16 December 2009

Posted on | December 16, 2009 | 8 Comments

16 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Black Sweater Vest – BR Outlet
Black Henley – Gap
Pink Button Down – J Crew
Black Pants – Banana Republic
Earrings – Gift

Endnotes:

Today I administered the final exam for my students. Apparently, this pink pinstriped shirt says “exam time” to me, as I just remembered I wore it for last semester’s midterm too. I think I like it because its professional in style but a little more fun because of the bright pink. I have been wanting to wear my black sweater vest again and apparently great minds think alike – S. and I both thought of the button down/vest combo.

I layered the pink button down over a black henley so I could roll up the sleeves but still have a little extra warmth for the cold day and the cold classroom. I like the line of tiny buttons created by the three buttoned tops.

Buttons, originally uploaded by academichic.

But my favorite part of the outfit, is by far these earrings. They were a gift from a professor I was a TA for years ago. I love wearing them with preppy professional looks as a surprising twist.

eye earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’m not completely satisfied with how the pants work in this ensemble, but I do think the black on black keeps the outfit looking sleek. Hopefully I looked authoritative while simultaneously putting my students at ease.

16 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

29 October 2009

Posted on | October 30, 2009 | 15 Comments

29 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Olive Sweater – H & M
Brown Cord Skirt – Old Navy
Scarf – Birthday gift from S.
Belt – New York & Co
Tights – Gap
Shoes – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW

Endnotes:

First of all, thank you for all of your jean support! I will give jean shopping another go and report back soon.

S. sent me this beautiful scarf from Germany for my birthday and I am in love. It’s my colors and my pattern! As soon as I pulled it out, I started planning outfits around it. I have been wanting to try the belted scarf look again and thought that might be a good way to really showcase this new addition. The scarf is the perfect length and thickness for this look (that is, not too long and not too thick). Because the colors of the rest of my outfit were pretty simple, almost monochromatic, I decided I could play with pattern and texture. I chose this wide, tweed belt to hold the scarf in place and my tweed-esque tights.

belted scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

Yesterday was another long rainy day here, but as much as I love my boots, I wanted to wear other shoes for once this week! Peep-toes were probably not the best choice, but my feet did manage to stay dry all day. I was slow to come around to the peep-toe, but have learned to love them. And then, I was hesitant about the peep-toe with tights – not any more! If it means I can keep wearing my favorite shoes, I’m in!

What about you? Will you try the belted scarf or the peep-toes and tights?

peep toes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

14 September 2009

Posted on | September 14, 2009 | 7 Comments

14 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

Teal Tee - F21
White Sleeveless Shirt – Gap
Grey Denim Pencil Skirt – Old Navy
Red-Orange Flats – Old Navy
Flower Necklace – Gift from A2
Earrings – gift from sister L.

Endnotes:

Today I am mostly catching up on emails and running errands with a few brief meetings in between. After long weekends, Mondays are always spent playing catch up before I can get down to any real work for the week. I’m staying casual in denim and a tee but tried to spruce it up a bit with a fun color combination and by adding the white tuxedo shirt pleats under my tee.

Neckline Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

As S. departs for her year far far away from academichic central, I am feeling a bit nostalgic. I also spent yesterday evening holding baby e., which had me thinking about how much we have changed since we all first met.

We have received many reader questions about how we met and how we decided to start our blog. Well…

I feel like I have been friends with these two, and have had an intimate knowledge of their closet, forever. I met E. my first day on campus four years ago and we quickly took to each other both socially and intellectually. Our first day of seminar she complimented my outfit and I knew there was more then contemporary art talk in our future. I met S a year and half later, after many shopping trips with E had transpired. S and I would often compliment each other’s ensembles in class. By the end of the semester, we were walking together after every class chatting about running or fashion or bonding over our hair struggles. I introduced E and S a short while later and it only took a few shopping trips and a few more afternoons at the coffee shop to know that fashion, while just one of our many mutual interests, was what made our trio tick.

We all liked reading style blogs and thought that our status as feminist Ph.D. students who, against all stereotypes, actually care about style gave us a relatively unique viewpoint that would be fun to share and add to that style blogging community. We were always consulting each other on what to wear for the first day of teaching, a meeting with our advisor, a class presentation, or a conference, and one day, we just started throwing around the idea of a style blog that would answerer these questions for other academics. I think it was on one of our marathon shopping trips that we solidified the idea.

These two incredible women are now two of my closet friends and my regular confidants about way more than fashion!

Safe travels S.!

Necklace detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

2 September 2009

Posted on | September 3, 2009 | 14 Comments

2 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed except scarf and beaded bracelet

White Skirt – J Crew
Rust Tee – Banana Republic
White Tank – Banana Republic
Woven Brown Belt – BR Outlet
Necklace – gifted earring turned into necklace
Beaded Bracelet – gift
Gold and Silver Bangle – gift from S.’s mom
Sandals – Forever 21
Earrings – Banana Republic
Bag – China Town, NY
Sunflower Scarf – VintageThreadz

Endnotes:

Today’s ensemble is a bit of a summer-fall mashup. I am not much of one for following fashion rules, but I did think to myself earlier this week that I should get another wear out of my white skirt before Labor Day. The weather is still quite warm here, but like S., I am ready for my favorite season – Fall! I pulled out this burnt orange top and by the time I was done accessorizing I had a rather autumnal palette going. I think the contrast of the rust and white with accents of brown was the perfect color combination for a sunny September day.

