academichic

Sources:

• T-shirt: found in attic
• Zip-up: Gap body (a long time ago!)
• Jeans: J Brand via Filene’s Basement
• Belt: Fossil
• Shoes: Frye
• Necklace: South Moon Under
• Bag #1: Timbuk2
• Bag #2: gift from High Mountain Institute

Endnotes:
Reader Sophia recently challenged me to post some of my less noteworthy outfits, and since school is finally out for the summer, I’ve been sporting some pretty relaxed duds the last few days. Grading calls for the utmost comfort and flexibility, and not surprisingly, jeans and a super soft T-shirt were my first go-to for this grading session. I’ve discovered that I love my straight leg jeans even more now that it’s warm enough to roll them up a few inches.

Something else that I’ve never posted, but is a big part of my daily life is my fantastic Timbuk2 laptop messenger bag. Because I got this one on sale at REI I didn’t get to pick the colors, but I love the size of this model, and if you order it online you can pick from many many colors to customize your bag. This one fits my laptop in a padded sleeve in the back and then has plenty of room in the front for books and many pockets and zippered compartments for the necessary pens, clips, and post-its that make grading possible. It might not be my most glamorous option, but in terms of practicality, it is perfect – and no, I’m not being compensated in any way to say that!

Next to comfy clothes and grading supplies, the most important ingredient for a good afternoon of grading is the perfect location. I did some work in my classroom over the weekend, but my ideal spot is definitely in a coffee house with a big table so I can spread out and consume endless caffeine. Where are some of your favorite spots to work?

3 December 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Argyle Sweater – BR Factory Store
• Maroon Top – Banana Republic
• Belt – Gap
• Skinny Jeans – Banana Republic
• Boots – Banana Republic
• Earrings – Gift from E.

Endnotes:

In case you are wondering, the above photo snapped as I was rubbing my hands together for warmth. It’s cold and windy out today and this cropped sleeve cardigan wasn’t cutting it outside. Don’t worry mom, I wore my coat and scarf when not posing for pictures.

I like how the maroon top (color is better represented in the below photos) combined with the congnac belt brings out the cinnamon colored diamonds in this otherwise pale argyle.  And, thinking of these colors as warm crimson and cinnamon, puts me in a lovely holiday mood.

argyle belted, originally uploaded by academichic.

Now, I need to change out of these duds and in to something a bit more festive for my date night.  We are going to see the Nutcracker!  Maybe I’ll wear the rejected Thanksgiving outfit.

Enjoy your weekend!  A.

Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

27 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Jersey Wrap – BR Outlet
• Striped Tank – American Eagle
• Jeans – Banana Republic
• Red Flats – Target
• Dog – Camp

Endnotes:

After a wonderful visit with S. and T., an elegant wedding, and a relaxing weekend, A2, Camp, and I had to make the 10 hour drive back to Academichic Central.  I wanted to be comfy in the car but needed something a bit more spiffy then sweats for the pre-car ride brunch with friends.  I chose my cuffed skinny jeans, which have stretched out to a relaxed fit, a tank and this new jersey wrap.  I picked this piece up on super sale at BR Outlet and love it!  It’s so comfortable, is a lovely shade of grey, and has a fun ruffly lapel thing going.  The belted waist doesn’t hurt either.

My pattern of choice has always been stripes and this summer I have been loving this blue and white striped tank.

Blue Stripes, originally uploaded by academichic.

I always find myself drawn to white and blue in the summer and have to stop myself from going overboard with the nautical influence.   I think the classic paring of red and blue makes this simple outfit a bit more sophisticated and   just happens to be a 2/3 color combination.  I have a feeling these red shoes will be getting quite a bit of color-wheel play in the next few weeks!

Red Shoes, originally uploaded by academichic.

What’s your summer pattern or color paring of choice?  Do you too go nautical when the weather warms? Or maybe bohemian, or safari?

27 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Pashmina scarf – small shop in Romania
• Blue cardigan – vintage, was my grandmother’s
• Jeans – thrifted
• Boots – Banana Republic
• Cropped coat – from “free” pile in dorm
• Tote – Kenneth Cole
• Bird earrings – gift form A.

Endnotes:

These pictures are from a little while back when my friends were in town and we spent one day visiting Regensburg, Germany. Regensburg is a beautiful old city in Bavaria that dates back to the Stone Age and that definitely merits a visit if you’re in the Southern Germany area.

