Copycat, kind of

Works Cited
khakis: j crew (circa 2003)
navy turtleneck: j crew
brown belt: old navy
gray moccasin flats: gap

Since Kyla posted about wearing "big girl sweats" last week, I haven't been able to get her awesome casual ensemble out of my mind. I loved the lines of the wide-leg trousers with the moccasin flats. It was enough to send me into my basement to find my wide-leg khakis from my sophomore year in college (when, ahem, I was a few pounds heavier than I am now). A big belt did the trick for holding them up, and I tried to keep the silhouette sleek with the turtleneck (plus, it's freezing so a little extra neck warmth doesn't hurt).



I felt extremely comfortable, classic, and just a little bit chic when I added a big scarf and wool coat, which was just the thing for a day of reading at coffee shops, grocery shopping, and cleaning. Now I'm just on the lookout for a slouchy crewneck sweatshirt, which looks all too perfect for a cold day of running errands.

Black and Blue

Works Cited
striped top: forever 21
black dress: gap
belt: j crew
black tights (under): leggs
bluegray tights: target
boots: j crew

Eeps, sorry this is so late in the day! This morning I was Bad T.A., who had to wake up early to do the assigned reading before class. Luckily, this paid off and I had two terrific discussions about French Revolutionary literature (seriously, more exciting than it sounds!).

Because I was in a rush, I went with one of my go-to ensembles: this striped button-up (bought for $5) layered under a black dress, tights and boots. And these two pairs of tights really did the trick--I was warm and cozy even in the single digit degrees.

Sneaky Layers

Works Cited

plaid shirt: thrifted
navy cardigan: j crew outlet
cord skirt: thrifted
navy tights: ann taylor loft
gray wool socks: j crew
boots: indigo
belt: old navy (circa 2003)

Today, the temperature "real feel" is -2. NEGATIVE TWO!! Whaaaaaaa? So I'm breaking out the big guns with sneaky layers--long tanks under my plaid shirt, wool tights, super-warm wool socks, and corduroy. Wish me luck when I'm on my bicycle today--I'm hoping I don't get frostbite! (and yes, Mom, I'll be wearing my helmet).



I'm glad not to be teaching today and to be able to dress a bit more casually. I thrifted this skirt a few weeks ago but haven't gotten the chance to wear it yet. Even though the camel color is pretty neutral, I felt conflicted about what color to pair it with (navy seemed too boring; turquoise too much contrast; white too predictable) and it was Christopher who ingeniously suggested plaid--and I love the way it turned out.

Making New Friends

Today I had the pleasure of having lunch with Elena from caffeinerd. It was such a pleasure to meet someone that I feel like I "know" from reading her blog for several months now, even though it was a bit uncanny to see her in real life! We ate delicious salads and gossiped about our boyfriends and our sweet midwestern town, and then we scouted a good spot for photos. Elena was just as sweet and funny in person as she is on her blog, and she had the cutest boots and most artfully-tied scarf.



I didn't realize until I looked at these photos how absolutely ridiculous I look wearing this coat (I look like the michelin man with little orange legs!). No wonder everyone was staring strangely at this giant down coat with legs bicycling down the road. I'm glad we were brave enough for a few shots without coats--we commiserated about how style blogging toughens you up!

It was so great to meet you in "real life," Elena!

Thinking Warm Thoughts

Works Cited
gray skirt: thrifted, hemmed by me
cream sweater: j crew (on amazing sale a few years back)
belt: mommed
berry scarf: h&m
orange tights: mommed
brogues: steve madden

Today, I'm feeling especially grateful to Charmalade who pestered me to wear color a week or so back. I noticed that when I'm wearing something colorful, I feel a bit more awake and a bit livelier. And we could all use that in winter. While I went with a palette of my favorite neutrals today--gray wool skirt, cream sweater, brown belt and shoes, I added some warmth and color with a berry scarf and dark orange tights. Even though these tights are brighter than my usual range of navy, brown, and black, their rich hue and subtle texture makes them a perfect pairing with this wool skirt.



