Tights In May? Of Course!

Last week when it got really warm, I was a little annoyed at how hot my apartment was getting since we aren't putting our air conditioners in before the move.  I spoke too soon - we've had nothing but cloudy, rainy 40 degree weather here the past few days.  It feels a bit more like mid-March than mid-May.  But I'm not letting this make me retreat back into winter dressing.  Mainly because all of my winter things are packed away in boxes.  Today's outfit is pretty simple, but dressed up with a bright scarf.


Cardigan, Skirt & Tights: Target
Tank: Ann Taylor Outlet
Scarf: New York & Company
Shoes: Born

Blue Monday

It's Monday, so it's back to the grind.  How were everyone's weekends?  I had a chance to catch up with old friends, (fella's) family, and enjoy Chicago's awesome weather as of late.  Our forecast for the entire week is high 70's and sunshine, which I'm most definitely looking forward to.  Another week of work, on the other hand?  Not so much.

How do you psych yourself up for going back to work after a weekend/time off?  Is there any way to make Monday mornings a little easier to bear?

Sweater: New York & Company
Tank: New York & Company
Skirt: Target
Necklace: Ann Taylor
Shoes: Tsubo

Color me timid

Yesterday, the lovely A-Dubs of In Professorial Fashion asked for suggestions on how to wear her adorbs coral and brown sandals. There were awesome comments, but I had nothing to offer, because that much color frightens me. I had to refer to the brilliant color wheel at Academichic, but this puzzles me too. Neutrals with a pop is about all I can manage.
I tried to be more daring today, starting out with a blue-green shirt, but I got hot just trying to get dressed, so I opted for a lighter linen button down instead. I have a meeting today with a cool dude* in the department, and I'm going to try to convince him to let me present my research at his center, while trying to avoid spilling Greek salads down my front.
So the boldest I could get today was the dark purple belt with the green skirt, which I've worn before (mostly because Anne told me to buy them together, as the skirt gaps at the waist), and a scarf with green and blue accents. It's made of artificial fibers so it may come off soon. But it's held down with a mushroom scarf pin, which I think is very necessary sometimes in life.

And although it is already a sweltering 82 degrees outside, I am wearing microfishnet. Because I hate shaving my legs. Is that too much information, blogging buddies?

(In case you were wondering, that is Lula by my feet. She is depressed when it is this hot out, and the little aggressive kitten is not helping. And she doesn't let us brush her, so one of us has to hold her down and while the other brushes her. She is def a "two person" cat.)

*This colleague, of Mediterrean origin, manages to look dignified in shorts and Italian loafers. Over the age of 50. How does he do it?

Shirt: H&M
Belt: Presence, Chicago
Skirt: Tulle, via Presence, Chicago
Microfishnets: via Daffy's
Scarf: Ebay
Sunglasses: DKNY via Mom
Wedges: Aerosoles, thrifted

"Formal" suit directive!

Making the best of a suit day, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

I got an email reminding me that I had agreed to participate in a recruitment evening yesterday (for today). I asked (because I think I knew the answer) what the dress code was. I was told "formal." Oh, the most dreaded wardrobe designation for this academic. I hate hate hate my proper interview suit. It is so 2007, and the skirt is a relic of my past habit of always buying up a size. The waist band does not even sits about 2 inches above my hips. What was I thinking? (It was good enough to give me my job offers, I suppose).
I spent last night trying to figure out ways to fake a suit, but I don't want to piss off the administration. (This included an Annie Hall like get up made from pieces of Blokey's wedding suit). I thought about bloggers who have posted on making a standard corporate suit more creative, such as Sal or Gina. But since I don't work in a corporate setting, I haven't invested in a lot of these pieces. Plus, I have no jewelry to speak of.
But at the last minute, I mashed together a jersey dress from a previous outfit, followed Angie's advice of rolling up sleeves, and added colored tights. Since the skirt is too big and lined, it works OK with the dress. I still feel like a tool, but a slightly more comfy and relaxed one.
Would you trust your bright child's higher education with this peacock colored lady?

Suit jacket and skirt: Banana Republic (2007)
Jersey Dress (worn as a shirt): Uniqlo
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Reaction/Kenneth Cole (2005)

Summer in the city?

