December 1st, 2010 § §
Sources:
- Charcoal Wrap Cardigan – New York & Co.
- Cardigan – Banana Republic
- Belt – New York & Co.
- Brown Cords – Gap Outlet
- Wellies – Banana Republic
- Scarf – Gift from S.
Sources:
- Long Cardigan – Banana Republic
- Black Ponte Pants – Ann Taylor
- Teal Tee – BR Factory Store
- Scarf – Anthropologie
- Wellies – Banana Republic
Endnotes:
Over the holiday weekend I hit the halfway mark of the 30 for 30 challenge. I have actually managed to wear the majority of my list (25 out of 30) already, although several things I have worn over and over and others only once or twice.
I had very few outfit’s planned before starting the challenge, which is perhaps why I have only managed used some items once. But, I used some of my long ride home Sunday to plan out a handful of outfits to help me through the second half of the challenge. I’m determined to use every item on the list at least once!
On other note: Congratulations again E! I’m so proud of you! A.
Category: Beltless, Color Combinations, Layers Upon Layers, Our Best Flatware, Pants Please, Research Casual
Tags: 30 for 30 by A. > A. > black pants > boots > cozy > scarves > wellies
September 9th, 2010 § §
9 September 2010 – Workhorses, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Grey (and black and light grey) Pencil Skirt – Banana Republic
- Grey Tee – J Crew
- Belt – Old Navy
- Scarf – Echo
- Shoes – Banana Republic
Endnotes:
It’s days like today I find myself wishing I lived with a professional photographer or had the time to grab a friend to act as photographer and find a cool location. I really loved this outfit and felt great in it all day, but couldn’t capture it on camera the way I wanted to. Rainy mornings and an early call time on campus don’t make for good photography days, but with the help of a good wardrobe workhorse I can still pull together a great professional ensemble on these mornings and confidently head out for a long rainy day on campus.
This is actually the blog premier of this specific skirt, but I own this skirt in two other colors and wear all three of them all the time! These Banana Republic “classic pencil skirts” are made of a mix of cotton, viscose, and spandex, giving them a just the right mix of stretch and structure. I’ve had the black version the longest and have worn it in all weather – with tights and boots and with a tank and espadrilles. I have worn it for a huge range of occasions including my first day of school last week, an engagement party earlier this summer, and even a funeral (not pictured). I love that I can wear it high around the smallest part of my waist with a pair of killer heals or slung low with a pair of flats.
I purchased the light grey version on super sale post Christmas and it too has served as a go-to base for many teaching outfits. The pale grey allows for a softer color palette and works in one of my favorite color combinations of grey and brown.
The third skirt came to me with a little help form L. – just like these grey shoes. L. was well aware of my obsession with these skirts so when she saw the darker grey version in my size on sale she picked it up for me. Now, if only I could find it in Navy (and maybe some fabulous shade of brown)!
Do you ever buy pieces you love in multiple colors? Do you own a wardrobe workhorse piece in multiple versions?
Category: Office Hours, Reaching New Heights, Skirting the Issue, Teaching Outfits
Tags: A. > belted > grey > pencil skirt > scarves > workhorse
February 23rd, 2010 § §
As promised, here is how I usually store my scarves. I say usually, because in all honesty, many often end up on the coat rack, a shelf in the closet, the top of my dresser, over the back of a chair, or on my bedroom floor. I keep 10 – 15 scarves on this fabulous scarf hanger and the rest in a basket.
My sister gave me this hanger for my birthday one year and it has proved to be one of the most practical and well used gifts I have ever received. I hang it in the closet alongside my other hanging clothes. You can find a similar one at organize.com. Personally, I wish I had one, or even two, more.
I keep the rest of my scarves in a basket I purchased at Target. This works well for the scarves that are either
too small, or
too bulky, or
too circular for the hanger. I have to admit, you can often find scarves cascading out of the basket, which I store on the top shelf in my closet, but I actually love to see the scarf waterfall when I open my closet door.
How do you store your scarves? A.
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: closet > scarf storage > scarves
February 18th, 2010 § §
Sources:
- Purple tank – BR Outlet
- Purple cardi – H&M
- Pendant – Anthropologie
- Jeans – thrifted
- Boots – thrifted
- Vintage scarf – Vintage Threadz on Etsy
Endnotes:
I have thus far used a scarf to add a pop of color to a monochromatic outfit, to create a monochromatic color scheme, and to forge an analogous connection, so it should only follow that I tackle a complimentary color scheme today. This little yellow scarf joins the purples of my tank and cardigan to make for a bold and bright complimentary color mix. I find smaller square scarves to be a bit of a challenge but this lightweight vintage piece adds the perfect dash of color to brighten up my neckline. A. once wore this same sunflower scarf around her tote, which is a great way to make use of those gorgeous diminutive scarves that can be somewhat of a challenge for every day wear.
