Weekend Warrior

Posted on | June 6, 2010 | 8 Comments

Weekend Warrior, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Graphic Print White Tee – BR Outlet
Jean Skirt – Gap
Sandals – Charlotte Russe
Bangles – Gift from S. and S’s Mom

Endnotes:

Last summer I posted a few pictures of my weekend warrior wear but never got around to posting pictures of the finished project. We laid this patio and some new sod in our backyard just in time for E.’s baby shower. This summer we added more sod and started a new project! I’ll do a long post about this summer’s weekend warrior obsession. Some of you guessed correctly after my clue from earlier this week – I’m building a raised vegetable garden.

Veggies, originally uploaded by academichic.

After a long day playing in the dirt, I got cleaned up for a trip to the farmer’s market and a casual dinner at friends. I put on my comfy go-to jean skirt and a white tee. I’m a big fan of the white tee in the summer, but it’s always nice when they have a little something extra, like an interesting neck line, ruffles, or a subtle print, like this one.

BR Outlet Tee, originally uploaded by academichic.

I added these two bangles and a pair of sandals and was ready to go. I love this dark wooden bangle S. bought back for me from San Francisco last summer and this eagle cuff from S.’s mom and have found myself wearing both of them on a fairly regular basis.

Bangles, originally uploaded by academichic.

So, are you a weekend warrior? What’s your summer project? Check back later this week for a full report on my new vegetable garden!

Weekend Warrior, originally uploaded by academichic.

14 May 2010

Posted on | May 14, 2010 | 6 Comments

14 May 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Dress – Old Navy
Back Halter – Old Navy
Belt – Old Navy
Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW
Earrings- F21

Endnotes:

For my final DYB post, I am dressing for my arms. One of the most fascinating and wonderful things about this project has been to see how many different ways there are to love your body. Many bloggers wrote about embracing the parts of their body that serve an important function, as S. and I did with our legs, and E. with her mom arms. Others wrote about learning to love something society or shopping has taught them not to, like my ass and E.’s skin tone. And many wrote about loving a body part they have had to work, have invested time and energy into making it what it is. That’s the case with my arms!

Arms!, originally uploaded by academichic.

I have naturally long limbs and after years of running muscular legs, but my arms are not naturally muscular (and I have no baby lifting to make them strong). I have long been admiring the fabulously toned arms of a good friend (and running buddy and colleague). Her arms look amazing all the time! After complimenting her on them many times and on a few occasions admitting my jealously, she offered to help me work on my arms. I joined her a couple times at a total toning class on campus and then we went to the gym and she laid out a training schedule for my arms (I love running schedules, so this was right up my alley).

I have been working on my shoulders, triceps, and biceps on and off now for a few weeks and already see such a difference. My super-armed friend suggested I wear a halter to show off my progress. I’ll report back in a month or so with hopefully even toner triceps. Next, I’m on to my back!

14 May 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

28 April 2010 – Blazers, Florals, Belts, and Tights!

Posted on | April 28, 2010 | 18 Comments

8 April 2009 – Blazers, Florals, Belts, and Tights!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Blazer – J Crew
Floral Blouse – Maurices
Skirt – Banana Republic
Purple Tights – BR Outlet
Black Shoes – DSW
Bangle- gift from sister M.

Endnotes:

First for today’s outfit, it all felt like a little much to me – too much going on in one outfit, yet there were parts of it I really liked: the mix of florals and stripes, the blazer with my grey pencil skirt, purple tights with my black pumps. I’m just not crazy about seeing it all mashed together. I do like that this outfit seems to make up for my failure to participate in blazer week and my limited contribution to tights week and is undoubtedly a comfort-zone stretching use of floral. Guess I’m making up for lost time with this one!

Blazers, Florals, Belts, originally uploaded by academichic.

Now, for my thoughts on the very interesting discussion S. started the other day. I am very interested in S.’s post and especially in all the thought-provoking comments, particularly because I am currently engrossed in reading and writing about postmodern appropriation, camp, kitsch, the cultural, political, and symbolic significance of clothing/costume, the performance of gender and race/ethnicity, gender and ethnic drag, and cultural hybridity — all which seem to play some role in this discussion.

When I hear the term appropriation, I can’t help but think of specifically post-modern appropriation – of the variety practiced by critical artists beginning in the late 1970s. Thus, I tend to think of appropriation as self-conscious and always at least potentially critical and subversive. These postmodern artists also point out that everything is an appropriation, there is no pure original. This idea was raised be several commenters. How do we determine what culture is begin appropriated and what is appropriation and what isn’t?

