academichic

Sources:

• Sweater: Cable & Gauge via Marshalls
• Tank: Banana Republic
• Belt: BR
• Skirt: Gap
• Shoes: Madden Girl via DSW
• Necklace: gift

Endnotes:
Spring is taking its sweet time coming to my neck-of-the-woods, and in the meantime it’s been grey and rainy for what feels like months (real time: probably only a few days out of each week for the last few weeks). I’m not sure about you, but my mood is more than a little influenced by the weather, so all these cloudy, chilly days have not been making me too happy. However, I am happy that April is national poetry month! Today especially, I’m reminded of T. S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” and some of the most famous lines in all of poetry:

April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.

After a rain soaked weekend, I decided to dress like the spring rain and dull roots and don blue and grey. This is basically another version of a monochrome outfit I put together last summer for our Color Wheel Challenge. As for memory and desire, well, the memory of past summers is the only thing making me smile in this picture.

The subtle embroidered flowers on the skirt and my flower belt also perked me up a bit, and I wore my green torsade in an effort to convince myself that all the rain really was bringing new, fresh, green things into the world. Usually I try to wear bright colors on days when I’m feeling low or the weather is bad, but today it was wearing little hints of spring that me happier. What are your tricks for changing your mood or combating a dreary climate?

19 November 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Cardigan: H&M, thrifted at Plato’s Closet
• Top: Target
• Ponte pants: Ann Taylor
• Boots: Steve Madden Iriss

End Notes:

I wore this blue-green puffy sleeved top on day 4 of my 30 for 30 with a blue-green scarf and navy skirt. Today — for a day of grading and errands — I went the other way on my color wheel and paired it with an olive cardigan. And I’m kind of in love with this color combination.

I’m a little surprised by how much I love this outfit overall. It’s full of a lot of “huh, why did I never do that before” moments, like the olive + peacock color pairing and the black ponte pants + boots combination. No, really. Why have I never worn my boots with these pants before? It’s just more proof positive that a limited closet can inspire serendipitous wardrobe moments.

Finally, can I just show you this outtake moment that made me laugh? I see a rhino head in my hair. What do you see?

24 August 2010 – Olive You, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Top: Target
• Necklace: Forever 21
• Belt: thrifted
• Skirt: Banana Republic Factory
• Wedges: thrifted

End Notes:

Like A. and L., I had to let our color challenge spill over into the following week. I just wasn’t feeling a monochromatic look last week. But, never fear, I have prevailed. And with green, no less.

Ruffle and Necklace Detail, originally uploaded by academichic.

I usually wouldn’t wear a chunky necklace with a top that already has neckline details, like this one. One of the benefits of a monochromatic color scheme, however, is that it lets you play a little more with the “more is more” concept. Layering a yellow-green statement necklace over olive ruffles adds some textural interest within a limited color palette. (I also could have added baby e.’s yellow-green sippy cup to the mix, but I figured I already had enough going on.)

Also, I didn’t tuck in my top. Given my propensity for high-waisted everything, this is a departure for me. Granted, I’m still defining my waist — and adding some lovely drape and blousing — with a skinny belt, but the overall effect of a peplum of sorts is fetching, and it still keeps my never-ending torso in check. One of my fall style resolutions is to play more with drape and volume, and this is a good start, albeit a baby step.

Do you have any fall style resolutions?

24 August 2010 – Olive You, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 August 2010 – Rainy Days and Mondays, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• T-shirt: American Apparel
• Skirt: Calvin Klein Outlet
• Belt: Old Navy Outlet
• Shoes: Madden Girl via DSW

Endnotes:
One final post regarding our color wheel challenge. Since I had been putting this outfit together in my head for days, I wanted to share my monochrome blue-green ensemble. This outfit is very simple, but with the addition of a belt and heeled shoes it manages to look polished despite the easy T and skirt combo. This is another one of my super girl-y feeling skirts because it moves so well. It is surprisingly heavy since the pleating hides where several panels of material are added and you can’t see the many inner layers that help give it such a swishing motion. I was determined to get a picture of this skirt in mid-twirl, and I seriously almost fell over from dizziness at the end of this photo series! Oh, the things we do for Academichic.

23 August 2010 – Twirl!, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 August 2010 – Twirl!, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 August 2010 – Twirl!, originally uploaded by academichic.

The belt you might recognize as the same as E’s and A’s (although hers is teal) and it is one of the workhorses of my wardrobe. I wear a lot of grey and grey goes with everything, so the purchase of a stretchy grey belt was a necessity for me. I used to be very wary of mixing neutrals including metallics, so the brass buckle made me a little anxious. However, thanks to my co-bloggers I’ve realized that things like that don’t matter very much and I can still wear silver jewelry despite the color of my buckle. These shoes were also a major addition to my wardrobe this year and have proven very useful. I like the small heel because they are comfy enough that I can wear them all day, but give me a little height and my legs a little length.

