academichic

Sources:

• Coral tank: Target
• Maxi dress: Forever 21 (my “reserve” dress for my mini capsule wardrobe)
• Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell, via Gilt
• Necklace: Fig and Ginger

End Notes:

You may be a bit baffled by this post’s title: how is wearing a purple maxi dress and bright coral tank top particularly amenable to “fitting in” in a crowd? Or, at least, a crowd in the Midwest. It’s not, really. I was the only pregnant, maxi dress-wearing, color-blocking lady I saw all day. But you see, there was another element to this outfit: my now-ubiquitous summer hat.

And, apparently, if you want to commune with other hat-wearers, then the place to do that is on a weekday morning walk through the local botanical gardens. There were a LOT of straw hats to be seen there, from wide-brimmed floppy hats to fedora-style hats to tie-beneath-the-chin hats. I felt like a “real” garden-walker in my hat, rather than — as is sometimes the case when I wear my hat around the neighborhood — that odd pregnant hat lady. (Not that the latter has stopped me…it’s just nice to occasionally feel sartorially relevant.)

It’s also a great place to go if you’re almost-two and want to feed really large koi.

P.S. For those counting, this is outfit number ten of my 15 for 15.

Sources:

• Purple dress – thrifted
• Tote – thrifted
• Teal cami – BR Outlet
• Belt – Gap Outlet
• Sandals – Target
• Necklace – Earring turned pendant
• Bike – 1969 Raleigh Sports
• Helmet – Giro

Endnotes:

Remember our color modules? When I pulled this purple jersey dress off its hanger and added the orange skinny belt to it, I realized that I was one color away from creating a triad. So I reached for a teal (blue-green) camisole to complete the look. For any color theory purists out there, I realize that this isn’t a ‘true triad’ of purple, orange, and green, but it comes pretty close. And in fact, I’d say that near triads often end up looking just as bold and punchy but in a better, more subtle way. Take a look…

While straight-up oranges, purples, and greens can end up looking a bit Crayola, blue-greens, red-oranges, plums, and aubergines can make for a much richer or more sophisticated color palette. I kept the rest of the outfit simple in terms of color with a navy tote and silver sandals completing the look. (Silver, like navy, is a neutral in my book).

If you could pick any three colors, but only three colors, to wear for an entire month, what would they be? – S.

Sources:

• Shirt (tunic): French Connection
• Skirt: Calvin Klein outlet
• Belt: mom’s
• Shoes: Tahari via endless.com
• Necklace: Gift

Endnotes:
I believe that one of the most fun things in life is twirling around while wearing a very full skirt. This skirt lends itself to playful swishing, swooshing, and all out spins. I had wanted to wear this shirt/tunic again, and I realized that the teal and lavender of the shirt would look great with this skirt and obi belt.

I’m sorry I haven’t been writing very lengthy posts lately, but much like everyone at this time of year, I’m crunched for time as the academic calendar winds down and tests, papers, and projects roll in my door. Sometimes a bright, sun-shiny top, or pop of color, or comfortable stand-by is what gets me through. Other times a full, fancy, almost bustled skirt will do the trick and I can twirl, twirl, twirl myself right into a happy mood. It makes me think I’m a carefree kid again – not like I was exactly twirling around as a kid all the time – but again, too many cotton commercials have conned me into believing that I wore cute summer dresses and spent lazy afternoons rolling down grassy slopes and swinging around to see my skirt flutter around me. Even if it didn’t happen, isn’t it ok to dream? As Miriam Toews put it in her beautiful novel A Complicated Kindness, “The stories that I have told myself are bleeding into a dream, finally, that is slowly coming true… Is it wrong to trust in a beautiful lie if it helps you get through life.”

What do you all think? If we’re talking about more than mixing up your memories, is it wrong to trust in a beautiful lie if it helps you get through life? What “lies” do you believe in?

L.

