academichic

6 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Necklace: c/o Beadle Bop
• Dress: Ann Taylor Loft
• Belt: from another dress
• Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell, via Rue La La

End Notes:

My summer class is finally over and I am looking forward to days spent reading in my backyard while baby e. plays in his new sandbox. At least, that’s how it will work in my head.

Simple summer outfits like this drapey gray jersey dress (really, it’s like a big t-shirt) provide the perfect backdrop for breezy accessories like — pun intended — this gorgeous wind tossed flowers necklace from Beadle Bop’s shop on etsy.

(You may recall the Beadle Bop giveaway that we did during Dress Your Best week, in which the ultra chic Liz won a flower-bedecked clutch. If you didn’t win, don’t worry, there’s another Beadle Bop giveaway coming soon!)

Wind Tossed Flower Necklace from Beadle Bop, originally uploaded by academichic.

There’s something about wearing floaty, dreamy flowers around your neck day that is just so…summery. In terms of form, I love how lush these flowers are and the fact that they are in orange, my favorite accessory color of the moment, is the proverbial icing on the cake. In terms of function, I love how the necklace closure is actually a snap cleverly disguised to look like a bow. No more trying to tie a neat bow behind my head or upside down below my chin! (Better still, baby e. is quite taken with these blooms, and pats them gently when I’m carrying him.) And while Anthropologie may be selling something similar for $198, you can’t beat Beadle Bop’s $15 price tag or the fact that you can custom order a color to suit your taste and wardrobe! That’s a pretty good deal for a piece of statement jewelry.

Wind Tossed Flower Necklace from Beadle Bop, originally uploaded by academichic.

Where do you look for statement jewelry pieces? A jewelry store? The jewelry lines of retailers like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, or Anthropologie? Do look for hidden gems at Target? Or do you go vintage? Or look to Etsy? Do you set out looking for a certain style or color or motif? Or is jewelry something you tend to just pick up along the way?

What suggestions do you have for finding a piece of jewelry that makes the impactful statement you want?

6 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Pre-Wedding Dinner, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

On A:

• Dress – Max Studio, via Marshals
• Shoes – Seychelles, via DSW
• Earrings – gift from S.
• Bag – Crystalyn Kae

On A’s Mom:

• Navy Jersey Cardigan – Talbots
• White Cami – Talbots
• Seersucker Capris – Talbots
• Sandals – Born

On A2 (below):

• Navy Button Down – Ralph Lauren
• Seersucker Pants – Gap
• Sandals – Reefs

On A’s Dad (below):

• Polo – Ralph Lauren
• Shorts – Ralph Lauren

Endnotes:

The night before the wedding the we went to one of favorite old stomping grounds for dinner and micro-brew. Everyone arrived in town at different times and just showed up to the brewery to join our enormous table in the rooftop beer garden.  There was no need for a rehearsal so we all just enjoyed relaxed evening laughing, swapping stories, and  getting excited about the big day.

My mom and I did not coordinate our outfits, but clearly we were on the same wave length with our navy ensembles finished off with our strikingly similar  large brown totes.  I loved my mom’s little jersey cardigan paired with her cropped blue and white seersucker pants.  She was trendy but age appropriate.   We both wear blue well because it makes our eyes pop.  I get my blue eyes from both my parents, but you can clearly see I get my height from dad.

As it turned out A2 apparently also got the memo about navy being our pre-wedding color.

Blue, originally uploaded by academichic.

Both of my parents are brand loyalists.  A majority of my mom’s wardrobe comes from Talbots, including the beautiful black linen dress and blue linen jacket she wore for the actual wedding.  My dad is a true Ralph Lauren fan and owns a polo in just about every color and his wedding suit was also Ralph Lauren.  In the past, I have rarely found much from either of these companies (though A2 swears by Ralph Lauren with her own impressive collection of polos) but have recently been liking more and more from Talbots (more on that in a post to come).

Finally, dearest readers, thank you so much for the outpouring of well wishes and kind words.  It has been so much fun and incredibly heart warming to read all of the comments on the wedding post, so thank you all for adding to the incredible high I’ve been on all week!

