Category Archives: academia

Happily Overdressed

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Today was my first official day back at work after the break. Since I work at a university (the same one where I attend graduate school), most of my colleagues dress pretty casually. And it’s not like I don’t ever just throw on my favorite pair of jeans and a comfy hoodie, but I really enjoy dressing up so I try to take every opportunity.

When I was staying at home with my children during their earliest years, it was so easy for me to stop caring about myself. Motherhood during those first few years was almost indescribably beautiful and moving, but it was also utterly absorbing. Without really realizing it, I poured my whole self into the raising of my children and while I’m so glad I was able to do it, I think I sort of lost sight of my self as a whole, individual person.

I’m still working on it, but going back to school was part of me reclaiming some sense of balance.

Another part, as frivolous as it may seem in the grand scheme of things, is this. Fashion. Beauty. Clothes. Makeup. Painting my nails and (I’m loathe to admit) showering regularly again. While I concede the frivolity of fashion in the grand scheme of things, it makes me happy. It’s fun.

When I dress up, I feel beautiful and confident and strong. Not that I don’t feel those things when I come home and change into sweats and wipe off my lipstick, but that’s just the thing. Home is the place where I am safe, and that’s where I was for the greater part of four years. Now I go out into the world, and I enjoy the experience of creating myself for the world, so to speak.

Moving on from the philosophizing and on to the clothes! The jacket I’m wearing is a beautiful opera jacket by Dolce & Gabanna that my mama bought on sale some time ago, but then didn’t end up liking for her. It’s convenient that she has a daughter, is it not? The sleeves are so perfectly poofy at the wrists – I just love it.

Jacket: Dolce & Gabbana black silk satin opera jacket (hand-me-down from my mama), similar (with cropped sleeves) here
Shirt: J.Crew
Skirt: Anthropologie
Tights: J.Crew
Shoes: J.Crew glitter oxford ballet flats
Purse: vintage, worn as clutch (from ebay)
Sunglasses: Chanel (hand-me-down from my mama)
Nail Polish: essie watermelon

Academic Chic

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I had an appointment with one of my professors this afternoon. The semester doesn’t start till next week, but my prof has offered to sort of co-propose a special session at the next MLA conference in one of my main areas of interest. It’s not all that easy to find mentors, and at my university, it’s particularly hard to find mentors in my focus area.

So I’m pretty excited.

It’s very tiny in the pictures, but the bracelet I’m wearing is actually a little gold pig charm hanging from red and blue elastic bands. In the Korean tradition, babies are given gold jewelry on their first birthday and this was a gift for my second son.

I really like it so I’ve appropriated it. Who doesn’t want a little golden pig?

Although I’ve been wearing heels more lately, I usually wear flats to school. But I try to wear shoes that are sensible and cute.

I love how these play on those black and white wingtip oxfords. And they’re glittery. It can’t get much more awesome than glitter, am I right?

Five more days till my first day of classes! I can’t wait!

Sweater: Banana Republic (hand-me-down from my halmoni)
Shirt: Mikkat Market black asymmetric draping tee
Skirt: J.Crew plaid mini skirt
Tights: J.Crew
Shoes: J.Crew glitter oxford ballet flats
Gloves: J.Crew ribbed fingerless glovettes
Bag: Marni (borrowed from my mama)
Sunglasses: Chanel (hand-me-down from my mama)
Accessories: gold pig charm bracelet (gift)
Nail Polish: essie watermelon

Uniform Redux

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This is, more or less, my non-jeans uniform. I definitely love a good pair of jeans and a comfy tee, but sometimes that gets kind of, well, boring.

And leather shorts are nothing if not fun.

I’m both a student and a mom, and that places certain limitations on my wardrobe (4 inch heels? um, no). It also, on the other hand, allows me some freedom (i.e. no office appropriate dress necessary). Whether I’m taking my kids to the park, attending classes, or going on a date with Yubo, I want to feel both comfortable and stylish. I want to have fun and feel pretty, but I don’t want my clothes to get in the way of the things I do.

These shorts, then, are perfect. They’re really, really comfortable, and I’ve been able to wear them all through winter over a pair of thick tights. A blouse and a blazer on top and I’m good to go.

(I’m really not mad. I promise!)

Shorts: Q40 glam leather shorts
Shirt: J.Crew
Blazer: Madewell
Tights: J.Crew
Shoes: J.Crew black suede wedges
Bag: vintage (ebay)
Accessories: Forever 21 white and gold bow headband, Anthropologie earrings, Tiffany engagement and wedding band, oli + me whisper ring
Nail Polish: essie turquoise and caicos and deborah lippmann Shake Your Groove Thing