26 January 2010

Posted on | January 26, 2010 | 15 Comments

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!

Kimberly’s style is approachable, affordable, and academia appropriate – generally an all around A+!

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.

I am always impressed with how Kimberly embellishes a few simple pieces with her use of accessories (shoes included). I once called Kimberly a pattern-mixing goddess, but today I am celebrating her as accessory goddess. I started with a simple black dress (Kimberly just recently did a post showing the many ways she has worn her little black dress) and then added a long cardigan – basic pieces, a blank canvas to accessorize. I added the teal pumps and this beautifully patterned scarf (a gift from Kimberly) worn as a faux blouse. My instinct was to pull out a simple black or brown leather belt but knew Kimberly would likely reach for a more bedazzled option, so I opted for this jeweled stretchy belt and then fished it all off with some jewelry.

Thanks for all the inspiration Kimberly, I feel Fab-Finds Fabulous today! A.

Accessories, originally uploaded by academichic.

3 January 2010 – Happy Birthday E.!!

Posted on | January 3, 2010 | 11 Comments

3 January 2009 – Happy Birthday E.!!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Black Cardigan – BR Outlet
Blue Jersey Dress – Old Navy
Black Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
Grey Layering Tee – Banana Republic
Brown Belt- BR Outlet
Brown Boots – Banana Republic, via ebay
Purple Tights- BR Outlet

Endnotes:

Happy Birthday E.!!!

In the four birthday’s I’ve known E. I don’t think I have ever gotten to celebrate over a drink with her. One of us has always been out of town still for the holidays. One of these days, I swear I’m going to buy you a birthday drink!

Like S., I think of E. in slightly cropped skinny pants and a swing coat slouchy, cardigan, or bloused tee. I was also inspired by E. to buy a pair of skinny jeans, and eventually start wearing them paired with something other than chunky boots and a long tops. But, I also think of E and the master of the dress (particularly the jersey dress). I was taking style clues from E. long before this blog started and I think the most important look I have taken from E. is the day dress. I bought my first jersey dress (this black one) with E.’s help and that was only the beginning! (E. also hemmed this blue dress for me).

E. Birthday Tribute, originally uploaded by academichic.

In my mind E’s signature look is the cardigan layered over the jersey dress. She has worn this look over and over, while always keeping it fresh and interesting. In one of her first posts for Acadmichic she layered two jersey dresses over a wool skirt and then topped the whole thing off with a chunky cardigan. I thought it was genius! So this is a tribute to E’s love of the day dress. I also adore E’s color blocking and the way she can elevate any ensemble with the addition of purple tights!

Layred Dresses, originally uploaded by academichic.

I hope you are having a wonderful time in Hawaii! I can’t wait to see you when you get back!
Love, A.

Happy Birthday E.!, originally uploaded by academichic.

1 December 2009 – Flowers and Ruffles

Posted on | December 1, 2009 | 20 Comments

1 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Ruffly Floral Scarf – Anthropologie
Long Brown Cardigan – Urban Outfitters
Black Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
Tights – Gap
Belt – NY & Co.
Shoes – Kenneth Cole Reaction

Endnotes:

Today I am sporting ruffles and flowers together! Both fall outside my normal comfort zone. Like E, I have been embracing ruffles more and more this season, but always paired with stripes or other hard edges.

peep toes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

When I saw this scarf at Anthropologie, I immediately thought of S. (although this is definitely my color palette) and was ready to pass it up, but little sister L. convinced my to try it on and play around with it. I decided a what better way to introduce an new aesthetic than through an old favorite – the scarf.

Flowers and ruffles!, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’m letting this new wardrobe addition have center stage so belted it over my black jersey dress and chocolate-brown long cardigan. I think the pockets may be my favorite part of today’s outfit.

1 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’m thinking I might like this scarf even more with my new jeans and a simple v-neck tee, so I’m excited to give all the ruffles and flowers another go soon! Are you trying anything new this season? A.

1 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 November 2009 – S. Birthday Tribute

Posted on | November 23, 2009 | 9 Comments

23 November 2009 – S. Birthday Tribute, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Green Shirt Dress – H & M
Black Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
Black Henley – Gap
Black Belt – from Sal
Black Boots – J Crew
Flowers – Blue Onion Marketplace
Earrings – Gift

Endnotes:

Last month E. and S. wore outfits inspired by my style to celebrate my birthday. Now it’s S.’s turn! HAPPY BIRTHDAY S!

I think both E.’s description of S.’s style as whimsical and S.’s own designation of her style as preppy romantic perfectly encapsulate S.’s creative and colorful approach to clothes, which I adore.

I am often inspired by S. to push myself in terms of both color and pattern, but today I am paying tribute to what has become one of S.’s signature looks – the layered dresses. S. has worn her shirt dresses over simple jersey dresses to create a sophisticated and rich look. And while green may not be S.’s signature color, she wears it beautifully, especially paired with black.

I also love how S. brings a touch of whimsical charm to her outfits, particularly through the flower brooch, which I am always a little hesitant to wear. She does it so well and even managed to layer two rather large flowers without letting them overwhelm the ensemble, so I’m giving it a shot with these two flower brooches from Blue Onion Marketplace.

I’m also wearing my hair curly for S.’s birthday because I love her curly hair and all the creative ways she styles it.

