Outfits

Imperial Fashion

November 12, 2018 by The Lady Nerd 2 Comments

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Although I will forever be on the Light side of the Force, you have to admit, the Empire had better fashion sense.

While I am most certainly a lover of geek fashion, alas, I’m not a fan of the majority of designs out there for geek women. Just not my style (or body type. With my taller stature and long, thin waist coupled with short inseam, it doesn’t lend well to popular styles of skater dresses or high waistlines). Though I love the idea behind companies like Her Universe – bringing geek fashion directly to female fans. Geek girls have often been ignored in favour of guys, relegated only to simple tshirts. But no more! It’s an amazing time we live in that such companies, like Her Universe, exist and are flourishing.

I love this cardigan! I’ve been wearing it so much since I bought it (as, truth be told, the outfit in this post is exactly what I wear normally. In fact, this may be the outfit I’ve worn most this fall). It’s subtle in its geekery where it looks like a fairly normal cardigan. But to those who know Star Wars, they will recognize it as a piece based off Grand Moff Tarkin’s imperial uniform, complete with matching coloured rankings.

It’s well constructed in a heavier cotton-esque knit. I love the 3/4 length sleeves as I inevitably push my sleeves up that high anyways out of habit. It’s not too warm, not too thin (which I find is a problem with many a cardigan or sweater these days). It’s just right. In what seems to be typical for HU’s designs, the cardigan is on the shorter side and ends above the hips (well, on me anyways). For any other HU piece I’ve tried one, that’s a deal killer. But due to the construction of this cardigan with it’s wide banded bottom, it actually works quite well.

My little twist on it is that I always wear it open, but buttoned by one button at the top. It keeps some air flow underneath the cardigan and acts as a colour break from all the black. (I went with black as an easier option than driving myself crazy trying to find pants to match the cardigan.)

And a view of the cardigan closed. (You’ll have to forgive my slight frown. Even overcast, shooting outside still makes me squint. ‘Tis the downside of having great eyesight…yay photosensitivity!)

Photographer: Kyle Matthew Williams

Earrings: Ebay
Cardigan: Her Universe
Pants: Express
Belt: Target (similar one here – Amazon)
Boots: Marshalls (similar on here – Amazon)

Ensign Personal Log

October 25, 2018 by The Lady Nerd Leave a Comment

Personal Log, Ensign Lamb, Stardate 10251.8.

I’ve been asked to describe my experiences in the Alpha and Delta Quadrants, but I’m finding myself at a loss for words. This may be partially due to the acute anemia fatiguing my brain, no doubt from a lack of adequate nutrition from Neelix’s culinary Mess Hall experiments…

Computer, note to talk to the Doctor for better nutritional guidance. I hear the Low FODMAP diet seems to be doing well among the humans on the ship.

Now where was I…

There was an interesting away mission recently that put the crew in contact with a species of humanoids not unsimilar to 21st century earth. Their technology is quite primitive, but there’s something refreshing about it. My boyfriend (a fellow Ensign from Astrometrics. While we’ve been dating for a while, the Captain is still waffling about whether dating all the way out in the Delta Quadrant is okay per Starfleet protocol. It seems we’re going to be in this quadrant a while, so…well, the heart wants what the heart wants), has taken a particular interest in the observatories scattered across the planet. It’s amazing to see the primitive dots of light they see of planets and stars. On the one hand, it’s disappointing to see so little. But on the other hand, it’s exciting to spend the time to align the sensors of the telescopes and finally get the subject in focus.

It’s romantic. So much of this universe holds such wonder and beauty. It’s nice to have someone to share that with.

On that note, I must retire for the evening as I have work early tomorrow. That ship isn’t going to fly itself!

End log.

Photography: Kyle Matthew Williams
Dress: H&M Balmain collection

My Little Black Dress

July 20, 2018 by The Lady Nerd Leave a Comment

One of the staples oft’ recommended for a woman’s closet is the famous Little Black Dress (or LBD for short). Some would even say it is THE wardrobe essential. It’s a timeless classic that has the advantage of fitting into just about any fashion style. No matter if your personal style is old Hollywood Glamour, modern, preppy, goth, etc. the Little Black Dress suits all. It can be dressed up and dressed down, depending on the occasion, making it incredibly versatile.

While the true history of the little black dress is a matter of debate, it is most often traced back to Coco Chanel with her Gallic chic stamp on both local French and global fashion. The next most notable LBD (if not of all time) is Audrey Hepburn’s famous black dress in the film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Black also has the added advantage of being a flattering colour on anyone. Not only that but it’s a universally slimming colour (especially if there are well-placed seam lines to suit an individual’s body type. Example: Princess seams for a flattering torso).