I think this also relates to the idea of cultural hybridity. There is such overlap in cultures and there has been such a long history of exchange – especially when it comes to clothing - it becomes very difficult to claim an authentic or original source for anything. So where do we draw the line? One line suggested in the discussion taking place int the comments was the issue of power dynamics, colonization, etc. – but this seems sticky as well. First, power relations have shifted so much in history and I’m not convinced that their can’t be something subversive about the appropriation of the colonized… I’m still chewing on this.

One thing I found very interesting that was suggested by several readers and by S., is this idea of costume/kitsch as the litmus test for appropriate appropriation – in other words many of you seemed to feel that if the appropriation doesn’t seem costumey or kitschy then it’s ok to wear something associated with another culture. My fist question is again, how do we define this? How do we judge kitsch vs. authentic? But, further does wearing something made by a people of a certain culture make it less offensive or more intellectual, etc than wearing something purchased at urban outfitters? Many cultures make objects specifically for tourist consumption so tourists can feel authentic.

In terms of subtle vs. costumy, I think costume, kitsch, camp, and drag all have the potential for subversion and criticality that the subtle appropriation lacks. I raised this in my discussion of drag vs. a uniform and I think this idea of the self conscious performitive use of clothing should apply to items drawn from other cultures.

Ok, this is getting ridiculously long and I’m not sure where I am going with it anymore! So, I will open it back up to you…. How do you make the distinction between costume and not costume? Is costume necessarily offensive or can it be more political and critical in practice? Is all clothing some form of appropriation anyway?

28 April 2009 – Blazers, Florals, Belts, and Tights!, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 April 2010 – Faux Floral

Posted on | April 23, 2010 | 16 Comments

23 April 2010 – Faux Floral, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Top: Anthropologie
Belt: Gap Outlet
Skirt: Banana Republic Factory
Jacket: Banana Republic Factory
Orange pumps: Dolce Vita
Silver bangles: ?

End Notes:

I bought this really lovely top on sale at Anthropologie while visiting my sister-in-law in New York.

Top Back, originally uploaded by academichic.

Top Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

I am a sucker for an Asian inspired — especially Japanese — print. Florals are frequently conceived of as a nostalgic print, but for me it’s Japanese-inspired prints in particular that remind me of the textiles in my nisei grandfather’s home in Honolulu.

Of course, this top, with its loosely Japanese-ish motif, was made in India for a primarily U.S. consumer. On some level, I don’t think it pretends to be anything else. I don’t think that someone would ever mistake this top as being fashioned from vintage kimono fabric. Nor, in this age of globalized fashion, would someone presume that I am from Japan or have visited Japan based on my shirt. Asian-inspired prints have a comfortable niche presence in western fashion.

There’s a lot to unpack here, but I want to limit my ruminations for the moment to a history of “exotic florals” with less than exotic origins. In early nineteenth century France, shawls were one of the fashion accessories that denoted a woman’s class and taste. Two kinds of shawls were very popular: embroidered “Canton shawls” and paisley “Kashmir shawls.” The social currency associated with these shawls came in part from their far-flung origins, not only because it cost more to bring them to Europe but because the “Orient” had a kind of mysterious allure in the western mind.

But here’s where it gets a little more complicated. Those Canton shawls? Sure, they were made in China but they were made specifically for European and American consumption. The embroidered designs are distinct from those on textiles made for Chinese consumers, and the motifs changed over time to accommodate shifting European tastes. And the paisley Kashmir shawls? As early as 1810 French manufacturers were developing a hearty industry of imitation Kashmir shawls. Somewhat ironically, the fashion periodical Journal des Dames et Modes actually chastised French manufacturers for their lack of inventive power in paisley shawl-making. This irked the leading shawl-makers, the Ternaux brothers, and they launched a government-backed initiative to produce original shawls inspired by Kashmiri designs but “more in conformity with French taste.” Wild, no?

And that, dear readers, is your history lesson for the day. Bring that up the next time conversation lags at a dinner party.