23 August 2010 – Grey, originally uploaded by academichic.

It has taken some adjustment, but I’m getting used to how delightfully cool the weather can be in New England even in summer – I’ve taken to carrying a light cardigan with me and don’t have to wear tanks all the time. Lately it’s not only been cool, but also quite rainy, which somewhat inspired this marine blue pairing. If I’d had my whole wardrobe at my disposal, I would have tossed on my grey cardi or my navy blazer from Ann Taylor Loft (not the same as A’s, but similar!). As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve just moved into my new apartment, but I’m still bouncing around New England visiting relatives and friends, and hence, I don’t have access to my whole closet all the time. I have really enjoyed color wheeling for the last four weeks, and I do think it will make me think more about my options when it comes to colors and combinations. However, I’m looking forward to school starting so I can share my daily teaching outfits with you all. This week I’ll be deciding what to wear for my first day of faculty meetings – exciting!

17 August 2010 – Monochromatic Orange!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Rust Top – Banana Republic
• Denim Pencil Skirt – BR Outlet
• Red-Orange Belt – BR Outlet
• Navy Blazer – Ann Taylor Loft
• Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW
• Bag – Crystalyn Kae
• Earrings – Gift from A2

Endnotes:

That’s right, not only am I sporting orange, but I’ve pulled together three items in orange!  I usually leave oranges and reds to E. and S. (although I do think L. pulled if off beautifully) but there is something about this unique rust color that I think works for me.  Then, A2 bought me these lovely little orange earrings and I decided what better way to embrace the Fashion 101 Challenge then to do Monochromatic Orange!

Orange Branch Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

Both the earrings and the top have quite a bit of red in them so I added my red-orange belt and a few neutrals to complete the outfit.  I like how the orangey tone of my cognac tote bag from Crystalyn Kae, adds to the monochrome and draws out a similar shade in my old stand-by brown wedges.  Monochromatic does NOT mean you need to dress from head to two in one color but rather that the only non-neutral you wear is one color.   Personally, I think neutrals are essential for keeping a monochromatic ensemble from looking to costume-y. Here  I chose to mix my neutrals – brown and navy, which I think adds a bit of sophistication to this orange number.

Earlier this summer, I asked for suggestions on where to find a cropped navy blazer to replace my increasingly faded and misshapen one.  A couple readers pointed me to Ann Taylor loft, where I found this 3/4 sleeve cropped blazer with a striped lining – perfect!  I’ve had it all summer and wore it a bunch in the classroom and have a feeling it will get tones of year-round use.

What’s a color you usually shy away from?  Do you have one item in that color you keep returning to?

17 August 2010 – Monochromatic Orange!, originally uploaded by academichic.

14 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Bow Tee – Gap
• Skirt – Banana Republic
• Tights – HUE  (from E.)
• Belt – New York & Co.
• Earrings – American Eagle
• Black Heels – Madden Girl, via DSW

Endnotes:

For my last assignment for this week’s Fashion 101: Tights,  I took these patterned tights from E., send to her by her Mother-in-Law (thanks D.!).  I love the ensembles E. and S.  created this week featuring their brightly colored patterned tights, but still think I would have a hard time pulling them off.  Even these much subtler, almost monochromatic patterned tights are taking me well outside my comfort zone.

Tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

Often after a new haircut, I am feel a little more playful in my style.  So, I decided to take it and run with it and combine these whimsical tights with a full skirt, a tee with a bow, and even little bow earrings!  As I was adding all of these elements together, I was worried that it might be a little too whimsical altogether, but I think the black and grey palette keeps it age appropriate and sophisticated.

Bow Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

Are you embracing the patterned tight trend?  A.

14 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

7 December 2009 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Purple beads – Yves Rocher and F21
• Black onyx earrings – TJMaxx
• Black dress – Target
• Purple tights – Rewe (grocery store)
• Gray wedges – Report, via Solestruck.com
• Belt – Banana Republic
• Flower pin – Dulken & Derrick, via Blue Onion Marketplace

Endnotes:

Last night I saw one of my favorite operas, Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and it was amazing. The performance put on my the Munich Opera was beyond words, it was just soooo good. I’m still in awe.

I wore, of course, my same ol’ go-to: this little black dress and my gray wedges. The following montage shows how the same dress and shoes managed to look pretty different with just a bit of creative restyling using scarves, belts, and jewelry each time I wore it to the opera here. Even if it doesn’t look all that different to you, it felt like a whole new outfit to me each time and that’s the point; I didn’t feel like I was just wearing the same thing every single time I dressed up. I cast my vote for last night’s black and purple look as my favorite thus far. How about you? Which do you think worked best?

I wore my hair in a dutch braid that wraps around into a messy side knot and I accessorized with layered necklaces and a gorgeous purple flower pin from Blue Onion Marketplace. Speaking of which, make sure to check back later today to see if you were one of our three lucky winners who will receive their own Dulken & Derrick flower pin following our weekend giveaway! S.

7 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Details in purple, originally uploaded by academichic.

