Thighs Don't Lie

I know I vowed not to buy any more clothes, but I never specifically said I wouldn't buy any more shoes. C'mon. A girl, especially me, can never have too many shoes.

The thing about shoes is...I always seem to need another pair. I need variety. With boots alone, I need winter boots, rain boots, combat boots, ankle boots, knee-high boots, thigh-high boots, suede, leather, high heel, low heel, etc... When is enough, enough? Honestly, never.

Speaking of thigh-high boots, that was exactly what I had needed in my shoe collection. Thigh-highs have become trendy over the past year, but as much as I had liked the look, I couldn't find a pair that truly spoke to me. And you know me; I wasn't keen on being just another girl with typical plain black suede thigh-highs.

So I held off on buying anything until the right one came along (note: also good advice when looking for a man).

One day, on an impromptu amble through Winners, I came face-to-face with a pair of Catherine Catherine Malandrino Glitzy Glitter Over-the-Knee Block Heel Boots:

I promptly snatched them off the rack and knew instantly I was in trouble - because I had a bubbling hunch I was going to end up walking straight to the cashier with them in hand. The gold glitter heel made my eyes sparkle with lust, and when I tried the boots on, I felt the sensual power of thigh-highs coursing through my veins. A passing salesperson stopped to compliment the boots, and mentioned how they seemed to fit my thighs very well. She was right - they did fit nice and snug.

My heart was telling me to get the boots, but my mind still walked through some logic.

First of all, the boots were $60. To determine whether that price tag was justified, I inspected the quality. Although the suede-like upper was incredibly smooth, it appeared to be synthetic. Some glitter specks had already begun to shed, and the fact they were Catherine Catherine Malandrino also tipped me off the craftsmanship may be lacking. Moreover, I noticed the toe box curved upwards quite a bit, which has always been a sign of poor quality to me. The curved toe box not only made the boots uncomfortable, it exposed the tan sole underneath in an unflattering manner.

In terms of quality, these were definitely not up to par with my usual standard for shoes; however, I did consider the glitter heels to be a dazzlingly unique touch, so I threw in the towel and bought the boots.

I didn't wear them right away, though. I kept the tags on until Black Friday a week later, when the boots went down to $46. Score! At that price, I was more willing to keep the boots as an experimental and fun purchase. I figure if the glitter does eventually fall off, I can easily replace it with glitter from the crafts store. I just couldn't bring myself to return these shoes. They had such a sexy and feminine allure even my own mother said she prefers I wear it with some skin peeking through. In this special instance, being able to check off 'thigh-high boots' from my wishlist of shoes is worth any ultimate shortfall in quality. 

Image Source: Nordstrom Rack, Just The Design

Blurred Lines

A few years ago, a friend sent me an article about Selfridge's new Agender space. The Agender space was an area within the department store that offered a unique genderless shopping experience. It contained clothing which did not fall into any particular category of gender. As Faye Toogood, designer of the space, explained, "Selfridges' ambition was to create a space where men and women could essentially come and shop together irrespective of gender, and that you would choose clothes as an individual rather than based on your gender."

Since then, I have been planning to write a blog post about the concept of gender-neutral fashion. I found it a compelling idea, yet push did not come to shove until now, when gender and sexuality are finally spotlighted by the current zeitgeist. Gender-neutral fashion could not be a more topical conversation.

However, before we get started, I think it important to establish some basic definitions to ensure we work off a common foundation of terminology. The broadly accepted definition of gender is the characteristic of being - traditionally speaking - masculine and feminine. I see gender as separate from sex and sexuality, and although there may be correlations, gender (and sexuality) are not determined by sex. To me, gender is identity, not anatomy.

So with that, let's talk about fashion.

Before I was introduced to the idea of gender-neutral fashion, I was familiar with androgyny. Androgyny is when one mixes masculine and feminine characteristics to create an ambiguous gender, and although this manner of presentation is essentially gender-neutral, androgyny was often superficially depicted in fashion as a woman in menswear-inspired clothing. So the extent of my knowledge only reached as far as knowing that people could identify or dress as the opposite gender. The moment my eyes were truly opened was when I read The Worn Archive, a subversive Canadian fashion magazine. It contained an article showcasing individuals who identified as gender-neutral.

And I was fascinated.

It never occurred to me that in addition to dressing as the opposite gender, one could completely defy gender binaries by dressing as an individual who is neither masculine nor feminine...but also at the same time kind of both masculine and feminine. I was blown away by the multi-faceted intricacy of such an identity. In the article, these individuals described the difficulties they faced shopping in traditional department stores. Those with female bodies may have wished to buy a menswear item, but had trouble finding sizing and clothing designed for their body shape. Or vice versa.

And so it was timely when Selfridge came out with their Agender space; a space where individuals were free to buy clothing that appealed to them rather than their supposed gender. Last year, Burberry and Vetements announced they would be combining menswear and womenswear into one show. Although that did not necessarily mean they would be designing gender-neutral clothing, it was a symbolic acknowledgement that the gender divide is blurring. Likewise when designers pared down womenswear and electrified menswear as a way of encouraging sartorial diversity and liberty. Nowadays, we are seeing more and more clothing that is genuinely transferable between genders. As society begins to break down barriers between 'him' and 'her', clothing itself will need to evolve. Evidently, the wheels of that process are already in motion.

Yet this is a conversation that will continue to grow and transform. In fact, only recently did I discover gender fluidity: the act of shifting between genders. Absolutely incredible. As discourse expands, what will that mean for fashion? The industry has always kept its finger on the pulse of revolution and rebellion, and I have no doubt it will react to the rumblings of change we feel now. Dressing is such an intimate and personal exercise that everyone should feel comfortable making fashion their own. Fashion is self-expression. Gender is a choice. So then let's give people that choice in fashion.