I miss you S., especially today! I wish I could be with you to celebrate your special day! I’m thinking of you! Love, A.

S. – style flowers, originally uploaded by academichic.

24 October 2009 – Night at the Opera

Posted on | October 25, 2009 | 13 Comments

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.

25 August 2009 – Shifty

Posted on | August 25, 2009 | 16 Comments

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.

15 July 2009 – Travel Style

Posted on | July 15, 2009 | 7 Comments

15 July 2009 – Travel Style, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed except pashmina:

Blue pashmina – TJMaxx
Black dress – ON
White eyelet top – TJMaxx
Brown tote – REI
Black sandals – Target

Endnotes:

This morning I flew back to academichic central, where I got off my plane and was shortly picked up by A. for a much needed coffee and catch-up session at our favorite coffee shop. You may remember this black dress from last week, when I wore it for my flight to my parents’ house and from my discussion on travel comfortable clothing. I wore the same jersey dress to fly back in for all the reasons I mentioned then, and once more, finished off the look with a cozy pashmina (read: pashmina on the ground, plane blanket in the air). This time, I zipped through security even quicker with these easy to slip on and off sandals, leaving me plenty of time to peruse the magazine selection before taking off.

This outfit worked great for a day of travel and flying for several reasons: it’s comfortable, it’s black and thus pretty stain resistant, I didn’t need to remove any hardware to get through the metal detector, and it looked chic enough to walk off the plane and head out in public for a day of plans. And last but not least, it conforms perfectly to our week’s review session of neutrals with a pop. Now that’s what I call multi-function! S.

8 July 2009

Posted on | July 8, 2009 | 18 Comments

8 July 2009 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

(all remixed but shoes and bag)

Red leather tote – Claudia Firenze, via TJMaxx
Black jersey dress – ON
Black wedges – Connie, thrifted on recent trip to Colorado
Gray top – Target
Red button pendant – Brookberrys on Etsy
Pashmina scarf – World Market

Endnotes:

Today’s outfit was designed around the idea that I will be on an airplane and going through airports for a large chunk of my day. I wanted to be comfortable, stylish, and quick to get through security.The latter especially played a role, and if you’ve flown recently, you know what a difference a security-friendly ensemble will make.

We all three love wearing a comfortable jersey dress when flying because it’s like wearing sweats or pj’s without actually looking like you just rolled out of bed. It’s a great way to be comfortable when you’re squished in that tiny seat and you don’t want your jean waistband digging into you tummy. The added advantage – the lack of buttons, metal clasps, or belt buckle also make you more likely to zip right through the metal detector.

I knew I wanted to wear this black jersey dress for my flight today and then I came across this image in the June issue of Lucky:

I’ve mentioned already that I’m finding myself increasingly drawn to a red and black color combination, so this outfit idea was right up my alley. I chose not to wear my gladiators like the image above suggests and instead throw on my new mary-jane wedges that I recently thrifted. I have been excited to wear them and I thought that the mary-jane sandal would make for a better pairing with the knee length hemline of my dress (vs. the maxi dress showed in Lucky).

Lastly, I’m sure to grab a soft pashmina scarf to wrap around myself on the flight, where it’s guaranteed to be chilly once we take off. Ensconced in soft jersey and pashmina wool, I’m certain to arrive at my destination comfortable and well rested.

What do you like to do to ensure a happy flight experience? S.

8 July 2009 , originally uploaded by academichic.

30 June 2009

Posted on | June 30, 2009 | 9 Comments

30 June 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed.

Black flutter sleeve dress: Liz Lange for Target
Wooden bead necklace: Hawaii
Wooden hoop earrings: Wet Seal
Brown suede slippers: Cobia

End Notes:

Thank you all for your kind words yesterday. I had a good doctor’s visit that afternoon and that evening my husband and I finished our final childbirth class. It’s amazing how just checking one more thing off a to-do list (in this case, “learn how to have baby”) can make a big difference in my subconscious mood!

Today just felt like a dress day, and this fluttery sleeve, swingy number caught my eye. The last time I wore it I was in Houston, attending a brunch in honor of my sister-in-law’s graduation. This time around I wanted to keep the same sweet feel to the outfit but I added a little more of a bohemian twist by pairing brown accessories in earthy textures — wood and suede — with the black jersey.

I have to say that wearing the little black dress as a summer day dress is still something that I have to carefully plot. Of course, fabric and cut do a lot to make even a black dress more summery, but accessory choices play a role as well. How do you wear your little black dress in the summer?

30 June 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Spotlight on: The Uniform Project

Posted on | June 15, 2009 | 11 Comments

A lovely reader recently turned us on to The Uniform Project, a project by the very creative Sheena Matheiken, who has pledged to wear one little black dress for 365 days. In her own words:

Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies.

We here at Academichic could not be more supportive of a project that not only pledges sustainable fashion and responsible spending but also works to raise money for education:

The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for slum children in India.

Not only is Sheena Matheiken supporting education and being a responsible citizen, she is also a force to be reckoned with in the fashion blogosphere. Just check out her stunning ensemble for a recent wedding:

We always knew that a Little Black Dress was a must in our wardrobes, but this project will prove just how far such an item can be stretched! Check The Uniform Project for more images and information and to make a donation if you can!

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