3 Ways: Denim Jacket

The only denim jacket I've ever owned in my life thus far was one with a HUMONGOUS picture of Mickey Mouse on the back....

I was only 12.

Even so, it was seriously uncool. Come to think of it, most of my wardrobe in my early school years can pretty much be summed up that way as well...a byproduct of going to schools that require school uniforms. 

    

Almost two decades later, I am trying the whole denim jacket thing again. 

And here's hoping that my outfits have improved by leaps and bounds!
 

1) For work...

Top: Forever 21 / Pants: J.Crew / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

2) For a date...

Dress: Forever 21 / Hat: J.Crew / Shoes: Target

3) For a casual day...

Shirt: Forever 21 / Shorts: LOFT / Hat: J.Crew / Shoes: Target

I love how throwing it on instantly gives the outfit a casual cool vibe.
Even though my 5-year old commented that I look like a teenager when I wear it...

H&M Denim Jacket, $30

3 Ways: Shorts For Work

I've mentioned here that I was obsessed with an outfit from Korean drama Sly and Single Again that Na Ae-Ra wore which featured a pair of khaki shorts. So I have been on the hunt for a pair for myself.

Now that I am creeping up the age scale, I feel a bit self-conscious wearing too-short hemlines. Also, my legs are on the short and stubby side, so I was never truly that comfortable with short shorts anyway. 

So in my recent haul, I picked up a few pairs of shorts that have 6" inseams to cover my thighs and  so that they can potentially be worn to work.

Here are some outfits that I pieced together that may work in an office environment that veers on a casual side (which is what mine is):

1) Outfit 1

Top: Talbots / Blazer: Ann Taylor LOFT / Necklace: Ebay / Shoes: Dolce Vita for Target

 

2) Outfit 2

Top: Forever 21 / Cardigan: Forever 21 / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BBs in Copper Patent

3) Outfit 3

Top: J.Crew / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BBs

To be honest, I feel a tad like a grandma in them. 

For them to work at all, high heels are a definite must for me.

Ann Taylor LOFT Riviera Shorts with 6 inch inseam, $40 - $55

3 Ways: Blouses

These type of tops are my absolute favorite because they can be dressed up or down easily, but always result in one looking put-together.

1) For work...

Skirt: J.Crew / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Bracelet: Hautelook

2) For a date...
 

Jacket: Mango / Jeans: Citizens of Humanity / Shoes: J.Crew

3) For a casual day...
 

Shorts: Forever 21 / Shoes: Dolce Vita for Target / Earrings: Forever 21

Now that I am creeping up on the age scale, I am really trying to be more conscious to dress less like a bum, and more like a classy, confident adult

 

H&M V-Neck Blouse, $25

3 Ways: Korean Drama Fashion

Besides gawking at their flawless skin, there are some noteworthy outfits that stand out to me from watching all my Korean dramas...here are the most memorable ones to me that I would love to recreate:

1) For work

Image from here

From Sly and Single Again, this outfit has made me searching around for tan dress shorts. Even though this is an outfit that Na Ae-Ra wore for work, it is probably just scraping by as acceptable in my work environment. One thing I've noticed is that workwear hemlines are quite noticeably shorter in Asian countries.

 

2) For a casual day

 Image from here

From My Love From Another Star, this is definitely one of Cheon Song-Yi's most memorable outfit to me

3) For a date

 Image from here

From Flower Boy Ramen Shop, the female lead really didn't have too many inspiring outfits, but this was definitely her "Wow" outfit and makeup look of the whole show...

3 Ways: Grayed Out

If I was to take inventory of my closet, I would find that 80% of my knits and sweaters are gray.

There's just something so comforting and cozy about gray sweaters. 

And I think a thin draped cardigan like this is a staple in any closet.

1) For work... 

Dress: Dorothy Perkins / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BBs in Patent Copper

2) For a date...

Playsuit: H&M / Necklace: Urbanite / Sandals: Target 

3) For a casual day out...

Sweater: J.Crew / Jacket: J.Crew / Leggings : Target / Shoes: Converse

It works as a perfect layering piece, and can be worn as a wrap sweater too.
And at $8, it is a complete no-brainer!

 

Forever 21 wrap sweater, $8

 

3 Ways: A Classic White Shirt

A white shirt is apparently one of the core pieces everyone should have in their closets. I personally had a hard time finding a white shirt that fitted the exact way I preferred, until I wandered into Old Navy due to plain ol' nosiness (they had a 30% off everything sale sign at their front window)

Lo and behold, I found that they fitted lovely and I left with 4 (!!) shirts.

1) For work...

Vest: H&M / Pants: J.Crew / Shoes: J.Crew / Necklace: Urbanite / Lipcolor: Etude House

2) For casual days...

Jeans: Forever 21 / Shoes: Miss Albright from Anthropologie / Scarf: Malaysia / Belt: J.Crew

3) For a date

Skirt: Topshop / Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Earrings: NY&Co / Lipcolor: Rimmel, MAC

In comparison to J.Crew boy shirts, I prefer the Old Navy ones due to a better fit and a much more affordable price point.

Old Navy Oxford Shirt in white, $25

  

3 Ways: Red Pants

There's something a bit loud about wearing non-neutral pants. And the fact that the non-neutral color is red practically makes them scream. Which makes outfit parings a bit of a dilemma

Here are 3 ways I've made it work for different occasions...

1) For work...

Blazer: Topshop / Shirt: Rachel Pally / Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Jewelry: Forever 21

2) For a date...

