“Practical elegance”
Over lunch the other day, my co-editors and I challenged each other to come up with two words that would capture our personal fashion styles.
I was surprised to find myself stumped, quickly trying to pull something out of the mishmash of images in my head. And it only actually hit me right then that I hadn’t exactly cultivated a personal fashion style in recent years. I should have, honestly, given I had the freedom to express myself, in the sartorial sense, since college.
Seriously, most of what I wear these days are lazy carry-overs from college--the simple jeans, cardigan, and T-shirt ensemble that I’d always found safe and comfortable--sometimes, to a manang-ish extent.
I settled with “practical elegance” as my choice. Not that my look could actually be described as such every single day (the farthest from the truth!), but I conveniently just took out mental images of what I’d worn recently during events and extra-special occasions.
So why the sudden concern? I realized being part of marie claire has taught me a lot about fashion--that it isn’t a lofty, fluffy thing, but really a part of who I am, my creativity, and how I want to present myself to the world. And that sometimes, as in my case, it needs to be practiced for it to become natural.
I used to adore model Agyness Deyn for the longest time for her cropped, edgy ‘do (until she got overexposed--sadness). But at work this week, I had the lovely chance of stumbling upon Moscow designer Vika Gazinskaya (see previous post). Now I heart her to death!!!
Styles I’d like to imbibe (goes for both my room/future house and wardrobe, since interior design and fashion are not too different after all):
“Practical elegance”
Permutations: Casual elegance, clean elegance, easy elegance
Inspiration: Lanvin and Jil Sander--my top two favorite designers of all time. There’s both structure and flow; feminine but not overpowering; clean lines everywhere; and just the right balance of timeless and contemporary. My fave colors for this style? Black and rich purple.
“Minimal pop”
Permutations: Pared-down pop, streamlined pop, street pop
Inspiration: Topshop. TRF by Zara. Probably also a little bit of Marc Jacobs or even Viktor & Rolf, but toned down immensely. I’m really starting to get drawn to London street fashion, and I especially love the contrast of white against black; and the result of white against pops of bold, bright color; or how just one standout item (statement necklace or killer heels) can totally make a fab outfit. Oh and lest I forget, there’s my love for designer toys--lots of street art there.
I’ll definitely start editing both my wardrobe and room from now on. Exciting!!!
I was surprised to find myself stumped, quickly trying to pull something out of the mishmash of images in my head. And it only actually hit me right then that I hadn’t exactly cultivated a personal fashion style in recent years. I should have, honestly, given I had the freedom to express myself, in the sartorial sense, since college.
Seriously, most of what I wear these days are lazy carry-overs from college--the simple jeans, cardigan, and T-shirt ensemble that I’d always found safe and comfortable--sometimes, to a manang-ish extent.
I settled with “practical elegance” as my choice. Not that my look could actually be described as such every single day (the farthest from the truth!), but I conveniently just took out mental images of what I’d worn recently during events and extra-special occasions.
So why the sudden concern? I realized being part of marie claire has taught me a lot about fashion--that it isn’t a lofty, fluffy thing, but really a part of who I am, my creativity, and how I want to present myself to the world. And that sometimes, as in my case, it needs to be practiced for it to become natural.
I used to adore model Agyness Deyn for the longest time for her cropped, edgy ‘do (until she got overexposed--sadness). But at work this week, I had the lovely chance of stumbling upon Moscow designer Vika Gazinskaya (see previous post). Now I heart her to death!!!
Styles I’d like to imbibe (goes for both my room/future house and wardrobe, since interior design and fashion are not too different after all):
“Practical elegance”
Permutations: Casual elegance, clean elegance, easy elegance
Inspiration: Lanvin and Jil Sander--my top two favorite designers of all time. There’s both structure and flow; feminine but not overpowering; clean lines everywhere; and just the right balance of timeless and contemporary. My fave colors for this style? Black and rich purple.
“Minimal pop”
Permutations: Pared-down pop, streamlined pop, street pop
Inspiration: Topshop. TRF by Zara. Probably also a little bit of Marc Jacobs or even Viktor & Rolf, but toned down immensely. I’m really starting to get drawn to London street fashion, and I especially love the contrast of white against black; and the result of white against pops of bold, bright color; or how just one standout item (statement necklace or killer heels) can totally make a fab outfit. Oh and lest I forget, there’s my love for designer toys--lots of street art there.
I’ll definitely start editing both my wardrobe and room from now on. Exciting!!!