While I’m currently in search of a new staple due to weight gain, my previous go-to LBD for years was a sleek little number I bought in New Zealand. I loved the mix of business and cocktail dress that it exuded. I would wear it as-is for a night on the town or throw a business blazer over it for a client meeting.

(This was an outtake from a Selina Kyle photoshoot I did a few years back, hence the odd about-to-steal-something pose. Mwahahahahaha. I mean, wait, you thought you were going to read an entire fashion post from me and there not be some fandom connection. You must be new here…)

Dress: TEMT
Tights: DKNY
Shoes: Aldo via thrift shop

Photographs: Me, Kirk Hughes (bottom two)

Brown Peasant Dress

July 2, 2018 by Briana 4 Comments

They say stepping out of your comfort zone can be a good thing. In some cases, I’m rather inclined to agree. In my pursuit of stylish dresses, I tried on one that I wouldn’t normally have picked out. I tried on this little brown number as summer for the past few years have been scorchers and I needed some cool threads. Perhaps it was the fact that I had my hair curled that day (which for me, always makes whatever I’m wearing look 100 times better, even though I’m truly horrible at doing hair. Thanks Mom for saving my bum on this one!), but I skipped along home with dress in tow.

Though, I have a confession to make….

I have a love affair with climbing trees. Back in college, it was quite common that if friends were looking for me, I could be found in one of three trees around campus. There was the grove of trees by the administration building, my favourite prayer tree by the school cafeteria, and the Anime Club tree – a perfect climbing tree so large, five of us could fit up there at once! We used to joke that there was a homing beacon inside the tree. If one member of the Club showed up and stood in the tree, within 5 minutes, at least one more Club Member would show up. If was foolproof until some school administrator got the bright idea to cut half of the tree off. I still climbed what was left of the tree, but it wasn’t the same. I couldn’t stand on the farthest thick branch (that’s right, STAND. And stand I would!) like a guardian and watch the people passing below me. Which was always amusing because if a group ever passed by, inevitably the last person in the group would do a double take. Oh the looks were priceless!

I also used one of the higher crooked branches to lean on and meditate. There were times where I just needed to get away from the stress of classes, social drama, etc. I couldn’t focus on the ground, too much chatter. But there’s something relaxing about being up in a tree by oneself. Even if I was troubled, within a few minutes I’d have a smile on my face.

I miss that tree.

I miss climbing trees in general. Where I live, all the trees are very sap-ridden, tick-riddled cedars. So you can imagine my joy at finding a climable tree at Centennial Park in Nashville. I shimmied up those branches faster than you could blink!

I felt all sorts of frolicky in this outfit. So naturally, after climbing trees I had to go for a quick jaunt around the field. (Though I’ll admit, I’m not as much of a nature child to go barefoot. My soles were just too tender for that prickly grass!)

Photographs © Abrea Crackel 2012. http://www.abreacrackel.com

Dress: Ross Earrings: Handmade by a friend Flats: Nine West via Marti & Liz Bracelet: Target

Captain America Fitness

June 14, 2018 by The Lady Nerd 1 Comment

Although I will be the first to admit that I’m no fitness junkie, I do love activewear for comfort. Geek fashion giant Her Universe has teamed up with various stores over the recent years to to produce geeky activewear. I first got hooked when HU collaborate with Kohl’s department store to release their first major activewear line just in time for the Captain America: Civil War movie release. The line was themed with the powerful figures of Captain America, Black Widow, and Iron Man. So of course, I had to go shuffle my little bum over to the nearest Kohl’s.

So shuffle over I did! After trying on every piece (and subsequently realizing that no, I didn’t have enough of a paycheck that week to buy EVERY piece. It was a tough choice, let me tell you…), I walked away with two Captain America outfits and one Black Widow outfit. For this post, I’m going to focus on one of those outfits and roll out the other two later.

This particular combination is a bit daring for me, but I’ve found it’s a very comfy combo to wear in the heat of Atlanta. The fabric is comfortable and the cuts of the pieces allow for full range of movement (but without the clothes moving too much for the dreaded wardrobe malfunction). The higher waisted shorts in combination with the sports bra puts a slight vintage feel on an otherwise very modern pattern.

Confession: I wear the Captain America outfits and the Black Widow pants a couple times a week. Yep. They’re totally my “activewear-as-everyday-wear-even-though-I’m-not-going-to-the-gym” clothes. They’re comfy. They’re geeky. They’re conversation starters. What’s not to love?

