WWFD

I received the most adorable SOS from Fal a few days ago for ideas on how to make the most of three lovely items in her awesome wardrobe. When Fal and I go shopping, be it for fabrics or actual clothes, we tend to reach for the exact same item/ cloth. We usually have no idea the other party owns the same piece of clothing till we see it on the other person and then "Oh my god! I have that too!". It does seem like we have the same taste but when it comes to pairing the items or mixing them up, we do so in vastly different ways, which makes swapping style tips quite fun sometimes. Fal is distinctly more sophisticated whereas I'm pretty much all over the place, not committing to anything in particular and keeping my options open.

#1

This is my office wear skirt and I often wear it with a formal button-down shirt. But I’d like to dress it down, and make it look less corporate. 

I love the side draped skirt. I've always wanted one like this but never got down to actually looking for one or eventually buying it. It worries me that more material around the gluteus maximus would make it look even larger than it already is. Maybe it's time to change my mind and actually own one. I'd wear it with a printed top; anything from scarf prints, 70s florals or cobra textures. Personally, I'd just pull on a pair of boots or my trusty Doc Martens just to add something different to the outfit but Fal isn't me so I chose flesh coloured brogues instead of the same old black ones that are everywhere. I love these round shades from ASOS so much I decided to throw them into the outfit mix. 

#2

I love this chiffon top from ASOS but I currently only pair it with jeans or a pair of black pants. Well, the top is also pretty sheer, but I don’t like wearing a tube or tank top underneath it. How can I jazz up the chiffon top and pair it with something different?

I remember this top from ASOS only because I almost bought it too (surprise, surprise). The sheer-ness of the top doesn't bother me, I 'd just wear a bra that hooks in front so that the unsightly hooks at the back do not show beneath the top. I'd try the top with chiffon printed pants like the cobra printed one (Zara) or the watercolour print one (Topshop). If you're adventurous enough Fal, how about metallic brocade cigarette pants!

#3

I haven’t had an opportunity to wear this necklace because I’m not sure what neckline it works best with.

Round necklines I guess? I'm more of a try-before-I-know-for-sure kind of person so I'm really just groping in the dark here. It seems like its slightly longer than choker length so if it's a tank top you're intending to wear it with it may not sit properly at the neckline, slipping in and out of the top of the tank (I've had that problem). So, I'd go with crew neck or perhaps something that cuts in. 

I'm not sure how much help I am Fal, for all I know, I may have just encouraged you to do some serious shopping to add on to the bursting wardrobe. I'm sure the ideas you had in mind were probably great to begin with! 

♥,
Fir

Rainy days

The incessant rain has affected my choice of clothing whenever I'm heading out these days. I'm either covered up in long-sleeves or piled up in knitwear. I hardly wear anything too exposed like that of my previous outfit because there's hardly any sun. My footwear of choice? Flip flops (for days when I'm lazy) or boots/ shoes that ensure that my feet stay dry.

Maxi dress: Korea, Necklace: H&M, Boots: Monki, Bag: Longchamp

♥,
Fal

More Taylor!

I found this video by Barney's featuring Taylor Tomasi Hill as she picks out and styles her colleague in all of Fall must haves. I know we're already in December but... I just have to show it to you because I love the way she pairs everything together to create such effortlessly chic and stylish looks. Yes, I know I'm obsessed, but watch it anyway!


Taylor's Take: Taylor Tomasi Hill Styles Amanda Hearst in Her Fall Must-Haves for Barneys New York from Barneys The Window on Vimeo.

♥,
Fal

Style crush: Taylor Tomasi

There's just something about Taylor Tomasi Hill. Maybe its her flame red hair or maybe its her choice of accessories, but I'm currently crazy over Marie Claire US' accessories editor.

For lack of a better word, Taylor Tomasi's style is fierce. Her distinctive choice of clothes and accessories such as chunky necklaces and to-die-for heels has got me stalking her style. I love the way she mixes feminine pieces with boyish items like piling a chunky knit sweater over a pencil skirt, or wearing a boyfriend shirt with skinny jeans and skyscraper heels. The fact that she looks so different but not unidentifiable in every photo also proves that one can experiment and dare to be different with your style without losing sight of who you are. Its no wonder that she's always captured on the lenses of street style blogs like The Sartorialist and Stockholm Street Style since she always looks fresh and different from the last time she was spotted on the streets!

Okay, that's enough of rambling. I'll leave you to enjoy the pictures!

♥,
Fal

Living on the Edge

'Edgy' has been thrown around carelessly and used so often to describe any look that is unsafe that no one really knows what edgy really means. It got me thinking and I decided to find out. According to the free online dictionaries (all hail and long live Google), 'edgy' at its root means anxious or irritable. In terms of Art or Fine Art, 'edgy' means excessively defined. The essence of 'edgy' however, lies in the way it excites because it is innovative and to a certain extent, intense. Hence, edgy is neither an unconventional look that is way out there, nor an (ironically) safe combination of tons of black eyeliner, leather, boots and distressed denim. The latter is the Harley/biker-chic that Singaporean girls have been so eager to adopt. Being edgy just means being innovative and showing some creativity in putting outfits together so you don't wind up like all the other cookie-cutter girls out there. You've not only portrayed a bit of yourself in those clothes on your back, you've also captured an essence of that edge.

