academichic

Sources:

Dress – thrifted
Sandals – Target
Earrings – gift from A.

Endnotes:

Dear readers,

I hadn’t intended to post again as I’m less than a week before my due date and my mind’s on a million other things. I had my “Top Ten” post all ready for the other Chics to publish for me in case I wasn’t around to do it myself at the end of this month and, with that, I thought I had said my goodbyes.

But reading your comments has made me sad and unwilling to leave it quite at that. (Blame it on the pregnancy hormones, but you guys got me all choked up!) So I thought I’d pop back in just to say another resounding THANK YOU to all of you who have been reading, commenting on, recommending, questioning, challenging, and supporting our site.

In yesterday’s comments, one reader asked how much we attributed our style choices to this blog and how we anticipate our style changing in the absence of posting. I’m not sure how to answer that question because I’m sure that my style has been influenced by participating in this online ‘style blogging’ community, but more so than acquiring an eye for trends, participating in this community has very much affected my approach to many theoretical concepts…

How do I use clothing to present myself as an academic, to perform gender, to display/downplay my ethnicity, to support consumer culture, to NOT support consumer culture, and to make more self-conscious choices every time I open my wallet or my closet door.

It’s one thing when you ponder these things on your own and it’s something else entirely to put your thoughts into words for thousands of people to read in one day. It makes you extremely aware of the things you say (and think) and forces you to take a more critical eye to your own writing and thinking. As much as graduate school has challenged me in this way, I can honestly say that our readers have done so just as much. So thank you for such thought-provoking conversations and critical inquiries that have definitely altered and shaped my thinking and writing over the past two and a half years.

As already mentioned in yesterday’s post, I move into a new stage of my life that sees me mothering a girl. Our conversations here on gender roles, gendering, and feminism will undoubtedly influence how I raise her and the values I will seek to instill in her. Similarly, these regular conversations with you, our readers, and with my co-bloggers will leave a lasting mark on how I think about and put into words my thoughts on two gender focused projects I will be tackling this coming year; my dissertation and another writing project in the works.

So I guess what I am trying to say is that more than the visual appreciation for aesthetics and style that has been born of this project, I take with me a deeper appreciation for considering, critiquing, and questioning topics of gender and society in relation to the media and the fashion world at hand. If you’re a new-comer to our site, I urge you to take a look at those posts (housed in our Theoretical Archives) in particular and to not skip the comments, which add a richer and more complex take on each point we raised as well.

And for those of you who asked, yes, I will continue to be around on Simply Bike. The focus of that blog is different from this one but I always welcome your comments and visits and appreciate any drop-ins from those so inclined. S.

Sources:

• Cardigan: Target
• Cami: Forever 21, from last pregnancy
• Maxi: Forever 21, from last pregnancy
• Sandals: Old Navy
• Necklace: Hawaii swap meet

End Notes:

Notice anything different? Yes, I’m wearing my hair up. Or at least up-ish.

Thanks to your advice, I tried a modified version of the Real Simple tutorial for three low buns at the nape of the neck. Since I have a LOT of straight, slippery hair I need pretty significant length to make “real” buns. But, I loved this idea and I stood in front of that mirror for a long time with damp hair, some texturizing product, a few pins and some little hair bands to make something that sort of approximated that look. I just decided to embrace the spikes. It’s not the most beautiful hairstyle out there, but it fulfilled the purpose of getting hair off my neck with the added bonus of making it look like I had longer hair to start with. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself. I appreciated all the suggestions you had and will work on expanding my hair repertoire in the next few weeks!

I should say something about the outfit, but really…it’s purple and it’s mustard and I love this maxi dress and I added an old necklace so that you wouldn’t get too bored. The end.

P.S. Just three more outfits left to post in my self-imposed 15 for 15. (But that’s not too exciting since many of you will certainly be launching a 30 for 30 experience today ala Kendi…good luck!)

Sources:

• Coral tank: Target
• Maxi dress: Forever 21 (my “reserve” dress for my mini capsule wardrobe)
• Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell, via Gilt
• Necklace: Fig and Ginger

End Notes:

You may be a bit baffled by this post’s title: how is wearing a purple maxi dress and bright coral tank top particularly amenable to “fitting in” in a crowd? Or, at least, a crowd in the Midwest. It’s not, really. I was the only pregnant, maxi dress-wearing, color-blocking lady I saw all day. But you see, there was another element to this outfit: my now-ubiquitous summer hat.

