25 February 2010 – Daily Drag Show?

Posted on | February 25, 2010 | 29 Comments

25 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Scarf – Echo
Sweater – J Crew
Denim Pencil Skirt- BR Outlet
Belt – New York & Co
Boots- Banana Republic, via ebay

Endnotes:

Today I am wearing this beautiful paisley scarf in shades of green and blue sent to me from Echo. I loved how S. has been wearing scarves over turtlenecks and how my scarf looked yesterday around the popped collar of my button down. I don’t own many turtlenecks so tried it out with a shawl neck color sweater and am rather satisfied with the effect. This scarf is a large square in a light thin material. Echo has how many beautiful colors, patterns, and shapes and I’m excited to have a shape I don’t usually wear. Like E. the other day, I folded my scarf into a triangle and wrapped the small points behind my neck and then tied them in the front underneath the larger point of the triangle. I am really liking this style and I already have many ideas of how I will wear this once the weather finally warms up a bit!

Square Scarf from Echo, originally uploaded by academichic.

Ok, now for part two of my digression. I wrote yesterday about dressing to express identity and the possibility of changing styles to express a different identity to different people. All of your comments are so interesting!

As promised I want to talk a little bit about drag. I have done quite a bit of thinking about drag because in my studies I continually wrestle with Judith Butler and because I am writing my dissertation on a male artist who often poses as a woman in his photographs. I also love a good drag show for entertainment and believe that drag has significant political potential. This political and radical potential was confirmed for me this past weekend – I saw some amazing activist performers.

I also heard an interesting suggestion about daily drag. I have long believed that to some degree we often all dress in drag – this is because I believe that gender is a construction and that clothing works to construct and perpetuate gender identity. However my thoughts on this were pushed further by a speaker at the conference who argued that we have two options when getting dressed: we either dress in drag or in a uniform. If we don’t think about the message our clothing is sending that we are wearing a uniform, if we are conscious of it then it’s drag. According to her definition, drag is a conscious dressing that sends a message about gender identity and makes people laugh, cry, or think. If we take this definition then S. E. and I are dressing in drag everyday (at least everyday we post here) since we are certainly very conscious of what we are wearing and the messages it might convey. I’m still working though these ideas but what do you think about this uniform vs. drag thing?

Ok, so why do I find this a powerful idea? Sal asked yesterday if anyone made any comments or asked any questions about my attire.
I was very comfortable and confident in my appearance and I felt totally accepted (I think this feeling had a lot to do with my own confidence) but I did have a few students ask me questions about how I dressed. One student asked if I felt like I “passed,” if people assumed I was straight because of how I dressed. I think our default is usually that someone is straight so while perhaps my clothing could reveal my sexuality, I would still “pass” on the phone, on paper, etc. I explained to my students that I am confident in my clothing and that helps me feel confident about my identity, my relationship, and my scholarship.

I think the idea of dressing in drag appeals to me because I am aware that my clothing is a choice and that it sends a message and I like that my daily performance challenges people’s notions about what it means to be a lesbian and what it means to be feminine. Our words and actions have to work in conjunction with our clothing and when you take my whole package into account there are some great seeming contradictions at work: I love pencil skirts and I am a lesbian, I wear heals and run marathons, I like pink and hot sauce and dark beer, I wear ruffly dresses and work boots and gloves. I agree with most of you who said you pick what you wear based on the situation (pencil skirts for teaching, jeans for the bar, trendier items for campus, conservative wear for an interview, etc) but I have found that my overall sense of style doesn’t change as much as it once did (in an attempt to fit in with different groups of people). Yet, it is empowering to remember that if it is all drag, a dramatic costume change is always an option!

25 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

9 November 2009

Posted on | November 9, 2009 | 17 Comments

9 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Teal Cardigan – BR Outlet
Short-Sleeved Argyle Sweater – J Crew
Brown Skinny Belt – Ann Taylor
Denim Pencil Skirt – BR Outlet
Corduroy Blazer – Marshals
Earrings – Banana Republic
Wedges – Gap Outlet

Endnotes:

Today’s outfit was totally inspired by my desire to wear argyle – a preppy pattern I love but don’t actually wear that much anymore (except my ridiculous collection of argyle socks). The argyle print was one of the many reasons the birthday gift scarf from S. was so perfectly me! The lovely turquoise and olive diamond pattern reminded me of this old J Crew short-sleeved sweater.

9 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

When I first got this sweater years ago, I wore it all the time. However, as my style has shifted some, I’ve struggled with how to wear it in a way that still feels like me. So, I amped up the color palette and went a little layering crazy and ended up with this cozy analogous spectrum of greens and blues, accented by what better than caramel corduroy!