Image Source: Dazed, Madame Figaro, Qwear, Travelshopa

For My Eyes Only

Remember when I turned into an outright diva? Yeah, I thought I would put my diva days behind me for at least the next little while, but then I decided to get new glasses and prescription sunglasses. So back out I went - barely settled from my first foray - to become a spoiled brat yet again.

I was due for an upgrade anyway. I bought my current pair of Tiffany & Co. glasses six years ago, and my Coach sunglasses even longer before that. At that point in life, I was still trying to figure out exactly what my personal style was.

So I have been looking for new glasses for a very long time. My Tiffany & Co. frames are not atrocious, but they are quite ubiquitous. I've seen more women on the streets than I would like with the same or similar pair of Tiffany's. And while the robin egg blue on the inside of the frames was a fun touch, I wanted something more professional and refined now that I'm a working adult. As mentioned once before, I fell in love with browline glasses years ago. In particular, I developed a bottomless obsession with havana/gold Ray-Ban clubmasters. Yet every attempt I made to own a pair was met with failure. With such high prescription, I was told my lenses would end up being noticeably thick. The distance between the nose pads also didn't fit my flat nose. And, last but not least, they just fundamentally didn't complement my face shape as well as I had hoped.

So I tried other browlines. I dabbled with cat eyes. I thought of surrendering and succumbing to typical plastic frames. I even emailed Tom Ford at one point asking if they could please design a browline for women - with gold metal instead of silver, and a gold bridge instead of black...sorry for being picky... (I never did get an email back, but I saw Tom Ford came out with a pair of black/gold browline glasses for women this season). I initially wanted havana frames because I thought they looked softer against my dark hair, though over time I started to realize I should probably stick to black. Havana seemed to wash me out.

On the streets, I became jealous of women who could pull off browline frames. And of those with black and gold frames in those glamorous, quirky styles which are particularly trendy right now.

So it was quite an unbelievable feat when I finally managed to find my own pair.

It came to me swiftly and unexpectedly. A pair of Dolce & Gabbana browline frames. I was just messing around with different glasses while waiting for my mom to choose her own pair of new frames (she, ironically, settled on Tiffany & Co.), when I tried on these:

When I saw myself in the mirror, it was like being struck with an awakening and finally seeing the light of day. Because these frames just felt so right. There is a special soothing feeling I get when I try something on and I just know it's the right one. These frames made the stars align on my face, and to boot, it was a black and gold browline. It wasn't necessarily unique, but it was polished and refined. Here's how it looks on me:

What I find especially fateful is that I used to own a pair of Dolce & Gabbana frames before I switched to Tiffany. And guess what? I also ended up choosing a pair of Dolce & Gabbana frames for my prescription sunglasses. I guess Dolce & Gabbana and I have an inexplicable sartorial bond, and it was simply calling me back to my roots.

My search for a pair of prescription sunglasses was much more...last minute. I hadn't paid any thought to what I would want in new prescription sunglasses, so I was really going in blind (pun not intended). In an act of desperation, I went to the mall and tried on as many pairs of sunglasses as I could. What naturally caught my eye (oh man, I'm punning it up today) was of course gold detailing. I also knew I wouldn't want another pair of sunglasses from Ray Ban, so I started narrowing down my options. I came across a couple frames with gold trim along the brows, which were interesting, but for some reason didn't feel right. And now I'm grateful I trusted my instincts because I have ended up seeing more than enough people with those exact sunglasses on the train.

I ultimately ended up debating between these Tom Ford Penelope sunglasses, and the Dolce & Gabbana 4268 frames pictured above. However, as much as I liked the cylindrical gold arm on the Tom Ford sunnies, I knew the frame was simply too large and thin for it to look good with prescription lenses. So I went with Dolce & Gabbana. I asked for the darkest lens possible with no gradient colouring. I've learnt from past mistakes and didn't want any risk of my lens coming out more transparent than they needed to. Here's how it looks:

I didn't fully Jekyll and Hyde into a diva this time, but I did disregard a lot of opinions from others on what frames I should get. I was met with a hesitant pause from my parents when I showed them the frames I wanted. They worried the frames would be too big, too thin, too round, etc. And the sales assistant at the eyewear store warned my lenses would be thick, and the lack of nose pads on my sunglasses would affect proper fit. Yes, my lenses are visibly thick and I do have to get used to wearing sunglasses that sit lower on my nose, but I've come to realize the only choice that will make me happy is the one I want. As a wise saleslady at Nordstrom once told me, "Don't listen to what other people tell you. Don't even listen to what I tell you. Get what you want - because you're the one who's going to be wearing it". And she's right. These glasses are, after all, for my eyes only.

Image Source: Pinterest, Visio Factory, Jenn Im, Shenny Violet Kaplan 

Breaking the Fast

Uncharacteristically, I've been avoiding the mall lately. I'm afraid of window shopping. Because I know that if I wander through the racks, there's a chance I'll come across an item that catches my fancy. And if it does, I might start obsessively waiting for it to go on sale.

Why is that a problem?

Well, I've realized I have. Way. Too. Many. Clothes. When it gets to the point you open your closet and continuously find "new" clothes you totally forgot/never knew you had, you might just have too much. It's like some reverse bandit is sneaking into my room at night and giving me new clothes. I literally have zero recollection of certain items being under my ownership. Not only that, sometimes I can spend 15 minutes just deciding what pair of socks to wear because somehow I have 7 different pairs of white socks in my drawer. Or an entire box of nylons. Or three boxes of jewellery. Or clothing stored throughout the house and in the basement. I could literally open a thrift store at this rate. In fact, I've been selling away my clothes, and yet it barely makes a dent.

So point is, I can't buy anymore. I don't need anymore. Aside from a couple wardrobe staples here and there I could update, it would be silly of me to buy more.

But yesterday I broke the fast by walking into an ALDO store. Luckily, I didn't walk out with an item on my wishlist. All I walked out with were a couple quips about their latest collection.

