11 August 2009

Posted on | August 11, 2009 | 12 Comments

11 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Endnotes:

For this week’s color review, we’re experimenting with triads (as E. did today) and analogous colors. When it comes to analogous pairings, A. is the queen of greens and blues. I’m usually more drawn to the warmer color combos, like purple and red or red and orange. Today I’m meeting A. half way and combining purple with blue – a neither cool nor warm color mix that creates a beautifully balanced result.

As for the shoes, I’m going to join E. in raving about my new pointy flats although they’re no superb yellow snakeskin like hers but still pretty cool in their own rights. I had been wanting to add another patterned flat to my collection since I practically lived in my black and white damask ones this spring. I was also repeatedly inspired by E’s use of her patterned flats to spruce up many an outfit during her pregnancy when she felt like her shrinking wardrobe was becoming an increasing style challenge. Her patterned flats were not only comfortable but also gave her looks that pop of visual interest that she could not always count on from her clothes. Well, lesson learned: patterned flats is where it’s at.

And on a technical ‘cycle chic’ side note: I discovered today that it’s not very easy to hop on a bike when wearing a pencil skirt. Pencil skirts do not exactly allow for much hopping or peddling. This one allowed for more movement once I undid the bottom button, but I think in the future I may have to avoid narrow cut skirts for my bike commute. Fellow bike commuters, any tips or thoughts? S.

11 August 2009 – Tricky Triad

Posted on | August 11, 2009 | 12 Comments

11 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Pink top: BR Outlet
• Navy skirt: Old Navy
• Yellow snakeskin flats: SE Boutique, via DSW

End Notes:

Last time around when we experimented with triadic color schemes, S. and I both tried our hand at the Piet Mondrian-esque triad of red, yellow, and blue. S. boldly incorporated all three colors on top while I let my pattern do some of the mixing for me.

This time, I’m taking a slightly different approach, using shades of red and blue rather than the “full strength” version. This deep pink top stands in for red, and navy (which also serves as a handy neutral) stands in for crayon box blue. Paired with a bright yellow shoe, the look is definitely still full of punch without veering into grade school territory.

SE Boutique Yellow Snakeskin Flats, originally uploaded by academichic.

And can we talk about these shoes? I realize they may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I am in love. I’m in a wedding at the end of this month that requires yellow shoes, and I’m tickled that I managed to find a pair of flats dressy enough for the occasion and versatile enough that I can wear them with more casual looks too. Admittedly they’re not the shoe I would normally pair with this outfit, but I think they add an unexpected exclamation point. Pun intended.

11 August 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Fashion 101: Color Review Session 3

Posted on | August 9, 2009 | 7 Comments

When we first explored the color wheel and experimented with various color combinations, we found it to be extremely helpful in lending us new eyes with which to see our wardrobes. This was so useful the first time around, that we decided to revisit the color modules and to challenge ourselves to a review session using our summer wardrobes. In our first review session we reexamined Neutrals and Neutrals with a Pop, and for the second review session, we tackled Complementary Colors and the Two-Thirds Rule.

This week we will review Triads and Analogous Colors. To read more about this color mix lesson, click here…

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30 July 2009

Posted on | July 30, 2009 | 5 Comments

30 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Purple cardi – H&M, remixed
• Black jersey top – thrifted, remixed
• Green tote – Kenneth Cole Reaction, remixed
• Khaki shorts – Old Navy
• Green loafers – Anne Klein, remixed

Endnotes:

This week we’re exploring Complimentary Colors and the Two-Thirds Rule. One of my favorite two-thirds of a triad is purple and green (of the orange-purple-green triad). I wear it in many incarnations, be it in small doses or large color blocks:

28 July 2009

Posted on | July 28, 2009 | 7 Comments

28 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Lace trimmed cami – BCBG, remixed
• Drop waist tank – ON, remixed
• Skirt – Calvin Klein, remixed
• Red espadrilles – BR Outlet, remixed
• Red cardi – thrifted, remixed

Endnotes:

This week we’re reviewing Complementary Colors and the Two-Thirds Rule. For today’s outfit, I chose to mix red and blue, which make 2/3 of a red-blue-and-yellow triad. While I find red and blue to look fresh and summery together, I have a hard time adding that extra bit of yellow to make it a triad. So it suits me just fine that we’re only working with 2/3rds of triads this week.

Red and blue have always struck me as crisp and summery when paired together, especially when added to a good dose of white. Perhaps it’s the allusion to marine colors or the French flag that makes me really fond of this color mix. It makes me think of the French Riviera, the ocean, sailboats and seagulls. So donning this color combo today was guaranteed to put me in a good mood and excited for my evening plans.

For an added bit of glam, I chose this skirt for its sequined hemline and my red espadrilles that give me a few extra inches of height. Were I someone who could pull off red lipstick, this would be just the outfit for it. But alas, I’m not that glamorous, so chapstick it is. Nevertheless, I’m off to toast the town…

Bonne soirée, mes amis! S.

Color Symposium: The Color Modules put into Practice by You

Posted on | March 23, 2009 | 4 Comments

A couple weeks back we asked readers to submit examples of outfits they created using the Fashion 101 color modules. We received some great submissions and have definitely been inspired by all of your great color combinations!

Here are some of our favorites:

Kayla paired a bright pink henley with a more subdued blue cardigan for a great Two-Thirds ensemble. We love it with the plaid pants!

Another great Two-Thirds look came from the lovely Bella with her mix of bright green with purple. Once again we were quite inspired by the addition of a pattern to this color combination.

