Tag Archives: clothes

{ Architecture of an Outfit } Blue Legged Ruffle Fringe Eater

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Before this year, I was never a big fan of fringe. Last year I wouldn’t have considered myself a fan of ruffles. Two years ago I only thought leggings were useful as long johns to layer under trousers or loose jeans when the temperature dips below the 20s. Three years ago, I wouldn’t have considered myself a proponent of wearing colored tights, let alone any colored bottoms. Red jeans? Forget it.

Now, because of budgetary constraints, I’m considering making my own fringe mini skirt, I have several fringe accessories, and I wear ruffles and colored tights on a regular basis. I also wear leggings as pants now and I don’t give a damn if people draw comparisons to La Lohan (okay, well, maybe I do care–a LOT–but still).

The thing about fashion? Despite trends that come and go, whether we adopt their fleeting novelty and join in on the bandwagon for their season-long ubiquity, or not… Dress style in general should always be about embracing change within ourselves and in the greater world around us, and molding that change to fit our bodies and more importantly, our personalities.

Fashion should never detract from who we are, but magnify it.

If it means that I’m starting to sport trends and styles I never would have imagined donning, so be it. It’s okay. So I’m becoming more feminine, more *Out There* in terms of what is considered “normal” for everyday situations, I’m wearing leggings as pants–which I never thought would be deemed appropriate, especially by myself… so what? I’m changing, and becoming more confident in expressing how quirky I am, how different aspects of my personality are at odds with each other, that I am a living, breathing microcosm of conflict, binary opposites and constrasting elements.

I look at all that, and I think:

So this is Mae.

I guess I rather like her.

And that’s when the point of fashion becomes more than just about clothing a body, or even something deeper like expressing a point of view, but more about accomplishing a heroic personal triumph. A mission of finding who we are, making it better, and saying, This is Who I Am. I Rock.





{Outfit Architecture}
Convertible zip front ruffle cropped jacket, Lush, via Chloe Loves Charlie. (Can be worn as asymmetrical zip front, or open as a double ruffle lapel jacket.)
Polka dot rouch sleeve T, H&M
Linen strip high waisted skirt, Club Monaco [SIMILAR]
Turquoise stockings/tights, J. Crew
Faux Gator skin Mary Jane heels & woven waist cinching belt, Forever 21
Mixed metal fringe bib necklace, Madewell via Shopbop.com
Gold color filigree necklace, UO
Gold fringe bracelet, Banana Republic (Gift from Blogger BFF Twenty York Street)
Marc by Marc Jacobs Heart Locket Watch [EXACT SAME]

Enter my TWO GIVEAWAYS in honor of Earth Week!

1.) PerriconeMD $150 Giveaway! Ends April 29!

2.) Vinyl Record Vintage notebook or $20 GIFTCARD CODE from Reware Vintage! Ends May 6th!

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{ Architecture of an Outfit/OOTD } Bows and Color For Her Waise Choice

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Jen T of Her Waise Choice is a constant inspiration for me with her very sophisticated blend of high street fashion and upscale “professional chic” taste. With structured, mature pieces, incredible statement jewelry, and a bold infusion of vivid color blocking, this girl is such an up and coming talent, a formidable force on the Vancouver fashion scene. Not only is she absolutely refined, her enviable style sense is further enhanced by her very young age (22).

With a sweet demeanor that brings smiles to even this staunch grouch, Jen is the fetching example of how I would like to dress (and behave).

So yeah, once I swallow my jealousy, and down a mug [or five] of coffee so that Mae, Raging Bitchface of Death, transforms into Mae, Slightly Decent Human Being, I then get inspired by Jen’s power Femme Fatale vibe, and try to infuse color and more femininity into my daily sartorial choices.

Jen is a big fan of Zara, and since we don’t have Zara here in Detroit, the next best thing are the amazing skirt choices from Club Monaco and tops from H&M. Inspired by her wardrobe, I put together my feminine best and paired it with yellow for a small pop of color, a la HWC. The bows on my Vivienne Westwood Melissa shoes were an after thought, but also very reminiscent of some of the elements Jen puts into her stylings.

I found this gorgeous lace skirt at CM for a steal, so I snatched it up, because both lace and color are things I desperately need in my wardrobe. I probably have about… 16 pieces of Club Monaco in my closet, and they are some of the few items I get tons and tons of wear out of. Most of my clothing isn’t so heavily rotated.



