16 December 2009

Posted on | December 16, 2009 | 8 Comments

16 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Black Sweater Vest – BR Outlet
Black Henley – Gap
Pink Button Down – J Crew
Black Pants – Banana Republic
Earrings – Gift

Endnotes:

Today I administered the final exam for my students. Apparently, this pink pinstriped shirt says “exam time” to me, as I just remembered I wore it for last semester’s midterm too. I think I like it because its professional in style but a little more fun because of the bright pink. I have been wanting to wear my black sweater vest again and apparently great minds think alike – S. and I both thought of the button down/vest combo.

I layered the pink button down over a black henley so I could roll up the sleeves but still have a little extra warmth for the cold day and the cold classroom. I like the line of tiny buttons created by the three buttoned tops.

Buttons, originally uploaded by academichic.

But my favorite part of the outfit, is by far these earrings. They were a gift from a professor I was a TA for years ago. I love wearing them with preppy professional looks as a surprising twist.

eye earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’m not completely satisfied with how the pants work in this ensemble, but I do think the black on black keeps the outfit looking sleek. Hopefully I looked authoritative while simultaneously putting my students at ease.

16 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

3 November 2009

Posted on | November 3, 2009 | 15 Comments

3 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Green Blouse – BR Outlet
Wool Skirt – BR Outlet
Black Sweater – Banana Republic
Boots – J Crew
Tights – H&M
Earrings – Gift from Sister L.

Endnotes:

After a busy weekend, during which I accomplished very little school work, I spent most of yesterday in sweats trying to get some writing done. We have discussed this questions of what to wear when working from home before. The three of us weigh in differently. I personally find a day in sweats every once in a while to be very productive – as was the case yesterday. After such days, however, I find myself dressing up a bit more than usual.

Today’s outfit are all pieces I have worn before but I made a few temporary alterations to make some of the items feel different. I pressed the collar of this ruffly green shirt inside to make a mandarin collar. My black cardigan is actually a black wrap sweater, but I tied the strings behind my back, under the sweater. I also hiked my skirt up a little and belted it. Just these little adjustments help make my closet more interesting to return to everyday.

How do you change up the look of an old standard?

29 October 2009

Posted on | October 30, 2009 | 15 Comments

29 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Olive Sweater – H & M
Brown Cord Skirt – Old Navy
Scarf – Birthday gift from S.
Belt – New York & Co
Tights – Gap
Shoes – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW

Endnotes:

First of all, thank you for all of your jean support! I will give jean shopping another go and report back soon.

S. sent me this beautiful scarf from Germany for my birthday and I am in love. It’s my colors and my pattern! As soon as I pulled it out, I started planning outfits around it. I have been wanting to try the belted scarf look again and thought that might be a good way to really showcase this new addition. The scarf is the perfect length and thickness for this look (that is, not too long and not too thick). Because the colors of the rest of my outfit were pretty simple, almost monochromatic, I decided I could play with pattern and texture. I chose this wide, tweed belt to hold the scarf in place and my tweed-esque tights.

belted scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

Yesterday was another long rainy day here, but as much as I love my boots, I wanted to wear other shoes for once this week! Peep-toes were probably not the best choice, but my feet did manage to stay dry all day. I was slow to come around to the peep-toe, but have learned to love them. And then, I was hesitant about the peep-toe with tights – not any more! If it means I can keep wearing my favorite shoes, I’m in!

What about you? Will you try the belted scarf or the peep-toes and tights?

peep toes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 October 2009

Posted on | October 23, 2009 | 24 Comments

23 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Ruffle Cami – Gap
Pinstripe Skirt – J Crew
Blue Cardigan – BR Outlet, birthday gift from mom
Belt – Target, altered by me
Sweater Tights – Banana Republic
Shoes – Off Broadway

Endnotes:

Pencil skirt, cardigan, and heels have become my go-to professional uniform. Today’s outfit is basically a recreation of a look I wore several months ago to mark the end of the intense course I taught this summer. Here I have made it weather appropriate by adding the grey sweater tights and a bit more colorful with the mix of bright blue and maroon.

Layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

This afternoon I will be moderating a discussion after offering m thoughts on a campus-wide lecture given by a prominent activist. I figure, this time, it’s ok if I am one of the most dressed up people there.

