February 18th, 2010 § §
Sources:
- Cream Sweater – F21
- Brown Pinstripe Skirt – Gap
- Brown Tights – Talbot
- Plaid Scarf – BR Outlet
- Brooch- Gift
- Red Wedges – Anthropologie, via ebay
Endnotes:
This is not at all what I had intended to wear today. I knew I had a full day so I laid out an outfit last night but the only items I actually used from what I laid our are the scarf and the tights. The
purple jersey dress I had planned to wear apparently shrank in it’s last run through the wash and now looks more like a maternity top than a dress. So, I quickly improvised!
I still wanted to use this plaid scarf and I had the tights on already so I worked from there. I have been wanting to wear one of my full skirts since
E. wore her white one last week. The brown pinstripe worked with the tights I already had on and created a nice pattern mix with he scarf. I pulled out the cream sweater as a nice neutral and a good blank canvas for the scarf. I chose these maroon wedges instead of the boots I had planned to wear because it is finally a bit warmer and it broke up all the brown on the bottom.
For the scarf, I have
worn this belted and so wanted to try out something new. I tried out E.’s
“flop knot”, but it wasn’t laying right. I just started playing around with it and discovered that the way I wanted it to lie was not accomplish-able with any scarf tie I knew, so I decided to pin the two sides together with a safety pin. I liked the drape but found that it looked like it was floating so I added the brooch, which gives the impression that it is holding everything in place.
I’m excited that I found a way to mix patterns, don a brooch, and wear a full, light-weight skirt in the dead of winter. But, I think the overall look has a Scottish vibe I wasn’t planning on. I think I will reuse elements of the ensemble but perhaps not in this current iteration.
Category: Beltless, Mixing Patterns, Reaching New Heights, Skirting the Issue, Teaching Outfits
Tags: A. > brooch > full skirt > pattern > plaid > scarf > striped skirt > stripes > tights > winter style
November 9th, 2009 § §
Sources:
All remixed:
Endnotes:
This look comprises two of my favorite elements: (small – not large!) polka-dots and floral. I love how this turquoise and pearl vintage flower brooch gives this darker look a pop of color and a touch of whimsy. This flower brooch comes from Vintage Threadz on Etsy, and as I just popped over there for the URL , I saw that everything appears to be 25% off right now, so I thought I’d let you know!
This outfit reminded me a bit of the style aesthetic of Julie Powell/Amy Adams in the recent film Julie and Julia. The film was good, but to be honest, I wasn’t too thrilled with the Julie bits. I’ve read both books which influenced the film and I really loved both of them, so I highly recommend taking the reading route if you’re interested in the Julia/Julie business. But what I did love was Julie/Amy’s style in the film. Whoever put her wardrobe together did a wonderful job of blending young professional with whimsical charm.
I’m pretty certain that almost every outfit came with some kind of cute or whacky brooch and there was a lot of adorable lace/pattern/buttons detailing going on. I also loved the strand of pearls layered with the gold necklace and pendant.
Can you spot the terrier brooch if you look just past the huge lobster in her hands?
I don’t think I’d wear a terrier pin per say, but I do love that Julie/Amy’s wardrobe is all about having fun. That unexpected detail here, that somewhat childlike accessory there, it all seems to suggest that it’s alright to be a little quirky and have a little fun when getting dressed. S.
Category: Academichic Product Review, Dresses for Day, Layers Upon Layers, Our Best Flatware, Research Casual
Tags: boots > brooch > floral > julie and julia style > polka dot > S.
September 27th, 2009 § §
Sources:
Endnotes:
This is a relatively simple outfit and what I was wearing this past Sunday when a good friend, who happened to be in town for the day, called to see if I wanted to meet him for coffee. Although my outfit wasn’t all that exciting, I figured it was nothing a good brooch couldn’t fix. Or two, for that matter.
Going for a flower motif, I added this beautiful turquoise and pearl vintage brooch to my neckline, which provided the perfect pop of color against the dark purple tank-worn-as-vest. I found this little vintage gem at Vintage Threadz on Etsy and was delighted to add it to my ever growing brooch collection (isn’t that so little old lady of me?)
Vintage Threadz is where E. found her dainty leaf brooch, and where I’m currently obsessing over these pretty vintage flower earrings or these really cool green and gold 80s earrings. Thank God I’m no longer in the US, because the temptation to order these would be all the more difficult to resist. But if you’re in the market for unique vintage finds, check out this Etsy seller for some really great prices!