Leave it to me to look confused, awkward, and as little feminine and demure as possible when posing.



Although this outfit is a bit more to the 4th point of my style square–Feminine With a Chip on its Shoulder style, it’s still essentially inspired by HWC while staying true to my more tomboyish, punky nature. The bold shoulder blazer, the very waist cinching belt, the single statement earring, the asinine poses: all Mae-isms.

{Outfit Architecture}
Bold shoulder blazer, statement acrylic jewel bib necklace & patent fake leather belt, Forever 21
Lace skirt, Club Monaco
Yellow tank top, H&M
Stockings, Target
Sterling silver Asian Fan earring (pair, worn singly), Victoria, BC Boutique
Woven envelope clutch, Waikiki, Hawaii boutique
Pearl flower ring, vintage.
Yellow bow shoes, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania x Melissa Shoes

{How do YOU infuse color and ladylike details into your wardrobe? (Unless you’re a dude, that is.)}

Jen photo via Her Waise Choice.

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{ Architecture of an Outfit/OOTD } Peppermint candy striper

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I’ll be brief today.

You know what I love about peppermint? How it immediately refreshes your mouth with a small little sugary circle or a small strip of chewy, minty goodness. I also love that it mixes two very contrasting colors, white (or cream) and red. Two powerful hues: the color of innocence, purity and all things new, and the color of passion, courage, love, energy and vitality–a perfect combination.

Know what else I love? Mixing prints. I’m good at it. I do it often.

I also love, love, love red.

Yea. (Ever notice how people don’t know how to spell yea? They always spell it “yay.” — Because of overusage, the incorrect use has created the actual word “yay,” but I’m still arguing for the original spelling.)




{Outfit Architecture: Tulip skirt, disco necklace, stud strap bracelet, Forever21. Peppermint drape cardigan, Spotted Moth. Striped long sleeve T, H&M. Thigh socks, Target. Speckle bracelet, Old Navy. Cage strap heels in the style of Jeffrey Campbell, GoJane. Red lips, Laura Mercier Lipstain in Mulberry. }

I love us.

Enter my $100 Shopbop gift card giveaway! FREE CLOTHES.

Open internationally. Entry closes Friday, March 11. GO GET IT. Tell your friends!

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{ Architecture of an Outfit / OOTD } Get On Your Rubbers

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(He likes watching us take photos.)

Baby, when it’s cold outside, and there’s inches and inches of snow outside (right now the snow is melting away, but it’s still there and icky), you sometimes must make a trade-off between chic and warm/dry. I thought I’d forever be bundling up in thick coats, looking like the Michelin Man in my puffer jacket and ugly-ass Timberland snow boots that make me look like the daughter of a Sherpa. That is, I thought so until I got my The North Face belted parka and remembered that Hunter Wellington boots are both waterproof and warm, and thereby all their more affordable knock-off sisters are thusly cozy as well! Before some of the craziest blizzards of Michigan February blew in with their sturm und drang, chaos and other general turmoil, I snagged a pair of rubbers from DSW.com and bought a pair of Steve Madden fleece boot liners, which keep my tooties toasty, whilst shielding me from having to purchase a pair of Uglies (Uggs).

(I still believe that, despite the vast array of abhorrent footwear out there, Uggs will always be epitomé of absolute lack of taste. I get that they’re comfy and warm, but they are ugly as fuck. If you want toasty warm and waterproof, get a pair of Merrill or North Face or Patagonia waterproof boots from REI.)

Harumph.

Anyway, another way to stay warm in winter while wearing skirts is to layer your tights. Wearing teal opaque tights under thick lace crocheted tights is just as warm, if not warmer, than work trousers, and you don’t have to worry about bunching or discomfort in the crotch due to long johns. Super easy, super chic. Wear two tanks, and a nice drapey sweater, and you’re good to go.



(I always feel silly when someone else takes my photo.)

Did I mention, these boots are awesome?

I highly recommend them.

PS. if your feet are small enough, you can buy Hunter Wellies at a fraction of the price by getting a pair in the Nordstrom kids’ shoes section. A boy’s size 4 is a woman’s size 6 or 6.5, size 6 is a women’s size 8, and they offer them in sizes 4, 5, and 6. Win.