What pattern do you love but struggle to work into your daily wardrobe?

Tights and wedges, originally uploaded by academichic.

7 October 2009 – My Birthday Suit!

Posted on | October 7, 2009 | 23 Comments

7 October 2009 – My Birthday Suit!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:
All remixed but the skirt

Green Skirt – thirfted w/ E.
White Sleeveless Blouse – Gap
Cardigan – Banana Republic
Earrings – Gift from E. (birthday last year)
Bracelet- Gift from S.
Pashmina – China Town, NYC
Brown Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW
Belt – New York & Company

Endnotes:

I planned this outfit out last night so it is not at all influenced by S. and E.’s posts today… do these two know my style or what?! :)

7 October 2009 – My Birthday Suit!, originally uploaded by academichic.

It was such a nice surprise to check the site this morning and see birthday wishes from two of my favorite people!

I’m keeping this short because I am still celebrating, but thank you both for being such wonderful friends!

(birthday gift premieres coming soon…)

7 October 2009 – My Birthday Suit!, 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.

15 September 2009

Posted on | September 15, 2009 | 14 Comments

15 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:
All remixed except skirt which is old

Green Top – BR Outlet
Scarf (worn as blouse) – gift from Kimberly
Brown Skirt – Gap
Woven Brown Belt – Forever 21
Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW
Earrings – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

It is still much warmer here than I would like it to be and I am getting sick of my summer wardrobe! One of the easiest ways to remix clothing is in the layering, but as I have mentioned before, this is more difficult to do in warmer weather. Interesting color combinations are another great way to change the look of a remixed item. Yesterday I paired blue-green and red-orange for a casual complimentary color scheme, but in the end it was my layered neckline that I liked best about the outfit.

This got me thinking about ways to creatively layer pieces and to bring more interest to the neckline of some of my go-to knits. I love the pattern on this scarf, sent to me by the lovely Kimberly of Fab Finds Under $50, and have often thought how great it would be to have a skirt or blouse with this pattern on it. So, partially inspired by E.’s scarf tacked to cardigan from several months ago, I tucked this long rectangular scarf around the neckline of my shirt and used the belt to hold the ends in place. As I got dressed this morning, I was worried about the scarf slipping around all day, but so far, so good.

Neckline – Scarf Shirt, originally uploaded by academichic.

I love the ways this rather simple addition has drastically changed the look of this bright green top – the soft blue pattern makes for a more sophisticated palette, the scarf texture dresses the top up, and the new higher neckline adds to the level of professionalism.

Until I can pull out the fall wardrobe I am dying to get back into, it looks like a little creative thinking will be needed to extend the summer wardrobe. I’ll try out a few more scarfed looks and a few more layering tricks this week. What are your tricks for keeping your wardrobe fresh as the summer season drags on?

13 August 2009 – Inspired by A2

Posted on | August 14, 2009 | 5 Comments

13 August 2009 – A2, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

On A2:

Jeans – Gap
Green Tee – Old Navy
Navy Polo – Polo Outlet
Sandals – Reefs
Necklace – Hawaii Souvenir

On A (below):

Shorts- J Crew
Navy and White Striped Shirt – Gap
Lime Green Tank – American Eagle
Red-Orange Flats – Old Navy
Lime Green Necklace – Gift from A2

Endnotes:

I have long been trying to get A2 to do a “Visiting Lecturer” post but it wasn’t until I told her I was inspired by her analogous color combination that she agreed to make an appearance. I love the triangle of bright green created by the layering of this Old Navy graphic tee under a Navy Blue polo and I think the slivers of green peeking out of her sleeves are perfect.

Jeans or chino pants with a polo or button-down comprise A2’s daily uniform, yet she continues to surprise me (and S. and E.) with brilliant color combinations and pattern mixing.

14 August 2009 – Inspired by A2, originally uploaded by academichic.

For my inspired outfit I am keeping the navy button down over a bright green layering piece paired with neutral bottoms, but I am attempting to pass this off as a triad. I figure if S. and E. can both cheat the color wheel a bit by exchanging blue-green for green in their orange-purple-green triad, then I can swap navy for blue-violet in my blue-violet, red-orange, yellow-green triad!

Necklace, originally uploaded by academichic.

I promise to try a true triad before moving on to next weeks color challenge of monochromatic and split complimentaries.

