academichic

21 August 2009 – Sundance, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed except espadrilles.

• Yellow cardi: Ann Taylor Outlet
• Cream skirt: BR Outlet
• White nursing cami: Target
• Cream espadrilles: Old Navy

End Notes:

I’ve loved the monochromatic looks that S. and A. have sported this week, and today’s outfit falls somewhere in between S.’s soft, sophisticated neutral looks and A.’s bright layers of color. It took a while for me to accept the idea of wearing white and cream at the same time, but on this second go-round I can say that I definitely love the subtly of the combination. It might be my new black-brown fashion-don’t-become-fashion-yes!

I love the conversation that A. started yesterday about dress, expectations, and academia. When I was speaking at my alma mater earlier this week, I was reminded of a comment we received a few months ago from a reader who remarked that her status as a mom and academic made her even more careful to appear put-together and stylish on campus to counter any possible criticism that mommyhood was impinging on her brain cells. I certainly felt that self-pressure over the weekend!

I find the self-fulfilling prophecy of self-fashioning to be fascinating. I’ll be the first to admit that dressing well makes me feel better and thus makes me perform better. But every once in a while I remind myself that subversive dressing means that you can’t always “pass.” Is there a certain point when self-disclosure becomes necessary? It gets increasingly convoluted as one considers the layers of expectation, identity, and performance that we experience and enact. By dressing in a certain way, I may challenge what a feminist looks like or what a mom looks like, but on some level the subversion only works if I at some point let people know that I am a feminist, a mother, a half-Japanese woman, etc. The who and how of that disclosure, however, is what allows my style to be an act of self-empowerment rather than just an act.

Keep your thoughts coming. We have loved reading your comments!

21 August 2009 – Sundance, originally uploaded by academichic.

7 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Navy button down – H&M, remixed
• Flower belt – J.Crew, gift from mom
• Skirt – Talbots, gift from mom, remixed here and here
• Espadrilles – ?, gift from mom

Endnotes:

As you can see from the above sources list, 90% of today’s outfit comes courtesy of mom. My mom has an incredible eye for style and I end up being the lucky recipient of many of her wonderful hand-me-downs, like this gorgeous flower buckle belt and these boho espadrilles.

She often picks things out that I would never pick for myself but that quickly manage to become favorite items in my closet. I don’t even list all the times an item is a gift or inherited piece from her because it’s a bit embarrassing that a woman my age owes over half her wardrobe to her mother. Her gift of style has sadly been lost to the world since she toils her days away working as a chemist…but alas, I get to benefit from it even if the public at large does not. Up until recently, I was sole beneficiary of this arrangement (I’m an only child), but in recent years, my fiance has been promoted to co-receiver of stylish garments as well. Hmph!

I’m looking forward to flying home tomorrow to spend a week with my parents and to raid my mom’s closet. Other things I look forward to while at home: brunches and dinners out on the patio, nice wine, home-cooked Romanian meals, two fat cats, and running on the lovely woodsy trail nearby.

What do you look forward to when visiting your childhood home? S.

         

24 April 2009 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• White top – bought in Romania years ago
•  Walking shorts – Gap 
• Red espadrilles – BR Outlet, remixed

Endnotes:

I realize that this is not a new trend (like the Safari or Grecian inspired looks for Spring), but this is new to me: Walking shorts + Heels.

     

24 April 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Yes. It’s simple and you’d think I’d have caught on to this one sooner, but while I wore my walking shorts every other day last summer, I played it safe with flats or flip-flops. Today, however, I’m boldly marching on to campus in walking shorts and my red espadrilles. I love the long lines and instant height of this look, and I’m finally at eye level with E. and A. in these!  S.

 

    

Gathered sleeve and embroidery detail, originally uploaded by academichic.