Sources:

• Sweater: Calvin Klein via Marshalls
• Shell: Banana Republic
• Camisole: Gap Outlet
• Trousers: Gap Outlet
• Necklace: gift from sister
• Belt: Betsey Johnson via Filene’s Basement
• Shoes: Ciao Bella via DSW

Endnotes:
Finally it seems like spring is coming. It was in the 50s all weekend and the snow we got on Friday is almost all melted. We are most certainly in “mud season”. I was dressing in a hurry this morning (gotta love Monday) so I quickly grabbed black pants, black flats, a black cami, a black sweater, and something to lighten the look so my students wouldn’t think I was in mourning. I picked this purple silk shell, which has vaguely floral abstract lines in lavender, and boom: an outfit that plays with proportion as well as texture.

In terms of the proportions of this outfit, the fact that the shell cuts across my hips at their widest point and the empire waist accentuates my long torso should make this a terrible combination. But I think adding the belt really helps to break up the line. As for my hips, I have no reason to hide them or my muscular thighs. These babies have run a marathon and will soon be training for another one.

As for textures, to contrast with the lace edge on the cami, the soft silk of the top, and the floral print, I decided on my stretchy studded belt and a hematite necklace my sister gave me when I saw her in March. I’ve done this kind of texture mixing before when I paired a fine wool pencil skirt with a flowy silk shirt, lace edge cami, and chunky metal chain belt, and I like the effect. I’ll see what I can come up with this week. Do you have any texture mixing tips or triumphs?

L.

Sources:

• Sweater: Banana Republic
• Tunic: French Connection
• Belt: BR
• Skinnies: BR
• Shoes: Frye

Endnotes:
Can you tell how pleased I am with this outfit? For our first day back in classes I decided that despite the dusting of snow we got last night it is most definitely spring and therefore I will break out the florals! Of course, while this shirt has a pretty tropical motif, in reality it is still in the 30s and the sweater was a necessity rather than a choice.

{Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Hitentaisei Rikon (Li Gun: Chinese name) from the Shuihu zhuan, 1827-30}

This tunic is another birthday purchase from my sister (thank you C.!) and I fell in love with the bright florals, which seemed vaguely reminiscent of Japanese prints. (Thanks to reader Alison for the correction! This is a Japanese print of a Chinese story, not a Chinese print as I had earlier written. Alison says that “this is a classic example of the Japanese ukiyo-e style.”)

I didn’t even realize it at the time, but my new flower belt from BR is a perfect match! I really wanted more of this shirt to show, so I pulled my sweater to the sides. This also created a more pronounced hourglass shape with the belt pulling it all in at the waist. How do you fool the eye to accentuate different body parts?

L.

Sources:

• Shirt: Banana Republic
• Sweater: BR Outlet
• Skirt: BR
• Belt: J. Crew
• Purple Tights (under): Target
• Magenta Tights: no idea!
• Shoes: Gucci via DSW

Endnotes:
Like S. I had a little urge to wear something in recognition of Valentine’s Day, but I didn’t want to look like I was being too thematic. I knew I wanted to layer dark purple tights under my magenta diamond patterned ones, in what is kind of a reversal of my previous look where I layered dark purple fishnets over the magenta tights. This look is definitely a more solid statement, but the purple peeks through enough to make my legs look almost iridescent in the light.

I like to wear something bright on Mondays since my students are usually tired AND today it is actually about 40 degrees, which has put me in the mood for color and spring! Have you noticed how dark your wardrobe becomes in winter? My purple cardigan darkens the overall outfit but contrasts a little with my bright turquoise shirt. The pink belt makes the outfit super matchy, but I don’t care. I like it. I feel a little bit like Rainbow Brite in this get-up, but I just couldn’t bare to remix my neutrals even with a pop of color – I needed to go all out today. Come to think of it, maybe I am Rainbow Brite. We did come into being in the same year!

Regardless of my true identity, I hope the first thing people notice besides my tights are my new purple wedges! I scored these the last time I was at DSW and they were literally hundreds less than what they had been. I figured that it was a sign from the shoe-gods that these had survived months on the shelf and were in my size. Happy Valentine’s Day to me!

I didn’t even notice that someone had pried the little gold interlocking Gs off the back until I got them home. Oh well, I’m not one for labels anyway. How have you spoiled yourself today?

