It's freaking hot in Brooklyn, with a high of 87. It's not that I can't handle heat, but it was cold early this week, so the sudden shift in temperature is disorienting. In addition, I don't know how to dress cute for heat. I've heard other bloggers discuss this. In cooler weather, I rely on tights, jackets, cardigans, scarves, and other cool kinds of layering to add interest to my outfit, but in heat, I don't want anything but the bare minimum amount of fabric to cover my body. I put on Blokey's denim shirt to go buy apples but I was forced to take it off and suffered with sweat. Oh well. Maybe this blog will encourage me to consider summer jewelry, because my extensive collection of summery dresses may not be enough.
As for my "summer boots" wear, this outfit borrows from the "young people" I've seen folding down their lace up boots on the subways (and in my classroom):
So what does the Rad prof do during unseasonably nice weather? Work on revisions for a paper, of course! My desk has been overtaken by drafts, other papers, and my mind full of thoughts on how to be more brilliant. In the academic publishing world, R&R means revise and resubmit, and I've been sitting on one since our wedding. Oops. I was lucky to get approached by a journal to submit a conference paper, and they gave pretty good guidelines for the changes, but I had to get some distance from my work for a bit. Now I am refreshed (somewhat) and inspired. I'd like to submit this before the end of finals. No rest and relaxation for now.
But yesterday, I did attend a May Day event. Since I've been heavy on the politics here lately, I'll spare you the details. But I did get a good shot of tourists gawking at us:
As you can see, this thrifted (early 90s?) dress is short. I am comfortable showing a certain amount of leg (not while teaching, of course, and I remain reticent about showing bony shoulders), but I need modesty strategies. (If the weather were in the 70s, I'd throw on some leggings). It's windy and stuff here. Too many times, I've unwittingly reproduced "Some Like it Hot" in a less sexy manner with fuller skirts. Damn you, omnipresent subway grates. I'm intrigued by the Pettipants, which Audi and Erin have raved about, but haven't gotten on the ball with ordering a pair. I've read about other bloggers using bloomers, so here I am wearing a pair of very short bike shorts. I am also considering getting some lace ones (maybe making some?) that would peek out. (Here are some options or inspirations: Boscov's, NY&Co (I'd trim these), Top shop, Sears, ebay)
Hemlines have been pretty high for a few seasons. What are you summertime dress/skirt modesty?Dress: "Vintage Blues" (such a 90s brand) via Brown Elephant Resale (Chicago)
Denim Western Shirt: early 2000s Gap, borrowed from Blokey
Boots: Mia
I can't go that short at all, but I admire you for going for it!
ReplyDeleteWhen it gets crazy hot like you are experiencing, especially when it's sudden, I head straight for sandals. If my feet are hot, I am hot, period.
I find myself trying to lengthen skirt hems pretty often (Orthodox Jew here) and recently discovered that a slip with a pretty lace hem works wonders. I think it is probably even cooler than pettipants, since the fabric floats away from the body in its skirt form. So when someone tells you that your slip is showing, you can just tell them it was done purposely.
ReplyDeletealltumbledown:a modest attempt at style
Oh, I wish I were into finals so that I could spend some more time on my own research. I have to re-write a chapter into two before I can defend, and it's really starting to oppress me.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of cotton skirts and dresses that I wear frequently in the summer. I don't go much above knee length because that's just not the way I roll. I just ordered a couple of pairs of pettipants this morning, so I'll let you know what I think about them.
Love that read flowery dress. i do enjoy short dresses and pants as well. However, ever since i started teaching last summer, i constrain myself from wearing such things because I run into my students in the grocery store all the time! -Hyunju
ReplyDeleteyou look great and you have the legs to pull it off. love you x j
ReplyDelete(re:your comment)-- I've been thinking about the heat issue of poly slips, and found a nice amount of cotton/linen slips in a vintage shop that were a bit too rich for my blood. I bet you could find some on ebay, though!
ReplyDelete(re:your comment)-- I've been thinking about the heat issue of poly slips, and found a nice amount of cotton/linen slips in a vintage shop that were a bit too rich for my blood. I bet you could find some on ebay, though!
ReplyDeleteLove that read flowery dress. i do enjoy short dresses and pants as well. However, ever since i started teaching last summer, i constrain myself from wearing such things because I run into my students in the grocery store all the time! -Hyunju
ReplyDelete