9 September 2010 – Workhorses, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Grey (and black and light grey) Pencil Skirt – Banana Republic
• Grey Tee – J Crew
• Belt – Old Navy
• Scarf – Echo
• Shoes – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

It’s days like today I find myself wishing I lived with a professional photographer or had the time to grab a friend to act as photographer and find a cool location.  I really loved this outfit and felt great in it all day, but couldn’t capture it on camera the way I wanted to.  Rainy mornings and an early call time on campus don’t make for good photography days, but with the help of a good wardrobe workhorse I can still pull together a great professional ensemble on these mornings and confidently head out for a long rainy day on campus.

This is actually the blog premier of this specific skirt, but I own this skirt in two other colors and wear all three of them all the time!  These Banana Republic “classic pencil skirts” are made of a mix of cotton, viscose, and spandex, giving them a just the right mix of stretch and structure.   I’ve had the black version the longest and have worn it in all weather – with tights and boots and with a tank and espadrilles.  I have worn it for a huge range of occasions including my first day of school last week, an engagement party earlier this summer, and even a funeral (not pictured).  I love that I can wear it high around the smallest part of my waist with a pair of killer heals or slung low with a pair of flats.

I purchased the light grey version on super sale post Christmas and it too has served as a go-to base for many teaching outfits.  The pale grey allows for  a softer color palette and works in one of my favorite color combinations of grey and brown.

The third skirt came to me with a little help form L. – just like these grey shoes.  L. was well aware of my obsession with these skirts so when she saw the darker grey version in my size on sale she picked it up for me.  Now, if only I could find it in Navy (and maybe some fabulous shade of brown)!

Do you ever buy pieces you love in multiple colors?  Do you own a wardrobe workhorse piece in multiple versions?

9 September 2010 – Workhorses, originally uploaded by academichic.

      

27 February 2009 – Shades of Grey, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• grey and black scarf – gift 
• grey cardi – Calvin Klein 
• grey tank – Filene’s basement 
• jeans – Filene’s basement 
• clogs – Dansko 
• puzzle piece bracelet – gift 
• necklace – thrifted 

    

Hidden pop of color, originally uploaded by academichic.

    

two sided scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

    

puzzle piece bracelet, originally uploaded by academichic.