4 January 2010

Posted on | January 4, 2010 | 15 Comments

4 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Cardigan – BR Outlet
Blouse – BR Outlet
Jean Skirt – BR Outlet
Sweater Tights – Banana Republic
Wellies – Banana Republic
Belt – Ann Taylor
Earrings – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

It wasn’t until I wrote up my sources that I realized almost everything I am wearing is from either Banana Republic or the Banana Republic outlet. This is not the first time this has happened, of course.

These BR wellies were a Christmas present from my Mom and I can’t get enough of them. They keep my feet dry and warm yet are versatile and stylish too. All of the other BR items I’m wearing today were bought on sale! I mentioned the other day that one of my favorite post-holiday activities is shopping. I love the sales and the sense of freedom to experiment when things only cost $3!

Bakelite Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

I bought this floral blouse the day after Thanksgiving for a whopping $7. It’s rather outside my comfort zone in both fit and pattern and not something I probably would have ever tired on with its original price tag still attached. The cardigan on the other hand, purchased on post-Christmas sale, was a bit more of a splurge, but I’ve had my eye on it for a while. What better way to wear two new patterned items, than together? My tights are patterned too!

Pattern Mixing, originally uploaded by academichic.

In time, I’ll be revealing more of my great post-holiday finds. For now, a few thoughts on post-holiday shopping: hit the store early for more selection; if you have time, go back later in the week to see what you missed and push yourself to consider items outside your comfort zone; visit a Banana Republic, Gap, etc outside of the mall, or in a office district where there isn’t much weekend traffic (often you will find these locations deserted after the holidays and thus have the best selection); skip the bargain stores because their stuff is always cheap; buy things you would normally pass up but keep all the tags on until you’ve had a chance to reevaluate all of your purchases (try things in different combinations with items in your existing wardrobe). What are your post-holiday shopping strategies?

4 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

24 December 2009

Posted on | December 27, 2009 | 7 Comments

24 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Grey Wrap Cardigan – NY & Co
Black Henley – Gap
Green Ruffle Top – Old Navy
Skinny Jeans – Banana Republic
Black Patent Belt – Forever 21
Earrings – Hand-me-down from sister M.

Endnotes:

Happy Holidays dear readers! I have been traveling through the Midwest visiting my and A2′s families.

We spent Christmas Eve with my family and we were having too much fun to worry about capturing the perfect outfit-post picture, so these family snapshots will have to do.

I think all of my sister’s looked adorable – unfortunately the pictures are limited (no picture of sister R.) and I’m not positive where all their fabulous pieces are from. As you can see, the love of belting runs in the family!

24 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic

I wore my favorite comfy wrap cardigan and dressed it up with big black earrings and my holiday-perfect ruffly green top. I layered it all over my black henley for warmth and wore my skinnies so I could sit on the floor to open presents and play board games – a practical yet chic holiday ensemble.

I hope you are all enjoying your holidays! A.

24 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

30 November 2009

Posted on | November 30, 2009 | 6 Comments

30 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Navy Peacoat – Gap
Grey Sweater – Gap
Plaid Scarf – gift from Scotland
Jeans – Gap
Pink Sneakers – Asics Tiger, via Urban Outfitters

Endnotes:

Happy belated Thanksgiving! This year A2 and I hosted our first Thanksgiving. We had both her family and my family in town, making for a total of 19 people at Thanksgiving dinner!

After several days of cooking and entertaining I am beat and need to spend today doing laundry, running errands, and catching up on school work. Its all about comfort, warmth, and functionality today so I’ve gone for jeans, sneakers, and a my cozy wool peacoat.

Pink Sneakers, originally uploaded by academichic.

A few weeks back I asked for help finding jeans. Advice poured in and I took notes! With a little encouragement I decided to buy the Gap men’s jeans and couldn’t be happier. These are them with out alterations. I am still planning to take the waist in but today am just wearing them with a belt. I promise to post better pictures, as I have a feeling I will be wearing them rather often in the next few weeks.

Plaid, originally uploaded by academichic.

I also looked into several of the suggested styles and wrote down the name of a few promising pairs to try on the next time I make it out to Nordstroms. Thanks again for all the great jean advice! I hope some of the comments helped you in your jean shopping too.

30 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

29 October 2009

Posted on | October 30, 2009 | 15 Comments

29 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Olive Sweater – H & M
Brown Cord Skirt – Old Navy
Scarf – Birthday gift from S.
Belt – New York & Co
Tights – Gap
Shoes – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW

Endnotes:

First of all, thank you for all of your jean support! I will give jean shopping another go and report back soon.

