academichic

3 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Silk scarf – erre, thrifted
• Striped top – J.Crew
• Jean cutoffs – DKNY, thrifted, chopped by me
• Tights – Romania
• Boots – Banana Republic
• Necklace – two chains strung together with a ring as pendant

Endnotes:

While A. used her awesome green earrings to add a pop of color to an all-neutrals outfit, I’m using my scarf to add that dash of brightness. This bold red, blue, and gold scarf adds a pop of color to an otherwise monochromatic ensemble in addition to doing some almost covert pattern mixing with the top. I like the juxtaposition between the casual jean cutoffs and the more elegant and formal silk scarf: this contradiction in register reminds me of J.Crew’s stylings and is something I’m becoming increasingly drawn to.

I used the “Ascot” method for today’s scarf look. This scarf is a relatively large square that I folded diagonally to create a triangle, which I then wrapped around my neck sort of like a bib.

Here is an illustration of the Ascot scarf tying method, courtesy of Greatest Look:

One of our Spanish readers commented that the “European Loop” has a somewhat posh air to it while the “loop & tie” has more of a bohemian feel. I would suggest that the Ascot connotes an urban and somewhat hipster aesthetic. What do you think? I always think of the many stylish urbanites sporting this scarf look on the Sartorialist:

Several of you asked for suggestions on how to wear smaller square scarves. While my scarf today is somewhat large, I think this Ascot method would lend itself nicely to smaller squares as well. With a smaller square, you could simply tie the ends in the back rather than bringing them back around to the front. (I’m not sure if that diasqualifies it from being called “the Ascot”, but I’m pretty sure we can allow ourselves some wiggle room with these labels. They are just arbitrary signifiers after all).

I’d love to see how many different ways to tie a scarf we can all brainstorm this month. Send us any links or images you have showing scarf-tying styles we haven’t featured and we’ll gladly share them with everyone else. Thank you! S.

3 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

25 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• White eyelet top – TJMaxx
• Jacket – Gap, thrifted
• “L” pendant – Anthropologie
• Leaf pendant – gift from husband, Etsy find
• Shorts – DKNY, thrifted, chopped by me
• Black tights – from Romania
• Boots – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

Renee Sturme’s blog (formerly known as Fashion Fillers) was one of the very first style blogs I ever read. I was instantly intrigued by this beautiful Dutch girl (who’s picture I stumbled across in the wardrobe_remix pool on Flickr) with gorgous long curls and a compelling style composed of vintage and modern pieces. I loved her thrifted and somewhat mismatched aesthetic and how she interspersed it with cutting edge and über-modern elements. But mostl vividly, I rememer one of the first posts I read on her blog in which she talked about living in a small town in the Netherlands, where she definitely stood out for her eclectic wardrobe and where she was seen as somewhat of an oddity for the way she dressed. (She’s meanwhile based in Amsterdam). I was so impressed by this then (I think) sixteen year old who had such conviction in her sense of identity and style that she wasn’t afraid to stand out and be an individual challenging the status quo. Thus, Fashion Fillers appealed to me for various reasons: it represented a wardrobe made of mostly thrifted items that still managed to look stunning and up-to-date; it pushed me to become more creative in my own mixing of seemingly incongruous elements; and it encouraged me to define my own sense of style without apologizing for it.

I still check in on Renee’s blog regularly and I still find all those above mentioned components to be present in her posts. Her blog has undergone some changes but the ambitious and creative individual behind each text and outfit is still unchanged. I look forward to following her for a long time still.

So for my tribute outfit, I pulled out some Renee inspired items like the structured blazer and the cutoff jean shorts. Just like Renee loves to mix fabrics and registers in her outfits, I juxtaposed the formal blazer with the cutoff denim and the structured lines of the jeans and jacket with the looser fit of the delicate eyelet top. Layered necklaces (also a Renee classic) finish the look.

This outfit is definitely out of my usual comfort zone but there is something about it that really appeals to me and I’m finding it really exciting to push my boundaries and try something on that is outside of my usual style. Being away from campus on this research sojourn abroad has definitely allowed me to experiment with my look and wardrobe more and I think I should be taking full advantage of this situation.

Stay tuned for a DIY on making your own pair of 90s throw back cutoffs tomorrow. S.

25 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.