academichic

Sources:

Blazer – JCrew, inherited from mom
Tank – BE Maternity
White top – thrifted
Skirt – Motherhood Maternity, inherited from E.
Wedges – Report
Necklace – thrifted
Tote – Kenneth Cole, via TJMaxx

Endnotes:

I’m 27 weeks now, and depending on what source you go with, I’m either in the last week of my second trimester or the first week of my third trimester. Either way, I’m getting into the home stretch of this pregnancy. While I don’t mind being pregnant most of the time, I can’t wait to be done as T. and I are sooo impatient and excited to have our little girl already born and out in the world with us. Every time I see a baby these days, I get more excited about meeting my own.

As for dressing my ’2/3 there’ body … it’s been challenging lately. Mostly because the weather has been so inconsistent and I keep having to revert to colder temperatures clothing, which I’ve either already outgrown or have worn so much that I’m thoroughly bored with it. Thus, I’ve been lacking in inspiration and just admiring how beautiful E. looks and how effortless she makes this whole thing look. I’ve also been incredibly busy with the semester coming to an end, and with a deadline to turn in a completed chapter draft to my dissertation advisor, which has also left me with little interest in anything but looking presentable and getting out the door quickly in the mornings.

Enter my fail proof go-to outfit… I’ve worn iterations of this combo many times but just haven’t had a chance to record it. The basic premise is pairing a comfortable maternity skirt (this one is inherited from E’s last pregnancy) with some kind of top that still fits me, and then adding the two magic ingredients:  This structured navy JCrew blazer and my most comfortable Report wedges. Both these items add a dash of polish and professionalism to an otherwise casual look of maternity skirt+top combo. It’s not the most exciting outfit in the world, but it gets the job done. Incidentally, when E. wore and documented this skirt during her first pregnancy, she also paired it with a structured navy blazer, although she kept things more casual with colorful flats…

(Thanks, E, for a great maternity skirt!)

This week is our last week of classes and after Thursday, I will just have final grades to turn in. Although I’ve somewhat lost my mojo in the fashion department, I can look back on this year and feel really good about everything else that got done. I taught my first ever 5 course load, designed my own syllabus for one of those classes, managed to write 1.5 chapters of my dissertation, co-advised a student group, and still found time to cook more, learn to bake bread, ride my bike, take my dog on walks, and spend quality time with my husband. Oh yeah, and I’ve been growing a baby for much of this time. So I’m ok with having been less innovative in the ‘getting dressed’ department. It was just one of those things that became less important to me as these other things took precedence.

As we enter into warmer summer weather and I enter my third trimester, I’m hopeful that some of my fashion mojo might come back for that last stretch of pregnancy. I’m looking forward to having summer dresses, casual sandals, and more time at my disposal. As for the next academic year? I’m taking the Fall semester off to be at home with the baby and then will possibly teach in the Spring if the dissertation fellowship I applied for doesn’t pan out. But either way, it looks like I have a long stretch of working from home while caring for a baby ahead of me. So I’d love to hear it from those other moms out there – how do you manage to get work done while at home with a little one? What are some strategies that have helped you stay productive if you work from home and have kids to take care of? Please share! ~ S.

Sources:

• Shirt: Banana Republic
• Blazer: BR
• Scarf: secondhand from mom
• Belt: Anthropologie
• Trousers: BR
• Shoes: Cole Haan via Filene’s Basement

Endnotes:
I can’t stop pattern mixing! I’m totally addicted. I’m a little disappointed with myself for not wearing this adorable knit herringbone blazer more often this winter, but I’ve been given another chance since it’s in the 40s and going to snow tomorrow. Like my outfit on Monday, today I mixed patterns but stayed in the same color family – granted this one is not the most daring being a completely black, white, and grey palette, but stripes, herringbone and polka-dots are a big move for me.

Maybe I like this because they are all regular and geometric? But I loved the abstract floral and simple striped skirt on Monday. Hmmmm…

What’s been your most daring pattern mixing to date? What do you think is the most successful pairing?

L.

(Apparently for some reason today I was only able to look to my right while I was taking pictures. Weird.)

