7 December 2009

Posted on | December 7, 2009 | 8 Comments

7 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Fuchsia Jersey Wonder Wrap – Blue Onion Marketplace
Grey Tee – American Eagle
Jeans – Gap
Green Flats – Banana Republic
Earrings – Gift from S.

Endnotes:

I haven’t been feeling 100% the past few days so spent most of my weekend in my PJs or sweats. But, when friends wanted to stop by for coco last night, I thought I should try to look presentable. I pulled on my new jeans and a long sleeved tee, but instead of going for a sweatshirt or oversized cardigan, I decided to give this wonder wrap a try.

I’ve had this jersey mystery in my closet for a while. I loved how S. wore hers, but have been struggling with pulling it off quite the same way. I decided to pretend it had no sleeves and use it as a giant jersey pashmina. I love the color and the fabric and I think it works well tied behind my back like this.

the back, originally uploaded by academichic.

I also tried wearing it with the extra just hanging loose in front, but preferred it tied neatly away. The jersey wonder wrap is on clearance over at Blue Onion Marketplace (and it just might be a future giveaway). If you have one, let us know how you are wearing it!

Speaking of Blue Onion Marketplace, congratulations to our three winners! We would love to know how you wear your flowers too!

7 December 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

27 October 2009 – HELP!

Posted on | October 27, 2009 | 62 Comments

27 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed…

Pink Sweater – Banana Republic
Denim Pencil Skirt – Gap
White Tank – Banana Republic
Boots – Banana Republic, via ebay
Necklace – The Limited
Earrings – Gift
Bracelet – Gift from S.

Endnotes:

I don’t usually wear pink but I do love pink and brown together, particularly this kin-of dusty rose. I also like the combination of turquoise and pink — it gives this otherwise very basic ensemble a little something extra.

What I really want to talk about though, is JEANS! I need your help dear readers! Today I attempted to go jean shopping. I have a couple pairs of skinny jeans that I like, but what I really want is a pair of versatile everyday jeans that can be worn with flats and a tee. I love the way Gap “Real Straight” jeans looked on the leg-less mannequin but they looked more like skinny jeans on me (even on the model they are a bit too skinny for what I am looking for). After trying on many pairs at Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic, the closest I found were a pair form the Men’s side of Gap — Limited Edition Skinny Jeans (which I can’t find on line). Surprisingly, the rise fit fine (unlike most jeans sold for men), the color was perfect, and the fit through the hips, thighs, and lower legs was all perfect. The problem – they were too big in the waist.

So, any suggestions? I have hips and thighs but a rather small waist so I need something with a higher rise. I am willing to spend a little money but can’t fathom paying $1oo or more on a pair of jeans.

27 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

23 October 2009

Posted on | October 23, 2009 | 24 Comments

23 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Ruffle Cami – Gap
Pinstripe Skirt – J Crew
Blue Cardigan – BR Outlet, birthday gift from mom
Belt – Target, altered by me
Sweater Tights – Banana Republic
Shoes – Off Broadway

Endnotes:

Pencil skirt, cardigan, and heels have become my go-to professional uniform. Today’s outfit is basically a recreation of a look I wore several months ago to mark the end of the intense course I taught this summer. Here I have made it weather appropriate by adding the grey sweater tights and a bit more colorful with the mix of bright blue and maroon.

Layers, originally uploaded by academichic.

This afternoon I will be moderating a discussion after offering m thoughts on a campus-wide lecture given by a prominent activist. I figure, this time, it’s ok if I am one of the most dressed up people there.

I have to say, before our recent “roundtable” discussion about interview-appropriate wear, I would have worn something pretty similar to this for an interview. Now, I think I would definitely loose the sweater tights and belt, but I think I would still wear the rest. Does it need a suit jacket or a button down to be interview-appropriate?

Shoes and tights, originally uploaded by academichic.

Monthly Roundtable: October 2009

Posted on | October 20, 2009 | 13 Comments

When we introduced this “roundtable” series to you last month, we received this reader comment urging us to open up a relevant academia/style question for discussion:

How about a brown bag about proper attire for an on campus T-T job interview? (They’re coming up in the next three months!)

one key question: wedding ring on, or off?

T-T interviews, for those of you not campus situated, are “tenure track” interviews, offering the most coveted of all academic jobs to those embarking on the job market. So, naturally, a key question is What To Wear? How to best present oneself to these potential employers?

Our approach would be to mix and match suit separates and ‘dressier’ pieces to create a look that is simultaneously professional and still personal and representative of our style personalities. As for the wedding ring question…we’ve already put in our two cents when this topic surfaced a while ago, but we would happily reopen this ever present dilemma for discussion.

So we open the forum to the rest of you, in true brown bag fashion, to engage in a dialogue what will hopefully provide our readers with many great ideas. And good luck to all of you interviewing this fall!