As for this scarf, I picked it up last winter after I saw an extremely fashionable friend wearing it. Since then, I have had a rotten time styling it. Because it is made of jersey, it falls very strangely and doesn't wrap up as cozily as my wool and cashmere scarves. But today I'm going to force it to stay warm around my neck as I zip around town and meet the woman behind Caffeinerd for lunch (eeps, I'm excited!).

Winter Is Back

Thank you for all your sweet comments yesterday on my lesson plan! It was such a fun little project. Have any more ideas or suggestions for lesson plan topics? Is there an item of clothing you find difficult to wear, or an event you need style suggestions for? Leave a comment below or shoot me an email. xoxo.

Works Cited

down coat: j crew

olive green scarf: h&m

navy sweater: j crew

white button-up: banana republic

jeans: gap

socks: j crew

boots: ll bean

Brrrr! It snowed all day yesterday and is a toasty 15 degrees this morning. Feeling sapped for inspiration (perhaps I used it all up on my lesson plan??), I dressed for warmth today and added interest only with accessories. A navy wool sweater over a button-up is pretty plainy-janey, even for me, so I added an olive green scarf, some funky socks, and turquoise earrings to give more visual interest.

Have I mentioned that I love this coat? The thought of climbing into it is sometimes the only thing that gets me on my bike in the morning.

Lesson plan suggestions or ideas? Leave a comment below--I want your input/inspiration!

Lesson Plan: How to Wear This Difficult-Colored Skirt

Last week, I wore this orangey-red American Apparel skirt with the complaint that I often have trouble figuring out what other colors to wear with it. I got so many terrific suggestions that I thought I'd do a little "lesson plan" on how to wear this bizarre color.


gray pattern tee: uo (on mega-sale three years ago!)
scarf: target
belt: mommed
brown tights: ann taylor loft
boots: indigo

Many of you suggested pairing it with gray (my favorite neutral!). A patterned gray makes the pairing a bit more exciting and a cozy scarf keeps light layers warm.


blue and white striped top: forever 21
sweater: uo
belt: thrifted
navy tights: ann taylor loft
oxfords: steve madden

Or you could pair it with navy blue tights and a navy-and-white striped shirt (yes, it's striped! click on the image to see it larger). A bright blue sweater belted over the skirt lends some cheerful contrast.


patterned blouse: anthro
teal sweater: banana republic
belt: anthro
navy tights: ann taylor loft

If you want to be exciting, you could pair it with a top with a bold pattern and a teal sweater (a gorgeous complementary color!). Navy tights and brown boots don't distract from the top's pattern.


gray grandpa sweater: uo
white top: target
flats: palladium

The color that the majority of you said you would pair with this skirt? White! This is probably my favorite combination (and alas, it is the most vanilla). I could even see teaching in this sweetly-embellished button-up and grandpa cardigan.

Which would you be most likely to wear? Is the teal-orange combo too much (it's pretty bold but I kind of love it!).

Weekend Style Inspiration + a P.S.

(Can't wait for summer...)

I am going to make a wall like this in my house next year.

I just found the most amazing blog--anthroholic. Color me obsessed.

Elaine's Q&A warms my heart. And check out her gorgeous wedding dress!

An awesome article on why so many models are now posing lying down (and hey, some bloggers do it, too!)

I lurrve this yellow skirt.

Sal's makeup tutorial is all kinds of awesomeness.

Up next week:

I haven't forgotten--posts on How to Accessorize a Winter Coat and How to Wear this Difficult-Colored Skirt (both by reader request).

The return of the Winter Style Project with posts on chunky layers and proportions.

P.S.
A brief (okay, a little long) answer to a recent question by Melinda who asked about how my work affects the way I dress and whether I found the transition from college to graduate school and teaching difficult:

Yes, I have always dressed somewhat conservatively, initially out of shyness and later because it fits my classroom presence. When I began graduate school, I had an eye for collecting more professional pieces for my wardrobe and moving away from the jeans, tees, and zip-ups of college. For me, part of looking the part of an instructor and rigorous PhD student is about appearing professional (including being adequately covered-up). While I love a lot of looks with lower-cut tops or shorter skirts, I tend to be more comfortable and less self-conscious when my decolletage and my legs are covered. This, of course, is a personal preference, but it does align with general social expectations for how young teachers "should" dress. Come summer you'll probably see me in some tank-tops or shorter skirts, but I am all about less-is-more and I often feel the most beautiful when my style leaves something to the imagination. Still, I love seeing all different types of fashion and part of what makes style so compelling to me is that it offers us a way to wear art, to express ourselves, and to speak through other means--in this vein, I appreciate a wide range of styles and incorporate inspiration from many different places before I make it my own.

