academichic

Sources:

• Tank: Banana Republic
• Skirt: Gap Outlet
• Scarf: Filene’s Basement
• Shoes: Tahari via endless.com
• Necklace: Accessorize

Sources (below):

• Tank: Splendid via Filene’s Basement
• Dress: Hourglass via Marshall’s
• Shoes: Gap Outlet
• Necklace: made by me

Endnotes:
By now most of you probably have read that the chics of Academichic are closing up shop at the end of this month. While I’m certainly sad to see this project end, I’d like to echo S.’s words today and THANK YOU all for your comments (both kind and critical) as these have pushed me to think far beyond my wardrobe into more theoretical questions of femininity, feminism, gender, ethnicity, economics, politics, and culture. Like S. said, we’ll each have longer wrap-up posts to get into our favorite discussions and wardrobe decisions, so I’ll hold off on waxing poetic for this post!

I thought it was appropriate that one of my last posts is very reminiscent of my first post – nothing beats a swirly skirt and light tank in the summer heat! However, one thing that makes a swirly jersey skirt even better is one that can be both a skirt AND a dress. I nabbed this at the Gap Outlet clearance section in June and have been experimenting with it ever since. Around the same time I picked up the blue dress in the images below and have been remixing that into a skirt. I was totally inspired by A.’s recent post about turning a strapless summer dress into a shirtdress, and you guys know how much I love “convertible season.” So here are two ideas that I’ve come up with so far for this skirt as a dress: trying a scarf/sash around the top OR using a scarf to give a little more coverage over the shoulders.

For the blue strapless dress I wore it a few times alone, but one day didn’t feel like being so bare up top and opted for a tank underneath. By pulling the dress (now a skirt) up right below my chest I made a kind of empire waisted dress that fell just below my knee. While I’m not sure that the length is very flattering on me, I know that mid-length skirts are “in” and it is very comfy this way.

Finally, I wanted to show off one of my favorite pieces of jewelry, which dresses up any outfit. My sister brought these small “evil eyes” back to me from Turkey and I love how they look all together (pun intended). I also strung one on the back so I have an “eye in the back of my head” so to speak.

What are your best convertible pieces? How do you style a dress as skirt or vice versa?

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.

Layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

Belted pencil, originally uploaded by academichic.

1 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

• 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.

22 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

• Teal Tank – BR Outlet
• Maroon Belt – Target
• Brown Pinstripe Skirt - Gap
• Brown Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction via DSW
• Necklace – Gift (lone earring on chain)
• Amber Earrings – Gift

Endnotes:

Today’s ensemble was completely inspired by E’s outfit a few weeks ago, in which she hiked a full skirt up and belted it higher than usual.  I love this full skirt but have always found the length a bit awkward – wearing it higher on my waist makes it the perfect length and adds to the fullness. I loved the vintage feel of this totally mall-store created look.  I felt great walking around camps in this skirt today!

After class and a couple meetings I met E. for a quick thrifiting trip.  After her great finds a few months ago, I was more than happy to join her today. I love thrifting with E. for several reasons:  she has way more patience for sifting through the endless racks of polyester to find the needle in the haystack; she knows my style so just picks things off the rack for me; we are close in size and body type but not the same, so when something is a little big in the hips for her, she can pass it off to me.  Basically, I just keep her company while she shops for both of us! Today she found me three great finds which I will premier when the weather is right and some alterations are made.

Are you a good thrifter or do you lack the patience like I do?  Any thrifiting tips?    A.

22 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

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, originally uploaded by academichic.

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.

28 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Polo – J Crew
• Denim Pencil Skirt – Gap, endlessly remixed
• Pink Tank – Gap
• Green Flats – Banana Republic, remixed almost as much as the skirt
• Bracelet – Faces Green Necklace

Endnotes:

When I sported a white polo for a little golf outing a few weeks back,  reader Jessica asked how I might style a polo off the course.  Well, here you have it.   This J Crew polo is much softer than the average polo and feels more like a worn-in tee-shirt.  I love the detail of the little pocket and extra buttons.  I also love the color of this top – a pinky peachy almost coral.  I think on the color wheel, it falls closest to pink (a shade of red) thus making its compliment green.

Red(ish) and Green, originally uploaded by academichic.

I wore a similar outfit when we explored complimentary colors back in February. Using the same necklace as my pop of green, this time I have wrapped it around my wrist several times to create an oversized bracelet.   I loved S.’s big blocks of bright color yesterday and promise to give that approach a try at some point this week, but for now am easing into color mixing by grounding my look with a neutral base in the denim skirt.