9 October 2009 – Saved by the Sparkle

Posted on | October 10, 2009 | 10 Comments

9 October 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Black Jersey Dress- Banana Republic
Earrings – Birthday Gift
Brooch – Vintage Threadz, etsy
Clutch – Grandmother’s
Shoes – Seychelles, via solestrcuk.com

Endnotes:

When we posted advice about what to wear to a winter wedding last weed, we certainly were not thinking winter wedding season would be so soon be upon us. It was cold and gloomy last night in Academichic Central, perfect weather for a movie night at home, but I had an elegant evening wedding to attend!

Based on the formal language of the multi-layered invitations I deduced that this would be a rather chic event. I have been to a few black-tie optional weddings and have always worn the same black halter dress from Banana Republic, changing out the accessories and shoes. I love the dress and I usually love how it looks on me, so I didn’t even bother trying it on, but for some reason, last night I just wasn’t happy in it. A2 tried to convince me to wear it, but I wasn’t leaving the house in something that didn’t make me feel good.

Packing Update!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Suddenly I had very little time to throw together a formal look for a gloomy night. I dug through my closet but everything was either too casual or too summery. I settled on this jersey dress because the color, the unique neckline, and detailing at the waist all making it a little more evening appropriate. Yet, it was still jersey dress. I decided it was nothing that a great shoe and a little sparkle couldn’t fix!

Earrings, originally uploaded by academichic.

Brooch, originally uploaded by academichic.

I premiered these sparkly dangle earrings A2’s nieces sent me for my birthday and this gorgeous vintage brooch from Vintage Threadz on etsy. Vintage Threadz is a fabulous little etsy shop with tons of great vintage finds and, if you contact Vintage Threadz and tell her you heard about the shop on Academichic, she will give you %25 off all items $20 and over.

Have you ever found yourself scrounging to put together an evening look? What are your quick-save tricks?

7 October 2009 – My Birthday Suit!

Posted on | October 7, 2009 | 23 Comments

7 October 2009 – My Birthday Suit!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:
All remixed but the skirt

Green Skirt – thirfted w/ E.
White Sleeveless Blouse – Gap
Cardigan – Banana Republic
Earrings – Gift from E. (birthday last year)
Bracelet- Gift from S.
Pashmina – China Town, NYC
Brown Wedges – Kenneth Cole Reaction, via DSW
Belt – New York & Company

Endnotes:

I planned this outfit out last night so it is not at all influenced by S. and E.’s posts today… do these two know my style or what?! :)

7 October 2009 – My Birthday Suit!, originally uploaded by academichic.

It was such a nice surprise to check the site this morning and see birthday wishes from two of my favorite people!

I’m keeping this short because I am still celebrating, but thank you both for being such wonderful friends!

(birthday gift premieres coming soon…)

7 October 2009 – My Birthday Suit!, originally uploaded by academichic.

Spotlight On: Back to School Clothing Swap (Part II)

Posted on | October 1, 2009 | 1 Comment

Last month we did a spotlight post announcing a Back to School Clothing Swap in Boulder Colorado. As promised, we’ve asked co-hostess @gwenbell to write a follow up post, including a how-to. If you are planning a similar event, let us know – we would love to do a spotlight on it!

How to Hostess a Clothes Swap

It was a pleasurable evening of wine sipping, clothes swapping and laughing. Liz (http://lizfranco.com) and Sarah (http://sjoystudios.com) flew in from the West and East Coasts, respectively, and together we greeted our guests as they started coming in. The event lasted about two and a half hours and we had about twenty-five women join us.

Your Co-Hostesses @sarahjbray @srslyliz @gwenbell, originally uploaded by gwen bell.

Finding a Sponsor + Location

The first thing I did was find a location. Restaurant 4580 (http://www.restaurant4580.com/) was kind enough to give us an entire room to hold the event. We chose a time (right at the start of Happy Hour) that is lively and upbeat. If the location doesn’t have mirrors, secure one before the day of the event. The restaurant provides drink tickets and after the event you total up how much you owe (we charged a $10 cover that included a drink and the remainder went to charity).Pangea Organics (http://pangeaorganics-store.sparkart.net/index) sponsored the event by providing samples to the women coming.

Liz Waits for Guests, originally uploaded by gwen bell.

Promotion

For our event, co-hostess Liz (http://lizfranco.com)was lovely enough to create a poster that we used to promote the event on Facebook, our blogs, our friends’ blogs, Academichic (http://academichic.com) and in the newsletters our sponsors send out. We also shared the links on Twitter and uploaded photos to Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gwenbell/tags/swap/) after the event.

