academichic

Pink and Purple, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Sweater: BR Outlet
• Belt: America Apparel
• Dress: BR Outlet
• Magenta Stockings: ?
• Fishnets: Gucci
• Shoes: Mudd via DSW
• Yellow Brooch (below): costume jewelry

Endnotes:
This outfit is my experimentation with another kind of layering – tights! Ever wondered how to make your fishnets last through the winter season or make them seem more work appropriate? Layer! And it’s warm too.

Layered tights?!, originally uploaded by academichic.

This outfit definitely took shape from the bottom up. I knew I wanted to don my purple fishnets (a gift from my sister) over my magenta tights, but I wasn’t quite sure how the rest of my outfit was going to take shape. I suppose it was a little lame of me to wear black, falling into the trap of black-with-bright-color that both Audi of Fashion for Nerds and Sally of Already Pretty wrote about previously this year. However, with magenta tights and purple fishnets I thought that I already presented a lot for people to absorb and adding more colors/shades might detract from the glorious aura that was emanating from my legs. My thought process also was that having separate pieces, even if both were black, would be too much. After I’d picked the dress, I knew that either the purple or magenta stretchy belt from American Apparel would be included, and at the last minute I thought that I might need a cardigan (despite the fact that my apartment and the main building are both grossly over heated).

Pink and Purple with Broach, originally uploaded by academichic.

Also as I was dashing out the door I thought to add a little shine (and a little complementary coloring) by putting this yellow sparkly rhinestone brooch on the hem of my dress. I didn’t want to over load the top and thought that maybe the contrast right next to the tights would be cool.

Bling Bling, originally uploaded by academichic.

I’m not sure it was the best for this outfit, but I’ll definitely think about putting brooches in more non-traditional places in the future. Finally, I think I may have made a breakthrough at my school. Not to brag, but I had so many people tell me they loved my tights today! Maybe it was the cheerful colors or playful nature of the outfit (although really, with any other tights this would be a standard, bright but conservative combo), but it was amazing the number of people who commented. Anyway, wearing this outfit made me smile all day long!

Two questions I have for readers are: How have you layered tights? and How do you avoid or embrace the “black-and-bright-color” look?

~ L.

3 November 2010 – A Little Craycray, originally uploaded by academichic.

Pattern Mixing, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Striped top: thrifted
• Scarf: borrowed from sister-in-law
• Gold belt: thrifted
• Tweed skirt: adopted from sister-in-law
• Tights: Target
• Booties: Steve Madden Ollie, via DSW

End Notes:

Gratuitous tv and spoiler warning: if you don’t already know who won Project Runway last week and would like to avoid even allusions to who did NOT win…click the little “x” box and be on your way.

Project Runway watchers, I give you one guess as to which designer I was hoping would win this season.

I may be quoting Valerie Mayen in the post title, but I my outfit is inspired by the quirky, playful designs of Mondo Guerra. Granted, my tweed is nowhere near as graphic as his oversized herringbone, but pattern mixing, a gold belt, and a hot pink scarf (hey, sister-in-law, you left this at my house!) all together is pretty “Mondo” for my closet. It’s not that Mondo’s look is something that I would want to wear every day. I’m definitely not the imaginary “girl” that his final collection was supposed to describe. But, I did think that he had a distinct point of view and I loved how his clothes and styling had a liveliness about them.

This was the perfect outfit to “premiere” (as A. would say) my fall shoe purchase: Steve Madden Ollie booties. What can I say? SM shoes play very nicely with my feet. I find his boots and his heels to be very comfortable and very flattering on my foot shape. (As if I wasn’t already committed to getting as much use as possible out of these puppies, you’d better believe that they’ll be part of me playing along with Kendi’s next 30 for 30 challenge.)

Steve Madden Ollie Booties, originally uploaded by academichic.

Anyway, I wish I could tell you that my whole day in this outfit was neon colored rainbows and bedazzled skulls, but alas, positive dressing can only take you so far. Nevertheless, in the midst of working through a stressful communication and scheduling conflict, it was useful to look down, see the craycray that was stripes and gold and tweed and hot pink, and mentally push “play” on my inner soundtrack button.