{ Outfit architecture: Drape-front sweater, H&M. Tank, Belt, crochet scarf, earrings, Forever21. Skirt, American Apparel. Lace crochet tights, men’s style watch, Target. Teal opaque tights, J. Crew. Boots, Dirty Laundry via DSW with Steve Madden fleece boot liners. Studded Alexander Wang Rocco tote knock off, Spotted Moth. Studded bangles, Alex and Ani via Charlie and Lee. }

Enter my $100 Shopbop gift card giveaway! FREE CLOTHES.

Open internationally. Entry closes Friday, March 11. GO GET IT. Tell your friends!

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{ Architecture of an Outfit / OOTD } Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo

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Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it’s all right

~”Here Comes the Sun”, the Beatles

One of my favorite songs by my favorite band of all time, “Here Comes the Sun” pretty much sums up my feelings on this most stupid of winters. Winters in Michigan can be pretty tough. But this winter has been pretty bi-polar, as if the wind and sleet gods cannot decide which to inflict upon us. Last week it was -1F/-18.33C with a wind chill of -7F/-21.67C, and there was 16″ of snow sitting on the ground. Today it was 51F/10.56C. Next week it will get back down to freezing again. The endless, ruthless cycle of chill and warmth leaves slick patches of black ice on the ground, and my body has problems adapting to the constant weather changes.

I’ve been sick for a week. Let’s just say, I’m over it. I’m over being sick, and of the cold and constant flux between warm and cold. My body is shutting down. She can’t really take it.

Kind of makes me wish we were in Hawaii already. That the dream has come to fruition, and has transported Husby and me to the tropical, balmy climes of the Hawaiian shores. Contrary to what people here on the Mainland think, Hawaii does not get hotter in the summer months, just warm, breezy and lovely, whereas Michigan can get into the high 90s F/35C with 90% humidity, which, if you don’t know, is bloody miserable. Spring here in Michigan is literally non-existent. It comes in mid to late May, a few blooms come out for a couple of weeks, and then summer hits you like a blast in the face in early June.

Today I donned flowers around my neck, playful contrasting prints and bright saffron on my thin silk skirt, just to remind me that perhaps we may have an early spring this year. One with flowers that last for more than two weeks. Please, flower gods.




{Outfit Architecture} Victoria’s Secret camel bell sleeve coat + J. Crew lux wool cardigan + H&M polka dot ruched sleeve T + Club Monaco Bubble Print silk skirt + Target woven faux leather belt + J. Crew floral wreath sash belt worn as necklace + Dolce Vita Jade sandals in desert suede + Sillygrrl Esty vintage ring + Marc Jacobs heart locket watch + Shop Ruche wooden filigree earrings

For more on How to Mix Prints, see my other Mixing Prints posts, including my article “Rules on How to Mix Prints aka ‘How to Wear Opposing Prints Without Looking Like and Imbecile Who Can’t Match’“.

Check out my first feature/interview in popular Ottawa fashion blog, Twenty York Street!

Twenty York Street Loves thereafterish.!
Yeas!

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{ Architecture of an Outfit } Swing, Swing, Swing From the Tangles of My Heart

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… Okay, so I’m not super emo. When I was going through a really shitty break-up, this song was bouncy and hopeful, while speaking to the heart-break I was experiencing. And yes, I did consider myself emo-girly style back then. I was 22, what did I know?

I’ve been making more of an effort to “act” or shoot action shots instead of standing in front of the camera like an idle twit, as I normally would. As such, the person who requested more action shots this year is to whom this post is dedicated: Allie of Heels Eggs & Rice. I’ve been a fan of her blog since I discovered her through a mutual blog friend. And hopefully she feels the same way about me. She’s a truly inspirational girl, with an amazing, edgy, avant garde style. You should check her out and follow her. She will be huge in the Hawaiian Style/Fashion industry one day, and you could say “I read her blog, back when…”



Swingy, isn’t it?

I’m quite ass-less. Husby likes to joke that I’m his wife with Shelf-Booty, and whenever I strip down to my underwear, he jokes, “Goddamn, look at that big ass!” If you don’t get, he’s poking fun of the fact that I have Ironing Board Backside. I’ve got a pretty decent rack, which I often feel self-conscious about, being that I’m skinny and very petite (all of 5’2.5″!)–the things can sometimes look HUGE. Sometimes I find myself wishing the front were a bit smaller, and the back were a bit larger. Oh well. Can’t change what you were given. Maybe the Universe has a better body for me in store in the next life? :P

High-waisted flouncy skirts are quite possibly my favourite thing to wear. Maybe. They give the illusion of an ass on the Assless Wonder. They also give boyish/straight body types like me (aside from the cleavage) the appearance of curves. And the high waist elongates the body, giving me the illusion of longer legs! While I love, love, love these skirts… I already wrote a list out on my 12/31 post my favorite features in style… I don’t think I can actually choose the top one.