ALDO is actually my favourite shoe store. I think it's good at producing shoes that are trendy, affordable, and can have decent quality - though let me expand on that last point. The majority of the time, ALDO shoes fall short in quality. However, they do always have a selection of shoes that I think step it up. While most are faux leather, it is possible to find a few made from genuine leather, and there are always a handful with better construction. You have to look for them, but they're there.

Yesterday, I found myself more conflicted than usual about ALDO. They have really interesting designs lately. If we look past the blatant Gucci imitation items (Floral embroidered sneakers? Horsebit hardware? C'mon.), or the Fenty x Puma copies (though honestly, who isn't copying those nowadays), there are some cool concepts. Heels and sneakers became canvases for metallic rainbow finishes, sparkly embellishment, shiny gold hardware, encrusted pearls, flecks of glitter, and soft fur. It was just plain FUN. I was honestly impressed with the attention to detail this season.

The only thing was...it all looked tacky. Not because of the design itself, but because the quality was not up to snuff. The fake leather had an unsettling sheen, the metallic was dull and probably easily scratched, and the pearls looked a bit pasted on. I find outré, trendy detailing like this does require some level of craftsmanship to make it look stylish. Otherwise, it can look like an item from the kiddie dress-up aisle (sorry).

I appreciate the design effort, ALDO, and to give you credit, I'm sure there are a couple good pieces in there. But, regardless of whether I'm abstaining from the mall or not, would I purchase any of it? Unfortunately no.

Image source: Aldo, Pinterest

Ange où Demon

Angel or demon. Feminine or femme fatale. Goddess or goth. There is no denying the beauty of fashion is the ability to shape-shift across a spectrum of personalities. Tobi was kind enough to send me a couple dresses to style, and two of my favourite pieces ended up being on opposite ends of the spectrum. So I had some fun with play pretend, and I ask you: ange où demon?

Ange

Dress: Tobi | Camisole: tout à coup | Shoes: Ground Green Store | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

This feminine dress with its dusting of rose pink and airy kimono sleeves reminded me of the flowing beauty of a Grecian goddess. I knew instantly I would have to pair the dress with my fringed gladiator sandals. I call this outfit the look of the angel, but it is hardly of pure innocence. I added a cheeky boudoir twist by layering a soft lace camisole underneath and bringing the criss-cross straps (which are intended to be worn in the back) to the front across my chest. Another way of styling this dress would be to have a tight lace underlay across the chest - enough to cover up the deep v-neck, but not enough to keep everything hidden. A game of hide and seek.

Demon

Dress: Tobi | Shoes: Ned-Nedy | Camisole: Old Navy | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