The Rights of Woman

Works Cited
blue-purple sweater: j crew
black blouse: erin featherstone for target
black skirt: thrifted
belt: urban outfitters
tights: hue
flats: steve madden
post title: anna letitia barbauld

Clearly, I've found a new favorite photo location. Unfortunately, it's in the middle of the road and requires frequent dodging of volvos speeding their way to work. Nevertheless, I can't get enough of the brick--it's awesome!

Today is the second day of teaching, and I took some of your excellent advice from day one and stepped it up a notch. Like the poem I'm teaching today, my outfit conveys both authority (mostly black, button-up top, high-waisted skirt), but also softness (an interesting color combination, a bright cardigan). My hair, on the other hand, says only that I had a good night's sleep and no time to fix it this morning (whoops!).



I'm so excited by all the excellent comments and suggestions yesterday that I'm going to do a few Lesson Plans next week--posts where I try to show various ways of wearing certain pieces. Up first? How To Wear This Difficult-Colored Skirt.

Winter Color

Works Cited
orange-red skirt: american apparel
scarlet sweater: thrifted (org. banana republic)
scarf: christmas gift
brown tights: target
belt: gift (anthro)
boots: indigo
freezing cold: pervasive

Today, when I don't have to teach, I'm taking advantage of the fewer clothing restrictions and finally wearing some color! Part of the reason I shy away from color (besides being Dr Vanilla at all times) is that I have trouble mixing colors. Bloggers like Orchid Grey, Chelsea at bright side dweller and E from Academichic make me rethink ways to mix up colors because they are adventurous with mixing colors and patterns and always look fabulous doing it.

I love the unexpected (for me) combination of dark orange and scarlet, and with brown accessories, I feel mostly safe with the mix. While I don't usually go for a lot of colors in the same color family (many mixes of green, for instance), I love mixes of red. Just don't tell my mother, who warned me never, ever to wear pink and red together (hence making it my favorite rebellious color combo as a third-grader).

And as to a few questions about whether I am cold, the answer is yes! But don't worry--I always wear my giant coat. I just don't take pictures with it, because frankly, you'd get bored of seeing the same big sack every day.

Okay, now I really need your help about this: what other colors would you wear with this skirt? My instinct in the past has always been to pair it with brown, but I want to put a little more color into my winter wardrobe, so what unexpected combo would look good here? Mustard yellow? Bright blue? Help me out, I'm color-challenged!

Sending a Message

Works Cited
blue (look! color!) sweater: urban outfitters
gray dress: h&m
wool tights: j crew
black belt: urban
boots: j crew

Today is my first day of teaching for the semester and I always think carefully about what I wear and the message it sends to my undergraduates. Because I was an undergrad not too long ago, I usually try to dress a bit more professionally at the beginning of the semester so that the many badly-behaved college-age boys take me seriously. But I also value the fact that I can relate to my students and I use my relative youth as an advantage in the classroom--I don't see it as something that makes me seem unprepared.

I think this outfit gives off my serious-but-approachable vibe well. A structured work dress and boots in dark colors say "I know my British literature and I'm serious about it. Plus, I'm a grown-up." The slouchy, bright sweater says "But I'm flexible and I'd love to chat with you in my office hours about the relationship between House and Sherlock Holmes."

Most importantly, I feel comfortable and not at all nervous in this get-up, which is key. I notice what my professors wear the first day of class and when they seem overly dressed-up and anxious, it makes me wonder if they are entirely prepared. I'm wondering--for those students and former students, and for teachers, what do you wear the first day of class? What do you like (or hate!) to see your teachers wearing?? I'm genuinely curious, especially after Elaine's recent post on Fashionable Academics.

Last First Day

Works Cited
white button-down: forever 21
white tank: old navy
blue sweater shell (worn as vest): mommed
jeans: gap
flats: urban
socks: old navy

Today is the first day of my last semester of coursework. To celebrate my last first day of classes, I did a classic nerd look--white button-down and sweater vest and argyle socks--and took a picture on the front porch, like my mother did for every first day of school for twelve years.