A & A2, originally uploaded by academichic.

1 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Navy dress: Target
• Scarf: gift from S. from Germany!
• Necklace: polished garnets, from a street vendor in Chattanooga
• Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell, via Rue La La

End Notes:

One of the most rewarding things about this blog is the ability to look back and see how I’ve been able to wear and re-wear a single item. So, much as I reviewed my remixes of my color block skirt, I’m gushing over the ways that I’ve been able to remix this navy dress.

Although this dress is a neutral color (navy), the full dolman sleeves and wide sash still give it “statement” elements. But, I think that I’ve been able to transform this dress in fairly significant ways through styling. The easiest — but still powerful — way to change the feel of this dress is of course through accessories, particularly pops of color. While today’s brown and blue accessories — tan sandals, a polished garnet necklace, and a patterned scarf — are fairly subtle, I’ve also worn patterned tights, saffron tights, and yellow shoes with this dress.

Layering has been another useful practice for re-styling a staple. I’ve layered a skirt over the dress to change the silhouette and I’ve layered a shirt under the dress to add pattern and color.

I used to worry about buying items that were, in my mind, “too statement-y” (yes, I made that up). I thought that if a garment had too many details, too many things that made it visually interesting, it would also be too recognizable and thus I wouldn’t get that much wear out of it. I think that this navy dress has put that myth to rest. Sure, this is not as bold a statement as, say, my candy striper dress, but I do think it manages to hit a great balance between versatility and not-boringness.

1 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

25 June 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress: Banana Republic Factory
• Belt: from another dress
• Hat: Banana Republic Factory
• Yellow sandals: Old Navy

End Notes:

As mentioned earlier, I am all about the embellished dress + belt + sandals + floppy hat combination for summer picnicking, and I think I found a winner in this putty brown dress with a macrame neckline paired with accessories in unexpected colors.

25 June 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

25 June 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Certainly, being the mom of a grabby little boy has compelled me to temporarily retire many of my favorite accessories — especially necklaces and big earrings — and as a result I think I’ve become increasingly enamored with built-in accessories (like embellished necklines) or baby-safe accessories that pack a big punch (like a belt or bright shoes).

But let’s talk for a moment about sizing. I tried this dress on a month or two ago at a visit to the Banana Republic Factory store in my usual dress size and was really disappointed. The neckline did nothing flattering for my figure, the dress overall was too short, and the shape was neither structured enough to wear unbelted or flowing enough to be a “look.”

When I went back a few weeks later, the dress was on the clearance rack, but this color was only available in a large. S. has successfully purchased and styled a dress that was several sizes too big for her, and I’m so glad that I followed her example and tried on the large. The fuller cut let the neckline fall in a more flattering line and the resulting drape was far more conducive to belting (though I had to cut off the little threaded “belt loops”).

What do you think? Is buying several sizes up essentially another way of “altering” a garment? Or does it go against the notion of fit being key? What are some things to be aware of when buying “too big”?

25 June 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

25 June 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

30 May 2010 – Weekender, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Hat: Banana Republic Factory
• Dress: Banana Republic Factory
• T-straps: Target.com

End Notes:

Ah, this is the kind of summer dressing that I find so, so easy. A dress, shoes, and now a big floppy hat. There is something so wonderful about just being able to throw on a dress — with a built-in accessory like this embellished neckline! — and just call it a day.

Dress detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

I definitely went through an anti-dress stage in junior high and high school, followed by a I-can’t-find-dresses-that-fit-me stage in undergrad. But over the past few years dresses — especially jersey dresses — have come to be an essential part of my wardrobe. And it’s funny how my favorite dresses don’t necessarily share a similar aesthetic. Their unifying characteristic is simply that they function beautifully as a single piece outfit.

And isn’t that what makes them perfect for holiday weekends with the family?

30 May 2010 – Weekender, originally uploaded by academichic.

P.S. Baby e. insisted on being in this final picture. He recognizes cameras and will strike a pose whenever someone pulls one out. Future style blogger for sure.

