24 February 2010

Posted on | February 24, 2010 | 27 Comments

24 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Pink Button Down – J Crew
Scarf – Old Navy
Navy Skirt – J Crew
Tights- BR Outlet
Shoes – Anthropologie, via ebay

Endnotes:

In our last few days of scarf month I am taking on E.’s challenge to me to do a little pattern mixing, so I have paired this bold hot pink and paisley scarf with my bright pink pinstriped button down. I like the result of a business silhouette with such bold and daring colors and patters. I felt professional enough to teach and attend a job-search-committee meeting but I also think I brought a little extra life to both of these activities!

pink pattern on pink pattern!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Now for a digression: This past weekend I took a group of students to an LGBT college leadership conference. I learned quite a bit and was reminded about many things I had learned long ago and have been excited to talk all about it with E. S. and lots of other people. But, here I want to reflect on how the whole conference experience, particularly the key note speakers and discussions with my students pushed me to think about clothing and self presentation.

While preparing to pack for the weekend I was struggling with what would be appropriate. E. asked me if I thought I would dress differently for such a specific crowd – LGBT college students. I think at some point in my life, I likely wold have chosen less “feminine” items and thought more about how I could easily convey lesbian through my appearance. I am now much more comfortable in both my sexuality and my physical appearance than I was back as an undergraduate, so that was not the issue (more on this later). Instead, I was caught up on the word “conference.”

These days conference conjures up some pretty specific attire, but this was not an academic conference and I was not a presenter, yet I did want to be distinguishable as an advisor (not an undergraduate student) and was aware that I might make some professional connections. I ended up choosing jeans with my wrap cardigan and skinny cords with a button down and was very happy with my choices all weekend.

Since this is getting so long already, I’ll save my next installment, in which I will suggest we are all dressing in drag, for tomorrow! In the mean time, I would love to hear for you. How much do you change your style depending on audience and situation? I’m not talking about the difference between pencil skirt for the office and jeans for the bar – but rather how do different crowds of people, and your desire to connect with them, influence your style? A.

24 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

18 November 2009

Posted on | November 18, 2009 | 14 Comments

18 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Black Cable V-neck – J Crew
Houndstooth Trousers – Urban Outfitters
Scarf – H & M
Belt – Gift from Sal
Boots – J Crew

Endnotes:

It looks like my student’s visual analysis papers have led to a great discussion. Now if I could only get this discussion going in the class room! I have found all of your comments about the marketing of clothing, particularly the use of essentalizing gendered language and the heteronormativity of such marketing, so interesting!

It seems the limitations of language is always an issue when trying to avoid generalizations. My students always struggle with this. What pronoun should they use when writing about the viewer of a work of art? Their default is always “he.” Understandably, they don’t want to use the awkward “he/she” (problematic for its conformance to a binary anyway). I encourage them to be specific whenever possible. Was the work of art created for a monastery? Then, the viewer was probably male. Is it a contemporary art work you saw at the museum? Then, use YOUR preferred pronoun.

Similarly, I try to demonstrate to them that claiming a figure looks feminine says very little about the figure. Be specific. Tell me he has an elongated neck and red cheeks if that is what you observe. If you avoid associating these characteristics with the figure’s gender (or sexuality, as some students did) you leave yourself open to other possibilities — its cold outside, its a mannerist work, etc.

I started this discussion yesterday because I wanted to talk about the combining of different aesthetics often labeled “feminine” and “masculine” and was finding myself frustrated not to have better terms to use. I was reminded by reader AC to be specific! I loved her suggestion of using the terms “geometric” and “organic” to describe yesterday’s combination of stripes and flowers.

Houndstooth and Vines, originally uploaded by academichic.

The last time I wore the striped cardigan, I noted the combination of slouchy and polished and when I wore A2’s jeans (which fit me like “boyfriend jeans” b/c they are a size bigger than my own) I called them girlfriend jeans — specific!

I think once again today’s outfit is the perfect combination of geometric (houndstooth) and organic (floral vine pattern) and of loose (scarf) and structured (belt). I like that none of these terms – geometric, organic, slouchy, polished, loose, structured, carry any gendered connotations. It’s actually quite difficult to find descriptive terms that are not gendered in connotation.

What terms do you like?

Belted Black and White, originally uploaded by academichic.

3 November 2009

Posted on | November 3, 2009 | 15 Comments

3 November 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Green Blouse – BR Outlet
Wool Skirt – BR Outlet
Black Sweater – Banana Republic
Boots – J Crew
Tights – H&M
Earrings – Gift from Sister L.

Endnotes:

After a busy weekend, during which I accomplished very little school work, I spent most of yesterday in sweats trying to get some writing done. We have discussed this questions of what to wear when working from home before. The three of us weigh in differently. I personally find a day in sweats every once in a while to be very productive – as was the case yesterday. After such days, however, I find myself dressing up a bit more than usual.

