academichic

Puffer E., originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Jacket: Via Spiga, via Marshalls
Fleece lined tights: Target
Boots: Target
Wool dress: Banana Republic, thrifted in Hawaii for 99 cents!
Dolman cardigan: Ann Taylor
Belt: Gap Outlet

End Notes:

Like A. and S., I too found my puffy coat at Marshalls. I had done a lot of puffy coat shopping online: stalking JCrew puffers on eBay, looking at discounted coats on Overstock and Bluefly, and wondering if I just should just buy the Gap version. In the end, I’m happy that I wandered into the coat section of Marshalls, because I found this wonderfully warm, down Via Spiga coat on clearance. I immediately fell in love with the dramatic collar and THE BELT.

Puffer E., originally uploaded by academichic.

Yes, I still feel a little bit like a giant marshmallow when I wear it. But the belt helps. A lot. Also, when it keeps me warm on minus-something degree days, all of my Hawaii blood sings for joy and I don’t care that much about silhouette.

Underneath it all yesterday, I wore my new favorite dress: a black seasonless wool stretch dress from Banana Republic that I thrifted while in Hawaii for 99 cents. Ah, I love Savers. I knew I was going to be wearing some pretty chunky boots to get to campus that day, so I balanced things out on top with my dolman cardigan, pinned behind my back as I’ve done a few times before.

Underneath it All, originally uploaded by academichic.

Finally, I’d like to ask for some help with snow boots. I like my Hunter Wellies, especially with their liners, but I find them a little bulky, not quite as warm, and I’ve been disappointed with their grip in icy snow. I bought these snow specific boots at Target my first winter in the Midwest. They were cheap, they kept my feet warm in the snow, and they were not hideous. I’ve been wanting to upgrade to something that’s just as warm but just less…bulky. Yet, I’m still at a loss as to what exactly I’m looking for, both on a technical and aesthetic level.

Help!

Clompers, originally uploaded by academichic.

A’s Blizard Wear, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Puffy Coat – Hawke & Co, via Marshalls
• Wellies – Hunter
• Wellie liners – Hunter
• Hat – American Eagle
• Circle Scarf – gift from Ireland

Under the Puffy Coat:

• Sweater – J Crew
• Ponte Pants – Ann Taylor
• Long-Sleeved Tee – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

I warned you that my next outwear would likely be a bit heavier!  I purchased this puffy coat just before Christmas and love it!  I was not in the market for a puffy coat at all, but had I been, this would not have been the puffy coat I would have been shopping for.  I probably would have been looking for a sleeker version with a belted waist, maybe some ruffle details, or glamorous collar.  Yet, when I saw this extra puffy, extra long, dark grey version at Marshalls it just spoke to me, then the $35 dollar price tag sang to me and the rest is history.

Even at such a low price, I had a bit of buyers remorse (I had been Christmas shopping after all) until I pulled it out one early morning to head to yoga and realized just how wonderfully warm it is!  This is not my most sophisticated or my most figure flattering outerwear, but it is quickly becoming my favorite.  When paired with my fleece lined Hunters, a thick winter hat, and fleece mittens, I feel like a kid on a snow day – which is exactly how A2 and I have been acting the past couple days.

I’ve even taught A2 (who hails from Florida originally) how to warm her outerwear on the radiators.  I got these sweater-topped fleece liners for my wellies and they have turned my rain-boots into snow-boots.  On days like today, I still need a good pair of wool socks under the liners, but they do insulate really well and are worth the hefty price tag (almost as much as my puffy coat).

Under the coat I wore one of my new favorite uniforms. I got this J Crew zip henley sweater for my birthday back in October and have been wearing it a ton ever since,  but just haven’t gotten around to photographing it. It’s so warm and soft and is the perfect  easy winter sweater.

Under the Puffy Coat, originally uploaded by academichic.

Have you jumped on the puffy coat trend?  More importantly, did you have a snow day this week?  If so, I hope you took some time to play in the snow!