Fashion, style and such advice are all highly subjective and in a sense, absolutely cruel to those who don't subscribe to conventional notions of the so-called fashion manifested in seasonal or annual trends that people are so keen to follow. Somehow this system works and has worked since time immemorial probably because as social beings, humans need to attain that innate sense of belonging to a community of some sort and if it requires that we follow those set customs and norms to be part of the same 'pack' so to speak, then so be it.

As is the case with all subjective and undefined subject matters on this planet, there is an escape clause or loophole. The escape clause that always works: this is what I consider edgy which may not be what you define as edgy. Sure there are some benchmarks that position 'edgy' somewhere around 'eclectic' but this definition is far from set in stone. Personally, as long as there is some element of creativity in an outfit that makes me go "hey omg, I didn't know you could wear it like that", then that's edgy.

We can't talk edgy without mentioning Alexa Chung. She has definitely nailed that Brit-eclectic-chic.



Then there are models Frida Gustavsson and Abbey Lee. I love their personal styles.



With celebrities like Lady Gaga, no doubt poised on the edge of glory and the brink of madness in her odd-as-hell outfit (or lack thereof) choices, pushing boundaries with way-out concepts of fashion (the meat dress was one disgusting piece of work), one could say that the playground has definitely opened up a lot more today. There is so much more space for creative genius as well as mistakes.





Moreover, with so many high street brands replicating runway looks and creating new trends on their own (Zara, H&M and so on), fast fashion is indeed a fantastic way for anyone to push their personal fashion boundaries. Affordable clothes definitely make experimenting a lot less taxing on our branded wallets, imagine spending more than $100 on one item every time we go shopping. There is no way that will help the fashion industry which is, today, just thriving on the whims and fancies of more and more women who are acheiving a level of disposable income that makes it alright for them to shop till they drop, embedded and embroiled as we are in a consumerist and materialistic culture that encourages capitalism and senseless expenditure with every swipe of a credit card.

Whoever coined shopping as 'retail therapy' certainly was brilliant. I am personally a sucker for retail therapy, as is almost every other person out there. In cities like Singapore, I think it's fair to say that most pastimes require spending some money one way or another, especially if you choose to head out. Spending your heard earned money on yourself becomes therapeutic because you can say "hey, I worked for this and I deserve to treat myself", which in turn fuels that capitalist cycle of making more and more money so you can spend more on yourself every single time. Overspend and you live on the edge of debt; keep saving and you'll live comfortably in retirement.

In any case, that's the way the world works. So? Deal with it (haha). I'm happy spending on myself when I can afford to and there's nothing better than fueling some of that creative energy into buying some edgy gems stocked among the shelves in the shops in town to play around with at home.


♥,
Fir

Golightly and Google

Google is probably the only thing that fuels laziness and stimulates inspiration at the same time. On one hand, we do things the lazy way and google for ideas; material that will hopefully inspire and trigger a host of new search terms and tags that eventually enables us to create something different or something new out of the remediated material. In a way, nothing is truly original and all our seemingly original ideas are in fact not born from within us but are born because of what we have experienced, learnt, done, seen, heard or felt. I guess it is that personal touch that gives an artist the authority to call a piece of art, be it choreography, fashion or prose, something that is truly his or her own. Honestly, when reading about designers or artists, how often is it that they describe a masterpiece as something that is inherently personal and deeply in sync with their life stories. Food for thought over my soy banana muffin and coffee that is black as night to (ironically) get me through the day.

This came about because I was doing an image search for costumes on My Fair Lady, as part of the current stage production project I am involved in. As is the case for any research done on the Internet, I got distracted. Go type 'my fair lady' into your google image search bar and image after image of the ever-gorgeous Ms Hepburn pops up. Focus completely lost, I sidetracked to finding out more about Audrey Hepburn. I absolutely adored her as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's, a show that I've watched countless times.

We're all familiar with that iconic photo of Hepburn with that slim cigarette holder that rests sexily on those luscious lips of hers that are amazingly well-defined. It's been replicated so darn many times; sketched, watermarked, photoshopped, painted and also, of course Warhol-ed into pop art for mainstream consumption. Which takes me back to what I mentioned earlier, about the whole 'copy culture' especially on the digital platform. Nothing wrong with it of course, if anything, it opens new avenues for creative growth in tandem with the opening of space for digital piracy and copyright infringement, which I think we have all heard enough of. Seriously, instead of fighting a losing battle, media giants should work the system since it is evidently not changing for the better even as the tech-savvy population understand the consequences of their actions.

Regardless, that image of Audrey Hepburn is etched in my mind so much that I am reluctant to put it in this post. Too much of a good thing isn't good. Hence, what you see of Hepburn here are some of the images that I feel really portray her beauty and charisma. (Ironically and hilariously, I have no idea if these images are copyrighted but let's close one eye to that.) There are millions of articles on the web about Hepburn as a fashion icon and so many people out there have chosen her as their style inspiration (again, google it if you want to read those). In a way, she is mine too except that I am more impressed by her off-screen persona than her on-screen style. Sure, we're all inspired by Holly Golightly, Eliza Doolittle or Princess Ann but what exactly is it about Hepburn that tips that scale for you in her favour?