I was immediately drawn to the slits along the sheer sleeves of this dress, and couldn't resist ordering it in black to amp up the smouldering evening appeal. There is actually an opening down the front of the torso, but for the more conservative among us, a black lace camisole underneath will work just fine. However, although this cocktail number shows a bit more skin up top, I was greatly impressed by how perfect the length of the skirt was, hitting that sweet mid-thigh spot. I may have glided with grace in my previous look, but this dress gave me confidence of a different kind - the kind that made me walk with an extra strut in my step.

~~~

Dresses courtesy of Tobi.

Love, Actually

This is not my first time blogging about weddings. I've blogged about the outfit I wore to a wedding I attended three years ago, and even partnered with Weddington Way to style a bridesmaid dress into a flirtatious date outfit. But throughout my time crafting sweet lyrical prose about the elation of romance, I had never actually experienced love for myself. I was an outsider writing through rose-coloured glasses about what I thought companionship was.

Last week, however, I attended a wedding for the first time knowing what love really means.

But before we get there, let's review the wedding attire.

Morning

Although I struggled quite a bit with choosing a morning outfit, I managed to happily settle on a ballet-inspired look. The whole ensemble started off with this high-low dress I owned. In the past, I've had issues with how asymmetrical hemlines cut awkwardly across my short legs, but this high-low dress had some magical formula that worked fantastically with my particular stature.

Dress: Unknown - Chinese brand | Bolero: La Senza Girl | Boots: Ned-Nedy | Necklace: Unknown | Earrings: Jones New York | Handbag: Unknown | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

The only thing I'm not too fond of with this dress is the upper half. The black tank leads into the pink skirt too high up on the torso, leaving me with a slightly childlike chest. I combated that with a front-tie bolero I unearthed from my closet to lengthen the black top. If I was in junior high, I would have undoubtedly worn the bolero the way it's meant to be worn - with the bow-tie in the front. Though considering it's 2017 and I'm no longer a preteen, I took my own spin on the bolero by tying the strings around my back, similar to the more grown-up criss-cross tops which have been in style lately. From there, accessorizing was a breeze. I tightened a gold and pink chain choker around my neck, hooked in a pair of earrings that bore striking resemblance to my necklace, and slipped on a pair of black suede booties with gold hardware detailing. Et voilà.


Evening

I'm surprised by how my evening look coincidentally followed a similar theme as my morning outfit - black on top, colour on bottom. I honestly hadn't done that on purpose! All I knew was I wanted to get some use out of the Banana Republic circle skirt I bought a few years back. I classed the skirt up with some filmy black lace, and once again accessorized with gold jewellery. Although I don't follow many traditions, red and gold signify luck and fortune in Chinese culture, so I thought my outfit would be a fitting combination. Moreover, as hoop earrings appear to be on trend again lately, I rummaged through my mother's jewellery box and found around five different gold hoop earrings to choose from. I went with a mid-sized hoop to hit that Goldilocks formula.

Top: Nanette Lepore | Skirt: Banana Republic | Boots: Ned-Nedy | Tank Top: Old Navy | Tights: Unknown | Handbag: Unknown | Bracelet: Unknown | Earrings: Unknown

Now that we've done the obligatory outfit overview, let me get back to the actual wedding and open up about love.

Two years ago, I met the man who would become my first love. During our time together, I learned love truly is about the little things. When he walks back to the car without being told to, just to grab the scarf you forgot to bring. When he congratulates you for completing part (I repeat, part) of a hiking trail, even though you complained the whole way through. When he's seen you with your acne and eczema galore, and still never fails to remind you everyday how beautiful he thinks you are. And the list goes on and on...

In addition to the little things, love is about the rough seas you weather together. Love is as complicated as it is instinctual. As irritating as it is fulfilling. As painful as it is blissful. But ask yourself, if you don't feel the pain, do you really feel the love?

Mistakes and failures will be made, but apologies and kindness will always be genuine. At the end of the day, do you walk out of the storm hand-in-hand, knowing full well there's no one else you rather be going through the rain with?

As I watched the to-be wedded couple that day, I knew they had found that kind of love with each other. The way they joked during their vows about the mundane details of co-habitation, or the way they laughed off technical difficulties throughout the ceremony. They didn't need to make a big show of devotion that morning of their wedding, because they had already been showing it every step of the way since the day they met.

Giving the Cold Shoulder

A few weeks ago, I needed some me time. I had been planning to take a walk around downtown to snap pictures for a corporate scavenger hunt I was participating in, so thought I might as well stop by the mall while I was at it. Besides, I've been told by a few friends my ratchet changing room selfies are actually their favourite blog posts of mine to read. If that's really the case, y'all are weird.

But here you go.

Topshop Gingham Cold Shoulder Ruffle Top

Cold shoulder and off-shoulder tops have been trendy for about a year now, but this summer, I'd say the trend is at its prime. I have been seeing them absolutely everywhere. Though what goes up must come down, so I'll have my fun trying the trend while it's still hot. A variation of the exposed shoulder top I've been seeing lately is the ruffled cold shoulder. I love it! It's elegant and feminine. This gingham shirt from Topshop struck me as a mix between the ruffled cold shoulder and this Self-Portrait asymmetrical frill shirt I've been noticing in Holt Renfrew's window display. I hoped I would exude the glowing beauty of other girls I've seen wearing tops like these, but the final result was slightly underwhelming. The flared hem and sleeves did not complement the ruffles, and the shirt would have looked better if the silhouette was slimmed down (as I've tried to show in the photo).


TFNC Kimberly Jumpsuit

You might wonder whether there's a method to my madness when choosing what clothes to try on for my blog posts. While obviously I try on items I personally like, I also pick out items I would never actually buy. Oftentimes, these are trendy items, pieces with unusual designs, or things I don't have any occasion to wear. This jumpsuit was of the latter. Although I adore the sophistication of a jumpsuit, I can't fathom any occasion in my uneventful daily life that would necessitate such elegance. Except, well, taking pictures for my changing room blog posts. The lace shoulders on this TFNC jumpsuit were a nice touch, and the legs had a decently slim cut. My only complaint is how the off-shoulder didn't complement the class of the jumpsuit that well. I actually found it more flattering to wear the neckline higher up on my shoulders - like a boat neck.


Topshop MOTO Soft Cold Shoulder Dress

Yes, another cold shoulder. I thought the soft denim on this dress was a trendy companion to the exposed shoulder, and I was interested in how the shoulder hung lower on my arms. But overall, nothing too special. The cold shoulders ended up looking odd from the side; they were too severe for there to be a sense of continuity in the dress.