It's pretty chilly today and I'm starting to ride my bicycle to school again--brrr! After a month of pleasure reading and laziness, I'm having a little trouble getting up early and hopping on my bike in below freezing weather.

But the fact that it's the first day of classes galvanizes me, as it always has.

Neutral Territory

Works Cited
sweater: urban outfitters
tank: old navy
cord skirt: hand-me-down from seattle friend
tights: leggs
boots: j crew

Last week, wise reader Charmalade aptly noted that I might wear some color once in a blue moon. After musing about this all weekend, swearing to myself that I'd pull out something yellow or red or purple, I end up in this ridiculously color-neutral outfit for an important meeting. Something about grays and blacks makes me feel in safe territory, and today I had to meet with the most brilliant and terrifying senior professor and ask him to be on my dissertation committee.



Because I wanted to ask him to join my committee based on my brain, it was no wonder I gravitated toward stylistically neutral pieces I felt put together in--cord pencil skirt, grown-up sweater, black underthings and boots.

Oh, and he said yes--so my committee is finally all put together! Whew!

On this celebratory note, I swear you'll see color this week, at least a few times. We all need it given the weather.

Happy MLK day!!

Weekend Style Inspiration

Under the cold sky (HDR), originally uploaded by EugeniusD80.

...and boy do we need it this weekend, given the general sentiment of winter styling blues around the web.

Ohhh, costume sketches from Bright Star.

I need this Walter Benjamin tee shirt. Immediately. Nerd heaven!

Now this is layering. I want to look exactly like these girls.

Another skilled layerer for winter.

Sweet gingham shirts...I can't wait for spring!

How the fashion world is like middle school, from the mouth of Tavi (who else?).

An indie's girl's aspirations--I LOVE this.

Some good stories on winter layering.

Hail the Mighty Duck Boot

Works Cited
cords: j crew (on amazing sale)
white tank: old navy
navy tee: gap
gray sweater: j crew (gift)
scarf: really old, don't recall
coat: j crew
duck boots: ll bean

Like everyone else, I am having a major lack of style creativity this winter, not only because it is harder to look chic when it's cold, but also because it is less fun to take photos when it's ten degrees, and it's a little less fun to dress up in the doldrums of winter when you are running errands in the slush.

Thank goodness for all your sweet words yesterday when I was in a major wearing-this-dress-out-of-guilt funk. I am sending that piece to Goodwill, where I hope some 5-foot size 4 gal picks it up and falls in love. Today I am feeling much better! Busy running a million errands before school begins Tuesday, I wanted something warm, comfortable, and functional (comfort is key because I need to plant myself on the floor and sort through a huge stack of files this afternoon).



I heart these corduroys and they were the perfect antidote to yesterday's outfit--warm, cozy, well-fitting, and even though they are a little first-grader, they make me feel chic. I love the way they look tucked into duck boots (as always, tres j. crew) and these boots are keeping me safe from all the snow and slush I'm running through today.

Tomorrow, I'll show you how I "accessorize" this giant winter sack I wear, as per reader request. You won't believe how chic I can make a sleeping bag look...

Down and Dumpy

Works Cited
cord dress: old navy
beige thermal: hand me down
belt: anthro (gift)
scarf: charlotte russe maybe?
leggings: thrifted
socks: j crew
boots: ll bean

Friends, I have to admit I'm having one of those days--I feel mopey and lumpy and dumpy--and I think it's the fault of this dress, which I scooped up on sale thinking it would be perfect for crisp fall and cold winter days. It is this great plum-colored corduroy, it has awesome sleeves that roll up and sweet buttons down the front, but it is just not made for a woman's body. It is this square-shaped sack that's too short and I'm always having to pull it down and the waist is all saggy and it hits at an unflattering spot on my legs and I just feel all scroogy and annoyed and lumpy-dumpy in it.

And yet, I still pull it out of my closet because it looks cozy and I think, "Maybe this time I can pull it off." But no.

Please someone tell me this happens to you, too, so that I feel less alone in my "I should really wear this and yet it makes me feel dumpy every time I do" guilt. I don't have to love it, right?

