Crystal Clear

Striped crop top - Topshop

Fact: I look terrible in a Fedora hat.

Hats are such strange things. While one hat may look cool on a friend, it can go terribly unflattering on me. Some things never work out. *sigh* Having a big skull (my hat's a size L, bet you couldn't tell) becomes a challenge when I shop for hats. But one day I found the perfect cloche hat and I have held on to it dearly ever since. The cloche is a distinctive fashion item of the 1920s and it adds a lady-like quality to any outfit, but it's not something everyone can effortlessly pull off. I'd probably look like a horse rider if I had a ponytail. Lucky me finally found the one hat style that flatters my current blunt bob and awkward head. My cloche hat has inspired many of my previous looks. It's the magic weapon whenever I feel an urge to be extra girly!

Mesh midi skirt - c/o Dressabelle (Similar by ASOS: 1, 2)

MAC matte lipstick in Chili (similar: Rimmel Kate Matte in shade 111)

I enjoy giving my outfits an ethereal feel even with very dark colour palettes. The airy quality of this mesh skirt is so charming, its mesh overlay so light it looks like an accompanying shadow of its main silhouette. Its slight sheen reflects sunlight beautifully like ocean waves. Midi skirts never fail to make me act like real lady! Just as costumes in theatre plays tell stories, my clothes can too dramatically change the way I carry myself. 

Lucite necklace - c/o Dressabelle | Wool cloche hat - H&M (similar here)

Metallic grey loafers - c/o Charles & Keith

Vintage Cadali Taylor watch - c/o Late Rabbit | Card holder - Kate Spade

Lucite box clutch - ZARA (similar by ASOS)

Add motion and dimensions to dense/ heavy pieces with ultralight materials. Contrast darkness with reflective textures and transparency. Lucite accessories inject a surreal quality and make classic styles look contemporary. Being dreamy doesn't always have to be like Swan Lake, sometimes my favourite ensembles are also the most unlikely combinations. Being able to translate things that inspire you to wearable form; that's the joy of being your own stylist!

Photos by Corrine

Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

High Shine

I'm not sure what I was thinking, back in my younger days when I bought way too many t-shirts with dramatic prints. Sure they looked cute, but eventually I found myself fretting over the lack of plain tops to match my equally dramatic bottoms e.g. in-your-face houndstooth. If you are someone like me who'd be the last person to be considered a minimalist, you'd know how plain white tees always seem to magically save you from a possible wardrobe malfunction. (Yes, till this day I'm still stuck when figuring out what to wear with my crazy Blackmilk leggings.)

Basic V-neck tee - c/o Dressabelle

High shine vinyl skirt - Topshop (similar from ASOS 1, 2)

You could say that I've finally begun to make wiser, mature choices by stocking up on good ol' basics. I'm building an army of effective plain white tees at the moment. No matter their cut and style, I find plain white tees extremely versatile even with the most risky fashion choices. 

The DORA Satchel (in the style of Givenchy Pandora) - c/o Yventually

There are many ways to wear leather and the rebel in me seizes any chance to wear them altogether. The beauty of leather pieces is how subdued they appear, yet each of their unique textures stand out against each other. I have to be honest with you; this vinyl pencil skirt makes the most awkward, squeaky noises ever. -_- Not a fun choice to wear out on public transport or libraries, but nonetheless it looks beautiful, almost like wet paint! The bottom half of my ensemble is pretty stark, so I balanced it out with a loose-fitting tee. I love the casual vibe of oversized sleeves, and how its shallow v-neck visually elongates my neck.

Jeffrey Campbell 'Clinic' inspired wedges - Taobao

Gold chain necklace - Forever 21 (similar ASOS) | Gold watch - Casio

For me, a good bag has to be roomy, accessible (to reach for loose items) and hardware. And this Givenchy inspired sling has all of that. I am extremely picky with bags and shoes. The few designer bags I love include Givenchy's 'pandora' and Celine's 'luggage', so glad I got my hands on a pretty close alternative! Thank you, Yventually! I'm pretty much obsessed with its grained leather, its slouchy, box-like silhouette and how it holds all my stuff. 

Revlon Colourburst Matte Balm in 'Shameless'

If you too love the Givenchy 'Pandora', I highly recommend checking out Yventually for her tasteful selection of both self-manufactured and imported hang bags and accessories. Besides many medium sized bags I found super practical, there's also tiny clutches that are soooo cute. Mini bags are my guilty pleasure. You can see all of those on their website, Facebook or Instagram!

Photos by Corrine

Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Heat Waves

Full swing maxi skirt - Nasty Gal (similar here)

Suede booties - Topshop (similar here)

Mesh layered blazer - c/o Dressabelle

Web dress (worn as top) - Taobao

Topshop lip cream in 'Smart'

I can safely say this is the windiest day I have ever done a photoshoot in, the wind was insane! It was probably not the best idea to photograph on windy, clear day, to make things worse the location was a rooftop. I ended up either squinting or looked really awkward in most of the photos haha! Thanks to my patient friend who selflessly shot my outfit. But having said that, I loved how effortlessly flowy the garments worked with the wind. I have been wearing loads of monochromatic looks lately and when I stick with a colour, I go all out. Black doesn't have to be boring at all. What inspired me to layer excessively was my Dressabelle blazer which has the loveliest mesh layered beneath its uneven hem. It almost adds a superhero quality to the blazer (which I'd like to think as an essential to a power suit) since it floats like a cape as I moved. Since my shoulders are kept stiff, I decided to contrast its shape with a ultra baggy swing skirt. Anything volumous just adds a ton of drama to the otherwise restricted look. Don't forget that red lip! Always works as a perk-me-up. :)

Photos by Corrine

Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter