academichic

Note: With my parents in town for the week, moments to snap a daily photo are limited. So, I’m supplementing our regular academichic fare with some ruminations on style during and immediately after pregnancy while it’s all still fresh in my mind. Bear with me. These will be lengthy!

In theory, the modern woman knows that a stylish pregnancy is possible, and perhaps, with the availability of maternity lines at Gap, Old Navy, and Target, even expected. From the very beginning I knew, at least on an intellectual level, that I wanted to maintain my sense of style throughout my pregnancy and that I never, ever, wanted to settle for any garment that even remotely resembled a circus tent. Yet theory alone — as we graduate student in the humanities so often find — does not a methodology make. Recognizing the specificity of the situation — accepting the fact that my body and this particular pregnancy were unique — was the first important step in embracing the challenge of dressing a body that seemed to be a different shape every single morning.

A few months ago the always-fabulous Allie of My Wardrobe Today did a guest post on Already Pretty with a really stellar list of practical recommendations for the preggers fashionista. Many of my thoughts overlap with Allie’s, so rather than review the generalities I wanted to instead point to the particulars by reflecting on some of my favorite outfits from my “obviously pregnant” months. Consider it an annotated image appendix of sorts.

» Read the rest of this entry «

8 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed.

• Coral sleeveless sweater: Gap Maternity
• Brown jersey skirt: ON
• Patterned ballet flats: ON
• Green jade bracelet: Gift from S. from San Francisco

End Notes:

Coral, as wise color analysts have frequently cited, is one of those (almost) universally flattering colors, yet it’s one that has not shown up that frequently in my own closet. I’m not sure why. I do love the color, especially in this more vibrant tone, and I love how it looks against my skin and hair. But, for some reason, I don’t have anything this shade of coral in my pre-preggers wardrobe and that’s something I’d like to fix post-baby.

I remember a few years ago Real Simple Magazine had an article on four universally flattering colors: eggplant, true red, Indian teal, and “mellow rose.” And you know what? Of all of those colors the only one I kind of have in my wardrobe is the teal. But before the temptation could strike to run out and stock up on “true red,” I was struck by how none of those colors really fit my own style. I’m sure eggplant would look nice on my skin tone, but it falls a little flat for me given my pull towards more vibrant colors. And the “mellow rose”…way to close to an unfortunate run-in with a pink dress in grade school.

I suppose what I’m getting at is that while there may be hues that are almost universally flattering strictly in terms of color theory, the associations that go along with that color may not be universally appealing. What do you think? Is a color just a spot on the color wheel or does it carry certain connotations with it as well? Do you like a color because it looks god on you? Or are there colors that you won’t wear because you just don’t like them — they remind you of your high school band uniform, your grandmother’s carpet, etc. — not because they don’t look good on you? How emotional are your wardrobe color picks?

8 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

2 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed.

• Navy blazer: BR Outlet, endlessly remixed
• Magenta tank: F21
• Pinstriped bermudas: Gap Maternity
• T-strap wedges: Target.com
• Earrings: gift from my husband

End Notes:

I’m a little shocked that I’m able to say this, but the weather has been behaving quite nicely in our little patch of the Midwest. So well, in fact, that I got to pull out this favorite navy blazer of mine today. All of us have praised structured little jackets to the skies at some point or another on this blog, and I know that many of you agree that a blazer adds a sense of polish and a boost of confidence that few other single items of clothing can elicit.

I don’t have a meeting today, nor do I have plans to see anyone I know. I’m still working my way through my “things to do before baby arrives” checklist, which requires mundane outings such as trips to Target, Home Depot, and the campus library. And yet, I am wearing a blazer. In my mind, it transforms my list of errands into a responsibility I should and can handle with composure and aplomb, rather than anxious fretting.

A month or two ago, A. and I did dress up for a meeting with an administrator who has frequently and frustratingly refused to take us seriously. One reader who is also in academia wondered if our efforts were in vain. “Do you think he can differentiate between your standby denim and this gray skirt?” she asked.

That question got me thinking a lot about who I dress for. Indeed, I don’t think that either that administrator or the cashier at Target will necessarily treat me differently if I wore this navy blazer instead of a navy hoodie. But I know the difference…is that reason enough? Is dressing for your own self-confidence and dressing to garner others’ respect mutually exclusive? I tend to think not. Is there a symbiotic relationship between the two? Does one lead to the other causally?

Most simply: who do you dress for?

Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

25 June 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed except for top.

• Sleeveless coral sweater: Gap Maternity
• Gray trousers: Ann Taylor Loft via eBay
• Gold earrings: Hawaii swap meet
• Metallic wedges: Target.com

End Notes:

Today A. and I had a meeting to attend with an editor on campus. While it would have certainly been acceptable to show up in one of my frequent all-jersey outfits, I jumped at the opportunity to pull out these favorite trousers and assemble a more business casual look. When I wore these pants for the first time back at the end of March — when my bump was much smaller! — I repeatedly told my husband, “I feel like a person in real clothes.”

And I felt great today, too, wearing a lightweight, sleeveless sweater in a fantastic color, perfect trousers, and a good metallic wedge. The attitude difference surprised me a little and made me wonder if I should make up “meetings” at least once a week until the baby comes just so I can “dress up.”

Between the incredibly hot, humid weather, my lack of on-campus obligations, my plethora of home-improvement and preparation projects, and this little thing called being eight months pregnant, my summer attire has been consistently far more casual than my usual academic-year looks. I think I associate that business-casual level of dress with being intellectually active and working to assert myself as a young scholar, so I suppose it’s little wonder that I felt just a little more sure of myself today. I know that I can be just as smart while wearing a denim skirt and tank top, but maybe I really believe it when I’m feeling a certain degree of put-togetherness.

I know some people feel like the “real” them is the person in jeans and a t-shirt and the “business” them is something they put on each morning. Thanks to all my scholarly readings on subjectivity I know that the notion of a “real me” can be problematic (thanks, Judith Butler!). But I’m curious how you all relate to different levels of dressing up. Do you feel like a certain register of casualness or professionalism or glamor is the most “you.” Do you know why you feel that way?

25 June 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

12 June 2009 – Curves, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Brown dress: Ross, remixed and adored
• Leaf pendant: Polli, mother’s day gift from my husband, remixed
• Green bracelet: gift from S. from San Francisco Chinatown!
• Silver slippers: Random store in Queens
• Turquoise scarf: no idea

End Notes:

I’ve hit the stage in pregnancy where dresses are starting to look rather tent-like. My idea of a stylish outfit generally excludes circus references but, oh, I love a good dress in the summer! The dilemma was solved by belting my favorite brown dress below the bump, adding shape and a good pop of summery turquoise.

This brown dress has been through quite a lot with me. I purchased it in college for $15, and during the 6 years since I’ve worn it through several style and life changes. Since we’ve been blogging, it’s appeared under a chunky sweater, as a skirt under a blousy top, and layered with a light cardigan. I fear that I may be stretching it past recovery by wearing it into Month 8 of being preggers, but if it helps me show off all my new curves this well then I’m thinking it will be worth the sacrifice.

I’m a little scared of trying to find a replacement for this old standby post-baby. It just does what it does so well! Do you ever find that replacing a “basic” is sometimes a lot harder than retiring and replacing a statement piece? Do you have a strategy when shopping to update those simple-but-essential pieces in your wardrobe?

13 May 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Turquoise slub top – F21
• Brown skirt – Old Navy, well-loved
• Wooden necklace – don’t recall
• Red wedges – Naturalizers from DSW, remixed

End Notes:

Do you ever have a hard time getting dressed when the schedule for your day is in flux? I’m not sure if I’ll be working on design projects all day inside, if the weather will allow me to work in my backyard, or if perhaps I’ll be able to sneak away to a craft store. I find it incredibly difficult to get dressed on days like today and, as a result, I’m feeling rather uninspired.

I’ve written before about how a pair of shoes can save an outfit for me. My patterned flats have done so numerous times, but another go-to pair for “blah” days is my red Naturalizer wedges.

When I snagged these at DSW two years ago I thought that they would be occasional shoes. I was wrong. Not only are they incredibly comfortable (since they’re Naturalizers they have fantastic support and padding), they manage to make even simple outfits a little bit more fun.

Do you have a “go-to” item of clothing, a pair of shoes, or an accessory that serves as a wardrobe rescuer of sorts? What is it and why do you love it so?

 

4 May 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed.

Patterned top – thrifted
Gray skirt – Mimi Maternity, via eBay
Square earrings – street vendor in Austin, a gift from my husband
Silver cuff – bridesmaid gift
Red wedges - Naturalizers, via DSW

End Notes:

We’re going belt-free this week. (I like how it sounds almost healthy when you put it that way. We are BPA-free, sulfite free, and belt-free kind of ladies.) This is also the last day that I’ll see my students this semester as I help administer their final exam, so I needed to look polished and calm for their sake.

It’s a simple outfit, basically the skirt version of how I wore this top earlier in the year, but I’m making it special with little details, like how my square earrings match the pattern of the top and pick up the red of my shoes.

 

Square Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

And who needs a belt when you’re preggers and have an under-the-bust seam like this one? I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, let your seams do the work. Even though this isn’t a maternity shirt, it works perfectly for me as it hugs my bump and gives me volume elsewhere to balance things out.

