academichic

Sources:

• Sweater Dress: Banana Republic Factory
• Belt: Anthropologie
• Tights: Italy
• Shoes: BR
• Blazer: Anne Taylor Loft
• Scarf: thrifted
• Bracelet: Accessorize

Endnotes:
I’ve been on the hunt lately for dresses because life is so much easier when I can just match tights, belt, shoes and dress rather than several layers of separates. Basically, it’s the end of January and I’m feeling lazy! I scored this sweater dress (very similar to E.’s great burgundy dress) at the BR factory outlet recently and was trilled that it was on sale. I was a little worried that it was a tad short for teaching, but like E. said with her new yellow skirt, I decided that with tights it was fine. Even as a petite woman I’ve been finding it really hard lately to find dresses or skirts (that aren’t pencil skirts) that come to an inch or two above my knee rather than three or four inches above my knee. Is anyone else having that problem? I thought I’d treat maroon as a neutral and pair it with navy blue and brown (a combination with which E. has also dabbled). I added the blazer because it’s still freezing out.

This scarf is something that I thrifted when I was 5. Yes, you read that correctly. I remember going to the church fair with my grandmother and picking this one out specifically because of the gold details and the brilliant blue and orange. I guess it was only a matter of time before a few of my friends asked me to join their style blog (wink wink). The combination of the diamond patterned tights and the more scrolling floral motif of the scarf also counts towards my new quest to mix patterns!

It has languished in my dress-up box since I was about 10, but I recently was digging through the attic at home and salvaged a few items (including this costume jewelry pin) from my treasure trove. What items do you still have in your wardrobe from when you were a kid?

~L.

Golden Girl, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Scarf: Chinatown, gift from SIL
• Top: Banana Republic Factory
• Skirt: Anthropologie, gift from sweet friend!
• Navy tights: Banana Republic Factory
• Boots: Steve Madden Iriss, via eBay

End Notes:

Guess what I got from Christmas as a joint gift from a sweet friend and my mother-in-law? Yup, the Field Skirt from Anthropologie…in gold! Many of you suggested this skirt when I was dreaming of winter-weight full skirts in December, and I have to say, you were right. This skirt is a great color, it has pockets, and it’s very easy to wear. It’s a little shorter than I usually wear my full skirts, but I think with the tights and boots it all works together and is still classroom appropriate.

I gravitated back to one of my favorite color combinations here: mustard with navy, green, and touches of cognac leather. I love how the patterning in the scarf seems even richer against the navy and gold. It’s a delicious palette for a chilly day and a little splash of color in the midst of all this snow!

I still have lots of ideas for wearing this skirt, so you’ll surely be seeing some remixing in the near future!

Sources:

• Cape – F21
• Mustard yellow top – free from swap
• Jean skirt – Urban Outfitters
• Striped tights – Anthropologie
• Boots – Dillards
• Faux vintage locket – thrifted

Endnotes:

First of, thank you all for your many wonderful comments on my last two posts! It’s been so nice to not just get the many maternity style tips from you, but also the candid and thoughtful comments on what it’s been like to balance pregnancy, motherhood, and academia (or a professional life in general) for many of you. I’m really grateful for this space where I can continue to reflect on these topics in the coming months and where I know I can rely on a community of intelligent and strong-minded readers to engage in discussion with me about these things. So thank you!

On to the outfit: I decided to make this jean skirt last a little longer by employing the elastic band trick to loosen the waistline. I tried this trick with jeans but I really don’t like the feeling of my zipper being down. It’s not as bad with this skirt though, since the distance to the next lowest button isn’t too large…

And to make sure that I could safely raise my hands while pointing to the overhead screen in class without flashing my students my belly and gaping skirt waist, I layered this longer sweater cape over a long sleeved tee. I then played off the mustard yellow and navy color combo of the tops with the addition of navy and yellow striped tights and gold based jewelry.

We’ll see how much longer I can pull off this skirt this way. I have added a denim pencil skirt to my maternity wish list but am having trouble locating one I like so far. Maybe I can get really crafty, find a regular one at a thrift store, and convert it to a maternity item myself à la this tutorial submitted by reader Sarah. Also note that Sarah used a bella band rather than a t-shirt to make the waist panel on her jeans – what a clever idea!

Please keep sending those maternity clothes DIYs and tutorials my way, I plan on putting them all together into a bibliography to share on the site with you. Thank you! -S.

19 January 2010 – Back to School, originally uploaded by academichic.

• Blue Button Down – J Crew
• Orange Skirt – J Crew
• Belt – Anthropologie
• Tweed Tights – Gap
• Shoes – Urban Outfitters
• Earrings – gift

Endnotes:

Yesterday was my first day of teaching for the Spring semester.  I loved my first day of school outfit from last Spring semester (so much so, I included it in my top ten list).  So, I decided to use some of the elements form that look to create something new.  I pulled out my bright orange wool skirt and tweed tights to start.  I wanted to keep the bold complimentary color pairing of orange and blue and retain some of the classic prep look the crew neck cardigan gave the original.

Inspired by another of my top ten picks, I decided to belt my tuxedo-front blue button down.  The central items in this ensemble are fairly “safe”  but the bright colors, particularly this combination of bright colors gave the outfit more personality.

This time around I decided to take that personality and run with it…

Anthropologie Belt, originally uploaded by academichic.

Instead of a simple brown leather belt, I opted for this blue cloth belt with its sparkly leaf pattern (a Christmas gift from my mom).  I also sported my fantastically strange eye earrings (a long-ago gift from a favorite TA supervisor).  I love these earrings because from far away they are just brown dangly earrings, but as someone approaches they see the little surrealist eyes staring at them.  The first time I wore these earrings in a professional setting was at the College Art Association conference several yeas ago.  I got a good mix of strange looks and gushing compliments.  I now often use them as a subtle way to make an otherwise bland professional outfit my own and can imagine wearing them with my interview suit (I’ll be applying to teach contemporary art after all).

Eye Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

This outfit was of course far from bland professional even with out the eye earrings.  On my short walk from my off-campus parking spot to the building where I teach I passed three former students and I got to thinking about how long I have been a TA (this is my 8th semester at my current university and my 14th all together) and it occurred to me that this may possibly be my last!  My funding is still very much undetermined, but it is a feasible possibility that I might finish my degree with grant money and never TA again!  This got me reflecting on my outfit.  Would I have worn bright orange and blue, a sparkly belt, eye earrings and my wellies (I wore them to walk to campus and never managed to put the pumps back on) for the first day of my first semester as a TA?  Probably not.  There are many reasons for that, including an evolving personal style, a growing level of confidence in my personal appearance, among other things, but it also has to do with my confidence in myself as a teacher.  I know I am a good teacher and so I worry less about what exactly my clothes are saying to my students.

Have you had similar experiences?  Once you are more confident in your job do you find yourself being more bold in your style choices?

29 of 30, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Blue Ruffle Top – Banana Republic Factory Store
• Grey Skirt – Banana Republic
• Navy Tights – Target
• Flannel Pumps – Urban Outfitters
• Necklace – gift from Mom

Endnotes:

Finally!  I’ve finished posting my 30 for 30 challenge (you can check out all 30 of my looks by clicking on the “30 for 30 by A.” tag below).  I really enjoyed this little experiment, even if it did take me twice as long as I had planned.  That seems to be the way things most of my life plans go (eh em… dissertation). But, it’s done now and I am quite happy with most of my looks.  I think I will save the recap for another time.

For outfit #29 I combined the my workhorse skirt, which I surprisingly only wore for 3 out of 30 outfits, and my ruffly patterned top.  I included this top in my 30 items because it was new and I was worried about working it into my regular clothing rotation.  The challenge helped show me it’s versatility and now I can’t wait to mix it in with the rest of my closet.

29 of 30, originally uploaded by academichic.

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30 of 30, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Striped Sweater Dress (worn as top) – Old Navy
• Wool Plaid Blazer – Gap
• Striped Skirt – Gap
• Tweed Belt – New York & Co
• Navy Tights – Target
• Flannel Pumps – Urban Outfitters
• Earrings – gift from professor

For my final remix I tried a little bit of everything! I wore an item purchased just before the challenge started (the sweater dress) and an old standby (striped skirt).  I picked and item repeated over and over in the challenge (flannel pumps) and one worn only once before (the plaid blazer).  I mixed my neutrals and my pattens (wide stripes, pin stripes, tweed, and plaid).  I also wore a dress as a top.  I like the richness of the textures and colors and the playfulness of the silhouette and pattern mix.  All and all I think it’s a good way to end this little style experiment.  Now I can move on to outfits featuring some Christmas gifts!

Thanks for sticking with me and for having a little patience as I slowly plucked away at my 30 for 30!

29 December – TDM Milli Zebra Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Shirt: Banana Republic
• Pencil Skirt: BR
• Scarf: Napali by TDM Designs
• Belt: American Apparel
• Stockings (under): Calvin Klein
• Fishnets: Gucci
• Boots: vintage Charles David

Endnotes:
Hi all! Like E. said, I’ve also been home relaxing and enjoying time with family and friends (and fighting off a string of illnesses as well, unfortunately). I’ve mostly been sporting a variety of jeans and sweaters, and now that New England is covered in over a foot of snow, I’ve only ventured out in serious boots and a down jacket! However, I did manage to get out for an evening Boxing Day party on Sunday (I’m half Canadian, so part of my family celebrates the feast day of St. Stephen as well as Christmas). I knew I wanted to wear this infinity scarf by Napali by TDM Designs looped around my neck because the cashmere is light as a feather and soft as silk. The fun zebra print (which is actually brown) and the golden background are two features I do not usually embrace in my wardrobe, but I’m trying to give both prints and yellow a shot and this outfit worked well for me.

29 December – Scarf as Wrap, originally uploaded by academichic.

Because the infinity scarf is so wide — 22 inches — I also tried this as a shrug of sorts and decided to use my sparkly yellow pin as a clasp. Although much more subtle than the top of my outfit I also chose a purple belt and fishnets to layer over stockings to bring in some complementary colors and liven things up. The boots were a must due to weather as well as warmth. That’s all for now. Check back later this week for a potential New Years Eve outfit!