23 April 2010 – Faux Floral, originally uploaded by academichic.

13 March 2010 – Flower Power

Posted on | March 13, 2010 | 13 Comments

13 March 2010 – Flower Power, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Pale pink top – TJMaxx
Blue cardi – H&M
Flower belt – really old J.Crew, hand me down
Striped skirt – Talbots
Floral tights – H&M
Gray wedges – Report, via Solestruck.com

Endnotes:

I couldn’t let Tights Week pass without pulling out my crazy floral tights. I got these this past winter and only wore them once because they’re somewhat of a tough item to style, but I stand by them nonetheless and think they are pretty fabulous. They’re just so crazy and fun and colorful, so practicality be damned.

Last time I wore them, I timidly paired them with an all black outfit. They’re so loud that I was afraid to add any other color or pattern, fearing the whole outfit would spiral out of control and into bright clown territory. But I think the black was actually too harsh and did more harm than good. One insightful reader suggested I try lighter neutrals, so that was my starting point this time around. This pinstriped skirt appears almost like a pale gray and the pale pink top, while not technically a neutral, serves the same purpose a beige or off-white top might do. With a base of light colors grounding the outfit, I took the plunge and added some brighter touches.

Flower belt, originally uploaded by academichic.

Pattern mix, originally uploaded by academichic.

Not only did I try color this time – bright blue cardi, coral flower belt buckle – but I even ventured into pattern mixing territory (pinstripe and floral). While this may sound like a recipe for disaster, I actually think this works much better than my ‘safe’ all-black version. What do you think? How else would you wear these tights? S.

13 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

17 February 2010

Posted on | February 17, 2010 | 24 Comments

17 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Grey Sweater – Banana Republic
Brown Corduroy Skirt – Old Navy
Grey Sweater Tights- BR Outlet
Wellies – Banana Republic
Floral Scarf – Anthropologie

Endnotes:

First, for the scarf: I bought this scarf with a gift card and it was a deliberate attempt to break outside my comfort zone. This scarf is ruffled and floral and loose and billowy – not terms that usually apply to much of anything in my wardrobe. I premiered it a couple months ago by belting it over a a cardigan and simple jersey dress. Today I am attempting a new scarf style for me. I have seen many style bloggers wear their scarves this way (What Would a Nerd Wear for example) and usually like the result. So, when I saw this how-to video on Orchid Grey, I knew I had to give it a try.

Curly Hair, originally uploaded by academichic.

Now, for the hair. I have written here a couple times about my hair struggles. I have naturally curly hair but rarely like the way it looks curly, despite all of my experiments with various products and various hair dryer adapters. Because my hair is blond and somewhat fine, I have trouble using product – it weighs it down and makes it appear greasy and darker than its natural color. So, I straighten. I have been straightening my hair for years and I really do like the result. I have come to appreciate my short straight blond hair with its natural fullness s one of my best features. But, I do often see curly hair on others (including S. and Sal) and want to give it a try. My sister, L., is in town for a few days and helped me style my hair this way. It took a bit of time, a blow dryer, and a curling iron, but very little product. I loved the result – it felt natural but polished and styled (not just the mop of curls I usually end up with). Unfortunately, I don’t think it is something I could very easily replicate by myself. Next time she is in town, I’ll try to better learn the technique, but for now, it will likely be back to straight tomorrow.

17 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

4 January 2010

Posted on | January 4, 2010 | 15 Comments

4 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Cardigan – BR Outlet
Blouse – BR Outlet
Jean Skirt – BR Outlet
Sweater Tights – Banana Republic
Wellies – Banana Republic
Belt – Ann Taylor
Earrings – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

It wasn’t until I wrote up my sources that I realized almost everything I am wearing is from either Banana Republic or the Banana Republic outlet. This is not the first time this has happened, of course.

These BR wellies were a Christmas present from my Mom and I can’t get enough of them. They keep my feet dry and warm yet are versatile and stylish too. All of the other BR items I’m wearing today were bought on sale! I mentioned the other day that one of my favorite post-holiday activities is shopping. I love the sales and the sense of freedom to experiment when things only cost $3!

Bakelite Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

I bought this floral blouse the day after Thanksgiving for a whopping $7. It’s rather outside my comfort zone in both fit and pattern and not something I probably would have ever tired on with its original price tag still attached. The cardigan on the other hand, purchased on post-Christmas sale, was a bit more of a splurge, but I’ve had my eye on it for a while. What better way to wear two new patterned items, than together? My tights are patterned too!

Pattern Mixing, originally uploaded by academichic.

