I'm back!

Hello everyone! I hope you're still out there. I haven't forgotten about this blog, more so, I have been gathering inspiration. It's been a few months since the last post and a lot of things have changed in my life. I changed jobs, I moved, and I've started a new life in the Empire State. Fortunately for me, and unfortunately for my poor bank account, New York has refreshed my love of style and all things fashion. However, in order to make it here on a budget, this requires some incredible creativity. This is the second chapter of this blog. Expect better things to come!

Thanks so much for checking in and I hope post something later today!

Skirting the issue

Having versatile pieces in your wardrobe will save you money and a lot of frustration. When I shop, I always ask myself "How many ways can I wear this if I buy it?" If I can think of multiple ways to wear it and if I can immediately think of things already in my wardrobe that will complement this new addition to the family then it's a keeper. Usually having this mindset saves me 1. another piece taking up precious closet and hangar space, 2. money wasted on a useless purchase (no matter how pretty it looks sitting in your closet, clothes are meant to be worn and even if it's a great bargain, if you don't wear it, you're throwing money away, eek!), 3. TIME since I don't have to sit there and wonder how to put together an outfit.

If it's an expensive designer piece, knowing you can wear it a million different ways with a million different things can justify the hefty price tag. However, even if it's a super cheap piece, I still think about what I'll wear it with, how many ways I'll wear it and can I dress it up and down?

I bought this skirt from Forever21 the other day, it's just a plain, tribal printed jersey skirt. Here are 4 ways I have styled this $12.50 skirt, each for a different occasion either dressed up or dressed down. Through layering and accessorizing, this skirt can transform and transcend any occasion. I have started with a basic Abercrombie & Fitch jersey tank and the Skirt:

THE BASICS:
Skirt: Forever21 ($12.50)
Tank: Abercrombie & Fitch white jersey strappy tank. ($34.50)
necklace: vintage pendant ($18)

Look #1: A Day at the Office
Sweater: Abercrombie & Fitch ($70)
Necklace: my own creation of gold chains and beaded tiger eyes ($5 for all materials)
belt: vintage MCM ostrich belt ($3 at sample sale)
bag: marc by marc jacobs dr. q groovee ($498)
scarf: vintage bayeux tapestries scarf ($3)
Shoes: Prada flats ($101 on sale)
Sunglasses: Chloe logo ($325)

Look# 2: Lunch date with girlfriends
Shirt: Abercrombie & Fitch mens oxford ($78)
Belt: Wide braided leather belt ($3 at a sample sale)
Clutch: Mom's vintage leather clutch (free!)
Shoes: Boutique 58 brown leather wingtip mary jane platforms ($15 on sale)

Look #3: Dinner date
Jacket: Mom's vintage tweed blazer (free!)
Belt: Vintage MCM ostrich
Clutch: brass knuckle clutch by Latiko Leathers ($70)
Bracelet: Forever21 brass filigree bangle ($4)
Shoes: Strappy leather and suede platform wedges by Dolce Vita ($30 on sale)

Look #4: Running Errands around town
Sunglasses: Ray Ban aviator ($129)
Necklace: red glass beads from NYC street vendor ($5)
Belt: rope belt pulled off another dress (free!)
Bag: vintage Gucci flap shoulerbag ($70)
Shoes: Toms ($40)

I got it from my mama...

Growing up, we didn't have a lot of money. My parents are immigrants and like a lot of immigrants, they experienced their fair share of challenges when coming to the country. We were never short of any necessities but my parents made it very clear early on that all our money was better spent on piano lessons, dance classes, tutoring sessions rather than nice clothes and nice cars. So what happens when you get a fashion crazed girl being restrained by her parents' tight pursestrings?

You get a girl who raids every family member's closet for things to wear. I have a little brother (little is loosely used, he's about 7 inches taller than me now) and I love wearing his old tee-shirts and his old blazers. My mom had a bunch of suits and jackets and dresses she used to wear in the Taiwan that she has since outgrown (having two kids, she reminds me, will do that to your body so enjoy it now!) that I have now adopted into my own wardrobe.

Even now that I am on my own, I still revert back to those staples from my mom and my brother and I will often shop in the little boys section. If you're looking for menswear inspired things that are all the rage right now with labels like Rag & Bone, The Row, and Current/Elliot, look into little boys brands. Some of my favorite pieces are from the boys section. I favor abercrombie kids guys jeans, polo ralph laurent boys rugby shirts, and boys prep-school inspired blazers. The other great thing is that they are often heavily discounted at TJMaxx, abercrombie Kids, and Target.

Here are some looks I owe my mom and Jon (my brother):
Look #1


















Dress: Mom's dress circa 1990 (free)
Necklaces: vintage pendant ($18), Forever21 Layered Chain ($9)
Belt: Vintage MCM Ostrich ($3 at a sample sale)
Clutch: Topshop ruched champagne suede ($24)
Shoes: Jessica Simpson Gladiator Platforms ($89 full price)

Look #2

Jacket: Mom's houndstooth wool blazer (free)
Shirt: J.Crew Tank ($18)
Jeans: brother's old abercrombie Guys Jeans ($15 on sale)
Shoes: BCBGMax Azria pumps ($70 on sale)
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs ($498)
Scarf: vintage Bayou tapestries scarf ($3)
Bracelets: Zipper bangle ($18), Forever21 studded bangles ($4)
Sunglasses: Ray ban Aviators ($129)

Trying something new...

