Jeans conundrum

Happy Wednesday Style Nation.  I've taken on such a slacker schedule- sleeping, working until late.  I am not dying to get back to the semester schedule, but I do have a bit of guilt about sleeping like a college student on spring break.  I tried to smart it up a bit yesterday, by wearing heels to the grocery store/running errands.

But today, I wanted to wear jeans.  I don't wear 'em often, because the only jeans I own are lower rise. These aren't supposed to be the most flattering for my body type, but I still like them because they fit (plus layering helps break up the long line of my torso).  I happen to have a longer rise (distance between natural waist and crotch point) and a significant difference between my waist to hip measurement,* so I can't find jeans that fit my waistline very easily, so I get them to fit my hips.  But then once they stretch out just a little bit after more than one wear before washing, they get super saggy and a belt can't do much.  (There's no spandex in these jeans, which means when they fit, they really fit, but this doesn't last long.)  But since I don't want them to get all saggy, I rarely wear them.  I was hoping that I could wear my jeans more often in No Repeats. 
How do you get your jeans to fit more than once before rewashing?  Or is this just a problem for me because I fit to my hips?  Since buying new jeans is not an option for now, I'd like to hear your strategies for the future.

I also wanted to wear jeans today so I could wear this jacket I bought years ago but just found again yesterday.  I dig the retro vibe, pockets with zippers, the turquoise trim, but especially the Statue of Liberty patch.  What is going on here?

 

Outfit one:

Dress: H&M

Cardigan: Uniqlo

Scarf: Some pashmina street vendor, around 57th and 6th Ave. (last winter)

Tights: Target

Shoes: Naturalizer

Outfit two:

Shirt: H&M

Jeans: Uniqlo

Belt: Gap

Boots: Vasque (via Midwest Mountaineering)

Jacket: Nike via Marshall's

*I realize that I often look like I have a very straight body in pictures.  If I did, I think pants would be so much easier.

Young Pioneer on Labor Day

Today, I unintentionally look like a Young Pioneer, a group of sort of socialist boy/girl scouts from former East Germany (and other places under Soviet influcnece as well). I didn't realize it until looking at my photos. Young Pioneers have been in the news lately, because some right wing folks claim that Obama will be creating something like this to brainwash our children and young people. I'm pretty sure that's not something he can do on his own, but on this Labor Day, at the end of unfortunate summer (politically), I can be proud of the U.S. labor movement and celebrate our gains and mourn the setbacks. (As a proud member of a professor's union, I think I can say, "we.") This op-ed piece about the declining U.S. labor movement in the Times today was particularly good.

source

Last night, I finally saw Inception. I quite like Christopher Nolan and the way he like to screw with audience's minds. I also really really like Cillian Murphy. I think I'll watch anything with him. He's like the prettiest man I've ever seen (Blokey is not threatened, obviously).

In a little while, Blokey and I will head over to my old neighborhood of Crown Heights to watch the Annual West Indian Carnival Parade. It's this amazing street fest/parade, part of a weekend long serious of events promoting Caribbean culture in Brooklyn. The costumes, the floats, the music, the food- all amazing.

Carnival, 2008 (from right in front of my old apartment on Eastern Parkway)

Buster's wanted to show his bottom to the camera.

Busy work

Busy work, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

I spent all morning (before getting dressed) on the phone with the emergency room and my emergency insurance company (separate than my main medical insurance company) about something that happened in December. Hopefully, it's all settled now.
Today, in addition to academicky stuff, I am going to buy some cute, non-toxic, non-gender specific toy for my friends' two year old boy. I found myself wearing the black tee shirt and jeans all weekend, which fit the 6 items challenge, but was quite boring. I tried to make it less boring today, and follow Kelly in Beantown's awesome styling of 1990s-esque boots, but I think this outfit just makes me look wide. Maybe it's the angle. And my legs are oddly iridescent. But since I looked better in the mirror, I am stick with it anyway. (I've got short bike shorts under the skirt, you know, for my mom's sake).
Oh, my friends in Frankfurt, which is where Blokey and I are going tomorrow evening. No particular reason, except to see our friends and pretend that school doesn't start in a week. Oh, and they're setting up meetings for me with like-minded scholars at the University, so someday maybe I can go do research there? (Oh German welfare state, how I do covet you). Hope you have a fabulous Monday.

