academichic

26 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

• Cardigan – Gap
• Shorts – New York & Co
• White Tee – H & M
• Wedges – Gap Outlet
• Headband – Limited

Endnotes:

Yesterday, we got a small taste of Fall here at Academichic Central.  In the morning it was cool and sunny – perfect weather for meeting a friend for an outdoor coffee and bagel.  After breakfast, I headed to one of my favorite stores, Home Depot, where I perused the lumber and hardware isles and flipped through paint swatches dreaming up large-scale home renovation projects,  before settling on a few mums for the front porch. I managed to get stuck in a downpour on my way home, but eventually the sun came back out and I placed my new mums and enjoyed another warm drink on the front porch.

One of my favorite things about fall weather is the layering and mixing of items from the summer and winter wardrobe. I loved being able to wear these shorts (with their autumnal color palette) with a cozy cotton sweater.

I know this weather likely isn’t here to stay but it was nice weekend treat!  A.

Pattern Mixing, originally uploaded by academichic.

1 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed except for brooch.

• Navy blazer: BR Outlet
• Mustard top: Forever21
• Gray bermudas: thrifted, chopped
• Brown wedges: thrifted
• Leaf brooch: courtesy of Vintage Threadz on etsy

End Notes:

Having just returned from a four day trip to New York for a wedding and with baby e. in the midst of a growth spurt, I was still bleary-eyed when I rolled out of bed this morning to get ready for a meeting on campus. On days like today, it’s nice to have a foolproof outfit to fall back on. Today’s is an homage to a look I put together in late April, playing with a structured jacket over a fluid top. It’s simple, but the contrasting shapes and the sophisticated color palette make it a guaranteed confidence-booster. (Granted, in April this top wasn’t quite so drapey, but thankfully the basic premise remained the same. Even better, I realized I can still breastfeed in this!)

Vintage Leaf Brooch, originally uploaded by academichic.

This sweet leaf brooch came courtesy of Vintage Threadz etsy shop. Giovanna stocks her shop with great vintage finds, especially accessories. I’ve never been much of a brooch wearer, but I loved the delicacy of this little leaf and think it will be perfect to wear into fall. Plus, how can I not be intrigued by brooches after all the excellent examples that S. has consistently provided? I figure it’s about time to give a new accessory a chance. What about you? Is there a certain type of accessory that you have always avoided? What would it take to convince you to give _____ (brooches, hats, pearls, belts, bracelets, cocktail rings, scarves, etc.) a chance?

1 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

24 August 2009 – Trim, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Wrap shirt – BR Outlet
• Gray bermudas – thrifted, chopped by me
• Orange heels – Dolce Vita, via www.solestruck.com
• Earrings – local jeweler, a gift from my husband

End Notes:

This morning A. and I attended our department’s annual meet and greet brunch. I remember walking into our building three years ago full of anticipation and anxiety over launching my graduate career. I don’t really remember what I wore that day, but I do remember that A. and I were the only people there wearing skirts. If our meeting was a movie, there would have been a little *ding* noise in the soundtrack and a voiceover squealing, “Friends!”

Shirt detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

Today I brought baby e. with me to the brunch, and I eschewed a full skirt for a sleek pair of bermudas and a crisp white wrap shirt. And then…I threw on my bright orange pumps. Maybe my top was a message to the faculty — “I’m calm, I’m put together, don’t fear” — and my shoes were a message to the new students — “I can be fun, too!”

Because, really, nothing says “fun at parties” like an orange pump.

Dolce Vita Pumps, originally uploaded by academichic.

Umbilical Glass Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

17 August 2009 – Monochrome, originally uploaded by academichic.

Endnotes:

I’m easing into our week of Monochrome and Split Complementaries with a simple gray and black outfit. I don’t wear monochromatic neutrals a whole lot, but when I do, I’m always struck with how elegant and sophisticated this kind of color simplicity looks. Monikulus, one of my favorite wardrobe_remixers, is the queen of grays and blacks and gorgeous monochromatic ensembles – just check out her Flickr set here if you’re ever in need of inspiration.

For my one pop of color, you may have noticed Nerp’s new bright pink basket. My other basket broke last week, so I was due for an upgrade. I’ve been inspired by the wonderful Julie Mack, another wardrobe_remix favorite, to go for a colorful milk crate after seeing how cute her bright red one is. As if Nerp wasn’t metrosexual enough, now he’s also sporting a pretty pink basket … but he likes it. He’s now the brightest and prettiest of all the bikes amid the bike rack crowd on campus. S.