29 December – Scarf as Wrap back, originally uploaded by academichic.

(Full Disclosure: I arranged this outfit while still on campus during my end of term photo shoot, hence the wooded background!)

On the Move, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Scarf: gift from SIL, Chinatown
• Cardigan: Old Navy
• Tank: Old Navy
• Belt: thrifted
• Skirt: Banana Republic Factory
• Tights: Hue
• Shoes: Mia from DSW

On baby e.:

• Cardigan: Anthropologie, gift from a sweet friend
• Pants: Target
• Shoes: Target

End Notes:

All of the chics are still off enjoying time with family, but I thought I’d check in briefly to let you all know that I’ve enjoyed looking at your outfit suggestions created from my limited packing list and they’ve helped to keep me clothed in non-boring outfits since we’ve been in Houston! Thanks!

My days have been filled with cooking (and eating) delicious food, playing “telephone pictionary,” laughing and telling stories, and watching baby e. learn how to slide backwards down carpeted stairs. We’ll be back in the swing of things soon. In the meantime, I hope that many of you have been able to spend equally delightful time with those you love.

In Which I Resemble a Christmas Ornament, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Sweater: Forever 21
• Earrings: gift from Philippines
• Belt: Target
• Skirt: refashioned from a Wet Seal dress
• Tights: costume store
• Wedges: MIA via DSW

End Notes:

I actually did go to a party with professors this weekend! But after already photographing some holiday party looks, the shine had worn off a bit, leaving me looking through my closet for an outfit that assimilated my favorite parts of all three theoretical looks.

This resulting outfit brings together a full skirt, a bright tight, and a fun shoe into one festive package. I probably should have added more accessories besides little earrings, but since I knew I would be spending part of the night chasing baby e. around, I decided to take a more minimal approach and let my tights bring the bulk of the holiday cheer.

Lest you think me so brave for wearing these tights to a department party, let me assure you that I had to give myself a pep talk before hand: “Self, you have met every department expectation this year. Tonight you show them that you are your own woman.”

I don’t know if that’s exactly the message that got across. I received a lot of, “Oh, how festive!” comments, and as I was leaving the party one professor told me that I looked like a Christmas ornament in my “wonderful skirt and amazing shoes and those red socks.” I’m just going to take that as: you look like you’re celebrating.

And I was.

In Which I Resemble a Christmas Ornament, originally uploaded by academichic.

Red Ruffles, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Sweater: Elizabeth
• Scarf: thrifted
• Belt: J. Crew
• Skirt: J. Crew
• Tights: Kensie via Filene’s Basement
• Shoes: Tahari via Endless.com

Endnotes:
Another day of ruffles for me! I’ve had this sweater since college and haven’t worn it much because the ruffle always made me feel a little clown-ish. However, now that ruffles are all over the place I thought it deserved another try. Adding the volume of the scarf helped to offset the edging around the v-neck, which also made me feel a little more secure.

Red Ruffles and Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

The skirt is classic J. Crew and I’m not usually a fan of lighter colored shoes with tights, but for some reason my beige wedges were calling to me after I’d put on these delicious ribbed sweater tights (made of bamboo fiber!).

Tights and Scarf, originally uploaded by academichic.

I wasn’t sure what to do about making a waist for myself since the skirt sat pretty low, but had button details and tabs around the band. I didn’t want to tuck in my sweater, so I decided that the sweater could cover up the top of the skirt and I’d belt higher up in my silhouette to lengthen my legs and cut some of the bulk from my looser sweater. I took this inspiration from S. who did a great post in the Spring of 2009 about proportions and creating a waist using a skinny belt.

Red Ruffles, originally uploaded by academichic.

How do you create a waist when wearing a bulky or non-fitted sweater? ~ L.

Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Top: BCBG, thrifted
• Skirt: Gap, inherited from SIL
• Belt: tie from a jersey dress
• Red tights: costume store
• Lace tights: Target
• Booties: Steve Madden Ollie

End Notes:

Today was the last day of classes this semester, so I figured that I might as well leave my students with a striking final impression: the TA who wears crazy tights.

I don’t really know if I’ve ever had so many people talk to me about my outfit. When I first arrived on campus, a colleague stopped in his tracks and proclaimed his love of my tights. Although another colleague rolled her eyes at me, several others colleagues and undergrads had immediate and positive reactions. At a late afternoon haircut appointment, my hairdresser couldn’t stop talking about them and kept pointing them out to anyone who popped into his shop. And, judging from the head-whipping, I think I might have unnerved the construction workers as I whizzed past on my bike, a blur of red, black lace, and camel wool.

I am by nature an introvert, and I grew up in a culture that placed a stronger emphasis on communal rather than individual identity. As I’ve grown into my own skin — as a woman, wife, mother, and scholar — I’ve found that using my wardrobe as a means of creative expression is also a deeply personal means of overcoming my fears of what other people will think. These tights are a big deal. To me, it felt like I was walking around with a blinking sign above my head that read, “E HAS ENTERED THE ROOM.” But you know what? I think I held my own, and I’m already planning another outfit around this layered tights combination. Bam.