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.

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

You can dress me up, but you can't dress me down

Boy, it's been a fantastic week!  My summer job is a constant reminder of how lucky I am, and this past week once again proved that I work with an amazing group of people.  Looking forward, the weekend will be a good one too!  While I'll be attending the city's biggest festival of the year with my parents tomorrow, and reconnecting + fine dining with a long-time friend, I kicked off the weekend today with a leisurely, relaxing shopping session with my mom.  A long-awaited visit to Holt Renfrew resulted in, not bags of clothing, but a bag of popcorn and a sparkling lemon drink in my hands.  I tried on quite a few things during my shopping trip, but I'll spare you the boredom and narrow it down to all the dresses I whipped off the hook today:

H&M Diamond Print Dress

I took a liking to this dress the second I saw it on the rack.  After being unable to find a size 2, I dejectedly picked up a size 4.  As I zipped up the dress in the dressing room, to my surprise (or horror?), it fit fabulously around the torso.  I can either rejoice over the fact that I'm not a walking stick anymore, or cry over the fact that my stomach is not as flat as it used to be (I'm planning an exercise regime as we speak).  Anyway, back to the dress.  Although the torso area fit, the shoulder and back area were still loose.  That, along with the cheap quality of the dress and the $30 price tag, kept me from taking it to the cash register.  Shame, because that diamond print is really unique!

H&M Floral Dress

Another dress I instantly took a liking to, even though I knew the straight waist wouldn't look good on my frame.  It did end up being more flattering that I thought, but I would still have to wear it with a belt, and I'm tired of cinching everything that's too large for me.  So while the placement of the floral is so pretty and fresh, the dress' lack of versatility was a key reason why I put it back where it came from.  It stood at a cheaper $15, but its cheap fabric made $15 seem expensive.

Topshop Botanical Floral Bodycon Dress

The print on this dress is interesting, and it sure doesn't deserve the fabric it's printed on.  Pulling this dress over my head, I may as well have been wrapping myself tightly in one-ply toilet paper.  The fabric was so thin that e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g was accentuated to exaggerated degree.  Why does it feel like I've lost my decency, despite everything being covered up?  I imagine this is what girls wear clubbing, minus a couple inches off the bottom.  Ridiculous.  That's all I have to say.

Alice+Olivia Lora Drop Waist Pleated Dress

Here I am again, trying on yet another piece from Alice+Olivia!  I'm a huge fan of the '20s revival we've been having (hey there, Great Gatsby), so I was eager to test out this drop waist dress.  Unfortunately, I couldn't fill out the torso well enough (I thought flat chests were all the rage in the '20s...) and the metallic gold was unforgiving in showing me how my hips just couldn't support the pleated skirt.  My mom disliked the mesh back, saying it instantly cheapened the entire thing, but by then, I had already planted a big "NO" on this dress.

Image Source: H&M, Topshop, Alice+Olivia

Golden Opportunity

I honestly tried my best to do a Fashion 2012: A Look Back post, but with only two weeks holiday, I wanted to spend as much time as possible with family and friends.  What I do have for you, however, is a recap of my Boxing Day window shopping.  The biggest trend I saw translated from the runway (namely Dolce & Gabbana) into retail stores was decadence. This Fall, it's all about gold, intricate brocade, and embellishment galore.  In other words, it's my kind of season.

7 For All Mankind

Having finally found a pair of pastel jeans over the summer, I moved on to my search for a great pair of printed pants (this is really the only downfall of fashion: my wardrobe is always missing something). I found it in 7 For All Mankind's Gold Foil Velvet Jeans.  After looking at all of Spring's floral prints, this gold brocade seemed so right.  It arouses a darker, more sumptuous appeal, and would be a fantastic casual evening look.  These pants are also worth every bit of praise for the velvet.  Velvet hugs the legs better, and for the first time in my life, I donned a pair of pants that did not bunch around my knees.  I am slightly knock-kneed from my low arches, so finding a good fitting pair of pants is difficult.  But these pants were perfectly fitted, and not to mention the perfect length!  The $300 price tag?  My only roadblock.

H&M

On the cheaper, but no less lovely, side, I tried on a pair of H&M Blue Brocade pants. My mom urged me to try the last pair of these pants, despite them being a size too big, and I'm glad I listened to her!  I instantly felt like an uptown girl lounging her way to Lincoln Centre for Fashion Week (I wish).  The perfectly placed pockets were so blasé, but the deep blue oriental brocade spoke otherwise. One day, I will find a pair of slim trousers like this worth investing in.  Watch out, Lincoln Centre, I'm coming.

Topshop

Topshop was the first stop I made on Boxing Day, but it actually turned out to be the most unfulfilling.  The sales were mediocre (although that can be said for all Boxing Day sales nowadays), and what I did try on didn't look great.  I had high hopes for this Star Glitter Velvet Bodycon Dress.  The velvet was, again, enchanting, but my major qualm was how cheaply made the glitter was.  The second I picked up the dress, gold glitter fluttered to the ground.  Don't even ask what happened when I put it on.  I spent the rest of my day with a face adorned with stray glitter.  I'm disappointed, Topshop!