Summer in the city?, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

Today is HOT. I can feel it. There is A/C in our classrooms, but it probably won't be turned on in mid-March). The sun is pretty hot at 8:10 AM and I fear for the afternoon. It's usually fine in my office but the first class after spring break, sunburnt students, and overheated classrooms is not the formula for the best class (luckily, we are films!)
I love this skirt, but it wrinkles so easily. And I felt the need for a jacket despite NY's projected record breaking temperature of 86 (and that is hotter in New York than in other cities, something to do with all those millions of people and thousands of tourists that make everything more sweltering). I think I became more cold blooded in the midwest, although I hear that the midwest is also unseasonably warm lately.
This jacket makes me happy although it's not as versatile as many warm weather coats. It's one of those jackets that make me glad that I have a bit of height. Also, it will protect me from still cool subway stations (they will get oven hot really soon).

I have a lovely sleeveless knit v-neck under the very light, sheer sweater. I don't think I've ever taught in a sleeveless top before. Is that too much arm? I once read one of those "how to dress for success in higher ed" pieces that said, "If you are showing your arms, you might as well be naked." Hmm. Is that true, or do students recognize that even the Man has sweat glands?

Skirt: Cynthia Steffe (thrifted in 2004)
Shoes: Aerosoles (thrifted)
Sweater: Muji
Coat: Industry, Cliche (Minneapolis)
Crochet nude tights: Kmart

Visiting

Visiting, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

Koo and I are acting as visiting professors at idyllic, beautiful Ohio small liberal arts college. It is just adorable. Maybe a little small for my tastes, but it's a nice change of pace. We talked about interview methods in the morning, and met with old friends for lunch. In the afternoon, we had a relatively well attended research presentation, where I talked too fast and she talked slowly (we're like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, but we look a bit a like.)
After a long a delicious meal (with old friends from Columbus), which ended in snow (ah, the Midwest), Koo snapped this photo of me. I thought I should try to look professorial, since they are paying me to impart wisdom/knowledge to young minds. I hope that I did not disappoint with my (late 1990s?) mulitcolored plaid thrifted polyester blend skirt.

Skirt close-up

Skirt: thrifted
Sweater: Esprit
Red shirt: Jcrew (swapped, from a friend's mom)
Tights: Target
Booties: Me Too

Ohio bound

Ohio bound, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

Today, after giving midterms, I'm going to Ohio to be a "visiting professor" at a small liberal arts college in Ohio. (I have little experience at the SLAC, as I've got an all Big Ten education). I'm comfort oriented today, and looking at the photos, I think I've never needed a necklace as badly as I do today. At least I am wearing a color. Perhaps a belt is was in order, but this jersey dress is about 3 inches above the knee, and I fear the any waist cinching would have brought it into what Winona from Daddy Likey calls "chocha" territory (not so good for the prof.)
I'm wearing the blazer to try to up the casualness of a knit jersey dress. I kind of hate blazers, and this is the one that permanently hangs on a hook in my office. I tried to embrace the more straight cuts (called "boyfriend", which is annoying), that are all rage, and I hated them even more. I believe this is because I have a strong shoulder line, and therefore I don't prefer to emphasize the widest point on my body. But it does sort of demand authority more than a flowy cardigan. The folks at Academichic are also profiling jackets, so I thought I'd give it a go.
Although I like the color combo, I am feeling 2 thumbs down on the blazer. I want my cardigan. Thoughts?

Jacket and dress detail (note the "shirred yoke" on the dress. I'm learning clothes construction terms.)

Jacket: Esprit (on sale, 2 years ago)

Dress: Uniqlo

Boots: Palladium

Tights: Uniqlo (not the same pair from yesterday)

Misschedule

Misschedule, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

I thought today was part of a recruitment night at my school for a certain program. But I was wrong. I wasted a perfectly decent "authority" outfit on a rainy day. Massive professor misschedule. At least I am here for another reason: make up exams and a student meeting. Still, I would have preferred something more casual and fun. Here I am, still queen of the neutrals.
Readers, if you met me in this outfit, would you think, "I could entrust my intelligent child's higher education in her hands," or think, "What kind of sloppy lady wears a gigantic oatmeal colored cardigan, T shirt, and an skirt that is too big?" I am hoping for the former. I could have gone with the "interview suit" but I hate that Banana Republic monstrosity.

