academichic

• Striped Cardigan – J Crew
• Plaid Shirt – Gap
• Skirt – Old Navy
• Grey Tights – BR Outlet
• Wellies – Banana Republic
• Belt – Thrifted
• Earrings – Gift

I was inspired by S.’s pattern mixing from yesterday to do a little of my own.  I don’t own many patterned cardigans (mostly stripes) so I started with the cardigan and then went to my closet full of patterned plaid, striped, and floral button downs.  I tend to be a bit more timid with my pattern mixing that either S. or E. so I stuck with a simple color palette of grey black and bright blue.  I love the subtle small stripes against the bold large buffalo plaid.

Reader Kaite asked for advice on layering a cardigan over a button down.  I have sported this look many times so I thought I would share some of my observations.

For today’s outfit, I chose a long loose cardigan and left it un-buttoned; buttoned-up it created to many lumps.  I added the belt under the cardigan to remind you of the waist under all the loose layers.

The easiest cardigan/button-down combination is a sturdy cardigan layered over a close-fitting sleeveless button-down.  I often wear my sleeveless white button-down under a variety of layers, including cardigans.  Similarly, a sturdy sleeveless cardigan (sweater vest) will work well over a long sleeve button-down, this avoids arm lumps.

I have found that two types of cardigans work well for layering. First, larger cardigans that flow away from the body won’t look ton bulky, because you will be able to see that the bulk clearly comes from the cardigan and not your body.  Today is a good example of this – of course when in doubt, belt!

Second, a sturdy material or a tightly woven sweater will work much better than cardigans that hold less of a shape.  When the cardigan is thick and sturdy you can smooth out any lumps underneath.  Whit these sweaters, you can belt over all of you layers, as I did with my argyle and light pink cardigans below.  If the cardigan is less sturdy, leave it unbuttoned so that it floats away from the button-down, as I did with the black cardigan above and the purple one below.

As with everything, try different combinations on!  A cardigan might work really well over some button-downs but not at all over others.  Try belting both over and under the cardigan and try it out both buttoned and un-bottoned. If you really want to layer a cardigan over a button down and can’t seem to get rid of the bumps, you can always but a tight fighting cami in between the button down and cardigan to smooth everything out.

Do you have any tips you can share?  A.

• Grey Sweater – Banana Republic
• Brown Corduroy Skirt – Old Navy
• Grey Sweater Tights- BR Outlet
• Wellies – Banana Republic
• Floral Scarf – Anthropologie

First, for the scarf:  I bought this scarf with a gift card and it was a deliberate attempt to break outside my comfort zone.  This scarf is ruffled and floral and loose and billowy – not terms that usually apply to much of anything in my wardrobe.  I premiered it a couple months ago by belting it over a a cardigan and simple jersey dress.  Today I am attempting a new scarf style for me.  I have seen many style bloggers wear their scarves this way (What Would a Nerd Wear for example) and usually like the result.  So, when I saw this how-to video on Orchid Grey, I knew I had to give it a try.

Now, for the hair.  I have written here a couple times about my hair struggles.  I have naturally curly hair but rarely like the way it looks curly, despite all of my experiments with various products and various hair dryer adapters.  Because my hair is blond and somewhat fine, I have trouble using product – it weighs it down and makes it appear greasy and darker than its natural color.  So, I straighten.  I have been straightening my hair for years and I really do like the result.  I have come to appreciate my short straight blond hair with its natural fullness s one of my best features.  But,  I do often see curly hair on others (including S. and Sal) and want to give it a try.  My sister, L., is in town for a few days and helped me style my hair this way.  It took a bit of time, a blow dryer, and a  curling iron, but very little product.  I loved the result – it felt natural but polished and styled (not just the mop of curls I usually end up with).  Unfortunately, I don’t think it is something I could very easily replicate by myself.  Next time she is in town, I’ll try to better learn the technique, but for now, it will likely be back to straight tomorrow.

• Purple “Neck Scape”- BabyEtte on Etsy
• Black Cardigan – BR Outlet
• Skirt – Hand-me-down from friend
• Belt – F21
• Purple Tights – BR Outlet
• Wellies – Banana Republic
• Earrings – American Eagle

BabyEtte over on Etsy sent us a few of these incredible “Neck Scapes.” I have to be honest – when I first put these layers of jersey around my neck this morning, I was skeptical.  It took me a few minutes to figure out how to wear it, how many times to wrap it around my neck, how it should lay, and what I should wear with it, but after a few sweater/shirt changes and a bit of playing, I am sold!  It’s surprisingly warm and cozy and received many compliments on it today.  I’m excited to play around with it some more.