Topshop Floral-Printed Midi Dress

I picked up this dress purely for the unexpected hook and eye closures running down the torso. Although they reminded me of a corset, I knew the dress was too flimsy for that to be the intended effect. So I was very curious to see how this strange creation would look. After putting it on, I learned it was just as unusual on me as it was on the rack. The deep v-neck leading into the black strip of hooks was not flattering, nor was the square slit running up the front. A mumsy dress trying too hard to be youthful. Basically, I tried this dress on so you don't have to. You're welcome.


Topshop Embroidered Jamie Jeans

In one of my recent posts, I mentioned how patiently I had been waiting for these Topshop floral embroidered black jeans to go on sale. Last week, they finally went down from $120 to $48. And yet after all this waiting, these pants turned out less than stellar. I had been putting these jeans on a pedestal for months, but trying them on with the intent of buying them broke my stubborn obsession and allowed me to see these pants for what they truly were. The floral embroidery: absolutely stunning, but itchy on the inside. The cutting on the ankles: uneven and flared out. (Granted, these jeans are supposed to be cropped above the ankle, so I can understand why the ankle is cut wider.) If the ankles didn't look so weird, I might have whipped out my credit card. But for me, perfection is vital if spending $50 on a pair of jeans.


Topshop Embroidered Jamie Jeans

In an attempt to recuperate from a dashed dream, I picked up another pair of floral embroidered jeans. With mom-jean cutting and rips at the knees, this was a trendier variation of the embroidered Jamie. While the floral detailing was right up my alley, I still had many complaints. The embroidery made the lines of the leg very bumpy on the sides, the crotch was not as fitted as I would've liked, and the ripped knees made the overall look seem cluttered. However, I did walk away with one tidbit of knowledge: ripped knees on tight jeans make bending your legs to sit much easier.


H&M Frilled Mesh Blouse

I've passed by this sheer blouse multiple times in H&M's window display, and each time, I always think it looks so pretty. That day, I finally took it off the rack to try it on. I love the seafoam colour, and the tight ruffles and ruching are a great feminine touch. The elastic around the waist also helps add flounce and shape to the bottom half. However, what I didn't realize is this top is completely transparent. For wearability, I would have preferred H&M add in their own lining so I wouldn't have to expend mental energy thinking about how to layer this blouse.


H&M Jumpsuit with a Flounce

Another jumpsuit and exposed shoulder! I grabbed this jumpsuit because I found the sleek minimalism and emerald tone to be quite appealing. After trying it on, I noticed how everything was just generally...broad. I struggled with how exaggerated the flounce was at the torso. If the torso was sleeker and the wide-legs were slimmed down into a leaner cut, the shoulders would stand out to make a more sophisticated statement.


H&M Denim Bib Overall Shorts

I found these short overalls in the younger section of H&M, so I knew I would be showing off a more adolescent look here. Overalls have been trendy for a while, but this was actually my first time trying them on. And honestly, I didn't hate them. I liked how hip and casual they were. The ease of just throwing on a t-shirt underneath is quite appealing, and the look can be effortlessly dressed up with funky accessories. The only thing is I wouldn't recommend this particular pair from H&M - the bum is cut pretty flat so your rounded behind will look more or less like a straight line.

Fashion Tips & Tricks

If I were one to ride on internet trend trains, I would've shamelessly titled this post "Top 3 Fashion Hacks". I even considered titling it "Dope Fashion Tricks" (wow, hah hah, I'm so funny and clever and not lame), but I'll save myself the public ridicule by just calling this "Fashion Tips & Tricks".

Now, by no means do I have any sort of expertise in providing fashion tips and tricks - the following so-called life hacks are just little discoveries I have made in the past couple of months. I don't expect to impart any sort of valuable knowledge upon you; most likely you will find everything below completely irrelevant or very novice. But hey, I'm just sharing for fun and the minuscule chance you might actually find this interesting.

1. The Practicality of Bandeaus

This one is going to be pretty obvious for most of you out there, so bear with me. Bandeaus and bralettes became popular a couple years back for layering underneath sheer blouses, lace tops, or simply underneath a blazer. Being someone who grew up dressing more conservatively, baring any part of my torso seemed like a très risqué maneuver. So whenever I had tops which were too transparent or low-cut, I felt as if I had no option but to wear tank tops or camisoles underneath. While neither were necessarily bad options, tank tops sometimes looked too casual peeking through sheer blouses, and the square neckline of camisoles cut across the chest in ways which reminded me too much of my preteen years. I needed something a bit more grown up.

That's when I discovered the convenience of bandeaus. With my newfound confidence in dressing, I decided to wear a colourful bandeau under a sheer, low-cut white t-shirt I had. And wow, the freedom was amazing! Not only did the bandeau look cool and quirky underneath, it was perfect for that particular hot sunny day. In the past, I've often found it tedious wearing a tank top under wispy summer shirts, as if I weren't already sweating enough with just one layer of fabric. But now, air ventilation is greatly improved with a bandeau. As well, bandeaus help immensely with low-cut necklines. Because my bandeaus are so tight, there is no risk of my bra showing or any fear I will flash anyone if my neckline slips down or I bend over to pick something up. Beadeaus have given me so much liberty with my summer outfits, and they open doors in terms of being able to wear the looser or more revealing shirts I have.


2. Wearing Random Chains as Jewellery

I am definitely not a person who is good at fashion DIYs, but this DIY is simple enough for even the most amateurish of rookies. Digging through my jewellery boxes one day, I managed to find this random silver chain. I have absolutely no clue where this chain came from, or what it was previously used for - but regardless of its past life, I figured I could reincarnate it as a jewellery piece. Luckily, the chain has a bright, shiny finish that helps it seem less like just some random old chain I picked up, and more like an actual piece of jewellery. I've worn it in various ways, including as a knotted necklace, a layered necklace, a layered bracelet, and even the trendy tied choker look. If you have random material laying around, like chain, ribbon, or a leather tie, you could easily replicate these looks.


3. Fixing Patent Leather Scuffs with Vaseline

If there is actually anything you walk away with today, I hope it is this trick. Being a shoe lover, my heart aches whenever I see a pair of shoes I own getting (inevitably) worn down and used. I try my best to maintain the condition of my shoes by cleaning and polishing them regularly. However, one struggle I have had since high school was maintaining my patent leather shoes. Lately, I have been wearing a pair of super shiny patent Miu Miu loafers and a pair of orange patent Cole Haan oxfords, both of which have been accidentally scuffed in the process.

