Make It Light-Washed : Soft Denim Pieces

It's been far too long. Don't get me wrong, I love writing, especially about fashion and even more so about up and coming trends I believe will hit it big in both the style stakes and in hearts of style-savvy girls everywhere. However, it's been really tough for me to really have time to sit down and write a great trend story. I want everything I put up here to be no less than perfect, and sometimes I really don't have the time.

But today, I made myself really sit down and write. I owed everyone that much at least.

So, enough of the chatter, I'll get down to the trend at hand.

Besides the requisite summer wear like tank tops and denim cutoffs that everyone sports, summer wear to me is all about loose, easy fit pieces that are not only chic but most importantly, keep me cool without looking just like everyone else. Personally, I adopt quite a different approach to warm weather wear. While hemlines rise and sleeves shrink in the summer for most, I resolutely do the opposite. I opt for long sleeves - rolled up of course, and bohemian gypsy skirts or light linen pants. Which brings me to our focus today - Light-washed, easy denim pieces that are soft as an old flannel shirt.

I've seen many versions of this trend, but the one that will win the hearts of many, I believe, will be the oversized denim shirt, with only a faint blue wash to reveal that it belongs to the denim category. Like a comfy old denim shirt that has been washed and rewashed so many times, this season's hottest new trend seems to be what every girl should already have lying somewhere in her wardrobe.If not, head to Topshop for the perfect worn in denim shirt, made oversized specially so you don't have to get a few sizes up. A close lookalike comes in the form of a belted version from Forever 21. Zara's Spring/Summer collection also has a few great looking ones which are on sale right now.


Topshop


Forever 21

Wear this with nothing else but sheerest of stockings,fierce dark booties and a bowler hat. I know I will!

XO,

Chictopia Madness

Aren't we all guilty of voyeurism? Reality tv shows, browsing other people's happy snaps, and of course reading blogs! Are all symptoms of our voyeuristic nature. For the fashion obsessed however, voyeurism comes in the form of Who Wore What When?

Don't pictures of celebrities in fashionable outfits thrill us to no end? The impeccable mix and mash of textures and colours and that attitude to match, simply irresistable. The icons of our fashion voyeuristic nature has to be the Olsen twins. After all, this was how they were recognised far beyond their numerous tween roles and have now been elevated to style divas nature.

Of course, it isn't that often that we really get to see uber fashionable style on celebs and to satisfy our cravings, many who are in the know turn to our alternatives. Like The Sartorialist, Facehunter etc..., hell, even chic looking stylish people are worth looking at.

However, while these 2 may be all the rage, I personally subscribe to another. Chictopia.

Chictopia is way underrated for its absolute treasure trove of baubles it hides and compared to the overly high fashion (read:couture) looks that The Sartorialist captures, I prefer the younger,chic set, with styles that suit my age and my wallet.

Chictopia is not monopolized by a single lensman as the rest are. Instead, it is like a fashionified version of Facebook, where all-too-cool girls post up (almost) daily pictures of themselves in outfits, for the Chictopians to rate.

I have been blown away by the sheer chicness of the Chictopians as the girls (and some guys) can always be counted upon to ooze fashion out of their every pore, if in only the way they pose. But this is rare. Of the many chictopians I've seen, most are experts in dressing well and posing great and have that certain aura about them that screams they care more about getting great bargains (aka, Target, H&M, thrift stores, etc...) and looking fabulously chic rather than caring where the labels on their impeccably dressed bods come from. Unlike some we know, who have ZERO ounces of style but yet tries to pretend that labels maketh the woman. Pfft!

Before I sign off, I thought I'd share with you my inspiration of the day - nothing to do with outfit choice, but what ran through my mind as I browsed every look.

"Fashion is simply a state of mind, its either you believe that you are chic in whatever you happen to be wearing, or you don't. And that can turn the ugliest outfit into the hippest and coolest, or vice versa."

I'm right, no?

Toodles,

Isn't celebrity style watching such a guilty indulgence? Celebs stepping out of their homes in high fashion, sometimes making it, sometimes not so much. But celebrity style watch has always been one of my favorite ways to while away a day, seeing how these celebrities wear their Chanel and their Jimmy Choos. And especially for certain celebrities, their style is all the more fascinating, how their eye for fashion really stands out and most importantly, it makes hoards of fashion-crazed fans want to emulate that look.