I have to say, before our recent “roundtable” discussion about interview-appropriate wear, I would have worn something pretty similar to this for an interview. Now, I think I would definitely loose the sweater tights and belt, but I think I would still wear the rest. Does it need a suit jacket or a button down to be interview-appropriate?

Shoes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

22 October 2009

Posted on | October 22, 2009 | 14 Comments

22 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

Long Cardigan – Banana Republic
Grey Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
Teal Cami - BR Outlet
Boots - Banana Republic, via ebay
Socks – BR Outlet
Amber Earrings – gift

Endnotes:

Apparently today is quite the Banana Republic day. I didn’t realize that almost everything I am wearing today is from either Banana Republic or Banana Republic Outlet until I typed up my sources. I do lover BR! I find their clothes to be well-made and they usually have pretty good sales. BR style tends to be pretty classic, meaning I still wear many pieces that I purchased from there years ago.

I love J Crew but often find some of their pieces harder to work into my daily wardrobe. What about you? Do you have a favorite store? What is it that keeps you going back?

22 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

1 October 2009

Posted on | October 2, 2009 | 12 Comments

1 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Grey Cardigan – Marshalls, remixed
Skirt – BR Outlet
Black Tank – BR, remixed
Fuchsia Shoes – Seychelles, via DSW, remixed
Necklace – very old

Endnotes:

I knew I wanted to wear this skirt yesterday and then built a teaching outfit around it. I love the little buttons, the subtle pattern, and the straight cut of it. I think it was originally sold with a matching suit jacket (I of course bought it on the clearance rack). I am often drawn to suits wear but I can’t say I have ever worn a full suit. Instead, I prefer to wear suit pieces mixed with other items. I think this allows for my personal style to come through more and means I can wear these great pieces over and over again, making endless combinations. E. and S., tend to do the same thing – mixing suit pieces into their regular wardrobe. You can check out our flickr set “Suit Yourself” to see examples.

What are your thoughts on suit wear? How often do you sport a full suit (skirt or pants with matching jacket)? Do you buy suit separates to work into your wardrobe, paired with non-suit items? Do you mix and match suit pieces? Tell us your suit story! A.

Details, originally uploaded by academichic.

29 September 2009

Posted on | September 29, 2009 | 7 Comments

29 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Olive Green Blazer – J Crew
Maroon 3/4 Sleeve Tee – Old Navy, remixed
Denim Pencil Skirt – Gap, endlessly remixed
Brown Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW, endlessly remixed
Purple Scarf – Blue Onion Marketplace
Earrings – Gift from E., remixed many times

Endnotes:

The weather is beautiful! Some of you have warned me not to wish cold weather here too soon, but I love the cool weather because I love corduroy, blazers, scarfs, boots and, of course, layers!

I am so excited to finally have the opportunity to wear this fabulous new scarf from Blue Onion Marketplace. The color is perfect and the texture and shine make it different from any of my other scarves. I think I will be getting a lot of wear out of this little piece.

New Purple Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

Just as S. did yesterday with the fabulous etsy shop Vintage Threadz, I have to take a minute to gush over the great online boutique Blue Onion Marketplace. The three of us are lucky enough to have some lovely items from this little gem of a shop, including the Dulken & Derrick vintage flowers, which we have used to decorate bags and clutches, and to create belts, this purple ripple scarf and S.’s orange version, and the wonder wrap S. sported last week. E. and I have wonder wraps too that we will be pulling out soon, now that the weather has cooled off, and we all have a few more flowers to play with.

We will also be doing our first Academichic giveaway which will be generously sponsored by Blue Onion Marketplace, so be sure to check back soon for that! A.

Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

24 September 2009

Posted on | September 24, 2009 | 8 Comments

24 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

Open Cardigan - J Crew
Teal Tank – BR Outlet
Polka-dot Tee – Banana Republic
Jeans – Banana Republic
Tan Wedges – Gap Outlet
Pendant – Grandmothers

Endnotes:

Several of you asked about the fit/ciut of these jeans when I wore them on Monday. They are Banana Republic Classic Skinny (a size larger than I would buy in trouser cut). A friend actually picked them up on super sale ($8 I think) because she thought I might like them. When she gave them to me, I was happy to receive any gifted clothing, but had low expectations for them, given the difficulty of finding jeans that fit, particularly straight or skinny jeans, but somehow, these worked!