Finally, for comparison purposes, let’s examine how my bump, my hair, my cheeks, and my garden have grown over the last month plus one week:

  

30 April 2009 – Husbandly Advice, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Checkered button down – husband’s, thrifted
• Corduroy jacket – Ross
• Jeans – ON maternity
• Pointy toe pumps – Target

End Notes:

Today’s challenge actually comes from S., who told me that I needed to wear something checkered or plaid. It shortly came out, however, that what she really wanted to see was if I could figure out how to steal something from my husband N.’s closet and make it work with my bump. Now, I know that there is some disagreement over whether or not purloining from a man’s closet during pregnancy is course of action to be praised or condemned. I think — much like simply “buying up” several sizes instead of just buying maternity — that there are a lot of contingencies and no hard rules can really apply.

I wore this shirt of N.’s earlier in the year, back when my pants were getting tight but the bump was barely visible to the naked eye. I liked it then — and still like it today — because it has a softer drape than most of his other shirts, thus allowing for my shape to be evident. I felt like I needed some structure on top of it today, and N. actually suggested that I wear a blazer that would let the sleeves “poof” at the cuff. He approved of the shoe choice, too.

In other news, my end of the semester panic has temporarily lifted as I finished my third of four papers yesterday and found out that I passed my glucose tolerance test. This whole “getting dressed for not going to campus” business is working out pretty well thus far!

 

29 April 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Yellow cardi – Ann Taylor Outlet, remixed
• Lace cami – BR
• Woven belt – F21, remixed
• Flower pin – jerry-rigged by me
• Denim skirt – ON Maternity!
• Floral flats – Target, remixed

End Notes:

So our challenge from A. today is to wear floral. At first I told her I didn’t have anything floral that fits anymore. Then I got all delusional and thought that this shirt might still fit. It doesn’t, really, so I switched to these flats as my floral for the day and then, because I felt bad, added a lace cami (with flowers) and jerry-rigged a little broach together (with flowers). I had a run-in with a cabbage rose print Laura Ashley dress when I was younger and I think that was enough to make me skeptical for flowery florals and more drawn to Asian-inspired or stylized prints.

I love the conversation that S. and A. have gotten started about who you dress for, when it’s okay for style to fall by the wayside, and how you make working from home productive. Like A. said, I’m entering a new and sometimes overwhelming phase of being both mother and grad student. I’ll also be taking a year off teaching, first to focus on my little one and then to more expeditiously finish off the last of my coursework. Although I’ll get to officially take the fall off — and will definitely take a hard-earned mini break! — I do want to be aware of how routines and habits I set then can be conducive to the elusive work-life balance later.

I know that my style will certainly morph with a wee one around, and I’m okay with that. I don’t think that my love of color-mixing will evaporate, and I’ll pull the pencil skirts and big jewelry out when I don’t need to sit on the floor or worry about being clutched at. But I would love to hear from stay-at-home moms about the challenges (or fun parts?) of maintaining style. I’m especially curious if you draw a connection — as Stacy and Clinton of What Not to Wear fame often do — between looking put-together and modeling self-respect for your child or children. Even if a four month old can’t appreciate that, is it important to set the pattern early?

 

29 April 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

29 April 2009 – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Pink and white seersucker blazer – stolen from A.’s giveaway pile
• Gray tank – Target
• Jeans – ON Maternity, remixed of course
• Blue green scarf – Ross, remixed
• Paisley pointy toe pumps – Payless

End Notes:

When I got the e-mail from A. challenging me to wear “pink — not magenta — PINK” today, I knew it was going to be a battle. Ever since I realized that pastels and my skin tone don’t play nicely with each other, I’ve been fairly ruthless about weeding them out of my closet. I do have a deeper pink top that still fits (barely), but given today’s slightly chilly weather I knew that I would have to layer over that blouse and that A. would likely chasten me for not embracing the challenge. So I did what she would least expect: I wore one of HER old pink items of clothing.

No, I don’t have a secret tunnel of access to her closet — though that would be useful some mornings — but I do have a few bags of clothes that she generously gave me to help with a clothing drive I’m organizing this summer. I remembered that she had once mentioned that she was giving away a pink and white seersucker blazer, so I dove into the clothing pile and fished it out.

I decided that the best course of action would be to pair the relatively preppy jacket with edgier or at least more grown-up shapes and colors. So out came a gray top as a base, the skinnies, and a great pair of pumps. I cannot be mistaken for either a candy striper or a marshmallow peep in those items! I was still unhappy with how the pink looked next to my face, but a saturated blue-green scarf helped to remedy that. I wish I could say that I am happy and confident in this outfit, but I’m really still quite paranoid about all this pink business. On the other hand, one of my favorite songs by The Flaming Lips, “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” has been in my head all day, and that’s a welcome respite from all of the other swirling thoughts about discursive materiality that have predominated for the last week!  – e.

  

29 April 2009 – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, originally uploaded by academichic.