Today’s outfit are all pieces I have worn before but I made a few temporary alterations to make some of the items feel different. I pressed the collar of this ruffly green shirt inside to make a mandarin collar. My black cardigan is actually a black wrap sweater, but I tied the strings behind my back, under the sweater. I also hiked my skirt up a little and belted it. Just these little adjustments help make my closet more interesting to return to everyday.

How do you change up the look of an old standard?

23 October 2009

Posted on | October 23, 2009 | 24 Comments

23 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Ruffle Cami – Gap
Pinstripe Skirt – J Crew
Blue Cardigan – BR Outlet, birthday gift from mom
Belt – Target, altered by me
Sweater Tights – Banana Republic
Shoes – Off Broadway

Endnotes:

Pencil skirt, cardigan, and heels have become my go-to professional uniform. Today’s outfit is basically a recreation of a look I wore several months ago to mark the end of the intense course I taught this summer. Here I have made it weather appropriate by adding the grey sweater tights and a bit more colorful with the mix of bright blue and maroon.

Layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

This afternoon I will be moderating a discussion after offering m thoughts on a campus-wide lecture given by a prominent activist. I figure, this time, it’s ok if I am one of the most dressed up people there.

I have to say, before our recent “roundtable” discussion about interview-appropriate wear, I would have worn something pretty similar to this for an interview. Now, I think I would definitely loose the sweater tights and belt, but I think I would still wear the rest. Does it need a suit jacket or a button down to be interview-appropriate?

Shoes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

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.

Monthly Roundtable: October 2009

Posted on | October 20, 2009 | 13 Comments

When we introduced this “roundtable” series to you last month, we received this reader comment urging us to open up a relevant academia/style question for discussion:

How about a brown bag about proper attire for an on campus T-T job interview? (They’re coming up in the next three months!)

one key question: wedding ring on, or off?

T-T interviews, for those of you not campus situated, are “tenure track” interviews, offering the most coveted of all academic jobs to those embarking on the job market. So, naturally, a key question is What To Wear? How to best present oneself to these potential employers?

Our approach would be to mix and match suit separates and ‘dressier’ pieces to create a look that is simultaneously professional and still personal and representative of our style personalities. As for the wedding ring question…we’ve already put in our two cents when this topic surfaced a while ago, but we would happily reopen this ever present dilemma for discussion.

So we open the forum to the rest of you, in true brown bag fashion, to engage in a dialogue what will hopefully provide our readers with many great ideas. And good luck to all of you interviewing this fall!

1 October 2009

Posted on | October 2, 2009 | 12 Comments

1 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Grey Cardigan – Marshalls, remixed
Skirt – BR Outlet
Black Tank – BR, remixed
Fuchsia Shoes – Seychelles, via DSW, remixed
Necklace – very old

Endnotes:

I knew I wanted to wear this skirt yesterday and then built a teaching outfit around it. I love the little buttons, the subtle pattern, and the straight cut of it. I think it was originally sold with a matching suit jacket (I of course bought it on the clearance rack). I am often drawn to suits wear but I can’t say I have ever worn a full suit. Instead, I prefer to wear suit pieces mixed with other items. I think this allows for my personal style to come through more and means I can wear these great pieces over and over again, making endless combinations. E. and S., tend to do the same thing – mixing suit pieces into their regular wardrobe. You can check out our flickr set “Suit Yourself” to see examples.

What are your thoughts on suit wear? How often do you sport a full suit (skirt or pants with matching jacket)? Do you buy suit separates to work into your wardrobe, paired with non-suit items? Do you mix and match suit pieces? Tell us your suit story! A.

Details, originally uploaded by academichic.

For the love of the pencil skirt

Posted on | September 1, 2009 | 11 Comments

Last week, when I wore my favorite denim pencil skirt, which I have remixed for all seasons, I wrote about wanting another pencil skirt to add into the rotation with my denim stand-by and my newer grey chino pencil skirt. I love that both of these can be dressed up or down and can be worn with any color and across at least three seasons.

I have found, much to my surprise, that the pencil skirt is a very flattering shape for me and it has become one of may favorite pieces for a professional look. I wear my denim, black cotton, and grey cotton skirts all the time – as I am sure you have noticed. I have also gotten some good wear out of my pinstripe pencil skirt, but this is a much dressier look (perfect in place of a suit for conferences or interviews), and I love to wear my blue felt skirt in the winter. Now I want more!

Many of you left comments asking for recommendations on where to find a classic and versatile denim pencil skirt and requesting that I share my fall pencil skirt wish list with you.

Well, first the denim pencil skirt:

I love mine! I bought it almost two years ago at Gap after trying on a number of denim skirts at several different stores. I remember I also really liked one at Banana Republic, but the Gap one was significantly cheaper. Gap doesn’t currently have the same skirt (mine was called trouser, or something of the like) but, they do have one that looks like it would serve the same purpose. Ann Taylor Loft also seems to have a few options that look promising.