And the lucky winner is...

Numero 29! Rose, of the lovely blog from Sneakers to Stilettos.

Thanks for playing--can't wait till the next giveaway.

xoxo.

Seattle Uniform

My giveaway ends at 8 p.m. tonight! Enter for your chance to win--it's easy!

Works Cited
sweater: urban outfitters
top: forever 21
jeans: j crew outlet
boots: target
earrings: bought on las ramblas in barcelona
coat (see below): j crew on amazing sale

When I was in Seattle last week dressed like my usual librarian self, it was easier to notice the style of a city of which I wasn't a resident. All of my sweet college friends had the same casual "uniform": drapey top, drapey sweater, big earrings, and jeans tucked into boots. Given the general lack of drape/slouch in my closet, I felt a little too stiff sometimes in my cold weather wool and tights. I knew that I wanted to recreate the Seattle uniform when I got home--it's so comfortable, eminently flattering, and mostly cold-weather proof if your big slouchy sweater is warm, as well.



I loved coming back to my backyard full of snow--so I had to tease my sweet photographer just a little (of course, I was the one who ended up with icy bare hands).

On an unrelated note, I bought these earrings while I was abroad in 2006--I was visiting Barcelona with a friend from Ireland and, like any other tourist, spent hours roaming Las Ramblas and all the little shops and stalls selling vintage and handmade jewelry until I got hungry and scarfed falafel (with all-you-can-fit-in-them condiments) sold on the street.



Here is my coat, in all its gigantic-ness. I got this on sale at J. Crew for about $100 and it was the best hundred dollars I ever spent. I am perpetually cold, and this feels like wearing a giant, incredibly warm sleeping bag, with a chic waist-tie, of course. It has basically changed my whole experience of winter (more on winter coats soon, with the return of my Winter Style Project).

My giveaway ends at 8 p.m. tonight! Enter for your chance to win--it's easy!

Giveaway: Golden Sunshine Ring!

Last week I reached 100 google followers and almost 300 subscribers (whoa, what?!). I am continually surprised that anyone reads this little blog, let alone several hundred people. I'm so glad you all keep coming back here and I'm very thankful for all the sweet comments and emails I've gotten.

So to say thanks, I'm hosting a little giveaway courtesy of Kim, one my sweetest readers with a great etsy shop and blog of her own. She's offering one of my readers this seriously gorgeous Golden Sunshine ring (don't you love it?).

All you've got to do is follow this blog (do so by clicking on right) and leave a comment with your email address by Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST. I'll pick one winner at random Thursday morning.

Open for national residents only (with a thousand apologies to my sweet international readers).

Good luck! xoxo.

Weekend Style Inspiration

Photo via (thanks, Lulu!).

13 awesome ideas for starting fresh in the new year, and 11 cozy ideas for staying warm this winter.

Do you have your man or gal take your photos for you? I love Tieka's posts on "The Guy Behind the Camera."

The Sartorialist finds a woman both chic and warmly-dressed (I was beginning to doubt it was truly possible!).

How to mix brown, black, and navy (one of my favorite combos!).

Channeling Alice in Wonderland.

Sick of posts about duck boots? I can't stop!

Loving this post on leaf belts (and not just for the obvious reason).

Pretty lace-up boots with scrunched-up socks look warm for winter.

I'm spending the weekend in Seattle with my college girlfriends, so no outfit post today (sorry, I'll be too busy drinking the best espresso on earth and rooting through Elliott Bay Books!). See you Monday, when I have a very exciting post scheduled!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Works Cited
skirt: mommed (hemmed and altered by me)
tee: target
belt: mommed
tights: hue
socks: gap
boots: indigo

I'm leaving for Seattle in a matter of hours, where I'm spending a long weekend with my six best girlfriends from college. I love Seattle and I badly miss its wet streets, mountain views, and cozy bookstores. And I can't wait to get gussied up with my girlfriends and head out on the town (something I do woefully infrequently in grad school).