Sources:

Blazer – MaxMara, hand me down
Striped sweater – Gap, thrifted
Jeans – ON Maternity
Boots – Banana Republic
Necklace – thrifted
Bike – 70s Peugeot Mixte via Craigslist

Endnotes:

E. is not the only one embracing stripes during her pregnancy. It seems like stripes are everywhere this season and after seeing the lovely Miss James rock them all the way to the end of her pregnancy, I became convinved that they were not to be eschewed just because of that extra belly roundness. In fact, how cute is this…

{image courtesy of Bleubird Vintage}

I’ve also been restocking my patterns because I’m really liking the rich effect of pattern mixing as of late. Although I wear a lot of pattern and don’t shy away from loud or bold prints (E. and A. have joked that I have a bit of a 70s couch aesthetic when it comes to pattern choosing), I don’t often brave the mixing of those. I’ve been clipping lots of pattern mixing images to my desktop inspiration folder and am looking forward to getting more adventurous with pattern this year. A sneak peak into my inspiration file…

{Clockwise from top: Dear Baby, Rockstar Diaries, Lucky Magazine}

It seems that stripes work particularly well with florals, as these clippings demonstrate. Since I own a fair share of florals, this should be a cinch. Do you mix patterns? How do you go about making sure the final result is interesting and rich without seeming overwhelming and dizzying?

On a more serious note, I’d just like to express my great sympathy for all those affected by the Tsunami that hit Japan this morning and then made its way to Hawaii and is continuing towards the coast of California. My heart goes out to everyone in those areas and I’m saddened by the loss of so many lives already. May you and your loved ones stay safe! ~ S.

Flower Belt Take Two, originally uploaded by academichic.

The final two looks I prepared from the BR spring line fall neatly into the categories of “Teaching Outfit” and “Night without Grading” meaning, one of these I’d wear in my classroom and the other I’d wear when meeting my friends S., E., and A. out for drinks! The first look incorporates my two (new) favorite items: the stretchy flower belt and these little olive suede studded flats (neither of which is available online but this belt and these flats are similar, and these flats have the same flower as the belt on them, are equally adorable, and come in more colors in the store). The cropped jacket with a small ruffle and wider leg trousers dressed things up and the “Market Tote” was buttery soft and definitely could hold a day’s worth of books. I had first tried out the belting over a jacket look last week with a wide woven belt and blue blazer and I’m definitely a convert. I’d seen A., E., and S. do this before, but hadn’t tried it out myself until now.

Dinner Out?, originally uploaded by academichic.

This look, however, was fun, sleek, and definitely going-out-worthy. Had I not just recently stumbled into a few pairs of skinny jeans that I really like, I would have snapped these dark wash skinnies right up. The slight sparkle of the sweater (jacket?) and the skinny spike of these platform heels seemed evening appropriate and the soft silk edge of the tank and the cardigan played nicely off this bling-tastic necklace.

Sparkly!, originally uploaded by academichic.

So that’s it for my spring time inspirations from BR. A big thanks to the great sales people who allowed me to take photos in their store and helped me out! I know there has been some fruitful debate going on about this week of academichic playing dress-up with the BR spring line, and I hope that our readers have enjoyed seeing how we took new styles and brought our own aesthetic to some spring trends. Now we can rifle through our own closets with fresh eyes!

17 February 2011 – Tights Free!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress – BR Factory Store
• Blazer – Ann Taylor Loft
• Necklace – vintage, gift
• Boots – Steve Madden Intyce, via ebay
• Cami – Banana Republic
• Bracelet – gift from S.’s mom
• Earrings – gift from A2

Endnotes:

So, I know it is still tights week, but yesterday it hit 70 and today it hit 76 in Academichic Central.  I just couldn’t bring myself to wear tights on such a beautiful Spring-preview day!  Instead I pulled out a favorite jersey dress in a bright bold color and paired it with my still-new boots and let my knees catch the breeze!

I added my light cropped navy blazer and another pop of color in my necklace.

17 February 2011 – Tights Free!, originally uploaded by academichic.

This weather surely won’t last and I’ll likely be back in tights next week, so I hope you will forgive my tights week cheat!

Hope you are all enjoying a warm streak too!  A.