Now I want to digress a bit today and point out an interesting article from a day ago in the New York Times featuring German photographer Ute Mahler. Mahler worked as a fashion photographer for a magazine called Sibylle in the GDR (East Germany during the divide) and in this brief interview she sheds some light on the role of clothing and artistic expression under a totalitarian regime. Mahler also makes the poignant distinction between fashion and style – in brief: external vs. internal forces of expression – and how in a society that restricts the former, the latter will invariably still thrive.
I wanted to point this out because it addresses a role of clothing we sometimes overlook – clothing as a means to subvert, challenge, or resist. And I don’t mean to resist or challenge mainstream trends or dominant looks of a given era. I mean a resistance on a much grander scale that challenges and subverts political agendas or reigning ideologies.
This article got me thinking, do I use clothing to make a political statement? I know I consciously make statements about my career, age, marital status, and financial income with the way I present myself to others, but what other statements do I make? Am I ever consciously using clothing as a way to resist or challenge something I don’t believe in? No easy answers come to mind other than the somewhat humorous example of A. and I having cross-dressed for a ‘gender bender’ party that certainly had implications beyond just dressing up as the opposite sex and having a good time. While I don’t have an obvious or simple conclusion for this post, I thought it was worth bringing this topic to you if for no other reason than to acquaint you with a really talented photographer and artist. And I more than encourage and welcome your thoughts on the matter. S.
Category: Beltless, Color Combinations, Our Best Flatware, Pants Please, Research Casual, Theoretical
Tags: clothing as resistance > color theory > GDR Chic > photography > scarves > Ute Mahler
February 17th, 2010 § §
Sources:
- Grey Sweater – Banana Republic
- Brown Corduroy Skirt – Old Navy
- Grey Sweater Tights- BR Outlet
- Wellies – Banana Republic
- Floral Scarf – Anthropologie
Endnotes:
First, for the scarf: I bought this scarf with a gift card and it was a deliberate attempt to break outside my comfort zone. This scarf is ruffled and floral and loose and billowy – not terms that usually apply to much of anything in my wardrobe. I
premiered it a couple months ago by belting it over a a cardigan and simple jersey dress. Today I am attempting a new scarf style for me. I have seen many style bloggers wear their scarves this way (
What Would a Nerd Wear for example) and usually like the result. So, when I saw this
how-to video on
Orchid Grey, I knew I had to give it a try.
Now, for the hair. I have written here a couple times about my hair struggles. I have naturally curly hair but rarely like the way it looks curly, despite all of my experiments with various products and various hair dryer adapters. Because my hair is blond and somewhat fine, I have trouble using product – it weighs it down and makes it appear greasy and darker than its natural color. So, I straighten. I have been straightening my hair for years and I really do like the result. I have come to appreciate my short straight blond hair with its natural fullness s one of my best features. But, I do often see curly hair on others (including S. and Sal) and want to give it a try. My sister, L., is in town for a few days and helped me style my hair this way. It took a bit of time, a blow dryer, and a curling iron, but very little product. I loved the result – it felt natural but polished and styled (not just the mop of curls I usually end up with). Unfortunately, I don’t think it is something I could very easily replicate by myself. Next time she is in town, I’ll try to better learn the technique, but for now, it will likely be back to straight tomorrow.
Category: Our Best Flatware, Research Casual, Skirting the Issue
Tags: curly hair > floral > hair > scarf > scarves > wellies
February 14th, 2010 § §
Sources:
- Green Hoodie – J Crew
- Teal Scarf – NY China Town
- Jeans – Gap
- Clogs – Dansko
- Hat – Gap Outlet
Endnotes:
After a full Saturday and another overnight dumping of snow, I needed something simple and cozy for just a trip to the grocery store and back. I often throw on jeans and a hoodie on Sundays but today I took a yet another style clue from S. and tossed
a scarf around my neck and under the hood.
I love this color pairing of bright grass green and teal. It’s an
analogous scheme I find comforting, using two of my favorite colors, but I think it has an unexpected playful quality. While, sometimes a hoodie, jeans, and danskos are all I’ve got in me, the easy addition of a brightly colored scarf is a quick fix for an otherwise blah outfit.
Category: Color Combinations, Our Best Flatware, Pants Please, Research Casual, Weekend Wear
Tags: A. > analogous colors > green > jeans > scarf > scarves
February 5th, 2010 § §
For our first scarf giveaway, we are so excited to get to offer you one of the beautiful scarves from Nepali by TDM Design. We all love the gorgeous designs made by this eco-conscious and socially sustainable company and know you will too.