Top: Old Navy / Shoes: Aldo / Bracelet: Haute Look / Lipcolor: Rimmel

3) For casual days...

Shirt: J.Crew / Hat: J.Crew / Shoes: Delman

This is where having a wardrobe that is heavy on the neutrals can be a pro, because it makes pairing a stand-out item all the easier.

J.Crew Minnie pants in red, $90

3 Ways: Easter

I think Easter is probably one of my most favorite yearly "special occasion" (even though I actually don't celebrate it, non-Christian that I am) It has something to do with the warming up of the weather, the shedding of thick, bulky layers, and all the pastel colors and cutesy packaging that comes out.

And of course, the Easter candy.

Here are outfits for 3 different ways of celebrating

1) For the churchgoers

Dress: Catherine Malandrino / Shoes: Pour la Victoire / Necklace: Forever 21 / Earrings: NY & Co

2) For the more fashion forward

Dress: Forever 21 / Shoes: Christian Louboutins / Necklace: Forever 21 / Hair bun: Claire's

3) Casual get-together

Tank: H&M / Skirt: made by me / Wedges: Aldo / Necklace: J.Crew / Earrings: NY & Co

Personally, I would much prefer to be in casual clothes that allows for...complete enjoyment of Easter brunch/lunch/dinner and the running around searching for Easter eggs after =)

3 Ways: Cozy Sweater

Sweaters are still in heavy rotation here, since the weather is still chilly out. 

I get a bit bored wearing my favorite sweater the same way every time (black boots, black leggings and blank tank under) so here is me being a bit more adventurous...

1) For work...

Jacket & Pants: J.Crew / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Necklace: Target  / Earrings: Forever21

2) For a casual day...

 Pants: J.Crew / Boots: Rag & Bone

3) For a date...

   Skirt: Topshop / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BBs in Copper Patent / Necklace: H&M

Target is my favorite place to go for affordable cozy slouchy sweaters. And even though I don't think this particular sweater is flattering on me, it still is my very favorite one that I reach for almost every week. 

It is like a warm hug to me.

 

 

3 Ways: Spring

It is officially Spring (according to the calendar...not according to the weather gods) so I am celebrating this with a Spring Week here. 

Also, it is to distract myself from the frigid temperatures outside. 

Else I would gorge on chocolates, and I would rather save my clothes the agony of being stretched even more to accommodate this post-winter-but-pre-spring-depression binge.

These are some outfits that I am looking forward to wearing when the temperature finally catches up to the calendar.

1) For Work

Turtleneck: Uniqlo / Skirt: J.Crew No.2 Pencil Skirt / Shoes: J.Crew Etta / Necklace: H&M

2) For a casual day...

Shirt: J.Crew / Jeans: Forever 21 / Flats: J.Crew / Trench: Banana Republic

3) For a spring date...

Turtleneck & sweater: J.Crew / Skirt: homemade by me / Boots: Target

Things I look forward to every spring:

- wearing colors and lighter-hued neutrals

- putting my winter coats away

- flowers pushing their way up

- a cool, crisp morning when taking the dog out for a walk

- wearing flirty skirts and dresses

- Easter candy =)

 

3 Ways: White Jeans

 

No white before Labor Day

Frankly, I don't run with the crowd that sticks vehemently to this rule. I actually don't even KNOW anyone who runs remotely with that crowd, so it's a bit of a lost cause if my lifelong wish is to annoy those type of people.

I, for one, can't wait for the time I can wear them again.

Namely, when the snow has finally melted and all the spring showers have run its course. 

Because white jeans splattered with muddy water or slush will send a nervous tick to my eyelid and make my blood pressure sky-rocket.

 

1) Work 
Silk top - J.Crew
Necklaces - Etsy and Forever 21
Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BBs in copper patent

2) Casual day
Sweater - H&M
Belt - Linea Pelle
Boots - Rag & Bone Harrow 

3) Date
Top - Dorothy Perkins
Necklace - J.Crew
Bracelet - Forever 21
Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BBs in blue suede      

J.Crew Matchstick Crop Jeans

3 Ways and A Review: Zara Combination Biker Jacket

I don't own a leather jacket.

It is a classic, but in my mind, I gravitate more towards the prim and proper librarian/newscaster/Emma Pillsbury image rather than the cool and effortless biker/rocker/edgy looks. Simply because pigs will fly before I can look biker chic. 

But I was intrigued and I wanted to branch out a little this year. So I got one. Not full on leather, because Rome was not built in a day. So I got a "combination" one. And here are some looks to help ease me into this territory...

1) For work...

Dress: Max & Cleo / Shoes: Christian Louboutin Declic / Necklace: Ebay

2) For a date night

Playsuit: Topshop

3) For a casual daytime out and about...

Shirt: MNG / Jeans: Joe Jeans / Belt: Linea Pelle / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BBs / Necklace: J.Crew

Being a loyal J.Crew girl, I don't venture out to other brands within the same market much.  Add to the fact that there are no brick and mortar Zara shops around the corner results in me having never bought anything from it before.

The search for a leather jacket brought me back to their online site again and again, until finally one day, I bit the bullet. They offer free shipping, free returns AND their delivery was lighting fast. My order arrived ONE day after I placed it.

I was beyond impressed.

And I was impressed by the jacket too. It was beautiful. Although not composed of real leather, it definitely did not have that fake plasticky-pleather feel to it. It is well-made, it looks expensive and it fits lovely.

As it is with most European brands, I found that I had to size up from my regular "American" sizing. I am normally a size 0 in J.Crew. I took a size S in the jacket.

 

Zara Combination Biker Jacket $129