{ Outfit architecture: Sweater, belt, neck sash (was a belt on a dress), Forever21. High waisted woven flounce skirt, American Apparel. Tights, socks, Target. Patent Mary Jane Heels, Baker’s Shoes. }

{ Architecture of an Accessory: infinity earrings, Sole Sisters in Royal Oak, Michigan. Amber cocktail ring, J. Crew. Recycled gold wire bangles, Alex & Ami via Charlee and Lee (A Victoria, BC boutique–my hometown!). Watch, Merona/Target. }

Is there one type of clothing that you love because it creates features on your body that you feel need enhancing?? Let’s talk about it!

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{ Architecture of an Outfit } “Get the Shoes”

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All, bad photos.

{ Outfit Architecture: In the style of Rick Owens Mohair coat, Deep in Vogue/Gruhche. Bold shoulder blazer, Forever 21. Man trousers, Victoria’s Secret. Textured diamonté tights, Target. YSL style shoes, Dolce Vita. Belt, Volcom. Polka dot scarf, Target. }

The thing about being a style blogger is that, like the infamous Refinery29 flowchart stipulated, to be “star” material, you either have a brilliant photographer boyfriend, or you’re a champion with the self-timer. If you have neither talented, artsy boyfriend, or self-timing skills, the result is awkward, unflattering style photos of an what would have been otherwise a really good outfit.

My husband, an extraordinary photographer, is uncannily unskilled at capturing people. His portraiture always results in me wrestling the camera from his grasp and playing with the self-timer, the camera precariously balanced on a pile of hardcover books or a clock as a make-shift tripod.

Whenever I have people take my photo, I hate having to shout, get “take it portrait, get me full frame, from eye level” amongst other various instructions. With the many directions I yell from in front of the lens, it’s easier to just take the picture myself, rather than having to tell people how to take a photo. You think it would be kind of indicative of how to take the photo from the mere fact that we’re taking “outfit shots”. But no, time and again, the shoes are missing, it’s taken from an unflattering upward angle (it works with buildings, not people!), or it’s taken mid-blink or mid-art-directing with my mouth gaping open like a hungry fish.

Usually if I bark, “get the shoes!” it gets the job done.

Not necessarily captured well, or nicely, but it at least results in a full-length shot. Which, given my non-possession of a talented portrait photographer as a boyfriend with endless amounts of freetime (honestly, where do these fashion bloggers get these men? And where in the hell do these people have all this TIME to shoot these editorial like city shots? Don’t they have jobs?), I have photos like these… a good outfit gone wrong due to awkward posing and shooting.

When I told N about the horrible composition of the shots, he heaved his arms up in frustration and exclaimed, “I’m NEVER taking photos of you or other people again!”



I guess you can leave that part to me. I’m rather handy with the remote now.

When I told him to “get the shoes”, being the facetious a-hole he can be, he literally got my shoes.

Who’s the terrible photographer in your world?

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Tron: Legacy – “Fashion Forward” Redefined, episode 2

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Exactly one month before Tron: Legacy’s December 17th world premier, a Tron-inspired capsule collection launched online at Opening Ceremony.

The 28 year old cult classic and its second installment, starring the unspeakably lovely Olivia Wilde and Hollywood legend Jeff Bridges, capitalize on the original’s resonance with the mid-twenties market by partnering with high-end fashion. The move is an unsurprising strategy by Disney Consumer Products, which has been striving for fashion relevance.

Designed by Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, co-founders of the popular, go-to establishment for quirky, geeky, high-end fittings. Avid fans of the 1982 hit, they were more than happy to create a capsule collection for both men and women with a “high-tech”, futuristic edge.

The women’s line features peplum dresses, wool tulip coats, laser cut swingy mini-dresses, funnel-necked bomber jackets and seamed leggings. The men’s line features more “future soldier” style with moto racer jackets and pants, and shirts featuring the signature neon oranges, yellows and blues of the cyber Tron world. Also included in the collection are a neoprene sock boot in signature Tron hues, and a circle bag, an interpretation of the Identity Disc weapon in the film.


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Causeway Mall Review: Asian Wholesale Fashion

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WARNING: PHOTO HEAVY POST

CausewayMall.com is an online wholesaler that specializes in the romantic, edgy and quirky trends of Japanese, Korean and Chinese ladies fashion.