Shirt: Rodarte for Target
Belt: free from an eBay purchase
Tunic/dress as skirt: AA
Microfishnet tights: Daffys
Boots: MIA

6 by August

Two things on this blustery and Pacific Northwest like Sunday:
1) I have picked out my 6 items for August. (I am following in cooler footsteps then myself, like the very cool Style Underdog. If I keep reading your blog, will get to be as edgy chic as you someday?)
I may cheat if it gets really hot (I am assuming that it won't be above 90 degrees for 3 weeks, like in July). I am already cheating because I mostly work from home, and no one sees me, and I may sometimes still wear PJ like clothing for the bulk of the day (but I do try to go out everyday), and I didn't include workout clothes (ew). I won't have to worry a
I have to cheat during the wedding I will be attending this Saturday, and during a week long trip abroad the third week of August. I will try to bring as many of these items as possible, but we're going to be touristing, flying 7 plus hours, and I'm going to be pretending to be an early English nanny to my friend's toddler, so I will have to be flexible for that.

I am going to see this as an exercise in accessorizing, as I don't do that as often as I'd like. It seems I've gone with the "summery prep" as my theme, even though I don't like to think of myself as a preppy person. (I'd prefer to be edgy and dark). I'll have to mix it up with some more rugged shoes/belts, etc. Here they are:

L-R: JCrew summer cardigan (thrifted), Rodarte for Target striped boatneck, Copper Key* black blousey top (via ma), slouchy Levi's jeans, skinnied by me and cuffed for summer

L-R: Muji military style skirt, American Apparel grey tunic**

2) It seems I've developed the early stages of carpal tunnel syndrome. Evidently, obssessively working at your computer up to 12 hours a day (OK, throw a substantive amount of blogging/reading/messing about on internet on there) ain't' great for the wrists. Neither is playing guitar, yoga, or sewing- AKA top recreational activities for me (I thought all my downdogs and attempted crow poses were supposed to strengthen my wrists?). I lost feeling in my left pinky finger on Thursday after a (low intensity) jam session with Blokey. Ouch.

Solution: go to Ikea and buy a better desk (with adjustable height and one of those great drawers for my keyboard) and then judiciously wear super sexy wrist braces. Jog more for a while instead of yoga. Make Blokey play the guitar to accompany me when I want to sing (folk and country, exclusively).

Oh, and make a conscious effort to step away from the keyboard.

This one's for you, A-Dubs. My braces will give me superpowers.

*This is the junior's brand of basics at Dillards. This is what my ma likes to buy me, since she also wears junior's clothes, to accommodate her slenderness. She turns 59 in December. Brat.

**This may be cheating since I usually wear shorts/tights/leggings under this tunic. I don't mind the shortness, but I live in a neighborhood where if I walk around in something noticeably short, my path oft gets interrupted by the attention of admiring men. So I just play it safe.

Shirt: Rodarte for Target
Scarf: via eBay
Belt: off a pair of H&M pants
Jeans: Levis, from Macy's, skinnied by me
Shoes: Eastlands via Alamo (Chicago)
Wrist braces: Futuro, via Duane Reade

Summer Polyester (or Exhibit C)

A-Dubs' recent post has inspired me to pull out my thrifted sundress, which I've maybe worn 3 times since I found it last summer. This dress has many positives. The outside is a lovely, floaty silk chiffon. There are mini round buttons on the empire bodice, giving this a vague drindl look. I don't mind a lack of a defined waist. It gives decent back coverage, which is key for me (I think the back is really intimate and personal, more so than upper legs). The hemline is a bit awkward, but I am taking a page out of A-Dub's book and rocking the wedge strappy sandals with the longer hemline.