Anyway, I decided one flower brooch just wasn’t enough, so I added another larger D&D fabric flower to my clutch, stealing A.’s awesome idea from a little while ago. All flowered-out, I was ready to go.
What are your favorite accessories for sprucing up an otherwise ho-hum outfit? How do you add intrigue on your way out the door if you feel like your ensemble is somewhat lacking? Do share your style secrets! S.
Category: Beltless, It's in the Bag, Layers Upon Layers, Pants Please, Reaching New Heights, Research Casual, Weekend Wear
Tags: brooch > floral > jeans > purple > S.
September 2nd, 2009 § §
Sources:
- Cropped jacket – thrifted, remixed
- Art Deco brooch – thrifted
- Green tee – H&M, remixed
- Trouser jeans – Old Navy, remixed
- Plaid pointy-toe flats – Target, remixed
Endnotes:
I’m looking forward to fall and being able to pull out cozy jackets and cardigans again. This past spring, we experimented with trends and how we can make them work for our body types, and I finally jumped on the cropped jacket bandwagon. Being short-waisted, I just didn’t think this could work for me, but there are certain tricks that can be applied to mitigate this ‘tiny torso’ problem of mine. The most important one being: wearing a longer top underneath that hits about mid-hip in order to still crate a longer torso line. Were I to wear this with a top that ended at my waist or with a tucked in top, you’d think my top portion ended just below my chest. Not really a look I’m going for.
Being conscious of proportions makes it much easier to incorporate trends or looks that may seem scarily out of one’s comfort zone. I apply the same methodology to my use of accessories. E. started an interesting discussion about brooches the other day and many of you agreed that brooches are a little more challenging of an accessory. I love brooches as a way to add interest to a top, as a make-shift button closure, or as a pashmina fastener around your shoulders. This summer, I followed A’s example and even starting wearing brooches as a belt accessory. The key is in the proportions: when wearing a brooch, I opt out of a necklace or bold earrings and let my pin take center stage. This just works for me because I prefer an understated look in terms of jewelry. If you’re bold and love wearing more, than go for it! But for the accessories-timid like myself, keeping it simple can make ‘brooching the subject’ a more doable task. And once you embrace brooches, you realize how many gorgeous vintage ones are out there for the taking in thrift stores and consignment stores alike. S.
Category: Beltless, Lab Friendly, Office Hours, Our Best Flatware, Pants Please, Proportionally, Research Casual
Tags: brooch > cropped jacket > patterned shoes > plaid > S.
September 1st, 2009 § §
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!)
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?
Category: Beltless, Color Combinations, Reaching New Heights, Teaching Outfits, The Short of It
Tags: Bermuda shorts > blouson top > brooch > cropped blazer > E. > yellow
August 20th, 2009 § §
Sources:
All remixed except for brooch used as button:
Endnotes:
The last time we experimented with monochromatic color schemes, I played around with outfits comprised almost entirely of
greens,
blues, and
pinks. This time around, I’m more drawn to
grays,
whites, and browns. I blame it on the lack of layers in the summer. It’s easier to construct an outfit comprised almost entirely of one color when you can add depth and visual interest with layers and overlaps. Although it is somewhat chilly this morning and I can gleefully pull out my chocolate brown shrug. To keep it closed and snug, I’m using a hand-painted wooden brooch as a make-shift button.
On a fashion side note, I’m currently reading a fascinating work on nineteenth century fashion by Philippe Perrot (
Fashioning the Bourgeoisie. A History of Clothing in the Nineteenth Century) and in it, he classifies the ancient world as “humanity sewn” and “humanity draped”. Just picture a starched suit vs. a loose toga or sari. Perrot analyses clothing as semiotic signs and culturally charged symbols and draws fascinating conclusions by studying garments as seemingly unimportant as undergarments and tie slips.
Putting a bit of a playful spin on this, I was wondering which category I’d fall under: sewn or draped? Our profession is filled with ‘humanity sewn’ but I fancy myself as a bit of a ‘draper’. This cardigan is the perfect example of a loose and flowey garment that I still find to be professional and work-appropriate. In my personal life, I chose a very drapey,
Grecian-inspired wedding gown. For my fall wish-list, I’d love some more of these draped creations, like the A
nthropologie Possibilities sweater or
cozy pashminas to wrap around my shoulders. What about you? Sewn or draped? S.