What I noticed up front about Causeway Mall: Inventory, eye candy, and incredibly low prices.

There are literally hundreds of items to choose from in every category, and all of them are beyond cute. It took me hours going through each category. I pretty much adored about 75% of everything I saw. The other 25%, I will admit was not my style, but was still fashionable, and on trend with what I see a lot of girls sporting on fashion blogs or in Asian magazines. There are items that satisfy every style [I think] I sport: street casual, frilly feminine, romantic, laid-back comfort, trend-conscious Office Lady. As for the prices: unbelievably low. Being a wholesaler, the items are sold either in bulk with discounts, or by individual items to normal consumers like me.

After several hours, I finally chose:

  • Blue bat wing cotton sweater.
  • Black tank with romantic lace and embroidery collar.
  • Black cotton military inspired, pouf sleeve cropped jacket.
  • White floral lace mini-dress.
  • Black liquid patchwork leggings.
  • Black and gold color rings and ribbon necklace.
  • Silver twin hearts ring.
  • Gold bow & cherry crystal earrings.

Causeway Mall’s PR also sent me:

  • Emerald strappy cocktail dress.
  • Silver black oval gem and crystals necklace.











View more photos after the jump.

As advertised and modeled, the clothes are adorable and trendy, made of soft, good quality material. Each piece fit well for the most part, and was comfortable.

My favorite pieces are the lace dress, the bat wing sweater and the twin hearts ring. The dress fits me, about a size XS-SM (US Size 2), but if worn tightly could fit up to a US size M. The bat wing sweater is a slouchy, relaxed number, luxuriously soft and warm. The over sized bat wing shape is versatile and forgiving at the same time; I can wear it on normal days and on days I feel bloated and awful about myself. A size XS/S (US 0 – 2) could wear it as easily as a US L could (US 8-10). The twin hearts ring gave me a delightful surprise, too. Made of a silver alloy, not a silver tone metal, it doesn’t leave a nasty greenish, black stain on my finger when I wash my hands. I thought it would fit my index finger, but it runs pretty small. I estimate about a US ring size 4 or 4.5, which is smaller than the smallest ring size offered in most trendy fashion stores.

The rest of the collection were charming pieces I can incorporate easily into my wardrobe.

The emerald party dress is soft, swingy, and glamorous, with adjustable straps. The military jacket fit my shoulders perfectly, and accentuates my waist. The only thing is that the jacket may not fit anyone larger than I am, a US size 2. The black tank’s lace collar was fantastically constructed, and tank fit my body well, but it was really tight around my bust (I’m a 32C), making it shorter than how it was modeled in the picture.

Like the ring, items in the store are one size and are slightly smaller. A shopper has to be really aware of not only the measurements of the item she’s looking at, but her own body measurements as well. The site provides useful measurement of each piece of clothing in the item description, in centimeters, which could prove a bit tedious for US shoppers who want to know proper sizing. I have the tendency to shop a bit haphazardly, so some of the sizing issues I faced were a bit of a surprise. A shopper should be very conscious of the item’s dimensions so she doesn’t end up with a tight (or loose) fit.

Based on only my experience with these items, it feels like some of the clothes in the store are mostly marketed toward the petite and slimmer shopper, much like the Asian retail giant, Forever 21, whose clothes fit small. I will grant that there definitely are some large cuts and pieces, but you have to keep an eye on those measurements to know.

The necklaces I got are a bit chintzy. The silver crystal and black oval necklace was lovely, but the adjustment chain broke the second time I tried to wear it. The black ribbon and gold circles statement necklace is funky, but the pleather connecting the metal bib to the ribbon look like they were hastily cut. The corners are uneven and the two pieces are not symmetrical. That necklace has completely sold out already, however.

Lastly, A few of the clothes had seams where the reinforcing stitching had large threads peeking through the seam to the exterior. Once trimmed, however, the clothes are fine.

Over all, though, the quality of the clothes is quite good, especially compared with the extremely low prices. I’d say the quality of the clothes is on par with Forever 21, Steve and Barry’s and even YesStyle’s. Conversely, the prices are much less than Forever 21 and YesStyle charge, and about the same as Steve and Barry’s did before they went out of business. All three retailers have a few items here and there that fit strange, or had some seam or symmetry abnormalities here and there, but on the whole the quality is quite wearable.