Thank goodness for Google, because I learned rubbing Vaseline onto patent leather with a clean cloth can help remove scuffing. AND IT WORKS. I thought I was done for when I scratched the orange patent on my Cole Haans against the pavement, but seeing the scuff go away with Vaseline made me burst with glee. Keep in mind, for patent leather which has been rubbed down to a dull finish, Vaseline likely won't work miracles. But if you have a scratch, you might be able to renew the leather. Either way, give it a try!

Image Source: Pinterest

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

I know I'm picky with fashion, but I had no idea I was an ACTUAL DIVA until it came time for me to go shopping for sunglasses. There were times even I wanted to smack myself upside the head for acting like such a spoiled brat. My sincerest apologies to everyone who had to deal with me these past few months as I searched for a pair of sunglasses.

Let's start from the beginning. Ever since I got contacts last year, I needed non-prescription sunglasses. I have been wearing my mom's obnoxiously massive shades, and although they do endow me with quite the sassy disposition, they don't actually provide much in terms of sun protection. Being someone with eyes sensitive to sunlight, I was in desperate need of sunglasses as the summer months approached.

Over the years, I've come to realize the classic aviator complements my face shape the best. And if you're going to go with aviators, there's really only one way to go: Ray-Ban. I've tried aviators from other brands, but absolutely no one makes them as good as Ray-Ban. The shape, the frame, the lens...Ray-Ban has the formula down pat. So brand was a no-brainer for me.

The issue was colour.

Ray-Ban has a vast array of colour options. They have multiple frame colours, a selection of lens finishes, and a rainbow of lens colours (like literally, they have rainbow lenses). At first, things started off easy. I knew I wanted a gold frame, and I thought I would just choose between the classic brown, green or blue lenses.

Things were supposed to be simple.

Until I actually tried on the sunglasses and all my plans fell apart. The traditional brown, green and blue lenses looked awful on me. They washed me out completely. The lenses were also more transparent than I thought, which I didn't want because I was looking for sunglasses that could hide my eyes (I don't want you seeing my eyes, okay). I suddenly felt like I was dropped into the middle of the ocean - an ocean with an endless selection of sunglasses. I thought for a second maybe I could get bright blue mirror lenses, but I couldn't shake off how they reminded me of snowboarding goggles. Not to mention, it's a bit much for day-to-day. Luckily, my mom threw me a lifeline when she pointed out a pair of Oakley aviators with purple/red lenses. Huh. Purple lenses. I must say I haven't seen a lot of that around.

And you know me, I'm a sucker for things not everyone has (I know, you're rolling your eyes at me). Purple lenses struck me as something a bit more unique. So I went to the Ray-Ban section in Nordstrom, and found they had two purple lenses: a darker violet (left), and a lighter lilac (right). Both came in a mirror finish, which was perfect for shielding my eyes from view.

I just had to figure out which one I wanted. I bounced back and forth between the two numerous times. My gut leaned towards the lilac because it had a more intense mirror finish, and its sweet pastel shade appealed to my feminine side. However, I had to admit the deep violet suited my complexion more, and I did like that it came with a tinge of blue mixed in, which revealed itself in different angles and lighting.

I had my sights set on the violet...and then another curveball was thrown at me. The optical store I usually get my sunglasses from couldn't order the violet lenses with a gold frame. They had a limited selection of colour combinations I could choose from, and if I wanted my particular combination, I would have to custom order it off the Ray-Ban site - thus forgoing the discount the store was willing to give me. Great. Just great.

So I looked on the store's website, and the only frame that came with purple lenses was the bronze/copper frame. I'll be honest, it wasn't the best colour. It wasn't shiny like the gold frame; it was a dull, dark bronze. But what could I do. I had to accept my fate. And if you're sitting here thinking this is already complicated enough - guess what? I managed to find three different versions of purple lenses to choose from: Grey Mirror Purple (left), Lilac Mirror (Centre), and Grey Mirror Lilac Polarized (Left). Greeeeeaaaaaat.

Look, I don't know how Ray-Ban keeps track of their lens colours, because I have no idea where the 'grey mirror' part came in. But whatever. I got the store to order all three for me to sample. Once again, I constantly bounced back and forth between all three. I legitimately got anxious trying to figure out which one I wanted.

To add another variable to the whole equation, one of the pairs was polarized. Polarized lenses are made to block out glare, which can be useful when driving or in the snow. On the other hand, mirror lenses are made to darken all light in general. I thought polarized lenses would probably be better functionally, but turns out they weren't dark enough for my liking. My eyes were actually more comfortable with mirror lenses because the overall brightness of the sun was dampened.

Also, when I tried on the Grey Mirror Lilac, I really didn't like how flat it looked against my skin tone. My pale skin and dark hair just did not work with the solid lilac lens. Objectively speaking, those are gorgeous and unique lenses. I can see them looking beautiful on girls with blonde hair, but unfortunately, I'm not a blonde beach babe.

So I was left with two options. I truly thought I was going to go with the Purple (aka. violet) as I had initially planned. Yet when I wore it, it didn't feel as special or glamorous as the lilac shade. It began to feel typical, and I was starting to be uneasy with how it was more transparent. It still looked good on me and would probably be the most versatile with different outfits, but it just didn't speak to me anymore.

The only pair I developed an attachment to was the Lilac Mirror. When I put on the Lilac Mirror, it felt right. Instead of being a pure solid lilac, it had a bit of blue mixed in and was very reflective of other colours in its surroundings. Out of all three pairs, its colour was the most dynamic. Depending on the lighting, it could range from a pastel lilac to a darker taro. Thankfully, it also turned out to be the best at blocking out the sunlight and giving my perception of the summer sky a warm, comforting overlay. I considered it a great balance and compromise between the other two options.

Ew, a car selfie. I'm ashamed of myself.
In case you're wondering, my shirt says "I Have Nothing to Wear". #relatable

So there you have it. My quest for a pair of sunglasses, which turned into a several month journey through stress, which at least finally turned into a good ending (minus the fact I couldn't get gold frames, but deep breath in, deep breath out...). I feel satisfied with the sunglasses I have chosen, and hey, maybe down the road I'll nab myself a violet pair too. But for now, I'm back to being calm, cool and collected. I'm back in my zen zone.

Just don't tell me you thought they all looked the same.

Image Source: BeLighter,Covering the Bases, Glamour-Zine

A Mistake Has Been Made...

An update on my most recent acquisition, purchase and, finally, mistake.

ACQUISITION: Gucci Glitter Web Sneakers with Studs