During the Event

Take a moment to thank your sponsors. Thank your co-hostesses. Let people know about the charity (if you decide to go that route) and remind them to use their drink tickets. It’s a great chance to introduce yourself and your hostesses. Also, if you’ve collected Twitter handles (as we did: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gwenbell/3919307705/) shout out who is in the room so that further networking can be done.

Thank you for joining us!, originally uploaded by gwen bell.

Swapping

It helps to label tables XS, S, M, L, XL, shoes and accessories. This makes it a little more streamlined during the “digging through piles” process.

Sorting, finding, originally uploaded by gwen bell.

Clean Up

The folks at our event helped us clean up which made the clean up process simple and fun. Our guy friends carried out heavy boxes of clothes to eventually be donated to a local women’s shelter.

Results

The event was small, warm, intimate and fun. I would happily co-hostess or attend another one in the future. It’s more than just the fashion – it’s the getting together, making new friends and supporting causes we care about that I love about swaps. Special props to my friend Laura Coulter, Girl About Town (details: http://www.gwenbell.com/blog/2009/8/24/youre-invited-its-a-back-to-school-social-media-clothing-swa.html), for introducing me to swaps in Tokyo. Where, honest to goodness, every Japanese skirt I tried on stopped at my knees. Swaps kept me from going around naked.

Yours in swappy goodness,

@gwenbell (http://gwenbell.com)

@4580 hosted the swap, originally uploaded by gwen bell.

27 September 2009

Posted on | September 28, 2009 | 9 Comments

27 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Purple Tee – H & M
Brown Cami – Old Navy
Skirt – Old Navy
Belt – BR Outlet
Sandals – Forever 21

Endnotes:

Saturday’s weather didn’t last long and it was back to almost 80 degrees here yesterday. I didn’t mind wearing sandals but I just couldn’t wear a tank top or summer skirt again. This lightweight cotton skirt in Fall colors seemed like a good compromise. I have always worn this skirt with either a shade of teal (to pick up the flowers), brown, or white. But, inspired by the more daring color play of both E. and S. with their floral skirts, I chose this bright purple and love the result. It think, combined with the thick leather belt, the color combination gives this extremely casual and inexpensive skirt a more sophisticated look and makes it all a little more autumnal.

My weather widget promises a cool, sunny week ahead so watch for corduroy and scarves coming soon!

26 September 2009

Posted on | September 27, 2009 | 5 Comments

26 September 2009, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Cardigan – Gap
Shorts – New York & Co
White Tee – H & M
Wedges – Gap Outlet
Headband – Limited

Endnotes:

Yesterday, we got a small taste of Fall here at Academichic Central. In the morning it was cool and sunny – perfect weather for meeting a friend for an outdoor coffee and bagel. After breakfast, I headed to one of my favorite stores, Home Depot, where I perused the lumber and hardware isles and flipped through paint swatches dreaming up large-scale home renovation projects, before settling on a few mums for the front porch. I managed to get stuck in a downpour on my way home, but eventually the sun came back out and I placed my new mums and enjoyed another warm drink on the front porch.

One of my favorite things about fall weather is the layering and mixing of items from the summer and winter wardrobe. I loved being able to wear these shorts (with their autumnal color palette) with a cozy cotton sweater.

I know this weather likely isn’t here to stay but it was nice weekend treat! A.

Pattern Mixing, originally uploaded by academichic.

17 September 2009 – Quick and Casual

Posted on | September 17, 2009 | 4 Comments

17 September 2009 – Quick and Casual, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

All remixed

Coral Polo – J Crew
Grey Skirt – Old Navy
Navy Cami – American Eagle
Green Flats – Banana Republic
Rainbow Bracelet – Hawaii
Coral Earrings- American Eagle

Endnotes:

A2 had car trouble on her way to work, so my morning routine was disrupted to say the least. I had to throw on something quick that I could be comfortable in all day, and even walk home in if need be (although on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I usually have a gym bag backed anyway). Mornings when I need to choose something quickly, when don’t have time to try stuff on, swap out one cami for another, or ponder the color wheel, I often go for an ensemble I have worn before. This morning, for some reason, I thought of this polo and my denim skirt which I wore back in July. I planed to wear the outfit exactly, but denim skirt was in the wash so it was swapped with my grey skirt, and I grabbed this rainbow bracelet instead of the green necklace worn as bracelet, creating the same layered-strand effect but adding a pop of pride!

Rainbow Bracelet, originally uploaded by academichic.

I like this outfit but I think it makes me look a bit young, therefore it is not something I would usually wear to school. I am not teaching today, but I am meeting with students. Yesterday I wrote about wearing the same thing as colleague and reader Sabrina raised the possibility of wearing the same thing as a student and I feel that in this outfit that is more likely to happen today than most. If it does happen, I’m sure I will laugh and simply compliment them on their fabulous style! A.

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