Unfortunately, our weather here has been cold, rainy, and gray for the most part of May, so back out come the sturdy boots, the heavy coat, and the thick scarves. Good thing I came across this warm yet cropped (and therefor less wintery) wool coat in the ‘free’ pile in my dorm foyer. It’s proven just right for this cold spell we’ve gotten.

Little Bird Earring, originally uploaded by academichic.

Pattern Mash, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’m now hoping for nicer weather since my husband just arrived in Germany and we’re spending some time here, some time in Prague, and then a little time in Romania in the coming weeks. I would love some nicer weather to really enjoy our sightseeing and traveling together. We have never been to Prague before, so I welcome any tips and suggestions any of you might have!

For now, I leave you with a few images from gorgeous Regensburg and I hope to report back with more beautiful backdrops to future outfit shots and hopefully some more bike adventures (weather permitting) to contribute to the LGRAB Summer Games as well. S.

30 April 2010 – Early Weekend Floral, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Cardigan: Self-embellished
• Gray tank: F21
• Jeans: Gap Outlet
• Yellow sandals: Old Navy

On baby e.:

• Shirt: FC Barcelona
• Plaid shorts: Old Navy

End Notes:

Baby e. and I enjoyed some time outside this morning since we’ll be likely be housebound for the rest of the weekend if the forecast of heavy rain comes to be. For this week’s floral venture I’ve returned to my floral embellished cardigan with its big, overlapping Amy Butler poppies. With a gray tank, cuffed skinnies, and yellow patent sandals, it’s a pre-weekend, mothering-friendly casual look.

Yay, baby e., originally uploaded by academichic.

Also, how cute are plaid shorts for babies? When I hold baby e. do we count as pattern mixing plaid and florals?

I’ve decided that I definitely gravitate towards bolder floral prints rather than micro-florals. I suppose that’s something I should experiment with…maybe I can talk A. into letting me borrow her floral print blouse for a day. Do you have a strategy for giving trends a test run? Do you thrift? Borrow? Wait for clearance? Just take the plunge?

30 April 2010 – Early Weekend Floral, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Red cardi – thriifted
• Embellished tee – made by E.
• Skinnies – S.Oliver
• Silver flats – Target
• Pale purple flower pin – Dulken & Derrick, via Blue Onion Marketplace

Endnotes:

Day Three of my self-imposed red cardi challenge. Sorry if I look a bit dazed in these photos, I took them early this morning before I even had my first cup of coffee. I’m rarely this quick to get ready, but I guess there is something to be said about setting certain terms or criteria on your getting-dressed routine; it really cuts the decision time down when you know you have to wear a certain something. I grabbed the red cardi, my new pair of jeans, and just filled in the gaps around that. I guess therein lies the appeal of the uniform – less choice can also mean less deliberation time.

While I loved how the bright red popped again a white eyelet top yesterday, I decided to try  the cardi with a darker neutral today. This hand-embellished top E. made for me is of a dark gray, perhaps slate?, color and I love the way the darker neutral comes together with the bright red. I also played off the dark purple embellishments around the tee’s neckline and added this lilac Dulken & Derrick silk flower. Since the rest of the outfit is simple – dark wash jeans and silver flats – the embellished neckline will serve as the focal point of today’s look.

Now, a brief rant before I go – I wanted to purchase another pair of skinny jeans since I practically live in my other pair. Since I’m on a student budget, I first went to all the discount shops like Zara and C&A (sorry, H&M, you’re still being boycotted) and I was absolutely horrified with my findings: either my derrière is much larger than I thought or those stores’ suppliers are skimping on fabric when it comes to making the top portion of their pants. Is anyone else so over the low-waist trend? I couldn’t sit down in any of those for fear of exposing half of my junkage.

So I had to bite the bullet and do what Stacy and Clinton forever preach on What Not To Wear and just go to the adults’ jean section to find a well fitting pair. The problem with the grown-up store is that they have grown-up prices. But I realized that in the end it’s well worth it to spend a bit more on a pair of jeans that don’t require me to be standing the entire time I wear them. Luckily, I found this amazing pair at s.Oliver on sale for 30 Euros down from 60 Euros and they have enough of a higher rise waist that I can sit or bend comfortably; they have a bit of stretch in them, which I think is a must for skinny jeans; and they fit my ‘womanly’ body like a dream. Does this mean I should stop shopping in the Juniors section at TJMaxx now too?

Do you, dear readers, find it equally bothersome that jeans seem to now be mostly made of two leg bits and almost no waist portion to speak of? How much are you willing to spend on a pair of jeans in exchange for perfect cut and fit? (For me, 30 Euros is probably the most I’ve even dropped on a pair). S.