3 November 2010 – Antennae, originally uploaded by academichic.

Pops of Pink, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Sweater: Theory via Off 5th
• Shirt (not pictured): Splendid via Filene’s Basement
• Scarf: vintage Christian Dior
• Belt: Banana Republic Outlet
• Pin-striped Slacks: J. Crew
• Shoes: Ciao Bella via DSW

Endnotes:
For the last day of our Pink Week and Blogging for Breast Cancer aWEARness, my pink is a little more subtle than my previous outfits. I thought that the bright yellow and red (and pink and orange!) flowers on this fantastic scarf along with the orange-red belt helped to offset what was a very dark outfit.

Granny’s Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

I don’t want to seem preachy, but I wanted to share a little about my personal reasons for participating in events raising money to fight cancer. This scarf was my grandmother’s, and she is the first person in my life who was claimed by cancer (in her case, lung cancer). Every time I do the Relay for Life, I think of her. She was much too young to have died, and she is the reason that fighting ALL types of cancer is so important for me. Participating in events like RFL and Breast Cancer Awareness Month makes me feel empowered.

We each have our own reasons for taking up the causes we do, and no matter what that cause is, it is nice to know that we can each make a difference.

~L.

• Please click to Give a Free Mammogram!
• More information and support can be found at The American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen Foundation

BreastCancerAwearness, originally uploaded by academichic.

Minimalism – Pink Stripes, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Silk knit tank top: Banana Republic
• Belt: Betsey Johnson via Filene’s Basement
• Skirt: gift via London Fashion Week-end
• Wedges: L’Autre Chose via London Fashion Week-end

Endnotes:
This outfit is my first attempt at the fall trend of “Minimalism.” Strangely, when E., A., and I read that Minimalism was “in” for the fall, the three of us, who are all trained in art history, wondered what exactly Minimalism in the context of style meant? For some reason it just didn’t make sense. The definition of Minimalism we had come to know was closer to the Encyclopedia Britannica version which states that Minimalism is:

Chiefly an American movement in the visual arts and music originating in New York City in the late 1960s and characterized by extreme simplicity of form and a literal, objective approach… Use of the hard edge, the simple form, and the linear rather than painterly approach was intended to emphasize two-dimensionality and to allow the viewer an immediate, purely visual response. They turned for inspiration to the impassive, quiet works of Barnett Newman and Ad Reinhardt, exponents of the color-field branch of Abstract Expressionist painting.

Canto XIV, Barnett Newman, 1964, originally uploaded by academichic.

True to this definition Stylebakery.com defined Minimalism as having “clean lines, sleek silhouettes, a lack of embellishment… these are the hallmarks of this season’s minimalism trend. With looks so understated, perfect tailoring and quality fabrics are a must.”

Minimalism by InStyle, originally uploaded by academichic.

I decided I needed to take the plunge with Minimalism. I wanted to include pink for day 4 of Blogging for Breast Cancer aWEARness, but I tried to keep the outfit as simple as possible. Similar to E’s note that her potential interview outfit was influenced by a Marc Rothko painting, the double lines in this skirt have always reminded me of Barnett Newman paintings (one pictured above). I feel so confident when wearing this skirt that it was actually what I wore to a very important grad school interview in NYC. Maybe it’s because my sister bought it for me at London Fashion Week-end (a perk of having a sister who lives full time in London!), but I feel more sophisticated and fashionable when I put this skirt on. To complete the “Minimalist” look I decided on a simple silk knit top, and matching wide patent leather belt and wedges. I think wearing the belt officially disqualifies me from being 100% on trend, but I’m not the one walking down the catwalk, so I styled this outfit for me.

Black Wedges, originally uploaded by academichic.

I didn’t wear this to school, but I did wear it out on the town for one of my rare nights off. Where I am in private secondary school-land, we just finished up Parents’ Weekend, so I took the opportunity to go out to a nice dinner with some friends and eschew the dinning hall food for a night. I liked this look and will definitely make another more daytime appropriate attempt at Minimalism. I’m already envisioning my nude fishnets, nude leather shoes, and grey sheath dress…. with no belt!