Our favorite monochromatic ensemble comes from Jess, who kept it simple and elegant in shades of grey. Plus we are all impressed that she designed and made this great dress herself!

Last, but certainly not least, Courtney put together a fantastic “neutrals with a pop” look. She paired this lovely orangey-red with shades of black and brown as part of her “Farewell to Winter Tour.”

Thanks again for all the great submissions. We had so much fun seeing how all of you have been experimenting with color and found ourselves truly inspired!

Check back soon for the next CFP on playing with pattern!

19 March 2009

Posted on | March 19, 2009 | 5 Comments

      

19 March 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Blue and white striped top – Banana Republic 
• Red cardi – thrifted 
• Blue skinny belt – Banana Republic, remixed 
• Black and white striped skirt – Talbots, remixed 
• Yellow pumps – Gianni Bini, remixed 
• Bird brooch – Etsy, remixed 
• Mug – Anthropologie

Endnotes:

Earlier this week, when I wore this, a professor of mine saw me and exclaimed: “You’re looking spring-y!”. I was a bit baffled since an all-black outfit does little to suggest spring to me. Today’s look, however, is all about waving spring over. This outfit is screaming “I’m ready for spring”, which I more than am. 

I’m still working on our Pattern Mixing module and have mixed patterns by wearing a striped skirt with a striped top together; a combination I would have never paired before our module. But since both are of thin stripes and soft colors, I love the effect that putting them together has achieved.

Pattern mixing, originally uploaded by academichic.   

I also realized that I have unintentionally created a triadic color scheme as well, which explains why the shoes, belt, and cardi all play so well off each other. To really drive the spring look home, I added this bird brooch I recently bought on Etsy, and now I’m all but ready to frolic around campus, inviting small birds to perch on my shoulders and deer to feed from my palm. Or something to that effect… S.

   

19 March 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

20 February 2009 – Triad with dog

Posted on | February 20, 2009 | 1 Comment

     

20 February 2009 – Triad with dog, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Green scarf – H&M, remixed
• Grey fleece hoodie – TJMaxx 
• Navy tee – free from race 
• Purple trouser jeans – American Eagle 
• Clogs – Dansko 
• Book – Sir Gawein and the Green Knight 
• Dog – Indie 

Endnotes:

I know this is cheating our Fashion 101 module, but it’s Friday and I’ve been cooped up indoors studying most of the day.  So here’s what I have to offer as my triad – purple pants, green scarf, and orange highlighter. I know the highlighter is not really a part of my outfit, but since I have been carrying it around as an extension of myself today, I’m deciding that it counts. I know, a lame outfit to end the week, but I think E. more than makes up for it with her cute ensemble today. Have a great weekend, everyone! -S.

    

20 February 2009 – Triad with [sitting] dog, originally uploaded by academichic.

16 February 2009 – Triad Love: Blue, Yellow, Red

Posted on | February 16, 2009 | 3 Comments

    

Triad – Blue, Yellow, Red, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources: 

• Yellow top – thrifted 
• Blue cardigan – H&M 
• Red belt – Gap 
• Black Jeans – DKNY, thrifted, remixed 
• Black flats – Clarks, remixed

Endnotes:

Like E.,  I felt a little experimental trying to create a triadic outfit for this week’s Fashion 101 module.  I kept pulling our different red, yellow, and blue pieces out of my closet but all the combinations just made me feel like a walking version of the Romanian flag. I am Romanian, but my patriotism only goes so far. Finally, I did come across this combination and actually felt very pleased with it. I love how the triadic combination does make all three colors pop equally against each other, but by keeping the red to a minimum with just the belt, I feel less like a walking advertisement for my native country and more like a graduate student. -S.

Fashion 101: How to Combine Colors: Triads and Analogous Colors

Posted on | February 15, 2009 | 33 Comments

Module 3: Triads and Analogous Colors

After a week of soft yet rich neutrals, we’re ready to bring a little more color into our wardrobes. Week 3 of our Fashion 101 on Colors has a two-fold focus: triads and analogous colors. While the latter is a phenomenon found frequently in our ensembles, the prior will perhaps present the most difficult challenge yet.

Triads:

Triads are hues that are equidistant on the color wheel. They can create a colorful and bold mix, but can also threaten to compete with each other for attention. Examples include blue, red, and yellow or orange, green, and purple. Of course, creating a triad with fully saturated, bright hues is often a formula for looking like a German Expressionist painting. Triads comprised of tertiary or intermediate colors, however, can be more subtle but still interesting. Examples would include: blue-violet, yellow-green, and red-orange or red-violet, yellow-orange, and blue-green.

Triads, originally uploaded by academichic.

Thus far, only S. has worn what qualifies as the closest to a triad outfit, by combining purple, green, and red-orange. Clearly, we are going to have to push our color-mixing tendencies this week to dabble in triad territory.

Analogous colors:

Unlike complementary colors or triads, analogous colors are not found far apart from each other on the color wheel. These colors are neighbors and play subtly off each other. While a blue and green scheme may seem like a natural choice, other analogous combinations — such as red and orange — may not be as obvious. If we include the tertiary or intermediate hues in the color wheel, an analogous scheme could also pair violet with red-violet or yellow with yellow-orange. Too close for comfort? We’ll find out.

Red and Orange, originally uploaded by academichic.

Analogous Colors – Blue, Blue-Green, and Green, originally uploaded by academichic.

A. and E. tend to wear analogous colors in the cool blue-green families, while S. gravitates to the warm families of red and violet.

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Three feminist PhD candidates at a Midwest university, on a crusade against the ill-fitting polyester suit of academic yore.

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