Dancing in Funny Face

Muse for Givenchy throughout her life? Pioneered the LBD? I have to say her waif figure definitely contributed to the way she redefined fashion. Hepburn's beauty, class and grace remains unparalleled in my book and personally, nothing says a class act more than her simple, minimalist style accented with accessories so bold, you don't know if you should take your eyes off her to look at them or off them to look at her. Sometimes when jewellery is too huge, it looks tacky but somehow Hepburn wears her jewellery with such class, as though they all came from Tiffany's. As a sucker for chunky jewellery, Hepburn is naturally one icon I can relate to. Not that I would replicate her Givenchy-chic to every last detail, that would be brainless copying which I find is not fun at all. Anyway, I like some grunge in what I wear. Give me a pair of boots over stilettos any day, unless those heels are Louboutins (haha). What I would love to adopt, or rather adapt, is the effortless manner with which she carries all that jewellery on her tiny frame. Perfection.

Some Hepburn for your Monday blues. Note the difference between the blues and the mean reds. The blues come about because you feel fat (check) or maybe the weather is just unbearable (check). However having the blues just means you're sad, the mean reds come when you feel afraid and you don't know why or what you're afraid of. Wise words from Holly Golightly, who also suggests hopping into a cab to Tiffany's for a dose of calm. Retail therapy works wonders.

Hepburn; in a class of her own

In Roman Holiday

Wayfarers with chunky pearls and a black evening dress complete with long black gloves, balancing a coffee whilst clutching a white shawl and eating a croissant standing up- I salute this Belgian babe

On set for My Fair Lady before the Rain In Spain number which is, honestly, a rather ridiculous song but it gets the message across that her Southern English has vastly improved and she's well on her way to becoming a refined English lady worthy of upper society

Holly Golightly lighting up and looking like a million dollars even with that cigarette on her lips

One of my favourite photos (ever) of Hepburn

Hepburn really won me over when I discovered she named her Yorkshire terrier Mr. Famous.


♥,
Fir

Orange Fever Part II

1. My all time favorite combination is orange with navy. An orange + navy breton stripes assemble always exudes a laid-back, New York City summer vibe.

2. Orange and sea foam green, a very interesting colour combination.

3. Orange and a dose of green makes an outfit stand out.

4. If you're daring, pair a bright colour like purple, with orange to make your outfit pop.

♥,
Fal

On Scandinavian Style

Mention stylish European capitals and the places that come to mind are Paris, Italy and London. While Scandinavian cities are often overlooked and overshadowed by these fashion giants, my 6 month stay in Denmark has changed my perspective about Scandinavia, and I have been thouroughly inspired (and influenced) by their sense of style.

The Scandinavian style is perhaps similar to their laidback lifestyle and love for simplicity. Minimalistic, understated, effortlessly cool and sleek but also functional - reflective of the clean and simple lines you often see in their designer products; be it furniture or stationery.

Now when I'm back in my motherland, I continue to be inspired by them through these blogs.

Occasionally, I read Hel Looks a street style blog originating from Helsinki, Finland.

For a daily dose of street style and outfit ideas, I turn to Carolines Mode more often referred to as Stockholm Street Style.

Style by Kling, run by Elin Kling, is Scandinavia's largest fashion blog and has won several awards. I often read it to get an insider's peek into the fashionista's life - she is working as Fashion Director at her own fashion magazine STYLEBY and she is also the first fashion-blogger in the world to be launching her own collection for H&M. 

Another personal favorite is The Locals a street style blog featuring photographer Søren Jepsen from the now defunct Copenhagen Street Style blog. As its name suggests, it features locals on the streets of Copenhagen. 

København 2010. Meget kærlighed.

♥,

Fal

Summer Getaway

Fir and myself will be heading to the land of kimchi and dimsum (Korea and Hong Kong)very soon, and just before we do so, I thought that it would be nice to share what I'll betaking along with me on the trip. I think I'm a very methodical person when it comes to packing. I pick out functional and versatile pieces and then envision all the permutations possible to create different outfits. Packing for a trip is always a hassle since you need to travel light, especially if you want lots of luggage space for shopping, and also because you need to have outfits that are suitable for different occasions. To make sure I do not pack haphazardly, I always try to come up with a theme to suit the destination. In this case, I'm going to the city, so I picked something a little more 'urban chic'.

A staple in my luggage is the white tank and my favorite pair of Cheap Monday Jeans. I picked a denim shirt, which proves to be very versatile and of course a pair of black cuffed shorts which exudes a laid-back city vibe. For more casual days, I can throw on my ikat print cotton dress or striped jersey maxi dress, and look effortlessly chic. And to go formal, I have my trusty black blazer that goes with almost everything.

To complement my outfits, I'm bringing along a pair of gladiators from Modern Vintage and a pair of ballet flats from Pretty Ballerina to add a pop of colour to my otherwise monochrome palette.

♥,
Fal