A’s Blizard Wear, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Fur Jacket: vintage (grandmother’s)
• Gloves: Coach (gift)
• Jeans: c/o Lucky Brand
• Boots: vintage Charles David

Endnotes:
I’m conflicted about wearing fur, and I wanted to bring this into our discussion during outerwear week because I’d love to hear other’s opinions about this and share knowledge about the topic. First, this is a vintage jacket from my grandmother (her initials are stitched into the lining), and it was a prized possession when my grandfather gave it to her. Second, I would not want to purchase a new fur coat and even things with faux fur for some reason don’t appeal to me aesthetically. However, I love this little jacket, but I’m always apprehensive about wearing it because fur is such a contentious topic and leads to bigger questions of animal cruelty, abuse and feminism. Anne-Marie of the now (sadly) defunct Scholar Style Guide brought this up in November when she was sporting a faux fur piece and was puzzled by her need to tell everyone she talked to that it was indeed fake. She goes on to question whether faux is better or just feeds into the desire for the real thing?

This question can also be applied to animal prints, but the argument against fur and prints can go beyond the debate about animal cruelty involved in the real thing. As “Someone” observes in the comments section, the objection to animal prints also has a feminist bent to it. This reader notes that the connotation of animal prints (and real animal skins), which are usually rare animals such as leopard, cheetah, and zebra, is that they are connected to the idea of exoticism and equate women with wild, untamed nature (not to mention reference the subjugation of “exotic” animals and peoples exacted in the 19th century European “scramble for Africa” as they expanded their colonial empires). In the text of Animals and Women: Feminist Theoretical Explorations editors Josephine Donovan and Carol J. Adams break down a few feminist takes on this topic in the introduction (Please excuse these very cursory notes on this very complicated topic):

• Simone de Beauvoir argued that women needed to shed their “animal” sides
• Liberal feminists claim that women are rational and separate from animals because of their mind and intellect — like men, not like animals.
• More recent feminists such as Marilyn French contend that the woman-animal connection should not be dismissed.

I’m still not sure where I fall in the feminist debate, but I do know that I wouldn’t be comfortable buying a new fur. Although, I don’t have a problem wearing a vintage one… but then why don’t I wear it more? Hmmm…

These are just a few voices in this debate, and I in no way claim to have done exhaustive research. I look forward to hearing your perspective on and knowledge about this topic.

What’s your take on fur? Do you feel differently about wearing leather?

~L.

I also wanted to include this link to PETA’s list of vegan friendly clothing companies. (WARNING: the PETA website has some graphic images on other pages, and PETA has its own issues with using women to further their cause.) Finally, for still another angle check out Carol J. Adams book The Sexual Politics of Meat.

16 November 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources (November 16):

• Button down: thrifted
• Cardigan: Gap
• Belt: thrifted
• Skirt: Gap, hand me down from sister-in-law
• Tights: Target
• Booties: Steve Madden Ollie, via DSW

End Notes:

I’m glad you liked my little photo narrative of my Monday. Today’s post is unfortunately far less entertaining as I’m playing a little bit of catch up with outfits from yesterday and today.

This (kind of) plaid button down shirt was an eleventh hour pinch-hitter in my 30 for 30 list, swapped in an effort to make me give up my security blanket “mom jeans” and try to figure out a way to incorporate this rarely worn shirt into my regular closet rotation. I blogged this once before, soon after I snagged it at Goodwill, but I never quite managed to style it in a way that felt like “me” rather than a costume piece.

I’m not sure that this look it quite there either — though the patterned tights and booties help edgify the preppier cardigan-over-button-down combo — but I think I’m getting closer. I swear I’ll figure this out by the time I’m through with my 30 for 30.

But since you all know my list, I’m also taking suggestions on how else to style that plaid button down!

17 November 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources (November 17):

• Cardigan: NY&Co (gift from mother-in-law), edited down
• Ruffle top: Banana Republic Factory
• Belt: thrifted
• Shorts: thrifted and chopped
• Tights: Hue
• Oxfords: Civico 10, via DSW

End Notes:

Today the strictures of the 30 for 30 challenge were exceedingly beneficial since I had to dress in a hurry. I just grabbed a top, a sweater, shorts, and tights and hoped that they would all work together. And I think they do.