31 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Blue ruffle top: BR Outlet
• Gray bermudas: thrifted, chopped by me
• Japanese print flats: Target

End Notes:

This is my take on the two-thirds color scheme of red and blue, already demonstrated earlier in the week by S. (as French chic) and A. (as professional lady), both of them beautifully sidestepping the disastrous potential of looking like US Olympic hopefuls. My version is really a postpartum iteration of a maternity outfit that I rather liked: a cobalt blue tunic over a gray skirt with these ballet flats. Same color palette, different pieces. And I think I am in love with this rich blue and how it plays up my hair and skin color.

31 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Of course, I’m grounding the whole outfit with shades of my favorite neutral — gray! Per our recent post on the subject, I definitely think that gray pants can be worn in the summer, particularly if worn with brown or colored accessories rather than black. You will not find me parting with my charcoal gray in any season, really.

Finally, I have a longish post in the work, I promise, in which I tackle in greater detail some of the challenges and choices I’ve been facing as a new mom with a postpartum body and breastfeeding duties. I’ll be answering some of the questions left in the comments section then, too, so hang tight as I perfect the new art of typing one-handed with a sleeping babe in the other arm!

Japanese-Inspired Floral Flats, originally uploaded by academichic.

29 June 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed.

• Mustard top: F21
• Bermudas: Liz Lange for Target, thrifted and chopped
• Patterned flats: Old Navy

End Notes:

Today’s outfit isn’t all that interesting, minus the fact that this shirt has been an amazing grow-as-I-go piece. It started out blousey and now it’s a snug bump hugger.

29 June 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Perhaps it’s appropriate to pull it out today as I have officially reached the point in the pregnancy where I could give birth any day now…or I could hold out for another four weeks. It’s a strange in-between stage to be in and it lends itself to both working on projects I wasn’t sure if I would get around to and just trying to relax and rest a little more before baby e. shakes up our life in a wonderful way.

I’m realizing just what a concerted effort it will take to feel good about my appearance for the remaining weeks. My face has started to swell, I’m on the verge of needing a haircut, as the baby drops some of my maternity clothes don’t fit in quite the same way…and I think that’s where the psychology of style will have to come into play. So don’t be surprised if you see me wearing my favorite colors over and over again in these next few weeks or if certain key pieces make repeat appearances. As much as being creative with my clothes makes me feel confident, I think that sometimes the old favorites — the pieces that you know work — can be a powerful booster too.

Do you have a particular outfit that is a guaranteed confidence-booster? Or are you more likely to get your style high from putting together something completely new?

While you think about that, excuse me while I go chug another quart of water to help with this bloat!

28 June 2009 – On Our Way Home, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Patterned scarf – souvenir from MN, remixed
• tank – “MG Girl” tank purchased at previous MG meet
• walking shorts – ON, remixed
• sandals – Target, remixed

Endnotes:

We’re on our way home! These days are spent logging as many miles as possible on our journey East. I’m recycling elements from previous outfits you’ve seen on this trip, as one has to do when traveling. So back out come the black see-no-spills-on-them walking shorts, my go-to black sandals, and one of my favorites patterned scarves.

I haven’t posted any outfits over the past few days because show days are spent with everyone wearing MG logo shirts associating owner with car and club location. I, trying to do my part as good future daughter-in-law, sported my fair share of said garments. Although today’s outfit is still of the MG variety, it is my one “chic” MG top and often the envy of many female show attendees. I got this “MG Girl” tank at a show a few years ago, where I got the display model since they were selling out quicker than you can imagine. This just goes to show how male dominated these car meets are perceived to be, that the moment someone offers a female-geared product it just flies off the racks.  I’m always surprised by the lack of female-targeted products when there is no shortage of female attendees or drivers at these meets. I guess old stereotypes die hard.

At this particular show, however, I spotted one very stylish woman wearing a cute denim shirt-dress with a red and white MG logo on the back. It was fitted through the waist and then flared out flatteringly to the knees, crating a lovely silhouette. Of course I had to approach her and ask her where she found such a stylish MG dress (of all things!) and was hardly surprised when she revealed that she had made it herself. She had purchased the cute dress and applied iron-on patches to it, making a one-of-a-kind design. Not only did I love this woman’s innovation and style but I was also impressed with the greater implication of such a move: instead of allowing herself to be limited by the male-centric offerings of MG products, she thought creatively and made her own garment, reflecting her sense of style and challenging assumptions about what (gendered) bodies enthusiastically claim a car logo on their apparel.

As I leave you with a gratuitous shot of show day, I ask you: what activities or passions do you have that don’t fit the “feminine” mold society has created for women? S.