Sources:

• Fuchsia top – Banana Republic
• Pinstripe blazer – Gap, thrifted
• Jeans – thrifted
• Flats – Palladium
• Purse – Liz Claiborne, thrifted
• Coral bangle – J.Crew, thrifted
• Scarf – J.Crew
• Flower pin – H&M

Endnotes:

When I found this pinstripe blazer at my local thrift store, I was at the end of my time on campus and ready to head out for my year-long research stint abroad. So this item that was meant to be a conference staple never got to live up to its destiny but it has surprisingly become a great alternate for the usual (rather predictable) cardigan paired with jeans.

E. has already shown how versatile the pinstripe blazer can be and how it can be worn in ways that don’t necessarily smack of stuffy professional engagements or work related formal events. I have also worn my pinstripe blazer in more casual ways than not. . .

I have paired the pinstripe blazer with jeans and dark cords; over a belted dress; with jean shorts (!); and, in an attempt to really dress it down, over a navy hoodie. Rolling and cuffing a blazer’s sleeves also makes for a more casual and every day effect, as does belting it, adding embellishments, or using it for some bold pattern mixing.

Flower and Pinstripes, originally uploaded by academichic.

But when I looked at these photos of my past stylings of this item, I noticed that I was in somewhat of a neutrals rut. While I have been comfortable pairing the pinstripe jacket with all sorts of quotidian garments, I was clearly nursing some kind of phobia when it came to wearing it with color. So I challenged myself to change that for today and pulled out some bright pinks and fuchsias to go with the blazer, worn-in jeans, and ballet flats. And just in time for spring, right?

Do you own a pinstripe blazer and, if so, how do you find ways to incorporate it into everyday wear? S .

4 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Neckscape – BabyEtte on Etsy
• Plaid button down – AE, thrifted
• Navy cardi – H&M
• Skinnies – thrifted
• Boots – thrifted
• Bag – thrifted
• Cat – Louie

Endnotes:

Yesterday, A. shared some of her secrets for layering a cardigan over a button down shirt, answering a common question we’ve received lately. Since she’s already given some great advice on the matter, I have only a little to add to the topic: I layer cardigans over button downs often because both cardigans and button downs reside merrily and plentifully in my wardrobe and so they’re bound to meet frequently. I find that it’s easiest to leave the cardigan unbuttoned when the button down is of a heavier or bulkier material (as is the case here). When the button down is of a lightweight fabric and is close fitting, then buttoning the cardigan is easy and doesn’t result in any bunching.

When dealing with heavier layers that are best left loose and unbuttoned (as is the case today), I find that balancing out the bulkier top half with close fitting pants or skinny jeans makes for the best proportions. While a belted cardigan over button down creates that nice definition up top which works well with a fuller skirt, a loose and bulkier top layer necessitates more structure at the bottom. It’s that ‘pick one’ rule: have one loose and flowey element countered by one close-fitting and structured element. S.

Neckscape by BabyEtte, originally uploaded by academichic.

4 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

2 March 2010 – Cardi, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Cardi – TJMaxx
• Lace top worn backwards – Maurices
• Jeans – Filene’s Basement
• Boots – Dillards
• Bracelets – Big Lots
• Earrings – made by me

Endnotes:

The generous folk over at Maurices recently sent us a few gift cards, one of which we gave away to you a while back, and three which were for us to redeem for something of our choice. Not having a Maurices in Germany, I tucked away my gift card until my trip home, when I was finally able to go to their store and pick something out.

Until recently, I really wasn’t too familiar with Maurices, but I was really pleasantly surprised to walk into their store and find so many things that appealed to me: professional yet stylish blazers and jackets, many beautiful drapey cardigans, fun evening tops, and pretty accessories. Their prices are comparable to those of H&M, Forever 21, or Zara’s, and they carry everything from smalls to cute plus- size clothing. I chose a few tops and jackets to try on eventually narrowed it down to this green lacey top I got and this pink ruffled evening top, that would have also made a fun addition to my wardrobe. I chose the green lacey top because I think I can get more mileage out of it, particularly since it lends itself to being worn backwards (as I did here – with the lace in the front) or the intended way, with the lacey embellishment in the back.

2 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Lace detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

Before deciding to wholeheartedly recommend Maurices to you, I came home and did what any decent scholar would do – I researched the company I was about to endorse…

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