While I didn’t initially intend for my 30 items to have such a cohesive color palette, dominated by gray, navy, marigold, eggplant, and olive, I think the end results definitely reflect my color predilections of the moment. If I stop thinking in terms of individual garments and focus more on color combinations, I think I’m more likely to end up with some pairings — like this one — that I wouldn’t have normally tried. It’s kind of a lot of frou up top, but I think the boxier shorts in a menswear glen plaid wool keeps it all in check.

5 November 2010 – Short Stuff, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Tank: Target, embellished by me
• Cardigan: Gap
• Belt: thrifted
• Shorts: thrifted and chopped
• Tights: Hue
• Wedges: thrifted

End Notes:

Last winter S. thrifted a pair of wool shorts and wore the heck out of them in a seemingly endless stream of effortlessly cool iterations. Inspired, I’ve been popping in occasionally to my local Goodwill to try and score a pair of winter shorts or pants-that-could-become-winter-shorts. And I found them. A charcoal gray, glen plaid wood pair of pants with a high-ish and sturdy waist band.

They were also pleated.

But I figured that the drape of the wool and good fit overall rendered the pleats more of a “look” than unfortunate front pudge. (At least, that’s the pep talk I gave myself this morning.) In any case, with a little bit of measuring, ironing, hand stitching and sewing glue, I had myself a pair of autumnal shorts. I just hope that I can get as much wear out of mine as S. did from hers.

And I have to say that getting dressed with these was a cinch. I kept things bright and fitted up top, did the monochrome tights+shoe thing on the bottom, added a belt, and called it a day. The whole thing feels easy and carefree. And since that is most certainly NOT my frame of mind when it comes to my to-do list this coming week, I’ll take whatever help I can get!

5 November 2010 – Short Stuff, originally uploaded by academichic.

This week is Tribute Week here at academichic and we’re excitedly looking to some of our initial sources of inspiration. Enter the fabulous and creative Clare of Between Laundry Days. Clare’s blog is one of the first that all three of us tuned in to and became regular readers of. Since we’re all getting a little bored with winter weather, we turned to this self-described ‘survivor of three Chicago winters’ for some inspiration on how to beat the wardrobe winter blues. Thanks for some great tips, Clare!

Clare’s guide to keeping warm and staying cool

Okay, team, the gals here at academichic asked me to write a little post about staying stylish during these harsh winter months. I’m pretty psyched about this “assignment”, seeing as academichic is one of my favorite blogs. I also have not inconsiderable experience in the area of surviving winter weather, so I’m more than happy to share. This is my third winter in Chicago, and I spent the earlier years of my life surviving cold winters out west, so I think I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. Listen and learn…

1. Layer, layer, layer

I’m sure this isn’t exactly news to anyone, but the absolute key to staying warm in the winter is to layer. However, I think that people steer clear from the layering thing because all the added bulk gets pretty stiff and uncomfortable. And I jive with that, I do. I hate feeling like I can’t even bend my arm properly because I have so many layers of wool coating my arm. They key, I think, is light, thin layers. Invest in a pair of silk long underwear; that stuff is just a glorified, softer, second skin. It can be layered under anything. I also keep a pretty decent stash of high-quality but thin sweaters that provide warmth while easily layering over long underwear and under a blazer or other jacket. Also, never be afraid to layer to pairs of tights or legging. Sometimes, on the coldest days, I even layer my silk long underwear bottoms under my tights or leggings. I think the most important part is to be willing to invest in quality fabrics that don’t rely on bulk to keep you warm.

2. Keep it interesting!

Now, all those sweaters and jackets and pairs of long underwear can feel pretty bland, pretty boring. I’m a big fan of stocking up on colorful layers, but sometimes even that just feels stodgy. Because it’s winter, and you’re cold, and you’re not wearing that leopard-print sweater because it has leopard-print, you’re wearing it because it’s warm. So I always try to add an accessory or two to each outfit that has nothing to do with winter. A necklace, a headband, flouncy earrings, a cute belt, a silk scarf.None of these items has any inherent use in the winter, but it does make you feel fabulously stylish in the dead of the cold, dreary winter.

3. My secret weapon

I’ve mentioned this on my blog before, but I walk to work each morning. In January, this means icy sidewalks and frequent snow flurries. This also means that my typical walking shoes just don’t cut it. So I wear snow boots for my walk (no, that’s not my secret weapon), and heavy wool socks over whatever socks or tights I have on that day.

