Sources:

• Shirt – American Eagle
• Shorts – Banana Republic Factory Store
• Tank – Urban Outfitters
• Earrings – Gift from S.
• Sandals – H&M
• Sunglasses – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

This is certainly not my most exciting outfit (though I do think it looked much better in person than in these i-phone photos) but it was quite the exciting afternoon!  This year A2 and I joined a CSA on the recommendation of E and N. We picked up our first box of goodies two weeks ago at our local farmer’s market, but this week I decided to drive the 45 minutes to the farm to spend a couple hours picking some of my own produce and getting some sun with friends.

It was hot. Really hot. So, I wore shorts (short shorts), a tissue thin button-down over an almost as thin tank, sandals and my aviators.  I picked these shorts up on the cheap at Banana Republic Factory store a couple weeks ago and have been living in them ever since.  I bought them because they actually fit both my thighs and my waist (well almost anyway).  I would have preferred them to be an inch or two longer and still feel a bit self-conscious in them.  What about you? Are you a shorts person?  Do you feel comfortable in non-Bermuda-length shorts?

The combination of thin plaid button-down, shorts, and big red canvas basket were perfect for a couple hours on the farm.  We got to pick three different kinds of peas and then make up bags full of  already harvested lettuces, greens (kale, spinach, etc), turnips, radishes, garlic scape, broccoli, and more.  We also picked pints of the most beautiful and delicious strawberries, but were down one before we ever even made it home!

As we drove home with our haul enjoying the beautiful scenery (and consuming a  pint of strawberries and some snowpeas) we brainstormed a feast that would not require anything but our fresh veggies and some staples that were already in the pantry.  We shucked peas on the back deck with a bottle of whine and got to cooking.  For some reason I just fell in love with the rainbow swiss chard.  It comes out of the ground in these beautiful vibrant colors!  After photographing it, I put it in a vase to use as our centerpiece and to eat later this week.

All in all it was a wonder afternoon spent with friends and dirt and an equally wonderful evening spent with more friends and great food!

• Blue Button Down – J Crew
• Orange Skirt – J Crew
• Belt – Anthropologie
• Tweed Tights – Gap
• Shoes – Urban Outfitters
• Earrings – gift

Endnotes:

Yesterday was my first day of teaching for the Spring semester.  I loved my first day of school outfit from last Spring semester (so much so, I included it in my top ten list).  So, I decided to use some of the elements form that look to create something new.  I pulled out my bright orange wool skirt and tweed tights to start.  I wanted to keep the bold complimentary color pairing of orange and blue and retain some of the classic prep look the crew neck cardigan gave the original.

Inspired by another of my top ten picks, I decided to belt my tuxedo-front blue button down.  The central items in this ensemble are fairly “safe”  but the bright colors, particularly this combination of bright colors gave the outfit more personality.

This time around I decided to take that personality and run with it…

Anthropologie Belt, originally uploaded by academichic.

Instead of a simple brown leather belt, I opted for this blue cloth belt with its sparkly leaf pattern (a Christmas gift from my mom).  I also sported my fantastically strange eye earrings (a long-ago gift from a favorite TA supervisor).  I love these earrings because from far away they are just brown dangly earrings, but as someone approaches they see the little surrealist eyes staring at them.  The first time I wore these earrings in a professional setting was at the College Art Association conference several yeas ago.  I got a good mix of strange looks and gushing compliments.  I now often use them as a subtle way to make an otherwise bland professional outfit my own and can imagine wearing them with my interview suit (I’ll be applying to teach contemporary art after all).

Eye Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

This outfit was of course far from bland professional even with out the eye earrings.  On my short walk from my off-campus parking spot to the building where I teach I passed three former students and I got to thinking about how long I have been a TA (this is my 8th semester at my current university and my 14th all together) and it occurred to me that this may possibly be my last!  My funding is still very much undetermined, but it is a feasible possibility that I might finish my degree with grant money and never TA again!  This got me reflecting on my outfit.  Would I have worn bright orange and blue, a sparkly belt, eye earrings and my wellies (I wore them to walk to campus and never managed to put the pumps back on) for the first day of my first semester as a TA?  Probably not.  There are many reasons for that, including an evolving personal style, a growing level of confidence in my personal appearance, among other things, but it also has to do with my confidence in myself as a teacher.  I know I am a good teacher and so I worry less about what exactly my clothes are saying to my students.

Have you had similar experiences?  Once you are more confident in your job do you find yourself being more bold in your style choices?

Blown sideways, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Plaid shirt: thrifted
• Navy tank: Target
• Belt: Gap Outlet
• Bracelet: gift from A.
• Skirt: Target
• Wedges: thrifted

End Notes:

While I might not think that Occam’s razor is the ultimate guiding principle for science, theology, or philosophy, I have to say that this law of economy definitely has its merits when it comes to getting dressed. Of all the variants, Leonardo da Vinci’s pithy restatement — “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” — translates best to figuring out how to wear this thrifted plaid shirt.