Enjoy your weekend! -A

14 August 2009 – Inspired by A2, originally uploaded by academichic.

13 August 2009 – Carpe (your wardrobe) Diem!

Posted on | August 13, 2009 | 6 Comments

With Purse, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed:

Green polo - Banana Republic
Green cami – BR Outlet
Skirt – WD NY
Yellow pumps - Gianni Bini
Yellow Bag – vintage, garage sale
Bracelet – gift from my friend A.P.
Earrings - my wedding earrings

Endnotes:

Today’s analogous combination is green and yellow. The inspiration for this look came from the skirt, which already does the analogous mixing for me. Its soft interweave of blues, greens, and yellows more than proves that colors neighboring each other on the color wheel create subtle yet harmonious mixes.

I purchased this skirt for my MA graduation and have since worn it for a handful of special occasions, such as celebrating A’s completion of her Comps or a visit to the Memphis Opera with T. a few years back. For the most part, it sits all lonesome in my closet not seeing much of the outside world. That’s because I’ve subconsciously dubbed this skirt a special occasion item, thus relegating it to a life of hermitic preservation. But I think it’s a shame that those items we love most, are often the ones we wear the least, reverentially ’saving’ them for that special occasion or event that warrants their exposure to the world.

The lovely Sal of Already Pretty had a wonderful recent post urging readers to essentially live in the moment and start enjoy the bodies they have today. Rather than mourning a past ‘perfect’ body or holding out for a better body yet to be attained, she argues that we should embrace the one we’re living in now. With slightly less gravitas, I urge you to enjoy the clothes you love today, saving less of your favorite items for an event still to come or as a memento of a special occasion gone. Why not enjoy those beloved garments on a more regular basis? S.

11 August 2009

Posted on | August 12, 2009 | 7 Comments

11 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Green Lighthouse Tee – J Crew
Denim Skirt – Gap
Light Blue Cardi – J Crew Outlet
Green Flats – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

The failure to capture a decent picture of this analogous ensemble was just one of the many things going wrong yesterday…

The biggest catastrophe was that my computer crashed and my hard drive was erased! I am now posting these pictures from what feels like an empty shell of a computer.

Rebuilding my computer feels like a very daunting task and it seems every time I open the lid and stare at the horrible preset backdrop, I think of something else I’ve lost…

I guess I will just have to take it one webpage bookmark , one application, or one calendar entry at a time!

11 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

12 August 2009 – Game Face

Posted on | August 12, 2009 | 8 Comments

12 August 2009 – Game Face, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Coral cardigan: BR Outlet
Gray nursing cami: Target
Gray bermudas: thrifted, chopped by me
Red wedges: Naturalizers, via DSW
US Soccer scarf (below)

End Notes:

I’m trying out an analogous color combination today: red-orange and red. Prior to our color modules, I thought that such a close match on the color wheel would be a clashing fashion faux pas. Now, though, I’ve decided that it’s all about having the confidence to claim it. The last thing you’d expect with a coral top is a bright red wedge, but that’s what makes it fun.

Really, though, I have another way to add a true red to my coral cardi: the US Men’s National Team soccer scarf. Because, yes, I am a football fan and today is a big game for us, a World Cup qualifier against Mexico in Mexico City. Here’s hoping that the USMNT’s back line plays as tightly as an analogous color combination.

12 August 2009 – Game Face, originally uploaded by academichic.

11 August 2009

Posted on | August 11, 2009 | 12 Comments

11 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed except new plaid flats:

Blue necklace – thrifted
Purple top – Target
Blue cami – BR
Jean skirt – Urban Outfitters
Plaid flats – Target
Green tote – Kenneth Cole

Endnotes:

For this week’s color review, we’re experimenting with triads (as E. did today) and analogous colors. When it comes to analogous pairings, A. is the queen of greens and blues. I’m usually more drawn to the warmer color combos, like purple and red or red and orange. Today I’m meeting A. half way and combining purple with blue – a neither cool nor warm color mix that creates a beautifully balanced result.

As for the shoes, I’m going to join E. in raving about my new pointy flats although they’re no superb yellow snakeskin like hers but still pretty cool in their own rights. I had been wanting to add another patterned flat to my collection since I practically lived in my black and white damask ones this spring. I was also repeatedly inspired by E’s use of her patterned flats to spruce up many an outfit during her pregnancy when she felt like her shrinking wardrobe was becoming an increasing style challenge. Her patterned flats were not only comfortable but also gave her looks that pop of visual interest that she could not always count on from her clothes. Well, lesson learned: patterned flats is where it’s at.

And on a technical ‘cycle chic’ side note: I discovered today that it’s not very easy to hop on a bike when wearing a pencil skirt. Pencil skirts do not exactly allow for much hopping or peddling. This one allowed for more movement once I undid the bottom button, but I think in the future I may have to avoid narrow cut skirts for my bike commute. Fellow bike commuters, any tips or thoughts? S.

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