As I mentioned earlier this week, I rummaged through my jewelry box and rediscovered a few pieces I haven’t worn in ages. This beaded bracelet is one of those finds and I love the colors and style of it. I paired it with the beautiful bangle S.’s mom gave me on S.’s wedding day.

Bracelets, originally uploaded by academichic.

We have been doing a bit of talking about accessories around here, specifically brooches. I actually have a variety of brooches coming my way, so will be attempting to “brooch the subject” very soon, however I think I will find this much easier to do once I am wearing scarfs, jackets, and sweaters on a regular basis. Another accessory I have trouble with is the small square scarf. I love big long scarfs that I can wrap around my neck a couple times or wear draped around my shoulders. Recently I have come to also like long thin scarves that I can use as belts. But with a scarf to small to fit around my waist, I am at a loss. S. does wonderful things with these little scarves, but I am just not a neck-scarf person. So, when I received this beautiful little sunflower scarf from Vintage Threadz, it took some thinking to figure out how to incorporate it.

Sunflower Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

With sunflowers being an August to September bloomer, the scarf was such a perfect accessory for my summer-fall mashup, so I tied it around the straps of my bag. I used a similar trick with my large flower brooch, adding it to a large tote and a small clutch.

I’ll be passing this scarf on to S. soon to see what she can do with it, but I’m curious how you might style a small square scarf? A.

2 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

20 August 2009

Posted on | August 21, 2009 | 42 Comments

20 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

Purple Floral Tee – Old Navy
Grey Skirt – Old Navy
Purple Belt - Gap
Purple Cardigan – Gap
Black Flats – Urban Outfitters
Necklace – Gift from S.
Earrings- Gift from E.

Endnotes:

Why I wore what I wore:

Being rather pleased with yesterday’s outcome, I decided to try another monochromatic non-neutral with a neutral base – purple, purple, purple! The necklace is one of the earrings S. gave me for being her “best woman” worn as a pendant. This is a remixed trick that lets me wear my favorite jewelry more often.

Purple Purple Purple, originally uploaded by academichic.

What I thought about as I wore it:

Last night I caught up with my childhood best friend, which was wonderful! She had heard through the family grapevine that I had a blog and had checked it out. While she was very complimentary, I have to admit my first instinct was to be embarrassed and that initial feeling has had me thinking all night and all day. My family knows about the blog, increasingly more friends know about it, and because it’s on the world wide web, more people with random connections to my non-blog life are discovering us. Yet, no one from my academic life (outside of S. and E. of course) know about the blog. Why? Because fashion and style are considered frivolous. We are suppose to be concerned with much more important things and I guess I assume professors and even colleagues would consider this a silly waste of time. Threadbared recently wrote a thoughtful and stimulating post on this very topic in which they also address the gendered and sexist aspects of academia’s fraught relationship with fashion.

I think as a feminist, my love of fashion might be further seen as contradictory. We begin to address this in our State of the Field and it is a topic the three of us continue to discuss amongst ourselves, but I would love to open this issue up to our always insightful readers.

My active involvement in the LGBT political and academic communities adds an extra layer of tension to self-styling. I find there are expectations for how I should physically present myself and often incorrect assumptions are made based on my appearance.

On our post on male academic style reader H. left a thought provoking comment about the gendered concerns of wearing an engagement ring in academia. What does our clothing and jewelry say to our colleagues and superiors about our commitment to our work, our politics, etc. While I don’t have an engagement ring, I would like to say that in regards to all of the above, I have tried to make it my policy that I will wear what makes me feel most comfortable and confidant, yet I have to admit I do often find myself wondering what my clothing says about me and hoping that the message I set out with is the one conveyed.

Do you feel pressure to look a certain way because of your job, your political leanings, your commitments to family or a particular community?

Do you find that colleagues or strangers make unfair or incorrect assumptions about you based on your style?

20 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

15 August 2009 – True Triad Love

Posted on | August 16, 2009 | 7 Comments

15 August 2009 – True Triad Love, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed except belt…

Purple Top – BR Outlet
Grey Denim Pencil Skirt- Old Navy
Green Flats – BR
Green Bracelet – Gift from S.
White Tank – BR
Orange Ribbon Belt – American Eagle

Endnotes:

I wanted to wear one true triad before this week was up, so last night for a casual dinner and a movie I rocked the orange-purple-green triad in all its glory!

I have paired this purple top with my green flats many times before, but the addition of orange was a stretch for me. I did this triad in the winter with a more blue-green and a red-orange. Throughout these color challenges, I have endlessly remixed those floral red-orange flats and my coral sweater because they are about the only orange-ish things in my wardrobe. I really just don’t own a true orange. At least, that is what I thought, until I was digging through my scarf box and discovered this orange ribbon belt at the bottom. I am pretty sure this came with a pair of shorts form American Eagle, purchased over 5 years ago, and I have never worn it since.