10 February 2011 – Jewelry as Sign, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Purple Cardigan – Gap Outlet
• Black Wrap Dress – Banana Republic
• Stripped Tank – J Crew
• Black Tights – Target
• Pattern Tights – gift from S.
• Boots – Steve Madden Intyce
• Bracelet – Hawaii
• Pin – purchased from activist speaker
• Earrings – wedding gift from A2

Endnotes:

As S. and many readers mentioned, jewelery often functions as a sign — a sign of gender, ethnicity, class, but also sexuality, marital status, age, and many other things (clothing of course also often functions in this way, as we have many times discussed here). I thought about that as I put this outfit together for an awards ceremony at which I was presented with an honor for LGBT leadership and service.  I immediately thought of the casual outfit I wore on national coming out day and wanted to recreate it in a dressier and more winter-appropriate version.  The main elements remained the same – my purple cardigan, multi-colored bead bracelet (not exactly a rainbow), and my “queer kids rule” pin.

Pride Pin and Beads, originally uploaded by academichic.

Choosing these accessories was a no-brainier knowing that I would be surrounded by other queers and allys there to recognize me for my commitment to the LGBT community. It was meaningful and fun to show some overt queer pride through my jewelry (and color choice of “lavender”).  But it got me thinking about the other jewelry I was sporting – my small silver earnings (since I didn’t want too many statement pieces at once) and, even more so, my wedding ring.

When A2 and I got married last summer we exchanged very simple white-gold bands.  We talked a lot about how we wanted to handle the whole ring issue and both agreed we had no need for engagement rings since the decision to get married was one we made together over many years.  We choose to exchange wedding bands because we like the sentiment behind, we wanted a symbol of our commitment, and because we were looking to up-grade the cheap matching silver bands we had been wearing for years. But, something about it still made me a bit uncomfortable – its sign value.  I am not a married straight woman and in fact in most of the country, including the state in which I reside, I do not enjoy marital status.   I was uncomfortable wearing something that signaled otherwise.  I didn’t want to pass.  So, I wear my wedding band on my right hand instead of my left.  I don’t know what assumptions most people make based on this right-hand ring, but over the last 7 months a few people have asked me about it.  For the most part, these questions have led to some incredible conversations about marriage and about symbols.

So, today I suppose I am aware of the power of jewelry as sign but am celebrating the power of jewelry as conversation stater!  Has any of your jewelry ever led to a great discussion?  Do you consciously wear jewelry as sign?

Boots and layred tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

10 February 2011 – Jewelry as Sign, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Coat: DKNY via Bluefly
• Gloves: Coach (gift)
• Scarf: Missoni via Filene’s Basement
• Bag: Crystalyn Kae
• Skinny Jeans: Banana Republic
• Boots: vintage Charles David
• (Below)
• Shirt: J. Crew (thrifted)
• Camisole: Gap Outlet
• Belt: J. Crew
• Necklace: South Moon Under

Endnotes:
We all know how quickly a cute outfit is ruined by having to put on a coat and that many a gorgeous shoe is retired in favor of boots for a long walk through the snow. We also all know how the first stages of frostbite feel when venturing out without a coat or gloves or hat and are sadly familiar with the slushy feeling of melting snow inside our cutest shoes. Is there any way to stay stylish and warm? We have received a number of emails over the last two years asking just that, and so we thought a whole week of coats, jackets, wraps, and assorted winter wear would be timely and help to answer some of these questions.

To kick things off I thought I’d share my #1 go-to coat of the moment. I had been looking for a dressier knee length coat for a while, but I wasn’t satisfied with the plain button up styles and blocky shapes I had encountered. My mom actually bought this for me online at Bluefly, and it has turned out very well. I was a little apprehensive about the ruffle at first, but now that I’ve been wearing this coat all winter I love the details. To me the ruffle embellishment makes this coat more fun and the ruffle collar also holds my scarf nice and close around my neck to keep out the cold. The cut and length are flattering for a petite frame; Although, I did have to have the sleeves shortened.

Check out the Caterina coat by Via Spiga and the Cheryl style coat by Tahari for two more knee length coats with some personality.