The only issue is the polyester lining. As my mum-in-law has said, this defeats the purpose of the breezy silk summer dress. Do you think it's meant to be a fall dress, with a dark denim jacket, some tights? It's awfully flowery, so maybe some combat or motorcycle boots? Cowboy boots? What is up with sundresses with polyester linings, anyway? I am already sweating as I type this, but I am getting another wear out of it!

Dress: Zara, thrifted (Beacon's Closet)
Shoes: Giani Bini (gift from mom)

Grey matter

Grey matter, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

Lately, I've been really focused and (unfortunately) stressed about my work, so I haven't thought much about clothes. So in the mornings/late mornings (darn you, unstructured work schedule), I tend to satisfice with my look. If it's good enough, I go with it.
This obsession with work will get worse with August, so I am trying to figure out something to do with my last month of not teaching, clothing wise (with some modifications).
One possibility was the "6 items or less" for 1 month challenge that the NYTimes and the Consumerist was talking about. It's less than a challenge for me since I don't go to work everyday, but maybe not thinking about my clothes will be liberating. I will get to have free reign over accessories.
I would have to make allowances for the wedding in August and a one week overseas trip, and the first day of school (August 30), so it would only be in the spirit of the project, but it still might be interested.
Is 6 items or less a month too crazy? Would it (or something modified) be something you'd be willing to try?
Have a lovely weekend.

Tunic: Arwyn, via Cliche (Minneapolis)
Cardigan: JCrew, thrifted
Jeggings: Hue
Shoes: BC Footwear
Belt: Not Just Vintage, Brooklyn

Boots to the rescue

Boots to the rescue, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

All I wanted to do this morning was to not shave my legs, as it's not supposed to get above 85 degrees today. I tried on various pants (oops, stain), jeans (got too hot), and then realized that cowboy boots in summer can cover (mostly) your leg grooming laziness.
Thanks for your thoughts about my housing anxieties. I know that actually I am doing quite well. I'm not housing insecure, as I have to resources to move if I need, I just don't want to spend them. And I swear I don't have resentment to those richer than me (except when they don't want to pay their share of taxes, which I believe should be more, because they think it's unfair, but that's another rant), but I don't want to get kicked out of our place. I've read (and taught) Mike Davis' Planet of Slums, and I realize that majority of the urban world lives with far greater precariousness than I. My 45 minutes commute is nothing in the larger context. And I realize that even affluent upper middle class suburban families are pretty close to the edge (says Elizbeth Warren), with the 75% increase in health care and housing costs, as well as the individualized risk of the "modern" retirement (defined contribution) plan. I am grateful for many things, this blog being one of them.
I'm off to have a casual meeting and hopefully do lots of brilliant writing today. Have a lovely Tuesday.

(In case you were wondering how I can commit myself to sewing so many hours to make a dress like this: I listen to academic lectures on YouTube or various podcasts/radio interviews with intellectuals. So it's really work).

Sparrow

Blokey and I are on our way to see Mighty Sparrow, the Calypso King, at a free noon concert at Metrotech. It's not for fun, it's part of his dissertation research. I picked up this airy shirt dress while shopping with Jesse.anne.o and What I Wore a couple weeks ago, and while it can be a bit short, it's the perfect one piece for the fourth hot day in a row. Did I mention the concert is outside? Well, it's all in the name of research on post colonial Caribbean culture. Sometimes, you just have to make sacrifices.

I can't believe there's not a single neutral in this outfit, although my friend C. told me that yellow can be a neutral. My hair is a neutral, I suppose.

I hope that you have a lovely and productive (and cool) Thursday!

Cows with Guns

On the eve of American independence day, I put together my Americana-ish outfit, which is also an attempt to remix this dress (and I have difficulty remixing, a sentiment well expressed by La Fille d'Or). I was also listening to the song my sister and I giggle over together, Dana Lyons' Cows with Guns.* It's appropriate because it's about bovine liberation, but it draws on themes of national independence movements (primarily of the 1960s and 70s, but we can relate them to the 1770s, I think.) I want to give this CD and book to all my friends with kids, but I don't know if my parent-friends would approve of tales of cows with automatic weapons (other than the Swedes, who give their kids books about unemployed single dads on public assistance who have great adventures together. Sadly, not in translation).