This outfit is mostly provided by my mother, who is always trying to get me dress like a nice young lady. I even wore these little bow pumps to my PhD graduation (a mistake. I kept sinking into the mud).

Cardigan: Rachel Rachel Roy (mom present), Macy's
Tshirt (tunic style): Dillards (from mom, again)
Skirt: H&M
Patterned tights: Uniqlo
Shoes: Enzo Angiolini (thrifted)

9 to 5

9 to 5, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.
I feel a bit like Lily Tomlin from 9 to 5. Well actually, all those girls wore similar "secretary" style dresses in great colors.

I picked this up at the local vintage store a while back, but haven't worn it yet. Honestly, I feel a little self conscious in something so bright and so vintage. I threw the swapped cardigan on top and it seemed to tone down a lot of the ruffle and frill. Still a nice dress.
This is something that I struggle with in general though. I like vintage clothes, recycling, and reworking older styles but it's always a challenge to not look too costumey. I am teaching today, and it's the week before spring break, so I don't worry about projecting uber authority or anything like that. I can have fun with my clothes, but I don't want to appear too crazy. I have this concern about the mod dress too.

This is a better view of the colors. More tomato than bright red

What are you tips for wearing vintage while still looking modern?

Edit: Sal from Already Pretty did a great guest post at Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing on tips for wearing vintage. It's true: the internets is better than ice cream.

Dress: Not Just Vintage
Cardigan: swap, J Crew
Tights: Hue (Macy's?)
Shoes: Naturalizer, online
Belt: thrifted

Mixing patterns

march8 072, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

Lots of fellow bloggers have had great luck mixing patterns, like Elaine of Clothed Much and A. of Academichic (just to name a few). I am so timid about patterns in general. This is as close as I've gotten thus far. Patterned black tights with a patterned jersey dress. It's an example of one of my "fast fall back outfits" for teaching (or anything): jersey dress, cardigan, tights, and boots/booties (with a belt if I'm feeling adventurous or want to be more tailored).

my version of "daring"

I never thought twice about the appropriateness of this outfit for work, where there are lots of young men aged 18-24. But today, I was walking by a table of dudes who were hanging, and one of them shouted out, "Professor!" I know him, said, hello, and I heard one of his friends say, "Damn, is that a professor?" I looked in the mirror and tried to figure out if the outfit is too "sexy." I am covering up all the major parts, other than that elusive collarbone (the dress isn't too short, the jersey isn't too tight), so I decided that maybe I just look good today. Nothing wrong with that, professor or not.
Happy St. Patrick's Day to my Irish and Irish-at-heart friends. And thank you for all the lovely congrats and well wishes on our wedding. Getting back to normal life has been harder than I thought, but the teaching week is thankfully almost over.

Dress: H&M (3 seasons ago), sale ($15)

boots: Born

belt: thrifted

cardigan: LOFT

tights: Target

Evaluation

march8 067, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

It took me longer than usual getting dressed today, because this outfit needs to project some degree of competence. Our program of study at work is getting evaluated by folks from the outside, and part of the evaluation is a dinner. I like meeting strangers and chatting about stuff. One of my students said, "You spend a lot of time schmoozing." I guess I do, although one wouldn't think of the professoriate as a job that requires a lot of socializing. (C'mon, we're nerds! Give us our windowless rooms with books).
I wanted to go jeans and a blazer, but I also wanted to wear my new spectators (purchased for the wedding. They can only be justifed if they make it into everyday wear). I have a good black blazer but only vintage brown ones, and they just didn't match with my jeans. Maybe I need some higher waisted, trouser style jeans. So I went with an old faithful. Thrifted vintage double knit polyester A line skirt, the swapped cardigan, and swapped short scarf. I think this outfit has kind of a 50s vibe, with the spectators. I tried to be daring with the weird nude print tights, which might just be too daring for mixed company.

Close up of shoes/tights

Shirt: LOFT

Cardigan: JCrew, swapped

Skirt, probably handmade, thrifted (Minneapolis)

Tights: Kmart (I had to go there to get a slip)

Shoes: Tahari, via Ebay

Barely Bavarian

march8 049, originally uploaded by Cohabitating_Closet.

