12 August 2010 – Super Hero Triad and Super Hero Hair

Posted on | August 12, 2010 | 15 Comments

12 August 2010 – Super Hero Triad, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Striped Tank – American Eagle
Pencil Skirt – Banana Republic
Red Wedges – BR Outlet via S.
Earrings – Gift from A2
Bangle as necklace – Gap Outlet

Endnotes:

I started with my new favorite summer color combo of blue, white, and red and added this yellow bangle as a necklace (an idea stolen from E.). As I’ve said before, the triadic color combo of red-blue-yellow reminds me of a superhero costume and I think the large open circle on my chest reads a bit like a superhero crest. I needed some superhero powers today as I turned in my prospectus draft and headed to campus for a series of meetings.

The fabulous red espadrilles recently made their way into my closet from S.’s. She bought these shoes a couple summers ago and wore them a few times (also in a red -white-blue combo) bu in the end decided they where a bit too big on her. I’m worried they might be a bit too small on me but will test them out for a while before I decide. I do think they helped the superhero look!

It think what makes me feel most put together and confident in my appearance is a good hair day. I’ve written about this a few times, but the gist is: I have never dyed or permed my hair but I straighten it most days of the week. Now, courtesy of Misikko, I have a professional flatiron to use on my hair. Misikko sent me this Hana Elite 100% Ceramic Flatiron to review and I can honestly say I love it. I chose the thinner (1″) model because I have short hair. However, I have also noticed that the thinner iron gives me a bit more control over the shape of my hair, allowing me to curl the ends under for example.

Hana Elite – 100% Ceramic Flat Iron, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’ve had the flatiron for a few weeks now and have been using it regularly. I just haven’t managed to snap a picture before heading out into the extreme humidity these past few weeks have brought to Academichic Central. I have had my hair trimmed in the time, however, and my hairdresser is very happy with me that I am finally using a professional iron instead of the cheap one I was letting fry my hair. The Hana Elite isn’t cheap but I’m happy to say it is worth the investment.

Straight Hair, originally uploaded by academichic.

What about you? Does a good hair day start your day off right? What do you do to make a good hair day happen? Are you a straightener? A curler? A dyer? Or a no-’pooer?

12 August 2010 – Super Hero Triad, originally uploaded by academichic.

3 April 2010 – Red Cardi Recap

Posted on | April 3, 2010 | 12 Comments

3 April 2010 – with Trench , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Trench – vintage, was my grandmother’s
Purple top – Target
Red tank – Old Navy
Red cardi – thrifted
Jeans – “Flirt” jean from Old Navy
Flats – Palladium
Green tote – Kenneth Cole
Scarf – thrifted in Munich
Pendant – Sigrid Olsen, thrifted

Endnotes:

I’m wrapping up red cardi week and getting ready to allow other cardigans back in my life. For this last incarnation, I’m going for one of my favorite analogous color combinations: red and purple. I opted for a red and purple color block effect to add a bit of color to a simple weekend ensemble of jeans, flats, a trench coat and a tee + cardi mix.

Analogous , originally uploaded by academichic.

So I’m sure that you’ve noticed by now, that I wore this same red cardi all week. I decided to do this in an impromptu attempt to celebrate Spring finally gracing us with its presence. What better way to relish the nice weather than by wearing one of my favorite Spring time items in a favorite color?

3 April 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Many a style guides will tell you that a simple cardigan in a neutral is a ‘must have’ for any capsule wardrobe. While I agree that a charcoal, dark brown, or black cardi will likely never be amiss, I think it’s much more fun to have a solid colored cardi in a color you truly love. E. has a wine colored cardi that she’s named as part of her capsule wardrobe must-haves, and A. has found wonderful ways to create many an outfit with her pale blue one. If you were to choose a non-neutral cardigan with which to build a ‘basics’ wardrobe, which color would you love to have? (My second favorite one is a purple one that also gets much wear and were I to add a new one to the mix: how about a pretty coral?) S.

And now for the week in recap. . .

First Day of School, 2010

Posted on | January 22, 2010 | 29 Comments

First Day of School, 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Grey Jacket – Banana Republic
Cardigan – Banana Republic
Cinnamon Pencil Skirt – J Crew
Tights – Gap
White Scarf – sister M.’s
Wedges – Kenneth Cole, via DSW
Earrings – Gift
Blue Tote – Emilie M., via T.J. Maxx

Endnotes:

This is what I wore for the first day of school on Tuesday. I was introduced to my students, had a meeting with faculty, and some campus walking to do.

peep toes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

This classic pencil skirt was a Christmas gift from my mom and I knew as soon as I opened it that I would be premiering it on the first day of school. The shape and fit are noting new for me, but the color, which is actually a bit more subdued than it appears here (“cinnamon” according to J Crew) is a bit of a departure form my usual pencil skirt look. I intially thought of pairing the skirt with cream (which I will surely do in the future) but decided to play up my own embracing of a new color by trying a new color combination. Bight orange and blue is a color combo E. has done a few times and I love how it came together here.

Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

I tied the white scarf around my neck to break up the bright color blocks and soften the other wise very buttoned-up look.

I also premiered my new tote from T.J. Maxx. E and I took a little pre-first-day shopping trip to T.J. Maxx and Marshals, where we both found great deals. I’ve been wanting a tote to replace my NY China Town bag that fell apart earlier this year (after several years of almost daily use). I love my larger canvas totes but wanted something smaller and a bit more professional looking. I think the bright blue makes this youthful and stylish but the simple shape and faux leather construction allow it to function like a briefcase. For less than 20$, I think it more than fits the bill!

Blue Tote, originally uploaded by academichic.

I hope any of you starting school or work this week had a great first week back!

First Day of School, 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

3 January 2010 – Happy Birthday E.!!

Posted on | January 3, 2010 | 11 Comments

3 January 2009 – Happy Birthday E.!!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Black Cardigan – BR Outlet
Blue Jersey Dress – Old Navy
Black Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
Grey Layering Tee – Banana Republic
Brown Belt- BR Outlet
Brown Boots – Banana Republic, via ebay
Purple Tights- BR Outlet

Endnotes:

Happy Birthday E.!!!

In the four birthday’s I’ve known E. I don’t think I have ever gotten to celebrate over a drink with her. One of us has always been out of town still for the holidays. One of these days, I swear I’m going to buy you a birthday drink!

Like S., I think of E. in slightly cropped skinny pants and a swing coat slouchy, cardigan, or bloused tee. I was also inspired by E. to buy a pair of skinny jeans, and eventually start wearing them paired with something other than chunky boots and a long tops. But, I also think of E and the master of the dress (particularly the jersey dress). I was taking style clues from E. long before this blog started and I think the most important look I have taken from E. is the day dress. I bought my first jersey dress (this black one) with E.’s help and that was only the beginning! (E. also hemmed this blue dress for me).

E. Birthday Tribute, originally uploaded by academichic.

In my mind E’s signature look is the cardigan layered over the jersey dress. She has worn this look over and over, while always keeping it fresh and interesting. In one of her first posts for Acadmichic she layered two jersey dresses over a wool skirt and then topped the whole thing off with a chunky cardigan. I thought it was genius! So this is a tribute to E’s love of the day dress. I also adore E’s color blocking and the way she can elevate any ensemble with the addition of purple tights!

Layred Dresses, originally uploaded by academichic.

I hope you are having a wonderful time in Hawaii! I can’t wait to see you when you get back!
Love, A.

Happy Birthday E.!, originally uploaded by academichic.

1 January 2010

Posted on | January 1, 2010 | 23 Comments

1 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Vintage shift dress – was my grandmother’s
Black shirt dress – H&M
Brown belt – F21
Purple tights – grocery store
Boots – thrifted in Romania

Endnotes:

I found this vintage shift dress in my grandmother’s closet and since she no longer wears it, I claimed it for myself. She’s had this dress for longer than she can remember and I have faint memories of her wearing it from when I was little. I never paid much attention to it before, but seeing it now, I kind of fell in love with it. It’s got a great boat neck cut, white gum drop buttons that run down the entire left side of it, and Asian inspired artwork that runs along the hemline of it.

Dress layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

Admittedly, the teal, lime, and orange color scheme is a little loud and a little intimidating, but the details and cut make it so fabulous that I’m sure to wear it by itself come summer. For now, I mitigated some of its brightness by layering it under my black shirt dress and adding other neutrals such as a dark brown belt and dark brown boots. This entire ensemble is a somewhat strange conglomeration of disparate items, but over all I think it works. It feels quirky and fun and that’s not a bad way to start of the year, right? How would you wear this vintage shift dress, what would you pair it with? Do inspire me! S.