Indeed, the simplest solution — with a gray pencil skirt, belt, and wedges — seems to have been my best so far. Per the suggestions of many, I rolled up the sleeves and threw on a cuff bracelet for some extra oomph and subtle pattern mixing. The only thing I couldn’t quite decide was if I liked it better with the shirt tucked in our let out.

In the end I left it untucked. The more casual vibe was more appropriate for today’s activities, and I already had enough to worry about with this unseasonably warm, windy weather wreaking havoc in my hair!

Summer or Fall?, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Shirt: vintage
• Skirt: Gap
• Belt: mom’s
• Shoes: Le Petit Sperone via Filene’s Basement
• Leather Cuff: Martin Zalud and Alicia Zaludova via Mass MoCA store

Endnotes:
Similarly warm weather has swept all the way from Academichic Central up to New England and the temps are reaching the low 60s again after several days of bitterly cold rain. I welcomed this change and took advantage of it by wearing this breezy, cotton summer (or fall?) outfit. The brown skirt is something I traded with A. last summer since I had the exact same one in white! This skirt has narrow pintucks that create a subtle herringbone of “V”s all over. Hers was too short for her taller frame, but mine was just the right length for her. I replaced my white one with this skirt from BR and A. had another brown skirt as well. All in all a perfect trade. Anyway, I thought the brown skirt and shoes balanced the brighter bursts of color from the floral patterned shirt and blue belt.

Summer or Fall (close), originally uploaded by academichic.

The shirt is another vintage find from the attic, and the Peter Pan collar and delicate flowery design are definitely a throw back. To accessorize this outfit I chose a piece of jewelry I picked up this summer when I was visiting the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) in North Adams, MA. Museum gift shops are often a treasure trove of interesting and unique (and occasionally handcrafted) jewelry. This leather cuff is soft to the touch and the narrow incised lines and punched holes create a subtle geometric design.

Zalud Leather Cuff, originally uploaded by academichic.

I thought that the leather and wool of my accessories played off of the soft cotton and cheerful patterning of the rest of my ensemble. A balance, like the weather, of summer and fall.

Pink and a Jumper, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress: Evan via Off 5^th
• Shirt: Banana Republic
• Shoes: Coach
• Belt: BR Outlet

Endnotes:
Day 3 of Blogging for Breast Cancer aWEARness! Now that the weather has cooled, I’m trying to stretch my summer dresses into the fall. I thought this jersey might look good as a jumper of sorts, and I wanted to change things up from the customary black pencil skirt I have paired with this shirt before. It worked pretty well, and I quickly got over my childhood flashbacks of jumpers – something I haven’t worn since my mom used to put me in Talbot’s from head to toe. The pink shoes were a gift from my mom – she found them on super sale somewhere and knowing my love of pink, thought they would be perfect for me. I haven’t gotten a whole lot of use out of them, but they are fun on occasion, and boy are they pink!

BreastCancerAwearness, originally uploaded by academichic.

2010 Academichic – 16 Sept, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Shirt: Calvin Klein Outlet
• Skirt: Banana Republic Outlet
• Cardigan: Banana Republic
• Shoes: Madden Girl via DSW

End Notes:
I seem to be stuck on the wonders of white shirts this week, but like I said, you can’t go wrong with a white button down. This one is nicely fitted with ruching at the seams down the front and back, and it flares out at the bottom, which emphasizes the waist without having to belt it to draw attention.

2010 Academichic – 16 Sept, originally uploaded by academichic.

The pencil skirt is one of my few navy pieces and has a subtle striping of black and grey which allows for several color combinations. I was keeping it simple today and opted for my grey shoes (since blue shoes are still woefully absent from my closet… perhaps not for long though!).

Grey Shoes, originally uploaded by academichic.

Up here in New England it is chilly enough already that a short-sleeved shirt will not suffice to keep out the crisp fall air, and so I pulled this grey cardigan from my closet for some warmth.

Mr. Rogers Sweater, originally uploaded by academichic.

Although they are pretty useless, I love the little pockets. This sweater makes me feel cozy without adding bulk. I like the metal ring detailing down the front as well, which gives an otherwise Mr.Rogers-esque sweater a little shine and some edge.

Crayola!, originally uploaded by academichic.

I added this recent gift, a fun Crayola pen, because my favorite Mr. Rogers is definitely the one where they go to the Crayola factory to see how crayons are made! Plus, how funny is it to look like you’re grading papers with a giant crayon? What was your favorite episode? Do you have a “Mr. Rogers sweater” hanging in your closet

Silk Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Button down: Banana Republic Outlet
• Scarf: vintage Hermes
• Belt: ?
• Grey pinstriped slacks: Banana Republic Outlet
• Silver Shoes: Corso Como via Shopstyle.com

End Notes:
This outfit was inspired by a resolution I made to finally wear this beautiful vintage Hermes scarf that my mother had given me for Christmas. My mother often wears gorgeous brightly colored silk scarves tied around her neck and shoulders and folded in half with the point down the back. However, I was in search of some more innovative ways of incorporating this piece. I’m not sure that what I came up with is revolutionary, but it worked for me. I folded it diagonally and gathered it into a narrow strip. I decided to put this inside my collar, sort of like a man’s cravat, and then loosely tie it at the chest.

Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

Keeping it inside my collar served to make the look more sleek, as it seemed too bulky outside. I also like that it is kind of a faux necktie. My fitted shirt is another workhorse of my wardrobe and is the type of staple that I stock up on when I find one that I like. This one was at the BR outlet in a Petite XS (a rare size!) and fits perfectly, so of course, I bought two in white and one in black. You cannot go wrong with a crisp, fitted white button down!

2010 Academichic – Grey Pants, originally uploaded by academichic.

I have had these trousers for a while, but they were too long when I purchased them. In a time saving maneuver I decided to try Singer Instant Hems ‘n Cuff Tape which is an iron-on adhesive that holds fabric together. These only needed to come up one cuff length so there wasn’t too much weight pulling at the tape. I think if I’d needed to take up more, I would have reinforced the hem with some quick stitching. Finally, metallic shoes for everyday.

Silver Shoes and Lotus Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Blue Button Down – J Crew
• Jeans – Banana Republic
• Black Cami – Gap
• Black Belt- NY & Co
• Black Heels – DSW
• Bracelets – gifts from S. and S.’s Mom

Endnotes:

I have a belt obsession.  It’s no secret.  I will belt anything and everything.  I love to belt.  But, here’s the thing, belts look good on me.  I belt to emphasize my waist, which is one of the best parts of my body.  I have a soft spot for button down shirts – it’s something about the classic simplicity of them – but they are not usually the most flattering on me.  Much like I did with my boxy button-up blouse a few weeks ago, I left this shirt unbuttoned, crossed it over, and belted it around the smallest part of my waist.  I’m quite pleased with the effect.

Tow added bonuses: the bright blue of this shirt makes my blue eyes pop and these dark skinny jeans combined with black pointy-toed heels make my legs look long and slim.  I’m planning to dress for both of these features later this week, but I am unabashedly claiming them all as good parts in one post!

I am a little concerned that these jeans may be creeping into jeggings territory – but, that’s for another post.

A.

10 May 2010 – Dressing My Wasit, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Pale pink patterned button down – J.Crew
• Gray tank – BR, remixed
• Black and white scarf tie – gift from mom
• Black cigarette pant – Maurices
• Flip-flops – Target, remixed

Endnotes:

Dear Audrey Hepburn,

I think you rock! You are by far my favorite style icon and I just wish I could look as elegant as you. I have long admired your style but have been hesitant in trying to emulate it. I had my doubts about embracing some of your signature looks – such as the skinny black pant (aka. the cigarette pant) – because I thought I had to have a perfect figure to do so. As I’ve gotten older and more comfortable with my body, I have let go of many preconceived notions of beauty and size and I have become more daring and adventurous, culminating in a brazen purchase of a black skinny cigarette pant!

I have looked at your images to find inspiration and I have even read admittedly slightly stalkerish posts about how to dress like you. I have followed your example of keeping it simple and clean, opting for three-quarter length sleeves and a defined waist, and hope to have achieved even a tiny twinge of the elegance you so effortlessly exuded. And I even managed to pattern mix just a bit!

Thank you, dear Ms. Hepburn, for being so charming, talented, and chic. I love your movies and will forever admire your style.

Sincerely,

S.

1 July 2009 – Midweek Casual , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Plaid button down – AE, thrifted 
• Red tank – ON, remixed 
• Navy bermudas – Old Navy 
• Flats – Palladium, remixed

Endnotes:

Today is just one of those days. I’m not feeling particularly motivated to put on a dress or accessories, I probably won’t leave the house (I’m doing loads of laundry after our trip and working on my dissertation proposal from home), and I just want to be comfortable. But as you’ve all noted before; it just feels so much better when you get dressed even on those kind of days. If you follow Heather Armstrong on Dooce, then you may have read her recent post on how she managed to shower, get dressed, AND put on mascara (she just gave birth a couple of weeks ago, so she is rather sleep deprived and preoccupied with her new baby). She mentions how this small act of self grooming made her feel like she “could crush solid granite with [her] hands”! 

Because I also subscribe to the school of “getting dressed even when you don’t feel like it”, I still put on non-pajama clothes even when I might not see anyone or leave the house all day. That’s when I reach for old-faithful – the comfy button down shirt - and a pair of pants or shorts. It helps to have a go-to outfit, something you know you’ll feel good in and can just throw on and be done. To me, it makes a huge psychological difference to get dressed and put on make-up even when I could spend the day in sweats and with unwashed hair. (I may not quite feel like I could crush granite but that may change once I add a baby to the mix).  S.