        

15 June 2009 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Gray tank – Hanes 
• Plaid button down – J.Crew 
• Charcoal walking shorts – Gap, remixed 
• Black sandals – Target, remixed a lot 
• Yellow bag – Garage sale find 

Endnotes:

I’m reunited with Nerp! How I’ve missed my little bike! Nerp resides at my fiance’s house and since I don’t have a bike rack on my car, I have no way of transporting him* back and forth with me. But we’re together again at last! To celebrate, T. and I rode our bikes to our movie date last night. We rode to a friend’s house, where he and his girlfriend joined us on their bikes, and we all rode and chatted and savored the evening air on our way to the dollar theatre. Dottie was my inspiration for this, since she and her husband go on regular bike dates and it was as fun as she promised it would be! 

Today, I’m riding Nerp around town and I’m also carrying my new/old yellow bag. This is my find from our garage sale adventure on Saturday.  It’s the only thing I got and I spent a whopping One Dollar on it. I loved the yellow color, the vintage cut and spacious size of it, but it was in the most deplorable condition. The “before” shots don’t fully reveal how dirty and dingy it looked and I was about to pass it up when T. convinced me that we could clean it and give it a second chance at life.

T. suggested I mix Mr. Clean with water to dilute it and use a brush to scrub the plastic (faux-leather) exterior clean. The Mr. Clean solution worked magic, just see the difference for yourself:

Before and After:

       

What really got me was this clasp that looks just like the enclosures on my  first school bag in the first grade. The only label on this bag is the embossed “Sears” right below the clasp. So here my question to you: Is this what one might call vintage? How do you know when something is vintage and not just old? What makes an item deserving of the “vintage” label and by what standards do you call it that? Please enlighten me! 

 

Vintage or not, I love this cheery yellow bag and it’s large enough to hold my laptop and just the right size to fit in my bike basket. S. 

8 June 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Wine top: Forever 21, remixed
• Pinstripe bermudas: Gap Maternity
• Metallic wedges: Target, remixed many a time
• Gold earrings: Forever 21, remixed many a time

End Notes:

Thank you all for your kind words yesterday about my fabulous MIL and SIL! And yes, there will be gratuitous nursery shots as soon as I finish off a few little sewing projects. I think the room looks lovely and every time I peek in on my way upstairs I grow so excited to have a little one in his or her little space soon!

In the meantime, though, I have five and a half weeks to go until my due date and these maternity shorts from Gap are going to help carry me through. I love that they hit the mark between casual and tailored and the lighter color is perfect for summer.

Aren’t shorts a funny thing? I think there is a dissertation out there just waiting to be written about the evolution of shorts in American women’s wardrobes. The changing shape, the rising and falling hemlines, and the shifting appropriateness of wearing shorts for more than just weekend yard work…I find it fascinating. And then, too, there is almost a kind of a personal journey of figuring out where — or if — shorts fit in your closet. I battled my mom to wear short-shorts while in high school, I relegated shorts to yardwork for a year post-college, and then I jumped wholeheartedly on the walking short bandwagon a few years ago. What will happen next?

What about you? Tell me a shorts story. What role, if any, do they play in your closet and would the “you of five years ago” be surprised to see that?

8 June 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

20 May 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed:

• Black tunic – gift from brothers, from Ross, I think
• Bermudas - Liz Lange for Target jeans thrifted and cropped by me
• Black pointy toe flats – Target

End Notes:

This is a really new proportion for me — a long tunic over walking shorts — but I think it works with my 7 months worth of preggers bumpage. I’ve worn this tunic before, layered over a sweater or under a jacket, but this is the first time it’s been warm enough to wear it alone and show off the fun neckline and pleated detailing.

As for the shoes, I was skeptical of pointy-toe heels for a long time before becoming a convert to their leg-lengthening optical abilities. A pointy-toe flat functions in much the same way, but without having to negotiate a stiletto heel. I love how these pleated flats are a bit more edgy than a ballet slipper but are just as easy to run errands in, which is what I’m doing today.

Pointy Toe Flats, originally uploaded by academichic.

Finally, let me gush to you briefly about my new haircut. Every once in a while I convince myself that I should let my hair grow out a bit. This time, I got it into my head that the almost inevitable preggers face-bloat necessitated a longer haircut. But, really, I’m a short hair girl at heart and this stacked bob with a dramatic swing in front gives me far more confidence and spunk than a longer ‘do would. My mother-in-law has a wonderful stylist in Houston whom I adore and who understands and loves the texture of my Japanese hair. As he vigorously razored my locks yesterday he kept telling me, “I don’t mess around. You are going to remember me for four months.” Oh, Long, I will remember you. There is nothing like an awesome haircut to make a preggers woman feel hip and chic again. Whew.

20 May 2009 – Bumpage, originally uploaded by academichic.