17 February 2011 – Tights Free!, originally uploaded by academichic.

2010 Academichic – Sabrina, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• All: Banana Republic
• Shoes: Ciao Bella via DSW

Endnotes:
As I was typing up this post it became glaringly apparent how many of my clothes come from Banana Republic! I chalk it up to the fact that their petite sizes fit me perfectly and my aesthetic jibes well with theirs. Case-in-point, this fitted knit tweed jacket with shawl collar, pockets, and single button closure. I very rarely will spring for something that is a new item (and therefore full price) at BR and prefer to hit the sale and clearance racks even at the outlet. However, over the summer as I was envisioning my new teaching life come the fall, this jacket was too good to wait for (although, it is now on sale in both tweed and black versions) and to top it all off the style name is “Sabrina” which happens to be my favorite movie of all time. I snatched it up immediately, and with the help of their 40% off sale it was still expensive, but at least I could tell my self I hadn’t paid full price.

8 December 2010 – Sabrina pockets, originally uploaded by academichic.

When styling this jacket I couldn’t help but imagine the gorgeous and impossibly skinny Audrey Hepburn in the classic black and white film Sabrina. In a pivotal scene near the end of the movie she shows up to Humphrey Bogart’s office wearing black capris and flats and proceeds to tie a dishtowel around her waist and cook dinner (start at 2:30 in this clip).

These black pants and ballet flats are my attempt to capture a tiny fraction of her style.

Ruffles profile, originally uploaded by academichic.

The ruffled top also has a story as it’s my first full-on embrace of the ruffles trend that has permeated fashion for several seasons now and which my co-bloggers wear with such panache. I also like the point that A. brought up yesterday about her cascade of ruffles reminding her of a gentleman’s shirt from the 17th century. This top was a final sale on the clearance rack because it had a stain on it. I thought that I could get it out and with a little cold water and some Woolite I had a $70 silk ruffled shell for $7! However, to extend the season of a sleeveless item like this I decided to try layering a long sleeved T-shirt under it since in all likelihood I wouldn’t be removing my jacket anyway. This worked like a charm, and I liked the little edge of black peeking out as well as how the ruffles popped out over the lapel of the jacket when it was buttoned.

8 December 2010 – Sabrina buttoned, originally uploaded by academichic.

Some questions for you all: I was really proud of myself for salvaging something that was “defective” according to the store – What pieces have you rescued and resuscitated from the sale racks? Have you cut down something that was too big? Shortened a skirt? Converted items from shirts to tanks? I’d love to hear some of your stories to inspire more saves like this one! Thanks!

~ L.

7 December 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Blazer – Gap
• Ruffle Top – BR Factory Store
• Grey Sweater – Target
• Skinny Jeans – Banana Republic
• Boots – Banana Republic
• Earrings – Morocco, gift from a professor

Endnotes:

At the half way point of the 30 for 30 challenge, I realized I still had several items on my list that I had yet to wear.  I knew yesterday’s sweater and this blazer might be a challenge, which is exactly why I included them on the list.  But, I added the skinny jeans because I thought they would be a go-to item.  I just keep finding myself opting for either my skinny cords or ponte pants over the jeans.  I’ve written about my struggles with jeans in the past and, while I have come to embrace skinny pant, I still haven’t found the perfect fitting skinny jean.  These jeans look great when I am standing just right, but have the tendency to sag, thus exposing more of my waist/rear than desired and creating an unflattering droop in the crotch (yes, I did just type that for the world to read).  So, I’m still on the hunt for that perfect pair!

Meanwhile, I’m playing with layers!  I’m mixing textures and patterns and even lengths with this short blazer over a long sweater.

patern mixing: plaid and organic dots, originally uploaded by academichic.

I have to admit, I felt a bit like a young Rococo gent with these ruffles cascading from my jacket paired with a cropped pant silhouette.  Funny how the most “feminine” (in contemporary definitions) aspects of this outfit are what remind me of the 17th century “masculine” ensemble.  Yep, I’m knee deep in a chapter draft and gender performativity is on the mind!

Morocco Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

I finished this look off whit these beautiful earrings – a gift from Morocco!  A.