And, apparently, if you want to commune with other hat-wearers, then the place to do that is on a weekday morning walk through the local botanical gardens. There were a LOT of straw hats to be seen there, from wide-brimmed floppy hats to fedora-style hats to tie-beneath-the-chin hats. I felt like a “real” garden-walker in my hat, rather than — as is sometimes the case when I wear my hat around the neighborhood — that odd pregnant hat lady. (Not that the latter has stopped me…it’s just nice to occasionally feel sartorially relevant.)

It’s also a great place to go if you’re almost-two and want to feed really large koi.

P.S. For those counting, this is outfit number ten of my 15 for 15.

Sources:

• Tunic: Forever 21, via consignment store
• Dress: Forever 21
• Belt: thrifted
• Sandals: Old Navy

End Notes:

I’m being told that the seventies are back, so I guess I’m being trendy though, quite frankly, comfort was foremost on my mind when assembling an outfit for a day spent driving. Yesterday little e. and I headed down south for husband N.’s sister’s graduation (got all that?), and I knew that seven plus hours in the car meant that anything with a waist band was out of the question. Enter the maxi dress worn as a skirt, layered undered a dolman tunic.

I’m loving this subtle analogous combination of smokey navy with rich purple (and yellow sandals thrown in for occasional peeks of fun). But since everything is jersey, it’s like wearing really sophisticated pajamas. I can get behind that.

(P.S. I’ve been traveling a lot this semester, both alone and with my family, and I’ll have a few tips on family packing over the weekend. Stay tuned…)

Hippie Dippy Trippy, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Scarf: c/o Nepali by TDM Designs
• Cardigan: The Limited
• Maxi: Forever 21
• Belt: Gap Outlet
• Flats: Old Navy

End Notes:

I am actually holed up in archives and libraries in New York this week, but I have a few pictures from this past weekend — when it was sunshiney and beautiful — to share.

Yes, this is the spring version of one of my “maxi dresses in fall are awesome” outfits. I’m hearing that color blocking is big for spring this year, which means that I will finally be hip with all my bright color combinations that I love so dearly.

Here it’s a yummy combination of purple, magenta, and sherbet orange…and in tie-dye, no less. Although the scarf and the length of the dress may arguably push this outfit towards the realm of hippie dippy trippy, I like how the graphic blocks of color and the proportions created by the strip of orange scarf offer a more mod-ish counterpoint. And since my style is neither of those things, exactly, this is probably just about right.

This isn’t my most fashion-forward outfit, but I can’t help but be happy in it. Color will do that for me. What color combinations are you loving — or dreaming about — for spring?

Folky Blazer, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress: Forever 21
• Tank: Target
• Blazer: C&C
• Necklace: Forever 21
• Boots: Steve Madden Intyce, via eBay

End Notes:

Are you getting tired of my purple-but-photographs-blue maxi dress? This is the third time I’ve worn it during the 30 for 30, but I have to admit that I’m still really digging long, swooshy skirts for cooler weather. While A. dressed up for her high culture experience at the Nutcracker this weekend, I wore this for my weekend date night to an intimate basement concert by a folksy singer-songwriter.

I didn’t really feel like wearing pants, and all of the other skirts and dresses in my 30 for 30 list seemed too dressy or teacherly for the evening. I tried to play a little with the overall silhouette of the dress by using a tank to create more of a drop-waist. It’s a proportion I usually shy away from, but I threw on a cropped blazer to pull things back up top. Of course, then I realized that I was wearing a blazer to a folk concert. Since it’s knit, though, I figured it would be okay. Right?

Style confession: I was a pretty big fan of long, slim black skirts back in high school and early college. Despite the fact that I was home schooled, I managed to stay away from full, floral mid-calf skirts and tea length khaki skirts, but, yes, I loved my floor length, black knit skirts. And now look: Forever 21 is selling skirts that look just like my high school ones! I feel old, a little confused, and slightly smug that I had something going on stylistically back then.

24 November 2010 – Barefoot in the Kitchen, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Sweater: Forever 21
• Belt: thrifted
• Maxi dress: Forever 21
• Pear tart: self-made with sisters-in-law

End Notes:

I’m a little surprised that I’m already halfway through this 30 for 30 experience. I’m trying not to fuss over whether or not I’m being creative “enough” or even “fully” utilizing all of my chosen items. Instead, I’m reveling in the creative possibilities of making do with less in ways that suit my changing daily demands and the volatile Midwest weather. Case in point, today my sisters-in-law and I spent most of the day in the kitchen, hiding from the wet, cold weather outside and baking pies for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving meal. I know it’s only been a few days since I last wore this maxi, but I’m afraid I’m getting a little addicted to its swishy, snuggly coziness for casual fall days.

