academichic

16 February 2010 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• black dress – H&M
• black tights – from Romania
• black boots – Banana Republic
• Pedant – Anthropologie
• Scarf under belt – thrifted in San Fran
• Belt – TJMaxx

Endnotes:

This look was inspired by one of the Hermès scarf-tying tips found in their online tutorial. While most of their knots were familiar to me, I came across this idea and was pleasantly surprised: layering a scarf under a skinny belt to make an interesting scarf/belt obi is another great idea for sprucing up an otherwise ‘blank canvas‘ look. So this past weekend, I pulled out my black shirt dress, added black tight and boots, and went grabbing for my scarves and skinny belts. I tried several scarf + belt combinations until I settled on this one, really liking the analogous combination of the orange fabric with the red leather.

Scarf + Belt detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

I tucked the ends of the scarf underneath the scarf sash, so that they didn’t stick out at the back (as shown in the Hermès image above). I then belted the scarf obi in place and was pleased to discover that the belt helped keep the scarf from shifting or moving even while walking around with a coat thrown on top of it. This was such a simple way to add a point of interest to a monochromatic outfit and I think the scarf adds so much more depth and richness than just the belt on its own. I am definitely going to experiment with other belt + scarf combinations, creating blue and green analogous pairings or perhaps bolder complimentary color mixes the next time around.

What do you think, would you give this one a try? S.

16 February 2010 , originally uploaded by academichic.

26 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Cardigan – Banana Republic
• Black Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
• Scarf – Gift from Kimberly
• Teal Shoes – Seychelles, via Solestruck.com
• Tights – Target
• Belt – Sister M.’s
• Bracelet – Gift from S.

Endnotes:

Yesterday I did a tribute to Sara of Orchids in Buttonholes, and while she was certainly an early blog love for me and remains a favorite, the two blogs that first engaged me in style blog reading were Already Pretty and Fab Finds Under $50.  I think E. and S. found many style blogs appealing long before we started academichic, but I had a hard time getting into them and it wasn’t until I discovered Already Pretty and Fab Finds that I was able to embrace the genre and celebrate what all style blogs have the potential to contribute.  So why these two admittedly very different blogs?  Part of it is that I can image that I would like to hang out with both Sal and Kimberly in real life – turns out I do like the real Sal quite a bit – but more importantly is the focus on positive body image and body love.  I’ll save my Sal gushing (which always includes a mention of her Drag Queens Post) for another day, because this is a tribute to Kimberly!

When I first started thinking of how to put together a Kimberly outfit, I thought of these shoes and then built the outfit from there.  Kimberly has the most fabulous collection of shoes, which directly inspired me to pick out these shoes last Spring– I wanted a pair of statement shoes!

Packing Update!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Accessories, originally uploaded by academichic.

1 November 2009 – Opera Outfit, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:
All remixed:

• Black dress – Target
• Black belt – Banana Republic
• Silver clutch – Charlotte Russe, thrifted
• Black tights – Grocery store
• Gray wedges – Report “Calico”, via Solestruck.com
• Ripple shawl – Blue Onion Marketplace
• Earrings – side walk sale, my wedding earrings

Endnotes:

So it doesn’t quite have the same ring as Superbowl Sunday or Ice Cream Sundae, but it does describe what I did yesterday and it is as exciting to me as football and ice cream might be to others.

We’re officially off! National Novel Writing Month began yesterday and if you’re participating then you’re likely sharing my nervousness and excitement as you begin your novel. Thank you to the lovely Andrea for putting a little NaNo support group together and encouraging everyone to share their first paragraph on her post. I’d also love to hear from any of you who are partaking in this –  I invite you to NaNoWriMo obsess away in the comments section of this post! (And if you want to add me to your writing buddies, my NaNoWriMo name is Academic Abandon.)

Wedding Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

As for my outfit yesterday, I did not wear this to write but I did wear this to the Opera after my required word count was met. One of the things I love about being in Germany is being able to get 6 Euro tickets to attend the Opera! No joke, attending the Opera here can be cheaper than going out for two beers and by far more chic!

I told you I’d likely keep wearing this same black dress over and over, and so I did. This time around I went for a more dramatic effect with black tights, a black velvet belt, and a POP of color (that’s how loud it was) with this red-orange ripple scarf from Blue Onion Marketplace. Sorry about the poor image quality, but I snapped this just on my way out and the lighting in my room is horrible. So you can just pretend to be seeing this outfit with this background and then you get the idea. How else would you style this LBD other than with a pashmina scarf and a belt? S.

Ripple Shawl detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

24 October 2009 – Night at the Opera, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

On S1 (above):

• Black dress – Target, remixed
• Silk tie belt – from another (thrifted) dress, remixed
• Vintage brooch – was my grandmother’s
• Pink pashmina – H&M, remixed
• Gray wedges – Report, remixed
• Pink clutch, Ann Taylor, remixed

On S2 (below):

• Ivory shimmery top – recent H&M purchase
• Black pencil skirt – recent H&M purchase
• Ribbon weave pumps – bought in Romania years ago

Endnotes:

Saturday night found S2 and I enjoying a wonderful production of Janacek’s Janufa at the Munich Opera House. The night ended with enthusiastic Bravas and Bravos from the audience and we, too, shared that enthusiasm despite having seats that allowed us to see no more than 65% of the stage at all times… ahh, the nosebleed section of the Opera.