7 December 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Weekend Casual, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Sweater: Banana Republic
• Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft
• Scarf: vintage Burberry
• Skinny Cords: DKNY via Filene’s Basement
• Shoes: Puma

Endnotes:
I realize that you all don’t see me in casual outfits all that often, but I do dress in a more relaxed fashion for my Saturday classes. Since it is a half-day I tend to keep my outfit preparation minimal. I wore this last Saturday, and while winter seems to have blown in over the weekend, this ensemble was truly autumnal. I picked up these skinny cords at Filene’s Basement, which, at least for me, is a never-ending treasure trove of designer clothing at ridiculously low prices. I’ve lamented more than once that Filene’s has ruined me for shopping since rarely even at outlets do the prices come close to Filene’s (I promise they are not paying me to say all this!). Anyway, so these petite cords were a fab find, I scored a pair in black as well, AND they required no hemming. The color, which doesn’t come through very well in these pictures, is a grey/purple… something J. Crew might call “dove” or more likely “turtledove” given the season!

Weekend Casual Buttoned up, originally uploaded by academichic.

This little jacket is definitely a staple for any closet. I wear it with jeans to dress them up, cords as another (albeit preppy) layer, or full skirts (ala A. in this post). Finally, I was still a little chilly despite the shirt, sweater and jacket on top, so I grabbed my favorite scarf. Yes, this scarf is Burberry and instantly recognizable as an uber-trendy item (or at least very well branded). However, my scarf is special to me because it was my grandmother’s. Sure it has moth holes and places where her cigarette burned the coarse wool and general wear-and-tear from decades of use and love, but it’s Granny’s scarf and that’s what matters. (That’s me on her lap!)

Granny’s Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

My mother keeps asking me if I want a new one, one without holes, but I refuse. What special pieces are you holding on to that are in ill repair but you’d never give up?

Folky Blazer, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress: Forever 21
• Tank: Target
• Blazer: C&C
• Necklace: Forever 21
• Boots: Steve Madden Intyce, via eBay

End Notes:

Are you getting tired of my purple-but-photographs-blue maxi dress? This is the third time I’ve worn it during the 30 for 30, but I have to admit that I’m still really digging long, swooshy skirts for cooler weather. While A. dressed up for her high culture experience at the Nutcracker this weekend, I wore this for my weekend date night to an intimate basement concert by a folksy singer-songwriter.

I didn’t really feel like wearing pants, and all of the other skirts and dresses in my 30 for 30 list seemed too dressy or teacherly for the evening. I tried to play a little with the overall silhouette of the dress by using a tank to create more of a drop-waist. It’s a proportion I usually shy away from, but I threw on a cropped blazer to pull things back up top. Of course, then I realized that I was wearing a blazer to a folk concert. Since it’s knit, though, I figured it would be okay. Right?

Style confession: I was a pretty big fan of long, slim black skirts back in high school and early college. Despite the fact that I was home schooled, I managed to stay away from full, floral mid-calf skirts and tea length khaki skirts, but, yes, I loved my floor length, black knit skirts. And now look: Forever 21 is selling skirts that look just like my high school ones! I feel old, a little confused, and slightly smug that I had something going on stylistically back then.

Pre-Defense, originally uploaded by academichic.

Post-Defense, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Pre:

• Blazer: C&C
• Eggplant top: Banana Republic Factory
• Belt: thrifted
• Skirt: Gap, old hand me down from SIL
• Tights: Hue
• Booties: Steve Madden Ollie
• Mini brooches: Forever 21
• Scarf: Chinatown NYC (below)
• Coat: JCrew (below)

Post:

• Tunic: Tucker for Target Electric Blooms
• Gold belt: thrifted
• Shorts: thrifted, chopped
• Tights: Target
• Bracelet: gift from A.
• Oxfords: Civico 10 via DSW
• Euphoria: self-made

End Notes:

Remember that big qualifying exam I took two weeks ago? Yesterday was my oral defense portion, followed by the scary moment when the professors ask you to leave the room while they deliberate your fate.

In an appropriate reflection of my anxious state of mind, yesterday was bitterly cold and gray. We snapped these pictures literally right before I left for campus, and you can tell that I was nervous and jittery. Let’s be frank: sometimes, not even a great outfit can overcome nerves.

But…after being thoroughly grilled for over an hour, I passed! Hallelujah! And this is how I felt about that:

Today’s outfit — in all its pattern mixing, wild colored, gold highlighted, ruffles and wool glory — is a fairly accurate representation of my thankfulness and excitement over clearing one more big academic hurdle. Today’s outfit is not about being pretty or flattering my body to its best advantage. Today’s outfit is about being exuberant and playful and not worrying about rules or requirements for just a little bit.