24 May 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress – Banana Republic Outlet
• Teal Tank – Banana Republic Outlet
• Sandals – Charlotte Russe
• Earrings – Gift from E.

Endnotes:

This entire outfit probably cost me less than $30 – mostly thanks to Banana Republic Outlet.  E., baby e., and I hit the outlets last week during a sale and armed with extra coupons.  We both made out with some great finds.  I picked up several jersey dresses as I walked through BR but once I made it to the dressing room, most where either too tight, too short, or too shapeless. I’m not convinced this is the most flattering dress on me but it sure is comfortable!  And, for about 9$ I figured I was willing to play around with it.  I love the color – a bit outside my usual color comfort zone – and think it will allow for some fun color combinations.  Today I added teal but am thinking the berry might work well with dark purple or grey, and maybe even maroon for a very close analogous pairing.

24 May 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

26 April 2010 – Rainy Day Greys, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Grey Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
• Blazer – J Crew
• Belt – BR Outlet
• Necklace – Hawaii
• Bangel – gift from S.
• Shoes – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW

Endnotes:

These pictures are actually from a while ago, but I didn’t post them because I look so sick in them, and rather drugged, especially in the photos with the blazer.  But, I really did like this ensemble and so figure you can excuse my puffy eyes and red nose (thankfully that horrible head cold has passed).

I wore this jersey dress and blazer combo to lecture to 130ish students for an hour and a half.  I was on cold meds and fighting a runny nose, but managed to pull through with a pretty good lecture, if I do say so myself.   It was hot and rainy that day, which is common this time of year in Academichic Central, so I needed to look professional while managing to stay cool and comfy.   I love this jersey dress for just that reason – it’s comfy and chic, but I felt I needed to take the professionalism up a notch, thus enter the blazer.

26 April 2010 – Rainy Day Greys, originally uploaded by academichic.

This blazer has been enjoying quite the revival lately.  Once I rolled up the sleeves (making in 3/4 sleeved and revealing the contrasting pinstripe pattern of the lining) it suddenly seemed much easier to style and much more versatile.  I’ve paired in with a fuller a-symmetrical skirt, with baggy jeans, and now with a jersey dress.  I’m thinking next I might try it with my grey pencil skirt and eventually even with some walking shorts. Hopefully when I pull it out next time I won’t look half as red and drowsy!

Blazer, originally uploaded by academichic.

15 April 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Green Dress – Banana Republic
• Teal Belt – Old Navy
• Brown Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW
• Wooden Bangel – Gift from S.
• Wooden Earrings – Island Souvenir
• Earring as Necklace – NY & Co

Endnotes:

I seem to be having some trouble with my photography skills lately, so the below image is a much better representation of the beautiful analogous color combination than either of the full body shots.

Green on Green, originally uploaded by academichic.

I bought this dress on super markdown (it had a couple stains) at Banana Republic a couple years ago, but have rarely worn it.  I was so excited about the dress because I love the color and the cut.  Unfortunately, while I love the color on me, there is something about the cut that just isn’t right, so I haven’t ventured to wear it too much.  But, once again a belt has swooped in to save the day!  I spent some time looking at myself in this dress in the mirror trying to figure out what wasn’t working and I realized it was that the faux-wrap part of the dress hit me too high.  I often have issues with proportions in dresses because I have both long legs and a long torso so things are often too short and the seems often hit me in the wrong places. My small waist and large butt/hips/thighs don’t help matters.  I added this wide belt to visually lower the placement of the wrap.  The belt slightly overlaps the wrap making it look much wider.  The belt also adds a fun pop of color, making this an all over more exciting ensemble.

New Shoes!, originally uploaded by academichic.

I ran a half-marathon last weekend and then decided to do a total toning course a couple days later, so my legs are sore and my toes need special attention.  I assumed flats would be the most comfortable option, but for some reason of all my shoes (besides maybe my thick soled flip flops) these wedges proved the best option.  I wasn’t convinced they worked that well with my green and teal color combo, so I added wooden accessories to tie them in.

Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

Turns out, I am in love with this dress again – it’s fun and professional and is appropriate for both the classroom and my walk across campus in 80+ degree weather.  Plus, during a busy week, there is something to be said for an outfit primarily comprised of one piece!

15 April 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Brown patterned dress – Banana Republic
• Red cardi – thrifted
• Brown woven belt – F21
• Silver sandals – Target
• Coral earrings – gift from Mexico
• Ring – Kadoh in Munich

Endnotes:

Yesterday ended up being one of those cold and rainy days and I never even made it out of sweats and flip-flops (so no red cardi post, sorry!). I spent the day indoors, reading and writing up a storm, and only paused for a brief break to go on a run.

But today I’m back to red-cardi week with this simple combination of the red cardigan with my brown patterned jersey dress. This dress is a perfect cheat item because it looks polished and can even be dressed up for more formal events but in reality it’s just as soft and comfortable as wearing pajamas. While I loved how E. overlapped her coral cardi earlier this week and was thinking of recreating that look, comfort won out over style today and I left the cardigan open and relaxed.

Earrings detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

Silver sandals, originally uploaded by academichic.

These silver flats are also somewhat of a cheat because they add a dash of glam with their shine and braided intricacy, but they’re really here for their comfort and ease of wear. I love when items look like they’re chosen for fashion but are really just as forgiving and comfortable as a pair of flipflops and sweats. Ideally, I think I would love this look with a pair of red wedges or platform espadrilles but I’m just not feeling it today – it’s Friday, I’m taking it easy, laying off the heels, and relaxing into weekend mode… S.

PS: I’m in love with this new ring that the As and another friend of mine talked me into getting when A and A2 were visiting me a little while ago. It comes from Kadoh – a really cute fair trade jewelry and accessories store on Sendliger Strasse near Sendlinger Tor in Munich. If you’re in the area, it’s worth checking out, all the more because of their really reasonable prices. It’s a great place to find a little something for yourself or a gift for someone else. (This silver and wood ring only set me back 9 Euros). Thought I’d share!

Patterns, originally uploaded by academichic.

17 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress: Target
• Top: Anna Sui for Target
• Belt: Old Navy
• Tights: HUE
• Wedges: thrifted

End Notes:

Right, so I’m currently a big, big fan of this navy Target dress. Today it went back and forth easily between campus and being back on the floor with baby e. The fuller dolman sleeves, the cinched waist, and the almost tulip-shaped skirt make jersey more fashion forward and give me some pretty serious curves.

I like how dramatically the feel of the dress changes with the addition of a wide belt and a patterned red top underneath. The combination only adds to the vavavoom factor while adding a little bit of a retro feel. And actually, the elastic-back gray belt serves a practical purpose: keeping the blouse beneath snug to the body and bunch-free.

17 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Like many jersey dresses, this one has an attached tie, which can be both a help and a hindrance, depending on how you’re trying to style a given look. We’ve all become relatively adept at wrapping attached ties around a cardigan to avoid unwanted bumps, but sometimes I find that I want more definition — either in color or texture or width — than a dress’s attached belt can provide.

Wide elastic-back belts like this one and my old standby wide brown belt are perfect for covering up attached dress belts. I wrapped the jersey tie around back then brought them to the front and tied a simple knot. I didn’t double knot as I would usually in order to sidestep a protruding and unsightly lump. While a single knot wouldn’t usually provide enough holding power, the stretchy elastic of the belt keeps everything together. As an added bonus, the width of the belt actually let me move the visual waist of the dress down just a little bit further, closer to my natural waist (yup, long torso strikes again).

Unrelatedly, in the time it’s taken me to type this post, baby E. has unloaded a shelf of books on 19th century French fashion, art, and imperialism, unpacked his box of toys, pulled up on the bottom step, and taken down a basket of cloth napkins. Good thing this dress has a lot of ease, allowing me to swoop in, super hero-like, at key moments.

17 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.