. Please help! :)

We certainly understand the need to carry what feels like your entire life around in a bag!  S. has posted about her bag of choice and E. and A. will eventually share theirs too.  While none of us carry backpacks, we all agree we would carry one of these fabulous totes.

If you are looking for a backpack with comfortable straps that will evenly distribute the weight of all those library books and padding that will protect your laptop, these colorful sporty options might be just the thing.

E. is a big fan of Tom Bihn products (the Aeronaut bag has become her traveling staple) so she would not hesitate to assure you that this $130 price tag on the Smart Alec is worth it. It certainly has a more athletic aesthetic, but removing the bungee cording from the front would leave a sleek, two-tone bag (say, in black and gray) with plenty of space and an incredibly smart design.

For a less-expensive option, this Sumdex Subway Laptop Backpack will keep your laptop and your shoulders well padded.  As with the Tom Bihn and the Timbuk2,  the bright color options  make this functional bag cute and stylish too.

If these colorful options feel a little too “high school” for you or make you feel like you’re going camping rather than to the library, we have also found some more briefcase-like choices.  They may not be as good for your back or for your laptop, but we think they could be quite smart:

This vertical leather backpack from Piel is not only stylish, it’s durable too and comes with a five year warranty! It’s a timeless design with the polish of a briefcase and the ergonomics of a backpack. Even better, it’s full of lots of pockets and it’s big enough to carry a laptop.

Urban Outfiters makes this stylish Deux Lux Messanger Bag which boast of straps that easily convert from messenger style to backpack.  It also comes with plenty of internal pockets to keep all your office supplies or other school accouterments organized.

Lastly, for another splurge item, check out this Ellington Maybeck Pack. The rich chocolate color lends it that extra dash of elegance, and the lack of closures, clasps or adornment give this item that understated urban chic look that has nothing school yard-ish about it.