(While the colours have been retouched in these photos, my skin, body size, etc. have not been. So every bit of cellulite, scars, wrinkle, or bony/flabby part you see is all me.)

Photograph: Kyle Matthew Williams
Sports Bra: Her Universe
Shorts: Her Universe
Aviators: Target
Shoes: Naturalizer via DSW

Star Wars Tee

June 5, 2018 by The Lady Nerd 5 Comments

While my true love for geek fashion is le chic – formal, high fashion, business wear, anything that looks like it belongs in the pages of Vogue, I also like to show a well-rounded wardrobe (as, let’s face it, wearing a slinky gown or business suit all the time is not the most practical. Can you imagine trying to clean the bathroom or help your friend move in a crisp tailored dress? Nay. Sometimes life calls for the casual).

Due to the recent spike in hot weather recently, I’ve been practically living in this t-shirt. I’m not usually one for t-shirts in general (I’ll take a tank top over a tee any day because ugggh…..SWEAT). But I was trying to find any decent looking Star Wars tee to wear to The Force Awakens premiere. I had kept the tags on to return it, but I found I actually liked the shirt. It’s cool, breezy, and comfortable.

The catch with this kind of t-shirt though is to keep the other layers tight or else, due to the baggy nature of the shirt, one can look dumpy real fast. Now there’s no hard and fast rule on that as we live in the age of anything goes. But I find, I personally like to keep proportions balanced. Combine it with a pair of statement heels and voila! You have an elevated t-shirt look.

Photographs: Kyle Matthew Williams
Tshirt: Target
Leggings: Forever 21
Boots: Steve Madden

The Joy of Hooping

May 26, 2018 by The Lady Nerd 4 Comments

There are few greater joys in life than finding that one physical activity that you love. I’ve never been a gym rat or fitness nut (no offense to those who are, it’s just not my cup o’ tea). I’ve been blessed with naturally thin physique, so that coupled with a severe dislike of lifting weights (i.e. I focus on all the pain!) has kept me looking for alternative forms of exercise.

Thankfully, I got involved with martial arts early in life and developed a love for exercise that engages both the body and the mind. Later on in high school I discovered dance which opened up a whole new world for me in terms of isometric conditioning and mind-body interaction.

Then in college came hooping.

Oh yes, you read that right. Hooping. As in ‘hula hoop'(ing).

I adore hooping. Be it simply moving with the hula hoop around my waist or eliciting oos and aas from an audience with some crazy off-body movement. It’s fun, it’s energizing, it’s calming, it’s refreshing, it’s simple, it’s hard, it’s all of these things. There’s so many different things that one can do with a hula hoop. So many different things that can be brought inside that circle (pun intended). It can be a soulful dance, full of slow explorations of what your body can do or a fast-paced frenzy of wild energy. I never get tired of picking up my hoop and learning a new trick (or better yet, sharing the simple joy of hooping with others). There’s nothing quite like it.

I had hoped to take my hooping further to become an instructor and spread this joy to others (or even to choreograph my own hoop routines and do geek-themed videos ala Lindsey Stirling). But alas, those dreams got put on the backburner when my accident happened.

But my dreams didn’t die in the car accident. They just took on a different form. Hooping became a small part of my recovery, with hooping with my arms, then eventually my waist was used as an unofficial part of my physical therapy. Now, I’m back to the level I was hooping at before the accident (with the exception of not quite being able to dance fully just yet. My left leg isn’t quite up to strength. But soon!).

Right before these pictures were taking by my friend James, I had been invited to a cosplay dance-off at Atlanta’s anime convention Momocon. I’ll confess I was quite nervous as I hadn’t hooped in public since before the accident. But as you’ll see in the video below, I had nothing to fear.

Dress: Double slit maxi dress from Bebe
Photographer: James “Frameshot” Garner (photos used by permission from Anime Geek Gaming Nation)
Video: The Aficionados

A Paler Shade of Stark

May 3, 2018 by The Lady Nerd Leave a Comment

As a follow-up to the previous post of my Femme Tony Stark, I thought I’d do a twist on the typical black blazer and slacks combo. Stark is always cutting a slick and fashionable figure, so it stands to reason that his female counterpart would do the same. Thus I opted for a sleek blazer from H&M a few years ago with its partnership of corporate khaki and rebellious leather. How very Tony Stark.

Although they’re not pictured here, the khaki and leather blazer perfectly matches my Express slacks (seriously, it almost looks like they’re cut from the same fabric). It would appear the black blazer also has the same advantage. This pleases me greatly.

