24 November 2009 – Winter White

Posted on | November 24, 2009 | 27 Comments

24 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Gray cardigan: Ann Taylor, gift from MIL
White nursing cami: Target
Belt: Gap Outlet
Cream wool pencil skirt: Isaac Hazan, vintage, thrifted
Brown tights: Old Navy
Wedges: thrifted

End Notes:

I love it when an outfit works as well in actuality as it does in my imagination. This is one of those outfits.

When I first started stalking style blogs, I remember being startled and intrigued by the inimitable Jessica Schroeder’s embrace of white as a staple color in her winter wardrobe. And I don’t mean a white sweater or a white hat and scarf. No, I’m talking full on white or cream dresses, worn with rich burgundy or contrasting with crisp black. I thought it was beautiful and stunning and I wanted to try it myself. It took another year, further inspirational bursts from Alison the Valiant — who is another winter white genius — and a successful thrifting trip with A. where I snagged this cream wool pencil skirt to satisfy this style itch.

I wanted to create a classic hourglass shape, so I used this slouchy, dolman-sleeve sweater to exaggerate my shoulders and a wide belt to cinch in at the waist, and I let the high waist of the pencil skirt do the rest. Brown tights and brown wedges create the illusion of a long, seamless leg line. I love these old-school proportions, and I also love how I let my clothes do so much of the work for me.