The website itself unique compared to most other shopping experiences, because there is more than the single traditional way to shop. As with all e-shops, there is the usual categorical navigation. Straight forward. Tops, pants, skirts, accessories, yada, yada, yada. Quite standard. The fun part is that Causeway Mall makes it easier by separating out categories by Fashion Style. If a shopper knows her own style sense to a “T”, she can search for items that are “Elegant,” “Romantic,” “Vogue,” “Bohemia,” etc. (My personal favorite? “Cute Sweety.”)

My only other experience with shopping Asian fashion sites is YesStyle.com, which primarily goes the way of customary category style browsing, also separates everything out by brand. However, the majority of western shoppers, unfamiliar with Asian brands, would find this method incredibly time consuming and, perhaps, even confusing. In contrast, CausewayMall offers a solution to this problem by adding several other methods of searching for clothes: by clothing type (i.e., tunic, leggings, cardigan), by color, and by material. With five different methods of shopping, it’s truly easy to find what one’s looking for without a ton of time wasted with sifting.

The items I chose were shipped to me quickly. They took about 4 days to arrive. I should assume the customer service is pretty good, but my only experience is with Causeway Mall’s PR person, who was courteous and professional.

Over the last couple of days I went back through the site. I noticed they have added even more inventory. Hundreds of fall/winter clothes: faux fur vests, leopard leggings, boyfriend blazers. For me, draw of the inexpensive prices for cute, on-trend pieces is hard to deny. Bottom line: the clothes are attractive and fashionable, in line with styles I wear, and because the store is a wholesaler, the prices are unbeatable, and the site is easy to use. I’m quite sure I’ll shopping at CausewayMall.com again.

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Cape of Good … Style

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When cooler weather rears its ugly head, my style crush always veers toward darker, richer tones and thick, woolen textures in billowing, swingy silhouettes. It is only natural that whenever the temperature dips, then, that capes and cape style coats entice me dearly.

Alas, since I have moved to a more northern, colder clime (Detroit Suburbs), in five years I still haven’t acquired a proper cape. And, being that my husband and I plan on moving to a much warmer locale next year, investing in one this year is a fool’s errand. Despite affordability, purchasing one that would only be worn a year is a waste both financially and style-wise.

Yet, here are some of my favourites this year. All from ASOS!

My first pick. A military inspired number, quite standard but chic all the same. 100% cape. It comes in forest green and navy blue. Navy blue is a refreshing take on an old standby.

More Kimono than cape, but Kimono-style coats generally have a swingy, cape-like cut with large, billowy sleeves and a flared body. This one is exceptional. Almost dress-like, this coat incorporates cape features by adding a belt wound through little slits near the waist. The result: stunning, slimming, flattering cape goodness.

The creative ruching sets this vintage-inspired baby a “cape” above the rest.

And here are some other favourites:


Which one is your fave?

Credits/Sources: All photos credit ASOS.

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Lanvin x H&M collection: A review

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The highly anticipated Lanvin/H&M collaboration designed by Alber Elbaz is finally revealed in Vogue UK.



As is to be expected, there are lots and lots of ruffles paired with asymmetrical/single shoulder tops on cocktail dresses and nipped in waists–details that have come to define the iconic looks of Lanvin on the red carpet. The bright colours of indigo, lemon yellow and candy apple pop throughout the collection, giving it a cheeky kick of saturated hues. However, the colour black seems to be the ruling shade, disappointingly, since most autumn/winter collections gravitate toward the dark side, and this fashion house has been known to infuse more colour into its collections than the majority in the industry.

While I am not necessarily blown away by the collection, I am definitely intrigued by it. Ruffle details are copious and abundant during the fall and spring shows on many different labels, yet somehow Lanvin always seems to do it with more panache, more variety. And the cocktail dresses are fun, slightly audacious, flirty little numbers that breathe life into the lifelessness of winter.

However, there are definitely some dubious design choices here:

The overdose of tulle on the sweetheart dress brings to mind a black version of Madonna rolling about a stage floor. It’s a bit too 80′s, especially with the very cute but very neon saffron sash and profusion of layers. It also strikes me that it would be very noisy and very itchy to wear.

Then there is the taffeta puff long sleeve dress. The stiffness and slight sheen of the fabric isn’t exactly flattering to most body shapes. The tapered, round pouf of the sleeves has this unflattering, bulky sort of effect, which gives the impression of arm flab–a look most women would kill to rid themselves of.