Not too long ago, I was drooling over some cool new kicks Gucci had released, but little did I know, I would soon possess my very own pair. I specify this as a recent acquisition, because they were once again generously handed down to me by a friend. The fact I'm wearing sneakers may come as a surprise to some of you, since I haven't worn anything resembling a pair of runners since high school (around nine years ago!). I swore off the sneaker life, but with the latest resurgence in casual kicks as a trendy option, I've decided there is no harm in getting back on the comfort train.

While these sneakers boast all-over glitter texture, the glitter is actually very fine, which makes the sparkle more akin to a subtle shimmer. The laces are woven through with metallic threads, and Gucci's iconic red and green stripe slashes down the sides. In terms of hardware, there is a line of silver studs along the back, and although you can't see it in this photo, there are silver carved tiger heads on the tongues. As wonderfully excessive as the exterior is, it is really the interior of these sneakers which impress me. The inner is lined in soft red leather. Can you believe it? Incredible. I can't wait to wear these babies out once the weather is warmer and less muddy.


PURCHASE: Topshop MOTO Deep Let Hem Jamie Jeans

I have been going to Topshop religiously lately to keep an eye on whether these black floral-embroidered jeans on my wishlist are on sale yet (alas, no), so I wasn't really expecting to come away one day with a pair of blue skinnies. My dad pointed out a pair of Let Hem jeans on the sale rack for $27 (worn in my first picture above). I wasn't immediately into the lighter wash and design of the jeans, but with a price like that, how could I say no? The jeans are made from a soft stretchy denim, so it fits gloriously around the legs, and the length is cut perfectly at the ankles, which makes these pants great for wearing with my aforementioned sneakers. Although I'm still not sure whether the raw let hem necessarily looks good, it is a cheeky homage to my nerdy teenage days, when jeans never fit me and I actually had to fold up my hems and hand-stitch them sloppily into place. The awkward, tell-tale line two inches above my ankle used to make it more obvious I did a DIY job. So these Topshop pants hold some meaning to them, because here I am as an adult, embracing my past by letting my hems down and having all it show.


MISTAKE: H&M Shirtdress

Last year, I bought a shirtdress from H&M for $15. It was elegant and sophisticated with its burnt orange tone, black piping along the v-neck, and gold hardware. My boyfriend liked it (which meant something considering he usually has a neutral opinion of fashion), and I even got complimented on it during an interview by the hiring manager (who, might I say, was quite stylish herself). Nonetheless, I should've known the dollars I saved on the purchase would soon come back to bite me in the bum.

You know my motto for those on a budget: buy affordable items which look expensive. The fabric of this dress passed my test; it was soft and light-weight enough to disguise as something more costly - but I should have listened to the tiny voice in the back of my mind telling me the buttons were too cheap. I liked the look of the gold hardware so much I ignored my intuition. I remember going through the rack to choose the dress with the least damage to its buttons, as if I could somehow sneakily evade this dress' eventual fate. Obviously, the fact the other dresses already had scratches on their buttons should have tipped me off.

So, one year later, after wearing this dress a couple times over the short summer months, looks like the washing machine got the better of it. The fabric remains pretty decent, but two of the five buttons are now noticeably scratched. Sigh. Mistakes will be made in this journey of buying affordable fashion. Luckily I don't regret purchasing this dress because it's still a pretty nice-looking shirtdress, but I will have to get creative and think up a way of restoring the buttons to their former glory.

Image Source: Topshop

Ghost in the Shell: Costume Review

*This review may contain spoilers*

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend a pre-screening of Ghost in the Shell (2017). Ever since watching Cloud Atlas (2012), I had been wanting to see another good sci-fi fantasy film - and the trailer for Ghost in the Shell looked promising. However, these types of movies are not often done well (ie. Jupiter Ascending (2015)), so I did go in with some reservations.

Please note: I am aware Ghost in the Shell is based off a manga and anime of the same name, but since I have not read nor seen either, I am writing about this film as a standalone piece of media.

After watching the pre-screening, one thing that stood out to me in particular was the costume design.

I had been joking with my boyfriend, who attended the screening with me, that Ghost in the Shell would essentially be Scarlett Johansson jumping around in a nude, skin-tight bodysuit for two hours. If you think about female characters such as Black Widow in The Avengers (2012), Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises (2012), or even Ava in Ex Machina (2014), they are all portrayed as attractive and curvaceous, even while mowing down enemies with a gun.

But I was pleasantly surprised to find that Johansson's character in this movie, Major, is not outfitted in such a way. She wears fitted, but not tight, bodysuits in conservative dark shades, and often favours chunky combat boots. Her most embellishing piece is a long, double-slit trenchcoat, which she quickly ditches as soon as she needs to dive off a building.

Even her nude armour is built for fighting and not flaunting. It goes from her neck all the way down to her toes, leaving minimal exposed "skin". Her body resembles the female form, but it is not overtly sexualized. Her form is not smooth and perky - it is rough and sturdy. Her short hair is surprisingly limp and stringy, making her very different from a bodacious babe. Even her gait complements her appearance. Her steps are heavy and robotic, and she often sports a combative hunch. Major's costumes focus on what she really is: a cyborg built as a weapon. Nothing is frivolous. Everything is functional.

And I like it.

My boyfriend, who is well-versed in the worlds of anime and gaming (I know, we could not be more different), wishes the costumes were more epic and dramatic, which I can understand. Fantasy films have the opportunity to explore flourishing costume design, and I agree Ghost in the Shell could have been executed with more visual impact. But I don't hate that they stuck with a basic look. It's rare to see female characters portrayed with such honesty, so I'll take the chance to express my appreciation for what this film has done in terms of costume design.

There are obviously many other aspects of this film I have not yet touched on. Luckily, Ghost in the Shell officially opens March 31, so I would love to hear what you think.

Image Source: IMDB

Bienvenue à La Maison

This week, Québec-based retailer Simons (La Maison Simons) opened its doors to my city. My friend and I met up to check out the grand opening, which soon turned into one of my favourite activities: trying on dresses. But before I get into some of the dresses I tried on (not all were photo-worthy), let's talk about Simons.

My early exposure to Simons was through my friends. I have a friend (in a different city) who likes shopping there, and another who bought a dress there while in Québec. My first encounter came when I passed by the store during my grad trip in Montréal. Walking through the store, however, I was underwhelmed. The clothing appeared quite basic, reminding me of a watered down version of Hudson's Bay. Nonetheless, I was still looking forward to seeing what Simons would have to offer in my own city.