Minimalism, originally uploaded by academichic.

Remember it is still Breast Cancer Awareness month. Please see the links below and remember to do a self-exam and encourage the women in your life to do so as well. Prevention and early detection are key!

~L.

• Please click to Give a Free Mammogram!
• More information and support can be found at The American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen Foundation

BreastCancerAwearness, originally uploaded by academichic.

27 October 2010 – Pink E., originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:
Top: Banana Republic Factory
Tank as vest: Target
Skirt: Target
Belt: thrifted
Wedges: thrifted

End Notes:

(I’m sorry I’m wrinkly. Sitting in lecture and a library does that to you.)

Ever since I met L. I’ve been inspired and appreciative of her dedication to supporting breast cancer awareness and research, and I’m so glad that she prompted us to participate in this breast cancer aWEARness initiative!

I don’t wear pink — “real” pink — on a regular basis at all. I own some pretty kicking magenta heels and some red-violet cardigans that might, on a generous day, be considered pink, but my closet is fairly bereft of pinky pink. Notably, this meant that when I did bust out a pink top today I received several comments from colleagues, wondering what prompted this color choice. And that meant an opportunity to remind them that it is still breast cancer awareness month and to high-five our department admin who is herself a breast cancer survivor.

It is a lot of pink for me, though, and so when I first put on this top I was trying to figure out how to break it up while still letting the pink take center stage. I settled on wearing a navy tank as a kind of non-sweater sweater vest of sorts, and I like how the overall impression of the outfit is fairly preppy, but with irreverent little twists in color and shape.

• Please click to Give a Free Mammogram!
• More information and support can be found at The American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen Foundation

BreastCancerAwearness, originally uploaded by academichic.

27 October 2010 – Pink E., originally uploaded by academichic.

Pink and a Jumper, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress: Evan via Off 5^th
• Shirt: Banana Republic
• Shoes: Coach
• Belt: BR Outlet

Endnotes:
Day 3 of Blogging for Breast Cancer aWEARness! Now that the weather has cooled, I’m trying to stretch my summer dresses into the fall. I thought this jersey might look good as a jumper of sorts, and I wanted to change things up from the customary black pencil skirt I have paired with this shirt before. It worked pretty well, and I quickly got over my childhood flashbacks of jumpers – something I haven’t worn since my mom used to put me in Talbot’s from head to toe. The pink shoes were a gift from my mom – she found them on super sale somewhere and knowing my love of pink, thought they would be perfect for me. I haven’t gotten a whole lot of use out of them, but they are fun on occasion, and boy are they pink!

BreastCancerAwearness, originally uploaded by academichic.

Pink Sweater, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet
• T-shirt (not pictured): Merona for Target
• Scarf: Filene’s Basement
• Skirt: Anne Taylor
• Shoes: Banana Republic

Endnotes:
Sweater with a slight ruffle at the edge + woolly herringbone skirt with pockets + turquoise scarf = fabulous! Now let’s beat Breast Cancer!

Harringbone Skirt with Pockets, originally uploaded by academichic.

BreastCancerAwearness, originally uploaded by academichic.

Pink Dress, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress: Fashion Spy
• Sweater: Cable & Gauge via Marshall’s
• Shoes (Bronze): Giuseppe Zanotti Design via Filene’s Basement
• Shoes (Grey): Madden Girl via DSW
• Necklace: Accessorize (gift)

Endnotes:
As I hope all of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and thanks to A Working Mom’s Closet there are three dozen fashion and style bloggers (including the lovely La Historiadora de Moda from Fashionable Academics) participating in what Mom’s Closet has dubbed “Blogging for Breast Cancer aWEARness”. I have lost very dear friends and family members to this horrible disease as well as watched loved ones triumph over cancer. I know that cancer is something that touches each of our lives, and many of you have your own reasons for fighting for this cause. I’m doing this for Granny, Aunt Wiggy, Annette, and Candy.

