Blazers and Bow Ties: On the Joys of Collaboration
You know something I love? (If you said “True Blood,” boiled peanuts, or destructive humour you’re right, but that’s for another post). I love collaboration. As a PhD student, some of my best work and happiest academic moments have come from sitting around a table with a group of colleagues, brainstorming, generating feedback and talking trash about Derrida or Eliade or (gasp!) Foucault. It’s no surprise, then, that one of my favorite things about blogging is the collective aspect to it. I find it so exciting to hear other women’s stories, get inspiration from their outfits, and feel like I’m part of a community of positive, motivated, sassy-pants ladies.
Bow Ties and Blazers: dress (Filene's Basement, $15), white oxford (so old I don't remember), blazer (vintage Dior, thrifted, $1), tights (lots of 'em), boots (random, $15ish), bow tie (gift).
My outfit today is all about collaboration. The bow tie is worn in partnership with the ever-chic Joann, whose affection for itinerate folk and strangely-sized desserts rivals my own and whose fashion sense makes me giddy with new ideas (go get some of your own here!). Our inaugural Bow Tie Tuesday just happened to fall on the same day as Everybody, Everywhere’s Classic Blazer day, hence the especially nerdy/preppy look.
This blazer is one of the thrift store steals of which I’m most proud. I got it for a mere $1 (thanks, half off Mondays!) and…it’s vintage Christian Dior! As in, for realzies Dior. I’m not even close to being a label whore, but knowing that someone once paid thousands of dollars for something I got for one makes me feel the sweet pangs of thrifting joy like nothing ever has. I love its prep schoolish insignia and its blinging buttons. Pair it with simple neutrals and my bow tie (made from recycled vintage cloth) and you’ve got my take on the nerd uniform. Maybe it’s my long-time student status talking, but I have to say that I was pleased as punch with the results (though not the photos. It was 6 degrees outside, so these were super rushed).
What’s your favorite thing about writing/reading blogs? Do you have a favorite thrifting steal?
Sorry I failed you in the photo department. Though I do love the vintage-izing. And the bowtie. Yay, Emily!
Talking trash about Derrida I can understand. But Foucault?!?!?! For shame!
But you wore a pink, plaid bow tie, so I’ll forgive you…this time.
Who knew bow ties could engender forgiveness?! The trash talking was mostly in good fun and, of course, ultimately put Foucault back in his rightful place as (unnecessarily pretentious French) king of the world.
The outfit is cute and quirky. your bowtie is lovely
Daisy Dayz Home
Cross-Jones-Photography Home
Ah! $1 Dior! I’m not a label lady, either, but that is just exciting!! This look rocks…so sassy and chic. I need to get with this whole community thing and jump on the Everybody, Everywhere bandwagon! I may never be organized enough for a 30×30, but this sounds like something I may be able to participate in.
Um. Yeah you can. One day a month, when you want to participate. No commitment at all. What could be better?
i’m with katie, i’ve got a bit of a foucault crush. i did hear some pretty awesome derrida slamming the other week in my anthropology class though.
anyway, that blazer is seriously awesome.
Derrida slamming makes my heart go pitter-patter.
You look both hilarious and adorable in that first picture. I’m so glad that you went the nerdy/preppy look today!
The Auspicious Life
$1 Dior! What a fantastical find! I must say that my favorite part of blogging is the community. I am trying to comment on more people’s blogs and respond to the comments others leave for me, but it gets pretty overwhelming! I wish I could blog full time! PS- your bow tie is amazing. I also think you would look ravishing in suspenders.
SO CUTE! I love that you wore a bow tie with a blazer. It’s so nerdy and great. And a $1 Dior?!?! How is that even possible? Please take me to the thrift store with you.
You are so on it in these pictures, even if you think they aren’t good. The bow tie, the blazer, the glasses, the statue, the writing: all these things are wonderful. And so is being a nerd!