S. sent me this beautiful scarf from Germany for my birthday and I am in love. It’s my colors and my pattern! As soon as I pulled it out, I started planning outfits around it. I have been wanting to try the belted scarf look again and thought that might be a good way to really showcase this new addition. The scarf is the perfect length and thickness for this look (that is, not too long and not too thick). Because the colors of the rest of my outfit were pretty simple, almost monochromatic, I decided I could play with pattern and texture. I chose this wide, tweed belt to hold the scarf in place and my tweed-esque tights.

belted scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

Yesterday was another long rainy day here, but as much as I love my boots, I wanted to wear other shoes for once this week! Peep-toes were probably not the best choice, but my feet did manage to stay dry all day. I was slow to come around to the peep-toe, but have learned to love them. And then, I was hesitant about the peep-toe with tights – not any more! If it means I can keep wearing my favorite shoes, I’m in!

What about you? Will you try the belted scarf or the peep-toes and tights?

peep toes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

27 October 2009 – HELP!

Posted on | October 27, 2009 | 62 Comments

27 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed…

Pink Sweater – Banana Republic
Denim Pencil Skirt – Gap
White Tank – Banana Republic
Boots – Banana Republic, via ebay
Necklace – The Limited
Earrings – Gift
Bracelet – Gift from S.

Endnotes:

I don’t usually wear pink but I do love pink and brown together, particularly this kin-of dusty rose. I also like the combination of turquoise and pink — it gives this otherwise very basic ensemble a little something extra.

What I really want to talk about though, is JEANS! I need your help dear readers! Today I attempted to go jean shopping. I have a couple pairs of skinny jeans that I like, but what I really want is a pair of versatile everyday jeans that can be worn with flats and a tee. I love the way Gap “Real Straight” jeans looked on the leg-less mannequin but they looked more like skinny jeans on me (even on the model they are a bit too skinny for what I am looking for). After trying on many pairs at Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic, the closest I found were a pair form the Men’s side of Gap — Limited Edition Skinny Jeans (which I can’t find on line). Surprisingly, the rise fit fine (unlike most jeans sold for men), the color was perfect, and the fit through the hips, thighs, and lower legs was all perfect. The problem – they were too big in the waist.

So, any suggestions? I have hips and thighs but a rather small waist so I need something with a higher rise. I am willing to spend a little money but can’t fathom paying $1oo or more on a pair of jeans.

27 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

22 October 2009

Posted on | October 22, 2009 | 14 Comments

22 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

Long Cardigan – Banana Republic
Grey Jersey Dress – BR Outlet
Teal Cami - BR Outlet
Boots - Banana Republic, via ebay
Socks – BR Outlet
Amber Earrings – gift

Endnotes:

Apparently today is quite the Banana Republic day. I didn’t realize that almost everything I am wearing today is from either Banana Republic or Banana Republic Outlet until I typed up my sources. I do lover BR! I find their clothes to be well-made and they usually have pretty good sales. BR style tends to be pretty classic, meaning I still wear many pieces that I purchased from there years ago.

I love J Crew but often find some of their pieces harder to work into my daily wardrobe. What about you? Do you have a favorite store? What is it that keeps you going back?

22 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

18 October 2009

Posted on | October 21, 2009 | 16 Comments

18 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Cardigan – Banana Republic
Corduroys – Gap Outlet
Scarf – H & M
Belt – Ann Taylor
Clogs – Dansko
Earrings – F21

Endnotes:

It’s still on the warmer side here today, quite a change from the crisp fall weather we enjoyed this past weekend. I’m working from home and running a few errands and am wearing a variation on the denim skirt and tee look I have posted again and again. So, instead, I’m sharing my outfit from Sunday, when it was sunny, cool, and lovely.

I wore my Dansko clogs with cords and a cardigan, but to make it a bit more interesting, I added a scarf, which I then belted. I’ve seen this belted scarf thing in the pages of J Crew and on a few store mannequins and keep meaning to try it. The models wear it without looping the scarf around the neck, but this scarf was just too long for that. I think I’ll try it again with a shorter scarf!

I love scarves and like to play around with them, tying them in different ways, tucking them into jackets, and letting them hang loose around my shoulders. Perhaps we should try a scarf workshop to accompany the tights workshop suggested by E. What do you think?

18 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Reader Questions: Shoe Week!