I recently purchased a black/grey denim skirt from Old Navy. I do like this one, but it will by no means be replacing my beloved Gap skirt.

Now, for my pencil skirt wish list:

I hope this list gives all of you some shopping ideas for yourself, but as my birthday is just over a month away, this list also serves as a birthday wish list for my mom!

The J Crew Corduroy Skirt:

I love the slim sleek cut of this, making it very professional and even dressy, while the corduroy allows it to be a perfect fall teaching skirt.

I have always loved corduroy – over the years as corduroy has come in and out of style, I have stayed true to my favorite material. I have many corduroy pants, a couple corduroy skirts, my share of corduroy jackets, and even a few corduroy accessories, including a few totes, a pair of flats, some slippers, and a headband. I think I could more than qualify as a member of the Corduroy Appreciation Club!

Moving on from the corduroy tangent, my next wish list item…

The Banana Republic Classic Pencil Skirt:

This is dressier than the black skirt I own and I love the pockets and the wide, high waist band. I’m not sure how this one would actually fit but I can imagine it looking great with both summery sleeveless blouses and thicker winter sweaters with tights.

The Banana Republic Classic Skirt:

Now, this is technically not a pencil skirt but I have found that some BR “A-line” skirts actually fit me more like a straight skirt. I haven’t tried this one on either, so I’m not sure how those pleats in the front would work for me but I love that it comes in navy!

The Ann Taylor Plaid Skirt:

I took this picture from the website but can’t actually find this exact skirt for sale. This is really stepping outside my comfort zone when it comes to skirts, but I do love that it is plaid and purple! Let me know if you figure out how to purchase it.

I would also like to note that New York & Company has a ton of very affordable pencil skirts in several fabrics and cuts and with some fun color choices.

What item will make several appearances on your fall wish list? A.

24 August 2009

Posted on | August 24, 2009 | 9 Comments

24 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed again and again.

Cream Cardigan – J Crew
Teal Tank – BR Outlet
Turquoise Necklace – Limited
Grey Skirt – Old Navy
Brown Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW
Bag – China Town, NYC

Endnotes:

As E. said, today was the meet and greet brunch for our department. For me however, this was followed by a TA meeting, lunch with new graduate students, a workshop on managing stress (I just managed to feel more stressed about my stress) and finally to work a table at the graduate student resource fair. It’s been a long day – hence the nighttime photo!

I knew I wanted to wear something I would be physically comfortable in all day, but also something that would make me feel confident and most like myself. Today I was once again asking quite a bit of my outfit, wanting it to covey my commitment to my studies and teaching, approachability, preparedness, and a sense of fun.

Teal on Teal, originally uploaded by academichic.

As I got dressed this morning and traveled to school, I found myself thinking about all of your great comments on Friday’s post. Many of you commented that you feel you are always dressing for a number of people and are constantly aware that you are being judged on your appearance, but many of you all expressed that fashion and style can be freeing, empowering, and influential. While I will continue to think about these ideas, and hope to continue this discussion here, today I did try to remember that ultimately, I am dressing for myself. However, I do think that by feeling that I looked approachable likely made me exude an approachability to those around me and similarly, by feeling that I looked prepared and committed I was probably more confident in my various meetings.

I was very intrigued by reader N. who claimed that some of her undergraduate professors were “AWARE of their self-presentation and use it as a tool in the classroom (to discuss identity, class, gender, etc. ).” I love the idea of this and have been thinking quite a bit about how I might put this into practice. Any ideas on this?

I also loved the idea expressed by reader Krissie about wanting to be “the best, most fully rounded people we can be.” Academia can often be very insular (and isolating) – there is a strange disconnect from the outside world, which I find particularly problematic for the humanities. I do think my interest in fashion and personal style is one of the many things that makes me a more well rounded individual and thus a better scholar. This blog is an important creative outlet for me but also a form of field study!

Please keep all your great thoughts coming! A.

New Shoes!, originally uploaded by academichic.

7 August 2009

Posted on | August 8, 2009 | 3 Comments

7 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Sweater – J Crew
Maroon Top – Banana Republic
Lace Cami – Banana Republic
Grey Suit Skirt – BR Outlet
Brown Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW
Bracelet – Gift from S.’s mom

Endnotes:

The day after the wedding, I drove back to Academichic Central and hit the ground running with a day of meetings and playing catch up on phone calls and emails. I needed to look professional but had used up all of my creative juices making bouquets and the like, so I pulled together some basics and called it a day. As the beginning of the academic year quickly approaches I am reminded that on many days I will have little time to spend pulling together an ensemble and will become depended on those good, simple basics that can be mixed and matched.

So, on my fall wish list right now are neutral colored cardigans, pencil skirts, versatile jeans, simple solid tops with a little extra visual interest and great rich colors, and a cold-weather version of my beloved wedges.

What’s on your fall wish list?

keep looking »