I love everything about this post- the bow tie, the blazer, the glasses, the statue, the nerdiness. It’s all perfect!
i love blogging for similar reasons. i think i’m finally finding the right fashion blogs, too…aka ones written by smart, interesting women who contextualize their outfits, their thoughts and their lives in simultaneously fun and intelligent ways! so this community is what really gets me excited.
carrie
larizadablog.blogspot.com
I love how your clothes always relate to you life. It’s so great. And I love that you’re nerdy enough to rock the bow tie and look like a sexy, sassy maven of vintage awesomeness.
I found an Armani jacket once while thrifting, but I didn’t get it for $1. What a steal! the bowtie is an excellent touch.
Thanks for the comment! Yes, I particularly love the items in my wardrobe that came from unique places like flea markets. This scarf was only $3 and it came with a little handmade satchel!
Oh the bangs. They look ok for about five minutes and then they part or lay to flat or…the list could go on! They are at the length right now where I can go back and forth between the side sweep and the frontal look. That’s the best.
That bowtie makes me want to do a jig of happiness! And I love how you’ve worn it low on your shirt. Innovative Emily!
“….feel like I’m part of a community of positive, motivated, sassy-pants ladies.”
WORD, girl. This is what it’s all about for me too, although you’ve put it so much more succinctly than I could.
This blazer-bow tie combo is ridiculously cute on you, and I love how you’ve worn the bow tie a little lower to keep it very feminine. I once found a vintage Dior blazer at my old NJ thrift haunt, and got so pumped I startled the old lady in the next aisle – then totally deflated once I realized it was for a very, very large lady, and way beyond the scope of my meager tailoring skills. Sigh. I’ll find another someday though, someday.
the other emily
Isn’t that the worst?! Before I opened my shop I found a badass genuine Pucci blazer, but it was huge, so I left it at the thrift store. If only I had it now to sell!!
This outfit is super cute! I’m bummed I didn’t know about bow tie Tuesday! I’ve been waiting for an excuse to wear one.
I love True Blood too. I can’t wait for the season to start!!
Cuteness!! And how cold does that look!
You and your Dior are just delicious. You rock.
What an AWESOME collaboration. Not only do I like you and JoAnn, but I love bow-ties. Sadly we’ve learned that Tuesday is not my favorite day, BUT these posts will just make it better.
Cute outfit. Love the bowtie!
I love True Blood too. I just discovered it a few weeks ago and raced through the first 2 seasons on Netflix.
Okay, so you look adorable. As usual. And I totally agree with what you said about the blogging community. I feel as if I have all these awesome people that I kinda sorta know!
And I will join you in the trash-talking any day. Let’s go!
It’s on. Let’s set up a time, pick some pretentious writers (I suggest we start w French philosophers) and it’s party time.
I am so jealous of your bow tie! Too cute.
I am glad I am not the only one who ventured outside yesterday to take pictures…-14 with windchill. Love how you styled that fun bowtie!
Oh Wow. You are so awesome. Yay Yay Yay for cute bowties.
DERRIDA, BLEH GAH k moving on. I LOVE your nerdwear! I feel pretty awesome whenever I channel a super-studenty look, too. This is a stellar example.
I adore schoolboy looks, so i love this! that bow tie is incredible, i can’t believe you got in for $1. major thrifting jealousy!
Okay seriously, that blazer gave me palpitations and made me want to scour my local thrift store for something even remote similar. You made me fantasize about a thrift store and blazer- like shortness of breath and biting my lip- do you realize how ridiculous that is? Congratulations…that’s a new one.
I’m with you on loving the community aspect of the blog world. I don’t think I would keep up with blogging if it weren’t for the lovely ladies that I get to collaborate with and interact with. It’s what makes it all so worthwhile! But enough about me and why I like blogging, you’re wearing a sassy plaid bow tie! And I love it! Who said bow ties are for nerds, because you look pretty damn chic.
I love the “nerdwear” here — this blazer is so chic on you, and it’s a great shape and a very luxurious looking piece.
By far my favorite thing about blogging is the community! I feel like I’ve met so many fabulous, inspiring folks (present company so very much included), and have so enjoyed being so warmly accepted and inspired by this great community.