Posted on | October 21, 2009 | 25 Comments

We’ve received several more shoe-related reader questions lately, so we’re making this week officially shoe week! To check out our post on chic yet comfortable shoes, click here, and also take a look at the really great comments full of more tips and reader recommendations on the topic.

Now, for a few more shoe-related inquiries:

One reader sent us the above picture accompanied by the following words:

I bought a pair of shoes that I love, but I’m not sure what color skirts/shirts to pair with them.They’re black and wine colored. The color wheel seems to tell me that the opposite would be a green – maybe like a forest green? Would that be a good combo? I’m stumped, and can only think of throwing them on as a pop of color with neutrals (blacks/greys/maroons). Hesitant to be too matchy-matchy. Help! Sarah (librarian at a midwest university)

Thanks for the email and picture, Sarah! Great shoe, we love the two-tone color and the elegant T-Strap and had fun thinking of some color choices for it. Here is what we would recommend:

You are quite right to think of dark forest green, which would provide a complement to the maroon of the shoe. While red and green scream Christmas and Santa’s elves, a subtle variation on the crayon box version makes for warmth and sophistication while allowing for both colors to ‘pop’ against the other. An item such as the above sweater (found at Banana Republic) would look great with a pencil skirt in any neutral color and your maroon and black shoes.

Or you could go for a subtler color mix by pairing something plum or deep purple with the black and maroon shoes, thus creating an analogous color combo. The above dress from Target could serve as an inspiration point for an analogous pairing, or at $18.99, could make its way into your closet should you want this very one!

Lastly, you could play the monochromatic card by adding more shades of red to join the maroon of the shoe. Don’t try to find the exact shade of ‘wine’ of your pump, but rather experiment with other variations on red to create a soft monochrome color mix. Pairing a dark pink ruffle top blouse (such as the one found at Anthropologie above) with a black or gray skirt would recreate the color pairings in your shoe with your garments, using varying shades of the colors found at your feet.

Overall, don’t be afraid to experiment with your new shoes. While they certainly will make a great pop of color and could work with any combination of neutrals, don’t hesitate to mix them with non-neutrals as well. And as always, dear readers, your input is greatly appreciated! What would you suggest Sarah pair with these lovely wine and black pumps?

Meanwhile, reader Courtney sent us this question:

I love your blog, and I’ve watched all summer as you have all worn beautiful flat after wonderful wedge, all seemingly without socks of any kind or problems. How do you do it? When I try that, I end up a soggy mess with accompanying blisters. Am I missing something important here?

You’re not missing anything! Breaking in new shoes without socks or hose is a tricky business and is better left not tried. Broken in shoes, however, should be able to function without socks or tights without causing blisters and chafing.

New summer shoes, however, can’t always be broken in with socks or hose. And even broken in shoes sometimes revert to a previous stiffness when not worn for a while. In those cases, here are some tricks that should make the breaking in process a little easier on your feet…

Use any petroleum product to run along the chaffing parts of the shoe, making for less friction with the skin (runner’s glide, anti-blister stick, petroleum jelly, deodorant… any of those should work)
Carry band-aids and a little purse-sized petroleum jelly jar (or above product of your choice) with you to touch up as you spend the day walking around!
Locate the source of chaffing or blistering and try to discern what it may indicate about your feet – high vs. low arches, narrow vs. wide feet, etc – and look for shoes catering to those concerns when purchasing new pairs

If you, our readers, have more handy tricks to add to this list, don’t hesitate to let us and Courtney know by leaving us a comment!

From reader Marjorie, we received the following note:

I have bad feet that hurt if I don’t wear shoes with a lot of arch support, which can make looking stylish a little difficult… I have a pair of cognac colored Birkenstock clogs that I want to incorporate into my work wear, since I walk there (about 2 miles each way) and don’t always like to change my shoes. I intern in a federal agency where the look is professional, but not exactly corporate level attire. I usually wear cardigans, slacks and skirts. Do you think I could dress them up or is the look way too frumpy for a cubicle?

This is a tricky question. On the whole, we would tend to say that Birkenstocks are too casual for a professional environment. However, if clogs are your preferred form of footwear, there are other brands like Clarks or Dansko that have options with comfortable (thick or wedged) heels and less bulky shape. Generally, our style aesthetics are such that we would recommend wearing clogs with pants that are long enough to conceal the open heel, thus giving the appearance of a heeled shoe.