I wasn't as prepared as I'd like to be for class today, but it went OK anyway. Sometimes it's best not to overthink these things. However, I did want to be comfortable, and I went with a knit jersey shirt dress, with a vaguely German folk print around the "waist area." I would ahve belted this puppy but it looks kind of strange with a belt.

I realize that I went neutral heavy again, but I loathe covering up the collar of this dress. I've even worn the top as a blouse and paired it with a heavier skirt before. This dress has a problem with staying shut, as the jersey just wants to slip out of the button hole. The hem is pretty decent (less than a hand's width above the knee) but I didn't want to risk it. So I stapled it shut, because even with though I'm a married lady, I'm still punk rock (in my head).

Dress, Cliche (Minneapolis)

tights, Target

Boots, Mia

Cardigan Uniqlo

Style risks

This is no Lady Gaga outfit, but when I left the house this morning, I wasn't quite sure of this outfit.
The sweater, which is a size large, was acquired at a recent swap. I like it a lot. It's tunic like, the sleeves are interesting, and the white is really bright. But I haven't figured out how to wear it.
I was rushing around this morning, and I thought this might look OK with pants, but I wasn't quite satisfied. I low-belted it, added a berry scarf, and thought, "Maybe?" and ran out the door.
I have a black blazer in my office in case I decide that I hate it too much to wear when I lecture. Is the black and white too stark? Does it work? Any thoughts would be deeply appreciated.

Pants: Uniqlo (in Korea), about $30
Shoes: Naturalizer, $40
Black button down: Uniqlo, about $30
Belt: GAP (years ago), $25
Scarf: Collecther, (vintage), $12

In Defense of Online Shopping

Yesterday our Brooklyn cohabitator mentioned that she has to defend online shopping to some of her skeptical friends.  Being skeptical of online shopping seems so hard for me to believe.  I mean sure, maybe 10 years ago (which is about when my online shopping habit started up), but these days you can find everything online!  If you use it for more mainstream stores, it's helpful if you can't find your size in stores.  I have that problem a lot, especially when buying pants, since it seems like most stores think that a size 14 gal like me would only need her pants in ankle or regular length.  At 5'9", that doesn't do it for me, so I often have to order my "tall" pants online.  A lot of retailers also have a lot more on their websites than they carry in their stores. For example, Old Navy has a whole Plus Size line that they've completely stopped carrying in their stores (at least in Chicago), and I see phrases like "online exclusive" on a lot of other store websites.  Another reason I love shopping online is the wealth of coupons that are out there at sites like Retailmenot, Coupon Cabin and iGive.  In fact, iGive will also donate a portion of your purchase to one of their registered local charities (my iGive is set to donate to Ravenswood Community Services, which helps members of my own community).  In addition to those few websites, a simple google search will give you tons of results for coupon codes.  I don't shop without them.

I admit that, unlike a lot of fashionable folks, I don't go to thrift stores.  In fact, the only time I've ever been to one here in Chicago was on a shopping trip in my Lincoln Square neighborhood last spring when a certain co-contributor was visiting.  I know there's some cute stuff in thrift stores if you take the time, but I just don't have the patience to take that time while out shopping.  I feel the same way about stores like Filene's and Nordstrom Rack.  Sure, there's bargains, but you have to work for them.  In that vein, I also haven't gotten into buying things in online auctions (although perhaps I should).  So when I say I shop online, I mean I shop for new stuff online.  Maybe I'll get into looking at vintage pieces (rather than "vintage-inspired") one of these days.

Anyway, yesterday I realized that my entire outfit was purchased online, so, although fairly simple, I'm presenting it to defend online shopping.

The only part of this outfit that I probably shouldn't wear right out of the box (woops) is the pants.  They could use a little hemming (another problem with being tall - "regular" inseam pants are too short, and "tall" inseam pants are usually about an inch too long).  But aside from that, I think it's a pretty good, put-together work look.

I can't say enough about how much I absolutely love buying shoes online.  Between Zappos, Amazon and even the pricier Piper Lime (which I just use to find ideas, and then look for cheaper versions elsewhere), I can always find great shoes.

My boyfriend bought me this necklace - also online.  And when I say he bought it for me, I mean I emailed him a link to it on Etsy a week before Christmas, compulsively checked the link to see if the one and only remaining necklace had been purchased, and saw it while bringing the mail in a few days later.  