I wore them cuffed the other day and have plans to wear them tucked into my boots once the weather finally cools off, but was hesitant to wear them un-cuffed with regular shoes. I used to think this style worked only for the straight line body and not at all for my curvy legs. I tried to balance the look with a more voluminous cardigan and while I started the day off rather self conscious, I was quite comfortable in the look by the time I made it to campus.

I also think this styling of the jeans makes them more work appropriate. I still wouldn’t teach in them (though plenty of my colleuges teach in jeans) but this year I am advising an undergraduate student group and their meetings are at night (often past my bed time in fact) and on the day I usually don’t have to be on campus for anything else. So a nice pair of jeans and a low wedge seemed the perfect choice.

Layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

17 September 2009 – Quick and Casual

Posted on | September 17, 2009 | 4 Comments

17 September 2009 – Quick and Casual, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

Coral Polo – J Crew
Grey Skirt – Old Navy
Navy Cami – American Eagle
Green Flats – Banana Republic
Rainbow Bracelet – Hawaii
Coral Earrings- American Eagle

Endnotes:

A2 had car trouble on her way to work, so my morning routine was disrupted to say the least. I had to throw on something quick that I could be comfortable in all day, and even walk home in if need be (although on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I usually have a gym bag backed anyway). Mornings when I need to choose something quickly, when don’t have time to try stuff on, swap out one cami for another, or ponder the color wheel, I often go for an ensemble I have worn before. This morning, for some reason, I thought of this polo and my denim skirt which I wore back in July. I planed to wear the outfit exactly, but denim skirt was in the wash so it was swapped with my grey skirt, and I grabbed this rainbow bracelet instead of the green necklace worn as bracelet, creating the same layered-strand effect but adding a pop of pride!

Rainbow Bracelet, originally uploaded by academichic.

I like this outfit but I think it makes me look a bit young, therefore it is not something I would usually wear to school. I am not teaching today, but I am meeting with students. Yesterday I wrote about wearing the same thing as colleague and reader Sabrina raised the possibility of wearing the same thing as a student and I feel that in this outfit that is more likely to happen today than most. If it does happen, I’m sure I will laugh and simply compliment them on their fabulous style! A.

16 September 2009

Posted on | September 16, 2009 | 15 Comments

16 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

Purple Cardigan – Gap Outlet
Grey Tee – Old Navy
Black Cami – Banana Republic
Black Skirt – Banana Republic
Scarf (worn as belt) – H& M
Black Flats – Urban Outfitters
Yellow Bangles – Gap Outlet
Earrings – Forever 21

Endnotes:

Today, I am continuing my experimentation with scarves and layered necklines to rejuvenate my summer wardrobe. I wore this scarf as obi/belt this past winter and loved it and I think it works well here with the purple and grey and the little bit of a textured cami layered under the ruched v-neck.

Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

I got dressed, snapped some pictures, and headed off to a morning meeting before getting a chance to check in with the blog. I have to say, I was amused, but not surprised to see that E. and I were both wearing our matching purple cardigans today.

The three of us own several of the same items, E and I in particular have some of the exact same pieces in the same color, many of which we actually purchased while shopping together. Many a mornings I have received a quick email or text message alerting me that E. is wearing one of said items and I have more than a few times called E. while getting ready for an evening event to be sure we are not wearing the same dress.

But, this purple cardigan has become too much of a go-to item for both of us to even bother with. While this may be the first time we have both worn and blogged this cardigan on the same day, just last week when she wore hers with jeans, I was wearing mine with a brown skirt, but never got a chance to post it.

I mentioned this shopping trend of ours a month or so ago when E. and I were wearing the same cardigan in different colors. I explained then that owning the same items as these two lovelies has never bothered me and I know it doesn’t bother S. or E. since they have both, at one time or another, encouraged me or each other to purchase the same item as them.

Would you mind terribly if you showed up to class or work in the same sweater as a fashionable colleague? A.

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