Nepali Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

• Scarf – Echo
• Sweater – J Crew
• Denim Pencil Skirt- BR Outlet
• Belt – New York & Co
• Boots- Banana Republic, via ebay

Today I am wearing this beautiful paisley scarf in shades of green and blue sent to me from Echo.  I loved how S. has  been wearing scarves over turtlenecks and how my scarf looked yesterday around the popped collar of my button down.  I don’t own many turtlenecks so tried it out with a shawl neck color sweater and am rather satisfied with the effect.  This scarf is a large square in a light thin material.   Echo has how many beautiful colors, patterns, and shapes and I’m excited to have a shape I don’t usually wear.  Like E. the other day,  I folded my scarf into a triangle and wrapped the small points behind my neck and then tied them in the front underneath the larger point of the triangle.  I am really liking this style and I already have many ideas of how I will wear this once the weather finally warms up a bit!

Ok, now for part two of my digression.  I wrote yesterday about dressing to express identity and the possibility of changing styles to express a different identity to different people.  All of your comments are so interesting!

As promised I want to talk a little bit about drag.  I have done quite a bit of thinking about drag because in my studies I continually wrestle with Judith Butler and because I am writing my dissertation on a male artist who often poses as a woman in his photographs. I also love a good drag show for entertainment and believe that drag has significant political potential.  This political and radical potential was confirmed for me this  past weekend – I saw some amazing activist performers.

I also heard an interesting suggestion about daily drag.  I have long believed that to some degree we often all dress in drag – this is because I believe that gender is a construction and that clothing works to construct and perpetuate gender identity.  However my thoughts on this were pushed further by a speaker at the conference who argued that we have two options when getting dressed: we either dress in drag or in a uniform.  If we don’t think about the message our clothing is sending that we are wearing a uniform, if we are conscious of it then it’s drag.  According to her definition, drag is a conscious dressing that sends a message about gender identity and makes people laugh, cry, or think.  If we take this definition then S. E. and I are dressing in drag everyday (at least everyday we post here) since we are certainly very conscious of what we are wearing and the messages it might convey.   I’m still working though these ideas but what do you think about this uniform vs. drag thing?

Ok, so why do I find this a powerful idea?  Sal asked yesterday if anyone made any comments or asked any questions about my attire.
I was very comfortable and confident in my appearance and I  felt totally accepted (I think this feeling had a lot to do with my own confidence) but I did have a few students ask me questions about how I dressed.  One student asked if I felt like I “passed,” if people assumed I was straight because of how I dressed.  I think our default is usually that someone is straight so while perhaps my clothing could reveal my sexuality, I would still “pass” on the phone, on paper, etc.  I explained to my students that I am confident in my clothing and that helps me feel confident about my identity, my relationship, and my scholarship.

I think the idea of dressing in drag appeals to me because I am aware that my clothing is a choice and that it sends a message and I like that my daily performance challenges people’s notions about what it means to be a lesbian and what it means to be feminine.  Our words and actions have to work in conjunction with our clothing and when you take my whole package into account there are some great seeming contradictions at work: I love pencil skirts and I am a lesbian, I wear heals and run marathons, I like pink and hot sauce and dark beer, I wear ruffly dresses and work boots and gloves.  I agree with most of you who said you pick what you wear based on the situation (pencil skirts for teaching, jeans for the bar, trendier items for campus, conservative wear for an interview, etc) but I have found that my overall sense of style doesn’t change as much as it once did (in an attempt to fit in with different groups of people).  Yet, it is empowering to remember that if it is all drag, a dramatic costume change is always an option!

A.

• Scarf – NY China Town
• Navy Sweater – Gap
• Denim Pencil Skirt – BR Outlet
• Pink Long Sleeve Tee – Gap
• Brown Boots – Banana Republic, via DSW
• Earrings- Gift from reader Kathleen

Today, to start out our Fashion 101 on trying out new scarf ties and new ways of styling scarves, I am sporting a rather simple outfit in order to showcase this new scarf tie I learned.   I liked the pop of hot pink against navy from this past scarf-based ensemble and so wore the same navy v-neck sweater and similarly paired it with denim and brown accessories.

I am also wearing these sweet little star- or snowflake-like earrings made by and sent from lovely reader Kathleen.

I am calling this tie “the pretzel tie” but I suppose “braid tie” would work too. This tie works best with a longer scarf and a two toned scarf really highlights the braid effect.

Start the tie as you would a “European loop” by folding the scarf in half and laying it over your neck.  Instead of pulling both ends through the loop created by the fold, only pull one end through.

Once you have pulled one end through the loop, twist the loop and pull the second end through this newly created loop.

You should end up with a braid- or pretzel-like knot.

Adjust and tighten until you like the way it is laying.  Hope you enjoy this new tie!

• Scarf – Banana Republic
• Grey Sweater – Banana Republic
• Denim Skirt – Gap
• Grey Sweater Tights – Banana Republic
• Black Flats – Urban Outfitters
• Earrings- Gift from my mom

This is another cozy outfit based around a cozy scarf.  I  saw this scarf at Banana Republic before Christmas and had to have it, mostly because of the purple and grey plaid.  It’s long and rather heavy, and has fringe along on of the long sides.  All of this made me question the addition to my wardrobe, but the warm soft fabric and perfect print and color palette convinced me (and my mom, who gave it to me) otherwise.

I just wrapped the heavy scarf around my neck and then loosely tied the ends together.   The outfit is pretty simple and plain, with the only other exciting component being these great earrings – another Christmas gift from my mom.

It has been so fun this week to see how the addition of a scarf can change the look of the simplest outfit. I hope you are all enjoying scarf month as much as we are.  Don’t forget to enter for a chance to win your own Nepali Scarf by TDM Design!  A.