However, when I get to work I want to take off those snow boots and feel cute again. So I always bring a pair of work shoes that I change into when I get to my office. But no matter how warm my office is, my feet are always freezing in the winter, so wearing my work shoes with bare feet is highly unpleasant. To combat this, I wear nude socks (secret weapon alert!) on the days that I want to wear shoes that might show more of my foot. These secret weapon socks are slightly thicker, and therefore noticeably warmer, than tights or pantyhose, and they are far more stylish than a pair of white athletic socks. Now, I know it’s not groundbreaking news, nor will it solve the problems of the world, but my nude socks are a pretty important element of my arsenal of winter wardrobe essentials.

4. The Marshmallow coat

Obviously, the key to surviving winter is a decent outer layer. I had a plethora of heavy winter jackets growing up, but they somehow all got left behind when I moved to Chicago a few years ago. So I made it through my first two winters with a plaid wool peacoat. Now, I adore my plaid wool peacoat, but there is no way in hell that those things were designed to get you through a brutal Chicago winter.. For those of you who haven’t been to Chicago, it is damn cold. The city is filled with people in “marshmallow” coats. Those are the calf-length puffy down jackets that make their wearer look like a glorified version of the Michelin man. So I resisted the marshmallow coat for two winters, and then this year I finally buckled. I was cold and I buckled. And now I’m warm, and happy, and well padded. And the fur-lined hood is an added bonus (see tip #2!).

Thanks to S., A., and E. over at academichic for asking me to do this feature post! I hope I was able to shed some light (and maybe warmth) on the topic of dressing for winter weather for you all. Feel free to send me an email (clarebld@yahoo.com) if you have any questions (just FYI, I got my secret weapon socks at Target). And I hope you’ll swing over to my blog, Between Laundry Days, and check me out over there.

25 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• White eyelet top – TJMaxx
• Jacket – Gap, thrifted
• “L” pendant – Anthropologie
• Leaf pendant – gift from husband, Etsy find
• Shorts – DKNY, thrifted, chopped by me
• Black tights – from Romania
• Boots – Banana Republic

Endnotes:

Renee Sturme’s blog (formerly known as Fashion Fillers) was one of the very first style blogs I ever read. I was instantly intrigued by this beautiful Dutch girl (who’s picture I stumbled across in the wardrobe_remix pool on Flickr) with gorgous long curls and a compelling style composed of vintage and modern pieces. I loved her thrifted and somewhat mismatched aesthetic and how she interspersed it with cutting edge and über-modern elements. But mostl vividly, I rememer one of the first posts I read on her blog in which she talked about living in a small town in the Netherlands, where she definitely stood out for her eclectic wardrobe and where she was seen as somewhat of an oddity for the way she dressed. (She’s meanwhile based in Amsterdam). I was so impressed by this then (I think) sixteen year old who had such conviction in her sense of identity and style that she wasn’t afraid to stand out and be an individual challenging the status quo. Thus, Fashion Fillers appealed to me for various reasons: it represented a wardrobe made of mostly thrifted items that still managed to look stunning and up-to-date; it pushed me to become more creative in my own mixing of seemingly incongruous elements; and it encouraged me to define my own sense of style without apologizing for it.

I still check in on Renee’s blog regularly and I still find all those above mentioned components to be present in her posts. Her blog has undergone some changes but the ambitious and creative individual behind each text and outfit is still unchanged. I look forward to following her for a long time still.

So for my tribute outfit, I pulled out some Renee inspired items like the structured blazer and the cutoff jean shorts. Just like Renee loves to mix fabrics and registers in her outfits, I juxtaposed the formal blazer with the cutoff denim and the structured lines of the jeans and jacket with the looser fit of the delicate eyelet top. Layered necklaces (also a Renee classic) finish the look.

This outfit is definitely out of my usual comfort zone but there is something about it that really appeals to me and I’m finding it really exciting to push my boundaries and try something on that is outside of my usual style. Being away from campus on this research sojourn abroad has definitely allowed me to experiment with my look and wardrobe more and I think I should be taking full advantage of this situation.

Stay tuned for a DIY on making your own pair of 90s throw back cutoffs tomorrow. S.

25 January 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.