This skirt was another one of my recent alterations--it was my mom's when I was little--and I wish I had taken a picture of the "before," when it was like a giant, floor-length sack. I looked like I belonged on a commune. I hacked off about two feet and took in the seams to make it less baggy, and I'm pretty pleased with the end result. It's nothing too exciting, but it'll be a good workhorse in the closet and will go with lots of other colors and shapes. Plus it's super comfy--a must for cramped airline travel and long waits in security lines (sigh).

Several of you asked to hear more about my time in Ireland, so I'll have a post coming up on that soon--it was an amazing place to live!

Color Clash

Works Cited
yellow sweater: j crew (gift)
pattern tank: anthro (christmas)
black jeans: j crew outlet
gold flats: steve madden

Today's outfit was a serendipitous laundry pile combination--I had no idea that this blouse had the perfect shade of yellow to pick up on this cardigan. I love when that happens! I often get great ideas while sorting and folding laundry, because I see unexpected color combinations I otherwise wouldn't (yes, I compulsively color-order my drawers).

I love the pattern on the blouse, and feel great about most of this outfit, although I'm not sure I like the mustard yellow and gold. Thoughts? No offense taken if you hate it--I'm so ambivalent myself--but I had little choice because I only brought a couple pairs of shoes on vacation.

Creature Comforts

Works Cited
sweater: urban outfitters
pink button-up: thrifted
skirt: american apparel
belt: anthro (christmas)
tights: ae
boots: indigo

Today was all about creature comforts--slouchy sweater, worn-in button-up, jersey skirt--because I'm feeling a little sad. My little sister just left for a semester abroad in London, and after a morning of sniffling in the airport (and about a million hugs), I need something cozy to slouch around in for the rest of the day while I try not to think about the movie Taken.



On the upside, London is such an exciting place to be, and I'm so thrilled that she's going to spend the semester rooting around the Bloomsbury district, eating fish and chips (and of course tikka masala), and wandering through museums. Did you spend a semester abroad anywhere? I went to Ireland, where I drank lots of Guinness and read W.B. Yeats and visited TopShop every other week.

I am the Special Occasion

Works Cited
blue dress: anthro (christmas gift)
belt: anthro
tights: target
brogues: steve madden

Recently, I read this article on how people procrastinate pleasure, letting gift certificates, frequent flier miles, and great bottles of wine expire because they keep waiting for a special occasion. When I read it, I thought, "Whoa, that happens in my closet all the time!" This dress is a perfect example--retro and sleek with a big full skirt and pockets--because I felt like it should be worn to an afternoon garden party, or to a casual spring wedding, or for something special. Doesn't this happen to you in your closet--you keep saving something pretty for the right occasion?



But after reading this, I decided to cash in my pleasure now. I am the special occasion and there's no reason to put off wearing a beautiful dress tomorrow if I can wear it today. (Plus, with tights and flats and messy hair, it's dressed down enough for regular wear, if I do say so myself.)

Okay, now I'm off to spend my Amazon gift certificates and frequent flier miles!

Sewing Success!

Works Cited
white tee: j crew
gray wool skirt: thrifted, HEMMED BY MEEE!
tights: ae
belt: thrifted
brogues: steve madden

For most other bloggers out there, hemming a skirt is an unremarkable feat, but for me, it's just about the craftiest thing I've done in years and I feel like a proud peacock wearing this skirt. I thrifted it a few weeks ago because it is a beautiful vintage skirt with a great lining and thick gray wool. Sadly, its dowdy length made me feel like my grandmother so I brought it home to my mother's sewing machine (okay and her terrific advice) and I hemmed it about 12 inches shorter. Despite years of sewing lessons as a child, I have somehow retained almost nothing of what I learned. So hemming this is an accomplishment that makes my entire winter break feel productive.



Oh yeah, and happy new year! I've had the pleasure of seeing some bloggers' resolutions, but I'm genuinely curious--what are yours?

I have one big and one small resolution. The big one: to be more mindful. The small one: to do more new things around my small town, and take better advantage of the cultural offerings (even if it means dragging myself away from my studies). I love the new year because it feels so fresh--like you can do anything! Thank you for reading this silly little corner of the web...I am very much looking forward to this year of blogging and especially to reading all of the other wonderful and creative things out here, which continue to make me think that you don't need lots of money or Rachel Zoe as your stylist to look terrific every day (what an inspiration!).
xoxo.