After exploring the four-story department store this week, I do have a better impression of Simons than before. But to say it is a good impression would be wrong. It caters to what I consider the suburban professional mom. Khaki capris, flowy floral tops, and blazers in various solid colours. The majority of clothing in the store is of poor quality, with a selection of better quality mid-priced items, and one section of incredibly unique, quirky high-end pieces (Leotard with floor-length cape? Yes, please). Despairingly, the shoe and handbag departments were tiny and mediocre. On the bright side though, I was impressed with the offerings in the home section, the decently-priced café, and the two floors dedicated to a wide range of men's clothing. Simons will offer some unique selection for our local market, but overall, I'm left with little reason to shop there.

Though as you know, that doesn't stop me from trying on their clothing.


Twik Floral Choker Dress

What's a huge trend right now? Chokers. And honestly, I'm digging it. So I tried on this dress with the popular choker + v-neck combo. The body of the dress was shapeless, but I appreciated the neckline and the floral print. Definitely going to try copying the trend with one of my own low-cut tops and a ribbon around my neck.


TFNC London Golden Belt Dress

There really isn't anything groundbreaking or special about this dress - I'm just a fan of Grecian styles. This ended up being the only dress that fit me properly, so in that sense it looked flattering. The only thing I would change is how the gold band in the front turns into a black bow belt in the back. I would much prefer a gold waist all around.


Twik Pretty Ruffles Dress

So I didn't realize the straps on this dress were adjustable, hence why it hung so low on my body. My friend tried this dress on with the straps adjusted, and the off-shoulder ruffles did look a lot better. I liked the colour and feminine neckline of this dress, but the cheaply-made body ruined the silhouette. (Interesting to note: the model on the Simons website wears this dress as a regular spaghetti strap, and not an off-shoulder.)


ICÔNE Flower Embroidery Sheer Maxi Dress

And finally, on to my favourite (and more expensive) dress of the day. Not only did I love the sheer white chantilly lace, I adored how there were shorts underneath the skirt. Practical and flirty. The ruffled sleeves were also an ethereal, elegant touch. As for up top, I would certainly need another layer, unless I were to commit to the true fashion life of using double-sided tape to keep deep, risqué v-necks in place. But as my friend suggested, a bandeau would suffice.

Image Source: Daily Hive

UGG, Really?

Let's talk about shoes.


ALDO Zusien

Remember when I fell for ALDO's Digosien boots? I still Google them every once in a while hoping ALDO will bring them back in stock. Yeah, that's how sad I am. However, that's besides the point. I didn't think ALDO would impress me with another pair of shoes so soon after Digosien, but they did. Introducing, Zusien. I first discovered the appeal of strappy, pointed toe, low block heels from Marzia Bisognin, one of my style icons. I waffled for days over whether I wanted to try these shoes on (and potentially fall down the rabbit hole of lust), but finally, I went into an ALDO store and took them off the shelf.

Oh dear, did I fall down that rabbit hole. I squealed in excitement as my boyfriend looked on with a confused, yet slightly amused, smile on his face. I think even the salesperson took a hesitant step back. These shoes were so classy. The black is sharp against the foot, emphasizing the d'orsay sides. The toe is perfectly pointed, and the block heel is cute and stout. My mind flashed through so many outfits I could wear with these shoes. Alas, at $60, they were too expensive. I didn't want to spend that much money on a pair of suede shoes that I didn't necessarily need.

Shortly after, these shoes went out of stock. I stalked around ASOS for fun, and saw they had a similar pair, but the toe box and heel just weren't shaped as nicely, making the shoes off-kilter in comparison. In an unexpected turn of events though, I checked ALDO again last week, and it looks like Zusien has been revived for another season with more materials and colours. I hope these shoes aren't here to tempt me again, but frankly, I would trade these in to have Digosien brought back from the dead.


Tod's Chukka Boots

A while ago, I was given a pair of brand new soft blue (different colour than above) Tod's chukka boots as a hand-me-down (they were never worn by my predecessor, hence why they are still in brand new condition). Over the years, my wardrobe has acquired some designer shoes thanks to the generosity of my friend, but no matter how big the brand name, I have never been as impressed by a pair of shoes as I was with these Tod's. These boots are of absolute incredible quality. The craftsmanship blew me away.

First of all, the suede. The suede is of the softest, most buttery kind. My fingers slid smoothly over the completely blemish-free upper. Shoelaces were the next thing I noticed. The are made of a thicker, stiffer rope, resulting in a satisfyingly secure tie. Overall, the shoe is a feminine and sleek take on the traditional chukka boot. The elongated toe box narrows into a beautifully gentle curve, and the leather sole is done in a clean birch colour - my favourite shade for shoes like these. While short and demure, the heel is still noticeable, adding just enough negative space underneath the arch to lend the boots a sophisticated polish.

I've always known Tod's to have well-made driving shoes, but I am utterly astounded by this particular pair of chukka boots. When my dad saw them, he told me he too was once floored by the beauty of Tod's, yet could not bring himself to pay the price for a pair. I agree with him when he says these are the type of shoes you don't even want to walk out of the house in due to fear you will ruin them. I love how these shoes help my style venture into more masculine territory, so one day, I shall have to muster up the courage to wear these out. In the meantime though, just let me admire them while they're still in pristine condition.


UGG Janney Boots

UGG, really? Yes, really. I've given UGGs a hard time on my blog, though to be fair I'm only opposed to those loaves of bread they call boots. This winter, we were hit with bone-chilling cold weather. In the five minutes it took for me to walk from the train station to work, my toes practically froze over. I knew it was time I took action and wore some better boots. Luckily, I ended up finding some insulated, albeit hideous, winter boots in my closet. Although I cared about warmth, not style, at that point, I've still been low-key on the lookout for stylish winter boots (is there such a thing?).

Today, browsing though Nordstrom's sale rack, I came across these UGG boots. I picked them up immediately to try on. I don't normally go for wedges, but I'm fine with them if they are sleek enough. What appealed to me about these boots were the military-style lace-up and buckle (which reminded me of Burberry Fall/Winter 2010/2011 RTW - a great collection), and the smooth waterproof leather. The boots were nice and lean compared to my chunky winter boots, and I liked how they were slightly bad ass, but in an elegant way. I would have bought them if it weren't for the $160 price tag. I'm not sure whether these boots are practical enough for our cold, messy and slippery Canadian winters, so I need to ponder some more before I lay my money down.

Image Source: Aldo, Lyst, Zappos