A lot of folks are wishing everyone a happy July 4, and I also hope you have a nice holiday weekend as well, but I am always ambiguous about this, as well as many other, holidays. Jessphg did a great post on patriotism and criticism yesterday, and it got me thinking about what patriotism means to me. I get annoyed when certain loud people claim a monopoly on the legitimate definition of patriotism. Patriotism doesn't mean never questioning the decisions of your government or never criticizing things that a government has done. Since I teach international relations and will teach international law in the fall, it's impossible to teach effectively without discussing some of our past government's mistakes (Iran contra, Chile 1973, arms races, Monroe doctrine, etc.) But like I always tell my students: being critical of what Washington has done in the past (or present) in no way is an attack on "America," although some students have difficulty separating the two (During this video, a very nice student and veteran got upset and shouted, "Why are you always picking on us! Why is everyone OUR fault?"). I can be patriotic AND prefer Howard Zinn's history of this country over, say, the Texas school board's story.

Blokey's parents come in tomorrow so we have our hands full entertaining soon, so I hope to be productive today and clean a lot. I may be able to drag my in-laws of a Scandinavian extraction to the beach (but not the shore) Monday. Maybe a beach post to come?

Have a lovely weekend, bloggy buddies!

Rad in Brooklyn, lefty American patriot, out.

Dress: Talbots, thrifted
Tunic as undershirt: UO
Belt: Not Just Vintage
Scarf: via Ebay
Shoes: via Heavenly Soles, MPLS

*I could listen to this song over and over again, but Blokey not so much.

Hypothetical lunch, economic crises, and consumption thoughts

This is what I think about budget cuts

This the outfit I picked out to meet with some colleagues for a little lunch in Manhattan today. I took this photo around 10:30 or so. I walked to the train around 10:45, and around 11:45, after being stuck underground for about 45 minutes, I walked two stops back home, because the A/C train was suffering a breakdown. My colleagues said it was cool to reschedule, as they are very nice, but I am going to somehow blame this on the unfortunate budget cuts that the state/city have instituted. You know that a politician is doing a bad job if the NY Times* makes fun of them with this zinger: "[Working stiffs are] easy targets, especially for a governor who, like the mayor of New York City, rules out taxing rich people any further lest they pack their Louis Vuitton bags and scoot."

I wrote something very long about economic crises, the fallacy of austerity as an end, and the harmful effects of over reliance on a skittish private sector to promote recovery, but deleted it so as to not alienate everyone. I'll end this post by saying that it is a huge shame that politicians are ignoring the needs of productive New Yorkers by promoting regressive taxes (a soda tax? Getting rid of the tax exemptions on items below $110? Cutting school budgets and 1 library day a week? Allowing tuition increases at public universities? To quote G.O.B. Bluth, "Come ON!"). Yo, tax-averse peeps in NY: keeping this city somewhat accessible and safe is GOOD for your property values, your safety, and your ability to sleep at night!

Finally, this relates to the blog because I want to draw on the political conditions as an impetus for my own actions. I will make a more conscious effort to buy less of everything, especially clothes. I am not the best remixer, but I continue to inspired by the personal fashion/style blogosphere everyday. Summer time is hard for remixing, with the heat, but now that it's below 90 in NY, I'm layering away.
Hope you all had a less ranty and frustrating Wednesday then I. Disagreements, thoughts, ideas are surely welcome.

Tunic: Alwin, Minneapolis (via Cliche)
Skirt: OU
Boots: Durango, via Beacon's Closet
Belt: thrifted

*I have a love/hate thing with the NYTimes. They do some good reporting, good local investigating, but they also cater heavily to the champagne Upper Manhattan crowd, which makes sense economically, but likely influences their views. Also, what's up with their obsession with describing their interview subjects' looks?