And the faux fur jacket in the style of Chanel…? I know faux fur is a trend this season, but that is not an excuse to do it so badly, just for the sake of including it as a feature in a collection. The brown trim around the collar, the hem lines and on the pockets is far too long and furry, while the tan fur on the body of the jacket is a bit bulky, adding heft. The gradient of the fur pattern, while more on the natural side, still seems clowny to me, a caricature of an albino Wookie.

A few of the cocktail dresses could have been a little less over the top. For example, the pink ruffly number with a matching dress in a metallic bronze. It looks like a wedding cake turned on its head. The bright rose pink is, in and of itself, lovely, but with with one layer of ruffles on the top and bottom too many, gathered too tightly. It strikes me as a very terrible 80′s bridesmaid dress gone horribly, horribly wrong. The bodice is fine, with its nipped-in waist, but the gathering on the skirt is a little too frilly, followed by a huge splash of flared-out, double tiers of ruffles. Honestly, it is just too much ruffle, too much gathering. And to me, while it is cringe-worthy in the Pepto-pink, it is absolutely horrendous in the metallic bronze. Mr. Elbaz could have nixed these two dresses and had a much more cohesive, stronger collection for it.

Stand out pieces to me: The asymmetrical draping ruffle sleeve black cocktail dress, the yellow single shoulder ruffle cocktail dress and the faux fur gilet. The statement necklaces are pretty nice as well; bright, bright little baubles for a fraction of the price of their more expensive sisters.


The rest of the collection are standard knits in leggings and casual cardigans. The true hallmarks of the collection are the wintry party pieces that speak of deep flirtation, endless gossip and nights that fade into morning twilight.

The collection launches in H&M stores on November 20th.

What is/are your favourite piece or pieces?

See the full collection at Vogue UK.

Image Credits: As revealed by Vogue.uk, and photos via Fashionista.com.

Check out my Giftcard Giveaway to CSN Stores. You might find something really nice there! http://wp.me/pW5H5-oC

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{ Architecture of an Outfit } Mellow Yellow

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Nothing to say. Wore this about a week ago, maybe more. Haven’t been the most faithful documenting my outfits. Temperatures have dropped and days have gotten shorter, and so therefore mirror shots literally suck ass. Husby finally ordered a remote for his camera so I’m not running back and forth between the camera sitting on a pile of books, and having to deal with shit-ass blurry photos.




It’s definitely not my best work as far as dressing myself goes, but it was warm, and it was pretty comfortable, save for the shoes. And quite honestly, even on my shittiest dressed day, my outfit is generally about a couple of exponents better than my coworkers, who seem to have given up on any effort toward their appearance and general style.

If my life ever gets so busy/pathetic/frustrating that I just stop caring what my body/face/hair/posture/general attitude/demeanor looks like, you have my permission to kill me.

{ Outfit Architecture: Sweater, Flower Necklace & Saffron lace detail tank, Anthropologie. Under tank, H&M. Linen skirt, belt, imitation alligator mary janes, Forever 21. Stockings, Merona/Target. }

When you want to be warm and comfortable, what is your go-to outfit?

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Icelandic Fashion Teaser. Emami: Limitless and multifunctional clothing

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One of my new favourite fashion labels, Emami, features ingenious, avant-garde design, for a virtually limitless wardrobe in luxe, comfy organic cotton. Based out of Scandinavia, this Icelandic design firm’s design mantra is to embrace limitless imagination, encouraging young women to open themselves to a creative spirit and express a distinct individual style.

I stopped into the Emami flagship store in Reykjavik’s central shopping street, Laugavegur, during my honeymoon there, and picked up a few pieces to up the style quotient of my own closet. I could only afford a handful of pieces, but believe me, I would’ve bought half the items in the store, which would yield close to 120 different outfits.

I will post photos of these pieces in the next several days.

Source: Emami Fashion, YouTube.

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Autumn Approaches. Belted coats, and beautiful Asian women.