The rest of today’s outfit is also a bit of an experiment. A friend gave me this wool mini skirt and challenged me to give it a try.  This skirt is completely outside my usual comfort zone: it’s short, it has front patch pockets, it’s tulip shaped, and it has polka-dots.  But, for some reason it appealed to me and I was surprised to like it once it was on.

I definitely  need opaque tights to be conformable with the length and because it is sitting so low on my hips, I needed a longer top.  I don’t know why I am being so matchy-matchy this week, but I kind of like the purple tights mirroring the purple “Neck Scape.”  I decided to wrap this rather bulky sweater a bit tighter and belt it.  I think  (at least from far away) it looks like an asymmetrically buttoned cardigan.

For extra warmth, I layered a long sleeve tee and a short sleeve tee under the cardigan and doubled my tights.  I finished it all off with the perfect snow storm accessory – my new, much loved, Banana Republic wellies.

What do you think of the “Neck Scape”?

• Circle Scarf- Ireland, gift from sister M.
• Charcoal Sweater- New York and Company
• Cream Sweater – F21
• Belt- New York and Company
• Navy Skinny Cords – Banana Republic
• Black Wellies – Banana Republic

My sister brought this cream circle scarf to me from Ireland at the begging of December and I have been wearing it non stop ever sense! it is one of the coziest things I own and I love to throw it on when I am just lounging around the house.  I have also worn it while out and about as my winter scarf  but it wasn’t until I a paired it with this charcoal short sleeved sweater – another one of the coziest things I own – that it felt like an essential part of the ensemble.  I wore the scarf all day!

These pictures were actually taken this weekend about 30 miles outside of academichic central.  it was a beautiful day in a beautiful place and I found myself very happy to be cozy but stylish duds!  the snow covered forest at sunset made for a great backdrop, but it kind of  makes it difficult to see the many neutrals I have layered here – cream, navy, charcoal, black and brown – but trust me they are all there, in happy coexistence.

I have to admit, while I immediately loved the feel of this cozy number, I was at first skeptical of the appearance of the circle on me.  I am not a big fan of large cowl necks and I worried that it looked like my head was being swallowed, but as it turns out i am a big fan and wouldn’t mind getting my hands on another one or two!  What are your thoughts on the circle scarf?

A.

Inside:

• Purple Cardigan – Gap Outlet
• Grey Tee- Banana Republic
• Brown Belt – Gap
• Scarf – BR Outlet
• Jeans – Banana Republic
• Wellies – Banana Republic

Outside (below):

• Coat – Old Navy
• Hat – Gap Outlet
• Bag – Urban Outfitters

Two of my favorite post-Christmas activities are shopping and museum-going.  While I do both of these things fairly regularly during the rest of the year, the post-Christmas experience is always my favorite.  I’ll write more about shopping in a later post this week, so on to museums.

Yesterday I visited one of my favorite art museums – the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. I like visiting museums during holiday break for several reasons: I’m usually going to old favorites (ones I visit once a year), I get to take my family members on a guided tour, there are always more curious children there than usual, I get to enjoy the experience and not feel like I need to take notes!

So, while E. was enjoying unseasonably-cool weather at the Rothko Chapel, I was enjoying seasonably- normal freezing weather in Minneapolis in my new coat and hat (post-holiday shopping finds).

What’s your favorite post-Christmas activity?  (I also love to play board games, see movies, go sledding and ice skating, and play with my nieces and nephews). A.

• Plaid Shirt – Gap
• Grey Long-Sleeve Tee – American Eagle
• Jeans- Banana Republic
• Wellies – Banana Republic
• Earrings- hand-me-down from Sister M.

I got a bunch of new clothes for Christmas and have been hitting the post-Christmas sales.  I bought this blue buffalo plaid shirt at the Gap and I love it!  I like how bright the blue is, the ruffle detailing down the front, and the fact that it has no pockets (pockets don’t do much for my chest).

For Christmas, my mom gave me these wonderfully versatile wellies from Banana Republic.  They are black rubber with a brown leather cuff and are warm, water-proof, and incredibly comfortable, while also being rather chic.  I wore them sledding this morning and am wearing them to dinner tonight.

On another note, I’m fascinated by S.’s hair experiment and would be curious if there are any blonds out there trying it.  I have naturally curly hair that I straighten most days.  I wash and condition my hair almost everyday (and definitely every time I exercise), but use very little product in my hair b/c I find it makes it very greasy. When I wear my hair curly, it starts out looking pretty good, but is a frizzy and greasy mess by the end of the day. I don’t know that I could ever embrace the “no-poo” movement, but I would be willing to test out some new curly hair regiments – any ideas?    A.