Anyway, today I’m barefoot in my kitchen, and inordinately proud of this beautiful pear almond tart we made! An early Happy Thanksgiving wish, to our American readers. I hope you are able to be surrounded tomorrow by those you are most thankful for.

20 November 2010 – Poor Planning, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Maxi dress: Forever 21
• Cardigan: H&M, via Plato’s Closet
• Scarf: vintage shop in Chattanooga
• Boots: Steve Madden Iriss

End Notes:

Um, yes, I am blogging the same sweater two days in a row. This is probably some kind of style blogging no-no, but within the bounds of 30 for 30 it somehow seems more acceptable.

Besides, I covered most of the cardigan with a big sparkly gold scarf.

Though I can admit that this is a little shapeless and a lot of fabric to have around, I loved it as a bright-but-cozy ensemble for a weekend visit to the farmers’ market to stock up on root veggies and baking apples for Thanksgiving.

1 November 2010 – Such Great Lengths, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Maxi dress: Forever 21
Cardigan: Banana Republic, gift from mother-in-law
Scarf: very old, maybe from Ross?
Belt: Gap Outlet
Boots: Steve Madden, via eBay

End Notes:

Readers, it’s everywhere. Kendi wore one. So did Jessica. Anthropologie styled one.

I’m talking about the maxi dress. For fall. And…I admit it. I’m a convert.

My relationship with maxi dresses reads like an on-again, off-again romance. Pre-pregnancy I was all, “Maxi dresses are silly and tentlike.” And then during pregnancy my tune changed to “Yay, space for a bump and I look taller, not wider!” (I even wore one in February, for crying out loud.) Then, post preggers, I went through a phase of eschewing clothing styles that I associated too closely with maternity wear, so my maxis got the kibosh. But now…

1 November 2010 – Such Great Lengths, originally uploaded by academichic.

It’s just so sweepy and swishy and elegant without being stuffy. Can’t help myself.

It was the perfect outfit for enjoying a fall day with baby e. (who is more like toddler e. now). In the midst of writing a prospectus and preparing for my next qualifying exam, I treasure the way that little e. “interrupts” my time. He never lets me miss out on a beautiful day and he keeps me full of joyful wonder over fallen autumn leaves, hyperactive squirrels, and flocks of migrating birds.

Are you wearing a maxi dress for fall? Just how are you doing it?

- E

1 November 2010 – Such Great Lengths, originally uploaded by academichic.

21 May 2009 – Hippie Mama, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed.

• Maxi dress – Gap, gift from the mother-in-law
• Scarf – Target
• Slippers – Cobian, purchased at Hawaiian Island Creations back home

End Notes:

I couldn’t let our week of flats go by without a small confession and a brief discussion of semantics. First, the juicy confession: my upbringing in Hawaii has resulted in a deeply held skepticism regarding flat sandals that are not “flip flops.” Second, every time I say the word “flip flop” I feel like I am denying part of my heritage. Yes, I have a heritage related to flat footwear.

Let me explain.

In Hawaii, the rubber sandal that mainland folk term “flip flops” are the footwear of choice. Most people just wear tough rubber versions purchased at a local drug store and wear them until the heel wears out. I grew up going to the mall, to church, and on hikes wearing these things. All that to say, when you’ve grown up completely surrounded by people wearing y-strap style footwear almost exclusively, it’s hard to accept the aesthetic of the current, dressier flat sandals: the t-strap, the gladiator, the complicated multi-strap wrap-around. I think they look terrific on other people’s feet, but I balk when I see them on my feet. I might need therapy to get over this.

But most importantly, in Hawaii, these rubber creations are referred to as “slippers.” But apparently, “slipper = flip flop” does not work on the mainland since “slipper = indoor house shoe.” All of this led to much angst and miscommunications when I first arrived on the mainland for college. For a long time I resisted using the term “flip flop” because, frankly, it sounds silly and how can you take that kind of onomatopoeic word seriously as a legitimate footwear option? After a few years I gave in, just for ease of communication, and now I will grit my teeth and spurt out “flip flop” in the rare instances when they come up in conversation.

21 May 2009 – Hippie Mama, originally uploaded by academichic.

On the other hand, I have upgraded from drug store rubber to a pair of sueded chocolate brown leather slippers purchased from a local surf shop the last time I was back home in Hawaii. Perhaps in a few years I’ll even be able to manage a t-strap sandal.

The rest of the outfit is an attempt to translate the laid-back local Hawaii attitude for a mainland late spring day: an easy maxi dress (which itself has a whole history of personal misgivings) and a patterned scarf to brighten things up. Whew. I bet you didn’t know that I had so much to say on this subject.