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Thank you for continuing to visit while I was away on my honeymoon to Iceland (Ísland) and England. It’s taken me awhile to feel “back”, and return to the familiar grooves of normalcy. I hope to have a few photos edited and posted of my treks through epic landscapes in Ísland and historic London soon. Please check back for them.

~~~

To me, there is just something undeniably alluring and sexy about a beautiful Asian woman in a belted coat. Most women in general look lovelier in a belted coat, but to me, some of the most radiant, ravishing creatures in this planet are East Asian women.

Look at these belted lovelies.



Source: Asian Fanatics (Site).

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“My Style” Guest Post: Kristy, Monochromachic

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Our third guest poster at thereafterish. hails from the wintry wastes to the north, otherwise known as Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (It’s actually about the same as Detroit, if a bit milder, considering it is four hours north of us.) Kristy of Monochroma-chic lives in an awesome high-rise condo in downtown T-dot, where she takes her photos on her veranda.

Kristy’s style is a mix between the proverbial “All-American/Canadian Girl” and boho-feminine. With the exception of a select few Swedish fashion bloggers, Kristy’s one of the chic-est cold-weather dressers I’ve ever seen. She wears cold weather gear with a flourish and flair I could never muster, and she still wears her many skirts and cute stockings. We who live in colder climes could/should learn a thing or eight from this beauty.

—

Hi everyone!

This is Kristy from Monochromachic. I’m filling in for Mae while she’s off with the love of her life to enjoy their long overdue honeymoon trip. I hope you’re having a great time, Mae! :)

When someone asks me to describe my personal style, I always answer in 3 words: elegant, comfortable, and affordable.

1. ELEGANCE
Think Olivia Palermo. She’s one of my style icons and I just LOVE everything she wears. She doesn’t need to wear ripped denim shorts or combat boots to be the center of attention. Even when she wears shorts with a pair of flats, she manages to look sophisticated. Amidst the “street style” looks we often see these days, she manages to stand out without following the crowd. With her as my inspiration, I like to wear to basic/neutral colors and classic prints (stripes, polkadots, etc.). I stay away from neons and anything juvenile. I don’t wear clothes that are shredded, ripped, dominatrix-ish, futuristic-ish, hippie-ish, and grunge-ish (a lot of -ish for thereafterish.! :p) I love accessories but I wear them in moderation. I think the key to looking elegant is “less is more” :)

2. COMFORT
I’m sure everyone has heard the phrase: No pain, no gain. Many thinks that this holds very true, especially in fashion. But do I want to buy a pair of shoes that I can only wear for an hour because they hurt my feet? No thanks. Or a skintight dress that shows off my curves (and exposes my flabby parts!!) but I can’t breathe in it? Absolutely not. I believe that I can wear comfortable clothes without sacrificing my appearance. There are a lot of options in fashion these days that won’t kill my feet or restrict my movements. I adore high heels but I like to opt for wedges because they’re more comfortable to wear yet they still give me the elevation I need. If I really want to wear “heels”, I will go for stacked heels because they provide more support than stiletto heels. I don’t care if Louboutin makes the most amazing 6-inch stilettos in the world, I would rather spend my money on a pair of Payless wedges for the extra comfort. Since I take the public transportation daily, I need to wear clothes and shoes that I can walk and run in comfortably (I’m always late for work!) :p

3. AFFORDABILITY
I always say yes to shopping trips at H&M, ZARA, Forever 21, UO, or ALDO (and I wish we had Primark, Bershka, River Island in North America!). Whether or not I come in to those stores with a shopping list, I know that I would be able to find something that I like that’s within my price range. I was raised by a mom whose shopping budget is tighter than the infamous Herve Leger bandage dress. I’m used to bargain shopping and rummaging through piles of sale items. I like to find good deals on ALDO website’s clearance section. I’m also a big fan of online promotion codes (free shipping, extra 10% off, you name it!). Basically, I’m a cheapskate :p However, I’ve come to realize that I can’t always sacrifice quality for price, especially for shoes. If those designer knock-off shoes from Forever 21 weren’t comfortable, the I wouldn’t buy them. I would save my money and invest in a pair of ALDO shoes instead (or Jeffrey Campbell, Nine West, etc). Most of the time, I don’t really buy clothes at the regular prices. Unless they’re under $20, I would always re-think my decision and wait for the item to go on sale. Most of the items you see on my blog (insert link: http://monochromachic.blogspot.com) are the results of my salescapade! ;) There’s nothing more rewarding than finding something fabulous at a low price. Besides, clothes are more disposable than shoes or bags, so why splurge? :p

Well, that’s it from me :)

{ Kristy’s outfit architecture: H&M–striped top, pocket skirt, leather belt. Costa Blanca necklace. Forever 21 ring. Jeffrey Campbell wedges. }

For more of Kristy’s stylish stories, visit her blog, Monochromachic!

Thanks, Kristy!

Photo credits: Kristy P, Monochromachic.