academichic

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.

9 July 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed except skirt.

• Blue-Violet Top – H & M
• Grey Tank – F21
• Navy Jersey Skirt – Target
• Red Orange Shoes – Old Navy
• Green Necklace – Gift from A2

Endnotes:

I’m going casual-comfy today with layers of jersey and a pair of flats.  However, I am taking my cue form E. and attempting to transform jersey with exciting color play.  The red-orange worn with green and blue make for a split complimentary, or if you count this as red-orange, blue-violet, and yellow-green, I’m sporting a triad!

Both E. and S. have some great jersey skirts in their wardrobe , which I have long coveted.  I have tried on, what feels like, a million jersey skirts over the years but was never able to find one that I was comfortable in.  That is, until I stumbled across this one at Target. I tried a size up and have been wearing it over and over again ever since!  The moral of this story – don’t give up on an item or style just because you have tried on one version. It’s amazing how much a difference size, cut, or fabric can make. Try, try again!

Yesterday a few readers inquired about the shopping habits of the Chics. We promise to share our methodologies and tips for shopping in a Back-To School Shopping post later this summer.  What would you like to know about our shopping habits and strategies? Do you have any great tips to share with us?

Necklace and Nekline, originally uploaded by academichic.

     

16 May 2009 , originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Khaki shirt dress – Target 
• Green tee – H&M 
• Purple cord skirt – AE, remixed 
• Red-orange belt – Gap, remixed 
• Orange gladiators – AE, remixed 
• Wood and leather necklace – AE

Endnotes:

Ever since I thrifted this orange shirt dress a while ago (and realized how wonderfully versatile they are), I’ve been on the look out for another shirt dress in a neutral color to add to my wardrobe. Ideally, I wanted one in navy or black, I’m not really a khaki wearer. But when I found this one for $8 on clearance at Target, I decided that I was willing to compromise. Added persuasion factor: it was the last one left and in my size. It was meant to be.

And the khaki color does make it feel somewhat Safari-ish, which is one of this spring’s looks, so who am I to fight it? I think the wooden and leather  necklace along with the French braid also add to the Safari-ish feel. Although, what I’m more excited about is that I’m wearing a triad (a rare but always fun color combo!).

    

Wood and leather necklace, originally uploaded by academichic.

And while I’m thrilled about my new shirt dress, the triadic color combo of today’s outfit, and the BBQ graduation party I’m going to this afternoon, what’s I’m most thrilled about is that I completed my third and final comprehensive exam and I am done with all of my requirements but my dissertation! I’m not quite ABD* (since I still have to get my dissertation proposal written and approved), but I, along with A., am now ABP! I couldn’t be happier about this! S. 

*ABD = All But Dissertation (and yes, that’s official terminology although it sounds silly).

**ABP = Coined by E. and stands for All But Prospectus, which is where A. and I both are in our academic career right now.

  

16 May 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

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, 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, 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.

    

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.

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.

» Read the rest of this entry «

Course Description:

It’s easy to fall into a rut and wear the same color combinations over and over again. A. and E. have put all of their art-historical training towards creating a useful color wheel of clothing, designed to inspire new color combinations in yours — and our — wardrobes. This is the first of several modules addressing different color combinations and providing examples from our own daily wear. Follow us as we navigate the color wheel and put color theory into practice.

The Color Wheel:

   

Color Wheel of Clothes, originally uploaded by academichic.

According to Wikipedia, a color wheel is:

an organization of color hues around a circle, showing relationships between colors

In this model, red, yellow, and blue are primary colors; orange, green, and violet are secondary colors; and red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet are intermediate colors. Color combinations can be built by using the color wheel to build particular color relationships or color schemes.

Module 1: Complementary Colors and the Two-Thirds Rule

» Read the rest of this entry «