I've never blogged before so bear with me as I tread these waters. The purpose of this blog is to share what I have learned about fashion and style with people. I love fashion and almost everything about it, I love the way it makes people more beautiful, I love the way people feel when they wear something beautiful, I love the collaborations into brilliant designs. Fashion is art, beauty, expression, and love. We live in it, even if we don't think about it, it is an artform in which we live our lives.

I often get asked "What is the difference between fashion and style? Aren't they interchangeable?" I think the two go hand in hand. Fashion is what's out there, the designer's collections, the things in stores, the editorials in magazines. Style is how YOU wear it, how you take what's out there and make it yours. Once you find your style, fashion becomes your playground.

What I don't love about fashion is the price tags, the labels, the disposable mentality of it all. It can feel like a constant race to capture a trend before it becomes passe. Especially in a time like we're in right now, fashion can seem like a frivolous and fussy triviality compared to the real dilemmas we are facing. This is where I would like to help people.

Like so many people, I want to look good... AMAZING... and I want to be able to do it affordably without sacrificing style and missing trends. I want to show people how to mix highs and lows to create that wardrobe they are confident to wear. I'm not about making you feel like you need to go out and buy lots of new things, I want to show you how you can raid your closet, yes, the very one in your bedroom, for hidden treasures and gems. That old sweater from 8th grade paired with those killer heels you bought last week and your dad's old oxford might just be a stroke of genius.

Here is some of my thoughts on fashion and styling:

1. Be inspired.

With the internet nowadays, style inspiration is easily accessible, you just need to know where to look! Like what the celebrities are wearing? Try www.people.com for celebrity "street style" photos. There's a lot of inspiration out there, just do a search on google for "street style" and you can get photos of all of those chic and fearless folk by city to inspire you! The way I see it is you have to wear clothing everyday (barring those who live in a nudist environment) so why not have a little fun and try something exciting? Your style is one of the first things people see about you when they meet you, why wouldn't you want to give an inspiring first impression? It'll just leave people yearning to learn more about what's beneath that chicly inspired exterior.

2. You don't have to spend a lot to look like a lot.

I'll say it right now, I might covet many many things like some Louboutins and the newest Miu Miu bag but I'm 24! I have rent, bills, and student loans to cover. I can't afford to quench my fashion thirst with Champagne everyday, so I've learned how to get buy on a couple of great splurges here and there paired with some smart bargains, some thrifty thinking, and a lot of creativity. As cheesy as it sounds, it's not how much you spend, it's how much you feel like. You can feel like a million bucks in a 5 dollar dress and I have definitely felt like a million bucks in a 5 dollar dress MANY a time.

3. Know your style, know your body, know what trends to go for and which to pass.

I'll say it right now, trends can be overwhelming, it seems like trends are in style one moment and then before you get a chance to try it, they're out dated already. This can be overwhelming to the point where you get stuck in your rut of the same tee-shirt and jeans. Hey, there's nothing wrong with knowing what works for you, in fact, you NEED to know what works for you if you're going to style yourself. But fear not the treadmill of trends! You too can be trendy! All it takes is a critical eye on how you can incorporate a trend into your already well-defined style. You don't have to go for every trendy silhouette, pattern, or concept. Actually, you SHOULDN'T go for every trend out there! You have to know which ones will work for you and your body. I have passed on many a trend because I know the trend would wear me and that should never be the case. You should OWN your style and wear the trend, never the otherway around. I respect all trends and fashion, I edit to fit my own style and body.

4. HAVE FUN!

The aforementioned 3 things I just mentioned are not rules, they are just things I have learned that have helped me navigate the tricky waters of fashion and style. There are no rules, only what you like and what you don't like. Fashion is fun! Go a little crazy! Remember, even if you look ridiculous, you can always change!

So... what makes me an expert? Actually, who am I anyways? For the purpose of this blog, my name is Miss Elle and I work in fashion. I am by no means an expert at this, but it is something I'm passionate about and something people have said I'm good at. Like many other mid-twentiers, I'm still trying to figure out this little thing called FINANCES. In order to survive on my own and still fulfill my fashion needs, I've learned a few tricks here and there to look amazing without going broke. My equally financially-sensitive friends have often asked how I do it and I'm never happier to go shopping with them (many times in their own closets) to show them some of my tricks. Thus, this blog is an effort to expand what I know beyond my close circle of friends.

You won't always agree with me, hell, you might think that I think I look ridiculous but that's a risk I'm willing to take. It's a risk ANY young fashionsta/fashionisto must take. Styling yourself is an adventure so let's hit the road!