Category: Beltless, Color Combinations, Layers Upon Layers, Office Hours, Reaching New Heights, Skirting the Issue, Teaching Outfits, Theoretical
Tags: brooch > brown > color theory > draped garments > jersey > monochrome > S.
July 10th, 2009 § §
Sources:
All remixed except flower pin
- Teal Tee – F21
- Lace Cami – BR
- Skirt - American Eagle
- Sandals – F21
- Bag – Gap
- Flower -Blue Onion Marketplace
Endnotes:
Today I am just running a few errands and studying at a coffee shop. I have had this skirt for years and love it. The problem is, I struggle with what to pair it with. I have worn it a few times this spring and summer with a brown tee. I tend to get stuck in a rut when it comes to my few patterned pieces and i just repeat the same ensemble. I have no problem mixing and matching solids, but prints still scare me a bit. I’, attempting to mix it up today with this teal tee but I think the bag really steals the look today!
Do you share a similar anxiety over pattern? How do you cope? What would you pair with this print?
Check out my fabulous fabric flower sent to us from Blue Onion Market Place!
Vintage looking fabric flowers have been all over the J. Crew catalogues for a while now, but my latest trip to the mall, I also spotted them attached to tanks and cardigans at Gap, H & M, and the like. For my tastes, this particular flower is a bit large for the shoulder (though I know S. could pull it off beautifully), so instead I have attached the pin to my favorite old straw bag. I think it really gives this bag new life and makes it a bit more special.
Blue Onion Marketplace has generously offered our readers free shipping on flower pin orders (enter code: ACADFREESH). Check out the great selection of beautiful vintage flowers!
Category: Beltless, Color Combinations, It's in the Bag, Mixing Patterns, Our Best Flatware, Skirting the Issue
Tags: A. > brooch > patterned skirt > skirt length > summer style > teal
May 5th, 2009 § §
Endnotes:
It’s day two of our reader challenge to not wear belts and so I’m enjoying compiling more loose and flowy ensembles. I’m going to wear this outfit as the above pictures shows, with the shrug open and drapey because I love the elegant flow of it. But I have belted it before on windy days to keep it in place. Or on cooler days, to produce a snugger and warmer outfit. So here’s an alternative to belting, were I to want a more structured fit but still not want to tie a belt around it:
Category: Beltless, Color Combinations, Our Best Flatware, Research Casual, Skirting the Issue
Tags: brooch > cardigan > floral > floral skirt > style > summer style
March 21st, 2009 § §
21 March 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Pink cowl neck – Nine West
- Grey cardi – thrifted
- Blue layering cami – Banana Republic, remixed
- Navy chord trousers – The Limited, remixed
- Pink pumps – Antonio Melani, remixed
- Pink flower brooch – H&M
Endnotes:
No more of the lounging around that I talked about yesterday morning. Today I’m off bright and early to a graduate student conference on campus. Since I’m not presenting, I can be more casual in my attire, but still need to be professional enough to mingle with my cohorts and faculty.
I’m sure you also couldn’t help but notice the huge pink flower on my cardigan. This is my attempt to bring a little spring indoors, since I’ll be cooped up inside for the majority of the day listening to papers and panel discussions. If I can’t spend my Saturday in nature, than I will just bring some nature to the symposium room with me!
I hope you’re enjoying a lovely Saturday! S.
Category: Beltless, Color Combinations, Pants Please, Reaching New Heights, Research Casual
Tags: academic fashion > brooch > cardigan > graduate school > pink > thrifted > thrifting
February 25th, 2009 § §
25 February 2009 – Shades of Green, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Green polo – Banana Republic
- Yellow-green sweater vest – gift from mom, remixed
- Green layering cami – Banana Republic
- Brown skinny belt – Banana Republic
- Green floral skirt – Old Navy
- Boots – Dillards, remixed
- Brooch – thrifted, remixed
Endnotes:
Yesterday I said that a pink monochrome outfit felt quite comfortable to me, but that blue and green would be more of a stretch. I take it back. I love all these shades of green together.
Added bonus: I feel a bit like I’m channeling a leprechaun with this look ;) And I’m hoping that bit of Irish luck will carry me through my linguistics exam later this afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Ok, now back to my flashcards…. -S.
Category: Color Combinations, Office Hours, Reaching New Heights, Skirting the Issue, Teaching Outfits
Tags: academic fashion > belted > boots > brooch > green > monochrome > pattern > patterned skirt > S. > skirt length
18 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
Shoes and Necklace, originally uploaded by academichic.
scarf and brooch, originally uploaded by academichic.
18 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