Alice+Olivia

Alice+Olivia is one of my favourite labels.  Stacey Bendet always gets it right; everytime I'm at Holt Renfrew, something of hers always makes me stop and smile.  But I tried one of her skirts on Boxing Day and not even Alice+Olivia could cure me of my inability to look good in them.  The photo above is actually not the skirt I tried on, but it is similar.  What I tried on was a gold brocade print, ruffled, tiered skirt with an exposed zipper on the back.  I love skirts, but I would never wear a skirt so short I feel uncomfortable in it.  Sadly, the only way skirts look good is if they're around mid-thigh.  The shape of my legs does not allow for anything longer to look attractive, unless I'm wearing heels.  I also found the ruffles and tiers to be too childish.  It maybe would've worked if I were 10 years old and running around the playground, but if I were 10, why would I be wearing Alice+Olivia?

So it's clear by now I bought absolutely nothing on Boxing Day.  However, I have no regrets, because any money spent on the things I tried on would've been money wasted.  I gained the better reward of seeing all the rich, luxurious fashion this season.  Listen up, this season is the golden opportunity to indulge in your most succulent, opulent cravings.

Image Source: Seven, H&M, Topshop, Alice+Olivia

Young Love, Young Fashion

Before school started (and not to mention the mad, elbow-your-way-through rush of textbook buying season), my family took a small trip to Vancouver as a way to give my summer one last hurrah.  Some of my highlights were:

1) Enjoying my first French cuisine dinner - Watermelon goat cheese salad, AAAAA grade meat, and steak with truffle butter being among the delicious dishes.  I loved how the waiters and chefs actually took care to describe the dishes to us.
2) Walking through The Room at The Bay for the second time in my life.  Mary Katranzou print dresses, Comme des Garçons paper-doll silhouettes and Erdem florals right in front of my eyes.  Unbelievable.
3) Passing by one of the few J. Crew stores in Canada.  Admittedly, I was expecting a grander store front.
4) Seeing the Olympic Oval.  Dreams were made and broken there two years ago.
5) And lastly, finding a pair of coloured denim from Topshop!  I searched and searched for coloured denim all summer, and finally, I found a pair of Topshop Moto High Waisted Kristen jeans in Vancouver for $20.

When I was searching for coloured denim, I knew I wanted either mint green or pale purple.  It seemed to me as if these two colours were the rarest after seeing numerous girls in red, yellow, pink and turquoise jeans.  Initially, I thought this pair of Topshop denim to be slightly darker and edgier than my ideal purple, and to add to that...it was high-waisted.  I hadn't worn high-waisted pants in years.  However, high-waisted pants are coming back, considering all the stores that stock the style now.

All doubts were later washed away as I heard my mom say the following glorious words: "They make your legs look longer", and my dad dispelling his wise words: "Wear stuff like this while you're still young".  It's true; the high-waist wrapped snugly around my waist to make my hopelessly short legs look just a little longer (ah, fashion mind games...sometimes I wonder if I'm just amusing myself), and there's no better time to wear purple denim than now while I can still pull it off.  To add to that, the price was irresistible.

So far, all my friends back at university who have seen me in my new jeans have commented (shout out to my group of three very stylish friends - you know who you are - thank you!).  I tuck my white lace top in, loop a brown leather belt into a knot (yes, I finally tried out the knotted belt trend.  Love it!), and when I'm feeling dressy, slip on my gold snakeskin loafers.  On second thought, maybe the highlight of my trip wasn't the food, or even the high fashion.  It was finally going out of my comfort zone and buying something not for practicality, but for fun.  Now is the time to experiment, and I'm going to make sure I enjoy every moment of it.

Image Source: Jeans

Top Star

It's hard living for 8 months in a city where the shopping centres are lacklustre and the downtown scene is dull.  I love the university I go to, but the city itself lacks vibrancy.  Now that I'm back in my much-loved big city with a small town feel, I'm shopping it up every weekend.

I finally had the chance to check out the Topshop collection at The Bay this weekend (On a side note, The Bay has really been upgraded.  The old style heaters overlooking a historic stone building, and the artsy cement floor in the Free People section complemented the clothing beautifully).  As I rode up the escalator to the women's floor, I could've sworn at that moment the escalator had taken me to fashion heaven.  Glorious Topshop pastels, florals and sequins beckoned me towards them, daring me to try them on.  Truly, a little taste of London never hurts.

Topshop has amazing pieces this season, and one of those pieces came with an amazing price tag.  On my fashion high, I decided to try on a silver, fully sequined bodycon dress for $106.  Yes, that's $106 original price.

Not only was the price for this dress phenomenal, it looked so lovely.  A dress like this can veer on tacky, but the splattering of iridescent colour amongst the sea of silver added a heightened sense of opulence, along with the smart absence of cutouts in this simple sheath silhouette.  I also must applaud Topshop for their sizing, because for once, I found a dress that fit me perfectly.  It stopped nicely mid-thigh, and hugged my (barely there) curves so well, it made a petite, androgynous figured girl like me think twice about my horrible lack of exercise.  Alas, I'm still too stingy and poor to spend the money on a dress I probably won't have an occasion for, but for those of you who are interested, this dress also comes in a startling cobalt blue:

I hear a lot of people complaining about the discomfort of sequin dresses, although for $106, I'd bear a little discomfort (not that I felt any wearing this dress).  Your man might get a little sequin rash as he tries to embrace you, but at least you'll look and shine like a million stars.

Image Source: The Bay, Silver dress, Blue dress