Jarvis, hold my calls.

Photography: RBC Image

Hair: Abraham Saucedo

Makeup: Courtney Walters

Khaki Blazer with Leather Sleeves: H&M
Black Blazer: H&M

Arc Reactor: Custom made by Pixelbash Props

Black tank top: H&M

Watch: Target

Belt: Target

Pants: Express

Shoes: Aldo via DSW Wharehouse

Female Tony Stark

May 2, 2018 by The Lady Nerd 9 Comments

Enter Femme Tony Stark.

Also known as Natasha Stark in an alternative universe labeled as Earth 3490. (In comic lore, Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four went searching alternate realities for a universe in which the Civil War did not happen, thus avoiding the atrocities that came after.)

But how would a female version of Iron Man look? I imagine fairly similar, with the same air of arrogant sex appeal that Tony Stark does. As my makeup artist for the shoot put it, “Stark looks like he bought a $5,000 Armani suit, went home and slept in it. Then got up the next morning and walked into a photoshoot. All that money, a bit of bedhead, marinated in scotch.”Alas, I don’t have Stark’s bank account (or Marvel’s movie financing division either) so I had to settle for a little less on the expensive scale. I will fully admit being a fan of the store H&M as their clothes almost always fit my oddly proportioned body (loooooong torso, short legs. Heels are my proportionate friend). The prices are on the lower end, which my wallet is grateful for.

I’m always on the lookout for a well-cut blazer on my meager budget. H&M didn’t fail to deliver. I went to simply browse the store’s summer collection only to walk out with not one, but two sharp blazers (I’ll feature the second one in tomorrow blog post).

“…What are you?”
“Genius, billionare, playgal, philanthropist.”

I’m female.

FE = Iron.

Male = man.

Therefore, I am IRON MAN.

Photography: RBC Image

Hair: Abraham Saucedo

Makeup: Courtney Walters

Khaki Blazer with Leather Sleeves: H&M
Black Blazer: H&M

Arc Reactor: Custom made by Pixelbash Props

White tank top: Forever 21

Black tank top: H&M

Watch: Target

Belt: Target

Pants: Express

Shoes: Aldo via DSW Wharehouse

Star Trek Dress

April 5, 2018 by The Lady Nerd 3 Comments

Set phasers to stunning!

In continuation with my geek chic outfit series (which I dearly hope can become a regular thing), I bring you the everyday Star Trek outfit. With its iconic color blocked sections, short skirt, and long sleeves it was too perfect of a dress to pass up. I paired it with boots to mimic the show as well as heels for those desiring a more fashion and less costume-y look. (Further still, for those who want to add another layer of modesty, black tights go well with the dress. Just think of it as continuing the long black lines of The Next Generation uniforms. 🙂 )

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the beloved sci-fi television show. With it’s rebooted movie franchise and newly announced 2017 TV show, Star Trek is more alive than ever. This cultural phenomenon has lived on in its influences on science, modern philosophies, racial issues, role models, fashion, technology, and many more facets of our society. Very few shows can claim that sort of impact, much less the longevity! (While I admit to being more of Babylon 5/Star Wars fan myself, I have a deep appreciation for the legacy of
and many of the lessons taught in The Next Generation series (my favourite of the bunch).)

Alas, the dress was no easy thing to acquire though as it came from the hotly anticipated 2015 H&M Balmain collection. I originally had my eye on the premiere black and gold embellished dress for a Game of Thrones-inspired outfit (until I saw the price! One certainly worthy of a Lannister…). But in searching through the collection, my eye fell on this dress. My mind immediately screamed “STAR TREK!” After seeing the price was in my budget, I opted to go for it.

Alas, I didn’t anticipate how intensely people were after this collection. I moseyed on over to H&M when the doors opened on launch day only to find that I had missed out on the information that they had opened the doors early. I was a bit annoyed at my ignorance of that fact until I discovered that people were waiting overnight for the collection launch; that they practically ripped apart the store, knocking over displays to get their hands on the coveted pieces. I love clothing just as much as the next person, but my goodness…

But all was not lost. I managed to be one of the lucky ones to find this dress on eBay for near the original price (many were being sold for 2-3 times the price for those looking to hawk a profit). So keep that in mind when you’re shopping. If a popular piece is sold out, it might show up on eBay!

Geek chic fashion….to boldly go where no man has gone before.

Photographer: Kyle Matthew Williams
Coat: PCK New Zealand
Dress: H&M Balmain
Boots: Steve Madden
Heels: Aldo
Earrings: Amazon