Since I’m abroad this year and have a limited wardrobe, I wore my one black dress that I packed and will likely wear for all formal events to come. By styling it differently each time, I hope to avoid having you (and me) groan, this outfit again?! as I pull it out over and over. This time I added a pink and tan obi belt, which comes from this silk dress I wore on my last opera visit, and a pink pashmina. I also took a cue from A., who’s done this brilliantly a few times lately, and added a sparkly brooch to my belt for added drama and dazzle.

Vintage Brooch, originally uploaded by academichic.

Ideally, I would have worn these shoes with the above outfit, but had I packed those, last night would have likely been their main starring role on this trip. Instead, I brought my trusty gray wedges, which can be dressed up enough to go with a Little Black Dress but are also a smarter every-day, get-lots-of-mileage-out-of-me shoe choice.

24 October 2009 – Night at the Opera, originally uploaded by academichic.

Meanwhile, S2 looked stunning this this ivory shimmery cowl neck top and black pencil skirt combo. But I think her shoes truly did steal the show here: cream peep-toes with a dark brown ribbon weave, lovely! A great example of how a patterned shoe can add the perfect finishing touch to a basic outfit.

Ribbon weave shoes, originally uploaded by academichic.

I think it’s also worth noting that we went to the Opera wearing outfits comprised almost entirely of Target, H&M, and thrifted pieces. And we didn’t look that bad, right? I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend as well, whatever Saturday night found you doing. S.

Munich Opera House, originally uploaded by academichic.

9 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Black Jersey Dress- Banana Republic
• Earrings – Birthday Gift
• Brooch – Vintage Threadz, etsy
• Clutch – Grandmother’s
• Shoes – Seychelles, via solestrcuk.com

Endnotes:

When we posted advice about what to wear to a winter wedding last weed, we certainly were not thinking winter wedding season would be so soon be upon us.  It was cold and gloomy last night in Academichic Central, perfect weather for a movie night at home, but I had an elegant evening wedding to attend!

Based on the formal language of the multi-layered invitations I deduced that this would be a rather chic event.  I have been to a few black-tie optional weddings and have always worn the same black halter dress from  Banana Republic, changing out the accessories and shoes.  I love the dress and I usually love how it looks on me, so I didn’t even bother trying it on, but for some reason, last night I just wasn’t happy in it.  A2 tried to convince me to wear it, but I wasn’t leaving the house in something that didn’t make me feel good.

Packing Update!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Suddenly I had very little time to throw together a formal look for a gloomy night.  I dug through my closet but everything was either too casual or too summery.  I settled on this jersey dress because the color, the unique neckline, and detailing at the waist  all making it a little more evening appropriate.   Yet, it was still jersey dress.  I decided it was nothing that a great shoe and a little sparkle couldn’t fix!

Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

Brooch, originally uploaded by academichic.

3 September 2009 – Date Night, originally uploaded by academichic.

Endnotes:

After spending my day getting things done around town and at home, T. got home and suggested we go out for an impromptu last date night. It didn’t really take much convincing for me to get changed and be ready to go. Really, I think he was still finishing his sentence while I was already on the way to my closet to pull out something festive for our last proper date before I leave. We decided to revisit the restaurant at which we had our wedding reception just last month, since it carried such special memories and the food had been delicious.

It was a perfect night for sitting outdoors on their patio, sipping mojitos, and enjoying my husband’s company. It was warm enough to wear a simple summer dress one more time, while just breezy enough to snuggle under a cozy pashmina. A perfect night with a perfect date.

Now I’m back to packing and checking off lists. We’re off to visit my parents this weekend where I’ll stay a bit longer to enjoy some time with them before I take off for the year. Moving and departures always get so hectic and all of the sudden you’re trying to remember a zillion things that you can’t live without, so I’m really glad to be able to pull up my packing post and just check off the items as I put them in a suitcase. I’m glad to not have to be making these decisions now as my mind’s on a multitude of things and I can just pack on auto-pilot by following my post. I think there will be some minor adjustments made, (such as my substituting this dress I wore last night, for this other polka-dot dress I had intended to pack…just because…), but other than a few minor changes, I’m set. Have a great weekend, everyone! S.

3 September 2009 – Evening, originally uploaded by academichic.

25 August 2009 – Shifty, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Black shirt dress – Old Navy
• Brown leather belt – Gap Outlet
• Brown wedges – thrifted

End Notes:

Our recent recommendations on accessorizing a black shift dress made me all nostalgic for my little black wool shift dress. I love the silhouette of a great-fitting shift, and it’s a look that I missed while pregnant. Sadly, that wool LBD is not at all conducive to breastfeeding, nor does it hold up well to spit up, meaning that it will be relegated to storage for a little while longer. But, that doesn’t mean that the, er, spirit of the shift dress need be absent.

This morning I pulled out this slim shirt dress from my pre-preggers storage bin and buttoned it on with hopeful anticipation. And let me be honest. What you see in the photograph is the result of some thoughtful finagling, namely, wearing a black nursing cami underneath, leaving the top three buttons undone to accommodate my new breastfeeding bosom, and moving the waist of the dress up to hide my remaining baby bumpage by adding a wide belt.

Shifty Eyed, originally uploaded by academichic.

It sounds very complicated when I type it all out like that, but in reality it took only a few minutes of tweaking and slipping on a new-to-me pair of wedges to make me see something akin to my pre-preggers style (and body) in the mirror…just altered to meet the demands of my new life. Is it strange that I get a little creative adrenaline rush from my wardrobe trompe-l’œil?

Thrifted Wedges, originally uploaded by academichic.