A. and S. both own Dansko clogs that they swear by in terms of comfort. Although they tend to wear them with jeans for a more casual ensemble, S. has worn this exact “professional” look with her black Danskos and felt confident with the resulting mix of clogs and dress pants. The added bonus: Danskos come both in a narrow or wide style, thus addressing the concern expressed by some of you in our previous shoe post. And if you’re concerned about arch support, Danskos will likely suit your needs. Having high arches and a need for arch support herself, S. appreciated the extra cushioning in her Danskos.

As for our readers who share Courtney’s concern of needing arch support or who prefer a clog for a daily professional look, please share any brands or tips you’ve come to appreciate! Thank you!

20 October 2009 – Secrets Revealed

Posted on | October 20, 2009 | 16 Comments

20 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Sleeve-less White Shirt – Gap
White Tee – H & M
Blue V-Neck – H & M
Black Pencil Skirt – Banana Republic
Brown Belt – Ann Taylor
Brown Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction
Silver Hoops – Banana Republic
Necklace – Gift from A2

Endnotes:

Here at Academichic Central, we had a bit of a heat wave today. While I was happily settling into my fall wardrobe, it’s nice to be able to wear my favorite wedges with bare legs (perhaps one last time).

New Shoes!, originally uploaded by academichic.

As I got dressed this morning, I thought of E.’s earlier post on the “surface spectacle,” in which she describes a process of tucking and securing that is eventually hidden by a seemingly seamless surface layer. I am all about layering! I consider my self a bit of an expert at it, actually. I love the look of visible layers like the tuxedo pleats under my sweater, but am also a seasoned user of the invisible layers.

I have layered this sleeveless tuxedo shirt under many a things, but it certainly works better under some items than others. Because it is a square cut (all wrong for my proportions) and not all that long, under a shape-hugging sweater like this, it needs to be held in place. So, I wore a white tee-shirt over the sleeveless shirt and then tucked both into my secret weapon…

Layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

Now, as you well know, I love pencil skirts and have found them to be rather flattering for me. This black pocketed beauty is the one I was pining over last month when I praised the pencil skirt. While the cut of the pencil skirt works well for me, anything that fits my lower body closely poses a problem. I have hips and thighs and they are NOT all muscle! My secret solution – SPANX! That’s right, I wear spanx and I love them. The way I see it, I am not trying to change my body with this little garment (they are extremely comfy, by the way), rather, the smooth surface spanks create, allow me to embrace my hourglass/pear figure and flaunt those hips!

So what’s your secret?

Belted pencil, originally uploaded by academichic.

A.’s Weekend Catch-Up Part 1

Posted on | October 6, 2009 | 5 Comments

A.’s Weekend Catch Up Part 1, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

On A.:

Skinny Jeans – Banana Republic, remixed
Black V-Neck Sweater – Banana Republic, remixed
Grey Jacket – Old Navy
Grey Tank – H & M, remixed
Blue Scarf – Old Navy
Tan Wedges – Gap Outlet, remixed

On L:

Prince Tee – Urban Outfitters
Black Cami – American Eagle
Scarf – Gift
Skinny Jeans – Old Navy
Grey Converse – Gift

On Dad (below):

Flat Front Jeans – Banana Republic
Olive Polo – Ralph Lauren
Grey Fleece – Columbia, via department store
Loafers – Johnston & Murphy

Endnotes:

This past weekend my parents and my youngest sister where in town to celebrate my birthday early. On Thursday night, I took them to an LGBT graduate student happy hour I helped organize.

I wore my new skinny jeans that I love and this fabulous 3/4 sleeve jacket, which my mom bought for me over the summer, and which I have been dying to wear but waiting for the weather to cooperate. I layered the jacket over a black v-neck sweater and that over a grey tank and finally finished it off with the bright pop of blue in the scarf. I also premiered my new haircut!

Scarf and Jacket, originally uploaded by academichic.

Little sister, L. wore a somewhat similar ensemble of skinny jeans, grey tee, and colorful scarf. As I’ve bragged before, L. has a great sense of style! With a significant age difference and being in rather different places in our lives, we have pretty different styles, but among other things we do share a great love of scarves and an even greater love of layers!

L.’s simple outfit of jeans and a T-shirt is made special in the details – the sippers at the bottoms of her jeans, the grey (rather than black) Chucks, the beautiful scarf, and the fact that said T-shirt is a tribute to Prince!

L.’s Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

Prince Tee, originally uploaded by academichic.

Both my sister and my parents were quite the hit at happy hour! They were even invited to and attended a late night drag show where the whole family had a blast! A.