18 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Black t-neck – Zara
• Green cord skirt – thrifted, remixed
• Black tights – DM
• Black boots – Banana Republic, remixed
• Green tote – Kenneth Cole, remixed
• Jade bracelet – Chinatown, San Francisco, remixed
• Green necklace – thrifted, remixed

Endnotes:

Monochrome, Take II – this time I’ve paired shades of green with black (a neutral). I don’t wear monochromatic outfits often so this always seem exciting and out of my usual style-zone when I do put them together. I often wear one color with neutrals but then I introduce additional colors with my accessories. It’s rare that I will accessorize using only shades of the same color present in my outfit. But today’s greens worked out so well that I’m tempted to try this more often.

Greenery, originally uploaded by academichic.

On a different note, I want to continue the discussion A. introduced yesterday on the gendering of clothes. I hate the use of ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ to describe certain garments or styles because it perpetuates restrictive ideas about what is appropriate for one gender and what it a borrowing from another gender (“the boyfriend jean, the boyfriend cardigan”, etc). This suggests that certain looks are inherent to one gender and that certain things are ‘natural’ to one gender over the other, and leads to such binaries as soft, delicate, frilly femininity and harsh, dark, somber masculinity. This bothers me because these attributes aren’t just restricted to clothing, they usually translate into how people think they or others should act and be.

What we associate with ‘feminine’ or ‘masculine’ dress is a cultural construct and is time and context specific, as some of you commented yesterday. Since a terrific reader mentioned looking to the film Dangerous Liaisons as an example, I present you with just that. I have used this clip in my classes before to point to the performance of identity and gender roles and it also happens to be a film clip that most wonderfully demonstrates how what we would now see as effeminite clothing was at one point considered the height of masculinity, suitable for a regular ‘playboy’ to wear. So much for pink and ruffles and satin as being the antithesis of virile masculinity – not for eighteenth-century France they weren’t. S.

16 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Striped Cardigan – J Crew, birthday gift from mom
• Long Black Tee – don’t remember
• Grey Long-sleeve Tee (not seen) – Gap
• Grey Cords – Banana Republic
• Brown Boots – Banana Republic, via ebay
• Scarf – China Town, NY
• Silver Hoops – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

Online shopping has long been one of  my favorite forms of procrastination.  Now, this online shopping rarely actually results in purchasing, but I do love to make mental wish lists, get ideas for how to style items I already own, and be reminded that there are things deep in my closet that are suddenly in style again.

I often clip photos of ensembles I like or new styling ideas I want to try out.  These images  most often come from J Crew — I think they offer really creative styling that I  wouldn’t think of myself, but can imagine recreating in some way.

Lately, I am also really liking Banana Republic styling too.  I loved this warm cozy layered look and decided I could recreate it with items I already own.  I swapped in my teal and grey floral scarf for the red plaid (although now I am pining for a large plaid scarf) and my brown boots for thee black (I wanted flats and my black boots have heels).

My cardigan is much thinner and shorter than the rather bulky sweater coat featured in the BR version and I  discovered that my bootleg grey cords are a little too bulky for tucking into boots, so now I may be adding skinny-leg cords to my Christmas wish list.

BR Inspiration, originally uploaded by academichic.

Stripes and Flowers, originally uploaded by academichic.

16 November 2009 – Two Dresses Redux, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Gray dress- Target, remixed
• Black shirt dress – H&M
• Gray tights – DM
• Black rushed flats – Kenneth Cole, remixed
• Earrings worn as necklace – TJMaxx, remixed
• Vintage onyx and pearl ring – gift from mom, remixed

Endnotes:

I went into H&M this past weekend to get a pair of tights, when I spotted this black shirt dress on clearance for 15 Euros. Having just relayed my love of shirt dresses to you, I was still on a shirt dress high and decided I had to ‘splurge’ and get this one. I’m glad I did because I can already envision all the ways this will remix with my current items.

Earrings necklace, originally uploaded by academichic.

For today, I created a monochromatic look by layering this black dress over my gray jersey dress. To keep with the monochrome, I turned these two onyx earrings into a necklace by stringing the first one on a silver chain and the second one onto the first earring for a cascading effect (A. inspired me to try this after seeing her repurpose earrings as necklace pendants several times).

Vintage Ring, originally uploaded by academichic.

My mother’s onyx and pearl ring and black flats with gray tights complete the monochromatic ensemble. While this may have been simple and subdued in color, I think it’s the details that make this outfit stand out; the ruching on the shoes, the jewelry, and the deep pockets on this dress (who doesn’t love a dress with pockets?).

Shoes, originally uploaded by academichic.

And while we’re on the subject of colors, thanks to some of you for pointing out that fuchsia is spelled *fuchsia* and not fuschia. I’d like to pretend that it was my subconscious Germanization of the spelling, but that would be a lie.

To recap, since fashion blogging, I have learned the correct spelling of the following words:

• Polka-dot (not Polk-a-dot)
• Corduroy (not Chorduroy)
• Fuchsia (not Fuschia)

and I have also spent way to much time thinking about Gray vs. Grey.
S.

16 November 2009 – Two Dresses Redux , originally uploaded by academichic.