In time, I’ll be revealing more of my great post-holiday finds. For now, a few thoughts on post-holiday shopping: hit the store early for more selection; if you have time, go back later in the week to see what you missed and push yourself to consider items outside your comfort zone; visit a Banana Republic, Gap, etc outside of the mall, or in a office district where there isn’t much weekend traffic (often you will find these locations deserted after the holidays and thus have the best selection); skip the bargain stores because their stuff is always cheap; buy things you would normally pass up but keep all the tags on until you’ve had a chance to reevaluate all of your purchases (try things in different combinations with items in your existing wardrobe). What are your post-holiday shopping strategies?

4 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

2 December 2009

Posted on | December 2, 2009 | 13 Comments

2 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Brown Vest – American Eagle
Black Belt – Gap, from Sal
Plaid Shirt – Urban Outfitters
Cords- Gap Outlet
Orange Flats – Old Navy
Earrings – Gift

Endnotes:

When I was younger I wore plaid all the time – almost as often as I wore overalls (yes, I did spend much of my childhood looking like a farmer and or train conductor). Then in junior high, I wore flannel shirts and corduroy because my older sister was testing out grunge. I also wore a plaid uniform for 12 years! So, when I made it to college I gave up plaid for quite some time. I’m always finding myself drawn back to plaid, as much as I try to pull away.

Belted Vest, originally uploaded by academichic.

I now own a few plaid throws, scarves, and even a plaid belt, but only recently have I started trying on plaid shirts and even skirts! In fact, there are a few plaid items on my Christmas list, including this plaid jacket, which looks suspiciously like the pattern from one of my grade school uniforms.

Floral and Plaid, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’m still not sure how to style this new plaid shirt without falling back into either junior high grunge or childhood farmer, so I’m taking another cue from J Crew and belting my puffy vest and pairing it with flowers and a slightly dressier bottom half.

I know, I know, I’m belt crazy! What can I say, it’s what I do! :)

2 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

1 December 2009 – Flowers and Ruffles

Posted on | December 1, 2009 | 20 Comments

1 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Ruffly Floral Scarf – Anthropologie
Long Brown Cardigan – Urban Outfitters
Black Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
Tights – Gap
Belt – NY & Co.
Shoes – Kenneth Cole Reaction

Endnotes:

Today I am sporting ruffles and flowers together! Both fall outside my normal comfort zone. Like E, I have been embracing ruffles more and more this season, but always paired with stripes or other hard edges.

peep toes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

When I saw this scarf at Anthropologie, I immediately thought of S. (although this is definitely my color palette) and was ready to pass it up, but little sister L. convinced my to try it on and play around with it. I decided a what better way to introduce an new aesthetic than through an old favorite – the scarf.

Flowers and ruffles!, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’m letting this new wardrobe addition have center stage so belted it over my black jersey dress and chocolate-brown long cardigan. I think the pockets may be my favorite part of today’s outfit.

1 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’m thinking I might like this scarf even more with my new jeans and a simple v-neck tee, so I’m excited to give all the ruffles and flowers another go soon! Are you trying anything new this season? A.

1 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 November 2009 – S. Birthday Tribute

Posted on | November 23, 2009 | 9 Comments

23 November 2009 – S. Birthday Tribute, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Green Shirt Dress – H & M
Black Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
Black Henley – Gap
Black Belt – from Sal
Black Boots – J Crew
Flowers – Blue Onion Marketplace
Earrings – Gift

Endnotes:

Last month E. and S. wore outfits inspired by my style to celebrate my birthday. Now it’s S.’s turn! HAPPY BIRTHDAY S!

I think both E.’s description of S.’s style as whimsical and S.’s own designation of her style as preppy romantic perfectly encapsulate S.’s creative and colorful approach to clothes, which I adore.

I am often inspired by S. to push myself in terms of both color and pattern, but today I am paying tribute to what has become one of S.’s signature looks – the layered dresses. S. has worn her shirt dresses over simple jersey dresses to create a sophisticated and rich look. And while green may not be S.’s signature color, she wears it beautifully, especially paired with black.

I also love how S. brings a touch of whimsical charm to her outfits, particularly through the flower brooch, which I am always a little hesitant to wear. She does it so well and even managed to layer two rather large flowers without letting them overwhelm the ensemble, so I’m giving it a shot with these two flower brooches from Blue Onion Marketplace.

I’m also wearing my hair curly for S.’s birthday because I love her curly hair and all the creative ways she styles it.

I miss you S., especially today! I wish I could be with you to celebrate your special day! I’m thinking of you! Love, A.