We here at Academichic will be participating this week by wearing pink items and providing links for donations (Give a Free Mammogram!), information, and support ( The American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen Foundation). Finding a cure for cancer is a cause very close to my heart, and I participate in the Relay for Life every year.

Pink Dress and Grey Shoes, originally uploaded by academichic.

This pink dress is very special to me because it is what I wore during my thesis defense and under my robes for the commencement ceremony last spring when I received my Masters. Pink is one of my favorite colors and this dress fits like a glove and has both silver-grey and bronze details, which makes accessorizing very flexible. I can wear grey shoes or bronze, gold jewelry or silver. Ultimately, this is one of my favorite dresses and associated with many happy (albeit stressful) occasions.

Pink, Silver, and Gold, originally uploaded by academichic.

I hope that you all have joined the fight against cancer this month and continue the fight until we find a cure! Have you been wearing pink? What events do you like to participate in to help fight cancer? Thanks for your help!

~ L.

BreastCancerAwearness, originally uploaded by academichic.

9 Sept 2010 – Hello, High School, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Black Sheath Dress: Banana Republic Outlet
• Magenta Elastic Belt: American Apparel
• Black Wedges: Bandolino via DSW
• White Flower Pin: Gift
• Turquoise Bag: ILI via Helen’s Leather

Endnotes:
The first day of school is finally upon us! I must admit, after the five trying days of faculty meetings and five exhausting days of pre-season, I was beginning to forget why it is I took this job and uprooted myself all the way to New England: the students! I realized that especially when it comes to secondary school education, it really is all about the students. We are here to be role models for them, to excite them about new subjects, and to push them to deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them. I know it is a cliché, but I felt like I gained energy from being around them, and once the campus was buzzing with excitement, I could hardly wait for classes to begin, which they did today. Of course since it was the first day of my first year of teaching I had been figuring out an outfit in my head for weeks (and it seems so were the folks at Fashionable Academics who have put together this great compilation of several first day ensembles). Everyone told me that setting the right tone in your classroom could dictate how the entire year unfolds… talk about a lot of pressure on one outfit!

9 Sept 2010 – Setting the Tone, originally uploaded by academichic.

As E said, the lovely contributors of Scholar Style Guide have undertaken a week dedicated to the workhorses of their wardrobes. For me, this outfit encompasses several can’t-live-without items. The black sheath dress was a recent purchase at the Banana Republic Outlet store. It was the only one on the rack and fortunately it was my size. E. might have said good-bye to the Little Black Dress in favor of the Little Navy Dress, but as the Beatles said, “You say goodbye, and I say hello.” Hello little black dress! I have a feeling this one will be the basis for several variations as it lends itself well to colorful pairings while still looking sleek and professional, which happens to be the tone I was going for on this first day. The wide elastic belt is another staple that spends more time on me then it does hanging in my closet. I have a purple belt that is the same as this magenta one. I also have a grey stretchy belt that gets a lot of business. For this outfit I wanted to look polished, but also show some of my clothing personality – which as E mentioned when I first joined Academichic involves a lot of hot pink.

Black Wedges, originally uploaded by academichic.

My new black wedges gave me a little height; although, let’s be honest, most of my students are still taller than I am. The flower on the toe made me think to wear this white flower pin that I’ve had for ages and have never worn. Unlike Carrie Bradshaw whose flower pins sometimes seem to dominate her outfit I hoped that this little pop of white would soften what was otherwise a very dark outfit.

White Flower Pin, originally uploaded by academichic.

And finally, the new school bag. I will post more on this later, but I wanted to share my new bag with you all, as it was the most perfect graduation gift from my mom.

Turquoise Bag!, originally uploaded by academichic.

The leather is soft, the color is amazing, it is big enough to hold my laptop, books, and folders, but not bulky. It also has both handles and a shoulder strap (see second picture). Between the belt, the pin, and my fantastic new bag, I felt confident, energetic, and, really happy to be in the classroom in my new role as secondary school teacher. Good-bye grad school, and Hello high school!

- L.