Purple and Orange!, originally uploaded by academichic.

As it turns out, I love the way the orange and purple look together (much like I learned I love yellow and purple). I still don’t think orange is a color I will be going out and buying in bulk, but a few more orange accessories might be a nice addition to my personal color wheel.

Have our fashion 101s inspired you to shop for any one color in particular? What color?

1 August 2009

Posted on | August 1, 2009 | 2 Comments

1 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

Red-Violet Tee – F21
White Tank – Urban Outfitters
Skinny Jeans – Gap Outlet
Sandals – Old Navy
Necklace – Gift

Endnotes:

Like S., I love the two-thirds combination of green and purple and have paired them together several times. I’ve most often done this using a more teal-green or by throwing on my green flats. I’ve only done the red-violet and this pale turquoise once before – wearing the same tee with a different necklace. I don’t know that this is a color combination I could do with large swaths of color, but I do like the way the pop of color at the neckline adds so much to this otherwise very simple, research-casual ensemble.

I plan to spend most of the day writing at a coffee shop, but if I am productive enough, I may treat myself to a short trip to old navy (only because I have a 30% coupon – thanks Cora). I’ll be sure to report back any great purchases! -A

Reader Question: Gray Pants in the Summer?

Posted on | July 31, 2009 | 9 Comments

We recently received this reader question in our inbox:

Can you wear grey pants in the summer?
Before I go ahead, is there any pointers you might have? Any help would be appreciated.

What a great question! Gray pants do have something fall or wintery about them and tend to be a rare item in summer fashion lines. However, if you have a beloved pair of gray trousers you want to keep wearing year-round, there are good ways to do that. Here are some clever outfit ideas from some of our favorite wardrobe_remixers on Flickr, who demonstrate just how to work that gray pant into your summer wardrobe:

blousier, originally uploaded by Julie Mack.

The very stylish Julie Mack wears a medium gray pant with this soft pale blue blouse. The light color and fabric of the blouse lightens up the outfit all together, making the pants appear more summer appropriate as well.

Trick: Pair a more somber gray pant with a light and breezy summer blouse!

Mamichan, from whom we seem to draw endless style inspiration, wears her gray summer culottes with a darker top and flats. Although the hues are darker and the cuts more tailored, the pale gray of the pant as well as the just below the knee length make it an unmistakable summer outfit.

Trick: Choose a paler gray or a summer cut such as a culotte, capri, or cigarette pant!

daily wear 07-23-09, originally uploaded by Darling Dexter.

Keeping it similarly light in hue, the lovely Darling Dexter sports a pale gray trouser with a white top and short sleeved cardi. Once more, the lighter shade of gray makes it feel breezy and summery, while the white top and short sleeved cardi add to that light and airy look.

Trick: Pair a light gray pant with other pale colors for a soft and summery color palette!

25 June 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Our own E. demonstrates how she made her gray trousers extend into the summer months by pairing them with a bright coral top. In this case, E.’s pant is a dark charcoal but can still look summery with the help of a bold and punchy color on top.

Trick: If you have a dark gray pant, play up the saturated color by adding a bright and bold top in coral, green, or magenta!

30 July 2009

Posted on | July 30, 2009 | 10 Comments

30 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

Red-Orange Cardigan – Gap
Teal Top - BR Outlet
Black Skirt – BR Outlet
Brown Belt – Ann Taylor
Brown Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW
Earrings – Gift
Brown Bag – China Town, NYC

Endnotes:

Much like yellow, I don’t own anything in true orange. Instead, I prefer the way a red-orange, rust-orange, or this more coral color, looks with my hair color and skin tone. I love all shade of blue and green, and particularly favor a good blue-green. Before these Fashion 101s, I would never have thought to pair this color with a shade of orange and still don’t feel completely myself in this outfit. I loved the way S. wore these complimentary colors on Monday and E’s version, also from Monday, so figured I should give it a try. To make it feel a bit more me, I am also mixing my neutrals!

Have you taken inspiration from any of our outfits and then made it your own? If so, send us a picture and tell us about it!

29 July 2009

Posted on | July 29, 2009 | 17 Comments

29 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

Purple Cardigan – Gap Outlet
Yellow and White Stripped Skirt – H & M
White Tee – Gap
Sandals – H & M
Earrings – F21

Endnotes:

Today’s shades, purple and yellow, are true complimentary colors – straight form the crayon box. Purple is one of my favorite colors and I also really like the way it looks with my hair and skin tone. Yellow, however, is a whole other story! I like yellow on my walls, in my flowers, and in theory, I like it in my wardrobe too. In practice, it just isn’t for me. I have yet to find a shade of yellow that I am willing to wear near by face. When we first introduced these color challenges, I quickly identified some holes in my own closet color wheel and most of them were in the yellow to red family. I purchased some yellow bangles and let that complete any combinations that would require yellow.