Today, our style star is Lauren Conrad, and saying that she has great style is not surprising to most, because of her internship at Teen Vogue (as seen on The Hills) and her clothing line. It's not just that she has a great eye for what looks good on her but that she can match her clothes so well. For example, that beige cropped jacket on her black dress with the lovely tulip skirt is just amazing. The dress by itself would be pretty but perhaps a little shy of plain. But together, its perfect. That cropped jacket just makes her waist look daintily tiny. How cute!

Lauren Conrad, you're a star in my style books!

Loves,

It's that time of the trend again. It's the time when a certain new trend appears that receives, well, quite a lot of talk. Trends that may seem cool and en vogue for some, but rubbish and plain wrong for others. There's usually two clear cut camps for this, you're either for or against it.

As seen from these pictures, apparently, the fashion-savvy set celebrities in Hollywood are clearly loving it. These celebrities are the ones that fashionistas all over the globe worship, for their impeccable sense of style and that oh-so-enviable attitude to carry it off. The Olsen sisters, Mischa Barton, Lauren Conrad, Rachel Bilson..., these are those girls who are never seen less than gorgeous outside, and who possess their own style personality, able to turn any outfit into their own.

So by the looks of it, shouldn't we be dashing to the stores to grab a few of these?

Not necessarily. Take heed. These are LEATHER leggings. Leather, especially to us girls in warmer weather, is practically a foreign term. No one can dream of walking down the streets in a leather jacket, no matter how cold the day is. What more leather leggings that wrap tightly around your legs, giving them almost no room to breathe?
Leggings is also the other problem. Unless you have fantastic looking pins like these celebs, forget about venturing out in anything resembling leggings. You'd be better off on the beach in your tiniest bikini, cellulite and all.

Perhaps this is why there's so much talk about this trend. All the cool girls are wearing it but I can't because this trend is flat out unflattering. What a pity.

Luckily for moi, I probably will be able to carry this off perfectly, and I cannot rush to the stores fast enough to pick up a pair. Members Only Leather Leggings

Loves,

Back to school! Well, only the fashion, thank goodness.

Prim navy blazers and stripes, houndstooth and berets, all so reminiscent of a preppy school girl, not unlike the ilk of the best book of all times, Gossip Girl. I love how well those preppy blazers and that rebellious insouciance goes together, almost like summer day and bikinis, you can't do without the other.

I especially love berets thrown in together with the whole look as it gives the outfit that added chic-ness that hats are known to impart to the wearer. Not everyone can carry that off, unfortunately. How sad. My heart goes out to you.

Of course, you shouldn't go crazy and wear everything school related in one outfit, people might mistake you a school kid. Quelle horreur! As the old adage says, 'Less is always more'. Don't overdo it.

I have a fantastic school blazer hanging in my closet that i picked up for a song while shopping in Japan, and it does wonders for an ordinary outfit. Just throw it on a lazy (matching colors!) tank top and skirt and you can transition from laid-back sexy to preppy cool. Instant fashion-school cred.

Lovely!

Soon,

Currently Inspired By #1

Every week, I'll put up a collage of what currently inspires my dressing and what I believe will be hot hot hot! in a few months.

Austere military jackets, exotic head scarves, cuffed flare pants, relaxed jumpsuits, chain necklaces, the cult favorite doc martens(for the serious trendsetters only!), rocker style zips, layering rings...

I only have a few words for this. Super chic people, super chic.

Must I say it again? I absolutely ADORE champagne. Not only does its bubbles give you that instant lift, it promises a most definite delight in sipping delicately from the sleek,
elegant champagne flute. Even the act of drinking it brings out glamour and much sophistication that no other drink can provide.

Its soothing pale golden color never fails to attract all but yet one sip, and unlike alcohol of other sorts, the immense lightness lingers on the tongue and can never overwhelm the drinker. Unlike vodka which attempts to grab the drinker's attention with its strong,
arresting taste and the immediate rush to your head, champagne respects and cherishes the enjoyment of the drinker, providing only the needed taste and feel. Perfect!

Ah, what a spiel. Of course, the only champagne I drink is Moet and Chandon and though its no Cristal, it is wonderful.

Talking about champagne brings to mind lovely parties and merry times, where the clink of champagne glasses and the audible hum of activity never fails to brighten up my spirits and bring me into the mood for partying.

That reminds me. For my next little soiree, I must share the love of glorious champagne to everyone else. Break out the Moet, I say!

Till next time,