academichic

18 January 2010 – Mod, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress – vintage, thrifted in Munich
• Navy cardi underneath – H&M
• Necklace – Anthropologie
• Watch – Coach, on loan from mom
• Gray wool tights – drug store
• Boots – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

Today I’m wearing this awesome vintage dress that I thrifted over the weekend. I love the Mod look of it and wanted to keep with that ‘theme’ by adding knee boots, a long necklace, and my hair in a high knot. Many of you have asked about thrifting and vintage buying tips when responding to our question of what you would like to see more of in Year Two of Academichic. I am definitely no voice of authority on the subject of vintage, but I do love thrifting. I love that it’s easy on the budget; that it’s a sustainable way of shopping that allows for repurposing and reusing rather than adding to our landfills; and that it’s a great way to score unique pieces that have a bit of a history and mystery to them. Lastly, I also just love the process. For me, the hunt for that treasure is as much fun as the end result itself.

18 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

If you’re someone who doesn’t like to dig or look for that needle in the haystack, than thrifting may be more of a nuisance that a treat for you. But if you similarly enjoy the hunt, then hit up those flea markets, thrift stores, or consignment shops in your area. When buying used and deeply discounted, I am far more likely to try on things outside of my usual ‘look’, as was the case with this Mod dress. Because I’m more likely to impulse buy and end up with things that I won’t need or wear, I ask myself the ultimate test question:

Do I love this so much that I would wear it out of the store right now if I could?

This usually helps me keep my thrifting in check and my purchasing to a reasonable amount. We would love to keep discussing this topic with you in future posts and we would love to hear from you what it is that you’d like to address in terms of thrift store shopping or vintage buying (the latter being something we’re relatively inexperienced in). Leave us a comment with either your tips or your questions on this topic, we look forward to hearing from you! S.

18 January 2010 – Mod, originally uploaded by academichic.

1 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Vintage shift dress – was my grandmother’s
• Black shirt dress – H&M
• Brown belt – F21
• Purple tights – grocery store
• Boots – thrifted in Romania

Endnotes:

I found this vintage shift dress in my grandmother’s closet and since she no longer wears it, I claimed it for myself. She’s had this dress for longer than she can remember and I have faint memories of her wearing it from when I was little. I never paid much attention to it before, but seeing it now, I kind of fell in love with it. It’s got a great boat neck cut, white gum drop buttons that run down the entire left side of it, and Asian inspired artwork that runs along the hemline of it.

Dress layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

Admittedly, the teal, lime, and orange color scheme is a little loud and a little intimidating, but the details and cut make it so fabulous that I’m sure to wear it by itself come summer. For now, I mitigated some of its brightness by layering it under my black shirt dress and adding other neutrals such as a dark brown belt and dark brown boots. This entire ensemble is a somewhat strange conglomeration of disparate items, but over all I think it works. It feels quirky and fun and that’s not a bad way to start of the year, right? How would you wear this vintage shift dress, what would you pair it with? Do inspire me! S.

1 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

24 September 2009 – Paying Dress-Up, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Dress and Bolero – from my grandmother’s closet
• Shoes – my often remixed Report wedges

Endnotes:

Some of my favorite activities at my grandparents’ house include looking at old photographs and raiding their closets for abandoned treasures and vintage finds. The former we spent hours doing the other day, while the latter resulted in this fabulous find I’m wearing here. This was my grandmother’s one formal dress, which she wore to several weddings and special occasions starting in the late 1970s. It’s a handmade fuschia gown that she had custom made to fit her along with this matching purple and black bolero. Small rhinestones adorn both the dress and the bolero’s clasp, giving it an extra touch of festivity (Unfortunately, I don’t have a scanner at my disposal, so I can’t share the photos of my grandmother in this dress. You’ll just have to take my word for it that she looked stunning).

I have always thought this dress beautiful in pictures, but this was the first time I tried it on. My grandmother, now 82, could not have been more thrilled to see me take interest in it and most graciously offered it to me to keep. While I may not have any occasion for it anytime soon, I am touched to own it and have certain visions for this dress in the future. Meanwhile, I am in love with this unique bolero and would like to incorporate it into my wardrobe sooner. I would wear it for an elegant evening out to a concert or to the opera – I’m just not sure how to wear it.

What would you do to make this 30 year old bolero contemporary for a night out? How would you style it so that it looks sophisticated and stylish rather than costumey? Please advise! Thank you! S.