To play off of the ruffled collar I decided to wear another ruffled shirt. I picked this up over the weekend at a consignment shop (along with a few other things I’m sure you’ll be seeing soon), and immediately knew I wanted to pair it with my turquoise camisole for a layered look. The belt was just for fun and to make my legs look longer by making my waist appear higher. These jeans are also relatively new. They were on sale at BR for $13 and happened to be in my size. After so many months of looking for skinny jeans I seem to have scored three really great pairs in the last month! With wool socks and these leather boots my feet and legs stayed warm and dry as I was doing my Sunday errands yesterday.

Stay tuned for more outerwear posts this week!

~L.

Lola Jeans, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Shirt: Banana Republic Factory
• Sweater: BR Factory
• Scarf: gift
• Belt: BR Factory
• Jeans: c/o Lucky Brand Jeans
• Shoes: Frye

Endnotes:
The bright sunshine pouring through my window this morning prompted me to throw on the brightest items I could find to top off these amazing new Lola Skinny Jeans (generously provided for review by Lucky Brand). I have to warn you that I’m going to gush because I honestly really like these jeans. The moment I unwrapped them, I put them on and they fit perfectly. I got the “short” inseam length (30”) and it is exactly right. As you all know, it is nearly impossible finding jeans when you’re a) 5’3”, b) athletically shaped (i.e. you have a butt and thighs), and c) have a smaller waist. Anything that fits my thighs inevitably gaps around the waistband and is always too long… but not with these jeans! They are also real denim with a very small touch of stretch, and the lower leg isn’t too tight. Like E., I wore these repeatedly and they didn’t stretch out much in the waistband (which is incredible). They are “mid-rise” so when I sit down I need some coverage, but I like where they hit on my hips and in front. I have worn them a lot in the last two weeks, and I’ve washed them once, which I personally find is a big test for jeans – how will they fair in the dryer? Having dried them on low settings, they snapped back into great shape. All in all I’m very happy! The “mossy waters” color is great for daytime, but I’d love the dark indigo wash for dressing up and evenings out.

Pattern and Lola Jeans, originally uploaded by academichic.

Aside from the jeans, this outfit reflects my 2011 resolution to play with patterns and try to incorporate more prints into my wardrobe. The abstract inkblot pattern and the polka dotted scarf may seem busy except that the similar palette of purples and pinks makes things cohere. I love this scarf, which was a Christmas gift from my mother, because it has every color that I love: turquoise, purple, fuchsia, green, golden yellow, and blue. At first I didn’t have the sweater on, but since it is still in the negative numbers outside I figured that a long sleeved shirt and scarf were not going to cut it. The solid color of the sweater also keeps the competing patterns at bay. How do you mix patterns in your wardrobe?

~L.

Lola Jeans, originally uploaded by academichic.

Pretty as a Peahen, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• All: Banana Republic
• Pin: grandmother’s
• Tights: Target
• Shoes: Ciao Bella via DSW

Endnotes:
I feel like this outfit was based on a very A. kind of palette…. Or E.… or S., but for the most part purple plays only an accessory role in my wardrobe as does darker iterations of teal like this shirt. I find this odd since, if asked, I’d mention both of those colors as favorites.

Plumage, originally uploaded by academichic.

Anyway, I’m on the hunt especially for more prominent purple pieces to add to my closet. The bottom half of my outfit is pretty darn bland, but that’s what happens on mornings when 8:00am class is calling! I tried on my purple fishnets over these tights (similar to this look from December), but it didn’t work so I ended up all in black. I think if I wear this outfit again I’d opt for my dark grey pencil skirt (that A. has as well).

Peahen side, originally uploaded by academichic.

The scarf around my waist was a last minute attempt to break up the otherwise lengthy torso created by the cardigan, but this scarf is not long enough to tie, so I secured the ends with a silver pin. The scarf I wore as a belt last week was huge, so folded in half diagonally it reached around and tied in the front, but a reader commented that many scarves are not so generous. For shorter scarves, pinning or looping once around, knotting and tucking in the ends works as another way to make the scarf work as a belt.

Pinned Scarf Belt, originally uploaded by academichic.

My favorite details from this outfit, and indeed the inspiration for the title of this post, are the “petals” (according to BR) that cascade down the front of this blouse. To me they looked like peahen plumage and the color scheme of teal and purple also seems peacock-esque. Perhaps next time I should wear some bright blue or turquoise jewelry to really go all out.