Still Ill

This weekend's festivities, which were very fun, have taken an unfortunate toll. Beach, BBQ, and bachelorette party= sick Rad. And summer colds suck because I feel cold and hot at once. Plus, the crazy landlord is demanding access to our apartment soon so I had to put on clothes, and because of our special, um, situation, I had to keep myself pretty covered too.
In addition to other activities, Anne and I also also popped by a mall because her fella needed some gifts. We may have gone to the Gap, where there may have been a mondo sale. I am trying not to buy new things, but this western pearl snap button shirt, originally $50+, was now $11, so I fell to the retail temptation. I have some buying new guilt but I will make up for it by swaggering about like an urban cowgirl during the summer, and hopefully layering this with sweaters and cardigans during the fall for teaching.
Sickness, future bridesmaid duties and travels have resulted in a huge backlog on my reader and I apologize for not commenting on your lovely posts. I hope you had a great weekend and stay cool this week.

Shirt: Gap (on major sale)
Skirt: Vintage Blue, via Brown Elephant (Chicago), cut into skirt DIY (original here)
Belt: Not Just Vintage
Shoes: Steve Madden, thrifted

A non-midnight plane to Georgia

Why am I standing like my childhood hero Paul Bunyan? I read Gertie's post this morning about improving one's posture, which hit home for me. I'm a slouchy lady in most of my activities. I also read one of the links to her blog, Michael Hanko's Science of Singing, which bemoaned the way so many young women stand in a way to minimize themselves (crossing ankles, pigeon toed) or in very high heels. Guilty of all of that. I am not likely to give up heels completely, but I do want to be more cognizant about my posture.
Blokey and I are headed south of the Mason-Dixon line to visit my parents and my awesome sister.* We managed to pack enough for the next 5 days in a small duffel and a carry-on (the duffel mostly holds shoes. Men's shoes are really big). As usual, when I travel, I like to wear head to toe jersey. I have a pair of tights and socks in my purse for security and when it gets cold on the train.
We were very sorry to say good bye to Buster, whom we took uptown last night to his kitten-sitter's apartment. He really held his own against the less hostile adult cats in the apartment. Everyone was very impressed.

Have a great Wednesday, blogging community.
T shirt: H&M
Skirt: self made
Jacket: Gap, via Mom
Scarf: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Eastland via Alamo Shoes, Chicago
Luggage: Marshall's

*I am not from Georgia. My parents moved there in 2006, about 65 minutes from Atlanta, and 45 minutes from Deliverance country.

What can brown do for you

I thrifted a brown woven "dress" from Salvation Army about a month ago that had potential. It was a size Small, but strangely too big in the shoulders and quite boxy. There was an interesting side button placket, long sleeves, unfortunate arm pit stains, and the buttons stopped around the crotch area and there was no seam below. But since actual woven cotton materials* are rare while thrifting, I figured I could fanagle it somehow.
Since then, I realized that I probably picked up a caftan or the top of a men's shalwar kameez. We live near a mosque and an African immigrant community, so they might have been some fellow's outfit before. At first, I was all worried that I was engaging in cultural appropriation, but I let it go, since I am recycling materials, not trying to use another's culture to up my own cache, and I'm quite respectful to my neighbors. I took the top in on the side seams, took off the sleeves, and changed the neckline to something more summery. Hemming the curves of the arm holes was the hardest (I hope no one looks at it carefully.
This dress is way longer than most of my summery dresses, which makes it perfect for sweaty subway riding.
I wish I'd taken a before picture. I looked more like this when I started:

Dress: DIY refashion, thrifted
Shoes: Naturalizer
Scarf: via ebay
Belt: Not Just Vintage

*By this I mean a slightly thicker, non knit (like T shirt/sweatpant) material that is closer to the stuff button up shirts are made of. They're more "stable" and wrinkle easily. Like a step below canvas but slightly thicker than shirting materials. I like woven materials because they last longer, don't wear as quickly, and are easy to sew.