I have plenty other great online finds which I'll be sharing eventually.  Today, I'm working at home on my couch, wearing my favorite black sweats, my much loved New Belgium Skinny Dip t-shirt and my most stylish blanket.

Pants: NYandcompany.com - $20 (during a buy one, get one free pants event)
Blouse: loftonline.com - $39.50 (with a 20% off  coupon)
Cardigan: loftonline.com - $39.50 (with a 20% off coupon)
Necklace: Etsy.com - $20
Shoes: Amazon.com - $20

Dressing like Mom

This post is dedicated to my mom. She and I have our differences, but I admire her greatly. She came to the States by herself at the ripe old age of 21, and has always been a working women, raising three kids and creating a new career for herself after age 45. She is super involved in her community, runs a successful business, and looks great. She is one of the working women who ended up having it all* (and remains a slim size 2, even in her late 50s).
I wore a vintage 1970s tweedy "mauve" skirt suit today. It reminds me of the sepia toned photographs of my mom when she was my age. I wish I had a cool silk shirt too, but maybe that would be too costumey. I always get loads of compliments, including one from younger folks in hip hop styles. It's not a Mad Men outfit. It's my homage to my mom. (Plus, I love the 1970s fashions. There was a lot of ugliness, and polyester, but there was also a whole lot of cool).

(Ah, hotel decor)

The lining is just nuts too:

The skit is just a wee bit tight. Or maybe I'm just not used to wearing skirts on my natural waist? The skirt even has pockets. I adore this suit and I don't think it needs accessory but if you have an idea on how to make it more brilliant, I'd love to hear it!

*no offense to Liz Lemon

Larry Levine skirt suit (1970s?), $20 on ebay
tights: Target, $5
shoes: $45, Naturalizer
white button up: Loft, $25 (summer sale).

closet encounter

I just couldn't figure out what to wear today. I feel that way when I don't make presentations at work, but we were bringing someone in for an interview. I wanted to be relaxed but still somewhat professional. This outfit too forever for me to assemble. I got this double-knit red A line polyester skirt (it's true, I do wear petroleum sometimes) a thrift store in Minneapolis years ago, and I love the buttons, but I have difficulty matching it.
I initially just wore the grey sweater (it's actually a sweater dress, but I don't wear it alone on cold days), but I thought I need to break up the colors more. I added this somewhat awkward obi (the color isn't quite black) and the eternity scarf and I felt more satisfied.
This is a picture of me at the end of the day.

Circle Scarf: American Apparel ($35?)
Shoes: Me Too ($50)
Tights: Target (footless), $5,
Skirt, Thifted, $7
Grey Sweater Dress: Uniqlo, $29
Obi belt: Etsy, $12

grain-tastic

(This is my idea of a good hairstyle)

I'd like to get better at these photos. I've been relying mostly on natural light because the lights in our apartment are crappy. I took about 25 pictures and this was the best. I wasn't thrilled with the quality of photos yesterday but today's were made more difficult, thanks to SNOWPOCALYPSE 2010 (I realize that not everyone is calling it that, but I prefer the apocalypse more than the Armageddon).
I didn't know if I had to go to work today, so I picked this out as a work appropriate outfit. But luckily, just before I was ready to go, my lovely colleague who was already there called and said not to bother. (My co-workers are awesome. That might make me one of the luckiest people in this city).


I need some a new photography strategy. My food pictures are a bit blurry too, but I usually can get details a bit better. I should also state upfront that I am a little scared of color, and I hope that this blog can help me be more brave (and to see how bland just neutrals can be).
I am wearing a scarf partly because of the great Academichic blog's designation of February as Scarf Month. I associate much this outfit with my new city, because I bought the pink scarf at the airport after my nerve wrecking job interview, the wellies at a local discount shop on a really rainy day in the city, and the skirt my second week on the job at Esprit (it's pricier than usual). That store is expensive but everything fits me like a glove, even length wise. Evidently, I'm built like a German girl.

But I did take good pictures of the storm:

(I can only stand in the middle of the street on snow days)

Summer weight cardigan: TJ Maxx, $10
Tights: HUE, $15
Scarf: that $10 accessories store in every airport with vaguely European sounding name (?)
Boots: Daffy's, $20
Skirt: Esprit, $50
Boatneck striped tee: Rodarte for Target, $12?