In addition to giving away this lovely light weight grey and purple stripped Francie Cashmere Scarf, TDM Designs is generously offering our readers a special %20 discount on Nepali Scarves. The discount code is aca20 – happy shopping!
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling us how you would style this scarf. For a second chance to win, visit Nepali by TDM Design and leave us a separate comment telling us which of their scarf lines you like the most. Contest is open until Sunday at Midnight US Central Time. We will randomly chose a winner to announce on Monday. Good luck!
Category: Academichic Product Review, Grants
Tags: giveaway > scarf > scarves
January 31st, 2010 § §
I can’t speak for S. and E., but I have a scarf addiction, its worse than even my bag addiction! I can say that all three of us
love scarves and have rather large collections of scarves in all shapes, sizes, colors, patterns, and material. You will often find us sporting a scarf (or two)
tied around our necks or used
in place of a belt, as
head protection, as
faux-blouse, or as
bag accessorizer. We
belt them,
layer them,
knot them, and
pin them. We probably love scarves as much as
we love belts!
So, we are declaring February “Scarf Month.” We often get questions about how we tie our scarves or how we know when to add a scarf and in what colors. For the next month we will be sharing all of our scarf tips, including great places to buy scarves, how to store your scarves, scarf tying how-tos, scarf DIYs, and a
Fashion 101 on scarf styling. Each Friday in February we will also be doing a scarf giveaway!
Let us know if there is anything in particular you would like to see us address in “Scarf Month” and don’t forget to check back this Friday for our first scarf giveaway!
Category: Spotlight Series, Wardrobe Challenge
Tags: scarf > scarves
January 8th, 2010 § §
Sources:
- Navy Sweater – Gap
- Scarf – Gift (Old Navy)
- Jeans – Gap
- Bracelet – Gift from S.
- Clogs- Dansko
Endnotes:
Yesterday was a snow day! This doesn’t actually mean all that much for me since the university hasn’t started back (they never have snow days anyway), but A2 was off, so we made the most of it. We stayed inside in PJs all morning before getting dressed and heading to an afternoon movie. Afterward, we picked up E., N., and baby e. from the airport – all in all, a good day.
I stayed warm in this new (8$) sweater and one of my many new Christmas-gift scarves!
A while back, in
a post about her own tattoos, Sal asked
Already Pretty readers what about their appearance was theirs alone? Many readers wrote in listing things they wore that might not be considered fashionable but that they love anyway. Right away I thought of my Danskos! I love these shoes! They are so comfortable and I think they are attractive too – I love the way they look with my new jeans. I have worn these for years and years – I had them well before I could even imagine myself in a pair of pointy-toed heels and well before I embraced tucking skinny jeans into boots. Danskos are also one of the many things S. and I quickly bonded over when we first met.
I imagine I will wear these Danskos (or a replacement pair) forever! In Sal’s words: They are all “mine” so “what’s yours?” A.
Category: Our Best Flatware, Pants Please, Weekend Wear
Tags: jeans > pink > scarf > scarves > warm
December 14th, 2009 § §
Sources:
- Olive Sweater – H & M
- Grey Wrap Sweater – NY & Co
- Teal Scarf – NY China Town
- Skinny Jeans – Banana Republic
- Boots – Banana Republic, via DSW
- Belt – BR Outlet
- Earrings – Banana Republic
Endnotes:
I love this outfit! I often think I love an outfit, but then something happens – the belt shifts around, the skirt rides up, the shirt looks bunchy, it photographs horribly, etc. But this outfit I loved when I put it on, loved as I wore it, and love it in the photographs. It is warm and cozy but I think still stylish and elegant in its casualness. I think its slimming. I think it’s playful. I think it’s creative and subtle. I love the mix of charcoal and brown and the mix of olive and teal and the way all these colors came together. I love the addition of the brown bakelite earrings.
It feels strange to so unabashedly write such positive things about my own appearance. Like many of Sal’s readers, I find that I am rather
self-conscious about any form of self-love. It’s so much easier to pick an outfit apart, find its flaws, find your flaws in the way you are wearing it. Posting a picture of yourself everyday is undoubtedly a self-centered act, but for me its often not a self-praising act. As
S. mentioned last week, style blogging can make you feel very self-conscious and vulnerable and I have more than a few outfit posts that make me cringe to see them now. So, when I find myself looking at
one I love, I’m
gunna let you know it!
Category: Color Combinations, Layers Upon Layers, Our Best Flatware, Pants Please, Proportionally, Research Casual, Weekend Wear
Tags: belted > boots > graduate school > green > jeans > scarves