1 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

14 December 2009

Posted on | December 14, 2009 | 21 Comments

14 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Olive Sweater – H & M
Grey Wrap Sweater – NY & Co
Teal Scarf – NY China Town
Skinny Jeans – Banana Republic
Boots – Banana Republic, via DSW
Belt – BR Outlet
Earrings – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

I love this outfit! I often think I love an outfit, but then something happens – the belt shifts around, the skirt rides up, the shirt looks bunchy, it photographs horribly, etc. But this outfit I loved when I put it on, loved as I wore it, and love it in the photographs. It is warm and cozy but I think still stylish and elegant in its casualness. I think its slimming. I think it’s playful. I think it’s creative and subtle. I love the mix of charcoal and brown and the mix of olive and teal and the way all these colors came together. I love the addition of the brown bakelite earrings.

Bakelite Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

It feels strange to so unabashedly write such positive things about my own appearance. Like many of Sal’s readers, I find that I am rather self-conscious about any form of self-love. It’s so much easier to pick an outfit apart, find its flaws, find your flaws in the way you are wearing it. Posting a picture of yourself everyday is undoubtedly a self-centered act, but for me its often not a self-praising act. As S. mentioned last week, style blogging can make you feel very self-conscious and vulnerable and I have more than a few outfit posts that make me cringe to see them now. So, when I find myself looking at one I love, I’m gunna let you know it!

14 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

7 December 2009

Posted on | December 7, 2009 | 8 Comments

7 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Fuchsia Jersey Wonder Wrap – Blue Onion Marketplace
Grey Tee – American Eagle
Jeans – Gap
Green Flats – Banana Republic
Earrings – Gift from S.

Endnotes:

I haven’t been feeling 100% the past few days so spent most of my weekend in my PJs or sweats. But, when friends wanted to stop by for coco last night, I thought I should try to look presentable. I pulled on my new jeans and a long sleeved tee, but instead of going for a sweatshirt or oversized cardigan, I decided to give this wonder wrap a try.

I’ve had this jersey mystery in my closet for a while. I loved how S. wore hers, but have been struggling with pulling it off quite the same way. I decided to pretend it had no sleeves and use it as a giant jersey pashmina. I love the color and the fabric and I think it works well tied behind my back like this.

the back, originally uploaded by academichic.

I also tried wearing it with the extra just hanging loose in front, but preferred it tied neatly away. The jersey wonder wrap is on clearance over at Blue Onion Marketplace (and it just might be a future giveaway). If you have one, let us know how you are wearing it!

Speaking of Blue Onion Marketplace, congratulations to our three winners! We would love to know how you wear your flowers too!

7 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

10 November 2009

Posted on | November 10, 2009 | 18 Comments

10 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Blue Sweater – H & M
Blue Scarf – Old Navy
Brown Pinstripe Skirt – Gap
Belt – New York & Company
Tan Wedges – Gap Outlet
Amber Earrings – Gift

Endnotes:

Like S., I love brown and blue together, but had sort of forgotten what a fabulous color combination it is until S.’s post last week. When I saw S.’s ensemble, I immediately started thinking about how I could appropriate the look. I particularly liked how sharp the brown and white geometric pattern looked paired with the two close shades of bright blue.

For my version I chose my brown and white striped skirt and, once again hiked it up and belted it high around my waist. I reversed S.’s blues by layering my brighter more saturated blue scarf over the lighter sweater.

Now, if only this color combination could help me write the way it did for S.!

10 November 2009, 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.

27 October 2009 – HELP!

Posted on | October 27, 2009 | 62 Comments

27 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed…

Pink Sweater – Banana Republic
Denim Pencil Skirt – Gap
White Tank – Banana Republic
Boots – Banana Republic, via ebay
Necklace – The Limited
Earrings – Gift
Bracelet – Gift from S.

Endnotes:

I don’t usually wear pink but I do love pink and brown together, particularly this kin-of dusty rose. I also like the combination of turquoise and pink — it gives this otherwise very basic ensemble a little something extra.

What I really want to talk about though, is JEANS! I need your help dear readers! Today I attempted to go jean shopping. I have a couple pairs of skinny jeans that I like, but what I really want is a pair of versatile everyday jeans that can be worn with flats and a tee. I love the way Gap “Real Straight” jeans looked on the leg-less mannequin but they looked more like skinny jeans on me (even on the model they are a bit too skinny for what I am looking for). After trying on many pairs at Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic, the closest I found were a pair form the Men’s side of Gap — Limited Edition Skinny Jeans (which I can’t find on line). Surprisingly, the rise fit fine (unlike most jeans sold for men), the color was perfect, and the fit through the hips, thighs, and lower legs was all perfect. The problem – they were too big in the waist.

So, any suggestions? I have hips and thighs but a rather small waist so I need something with a higher rise. I am willing to spend a little money but can’t fathom paying $1oo or more on a pair of jeans.