December- Time to sparkle with your party clothes

December is the month of vacations, the end of exams, and a series of celebrations! In fact, I usually get a lot of invitations from friends that I have not met-up with for a long while (perhaps a year) to Christmas gatherings, etc.

Be it that you're a minimalist, a thrift, or whatsoever when it comes to fashion, I certainly believe the idea of dressing for success (although I don't normally practice that because I am always running late) but dressing well can increase one's confidence and mood. And who knows, who you might meet right? A potential romantic other half, possible future employer, or even just your professor or course-mate. And life's short and come on, live for the moment. You never know when your last day, so dress the best everyday. Don't keep that dress for "next time" or for a more appropriate moment that you have no idea when it going to come.

I have created a few outfits below that I think match the theme for the festive season!

While it may seem cliché but when at the mention of Christmas, one would think of green and red. Although this colour combination is often discouraged, if it's done well, it can actually create a really pleasing look. Drawing on the Christmas theme, I have created 3 outfits based on 1) White Christmas 2) Black Christmas 3) Red-and-Green Christmas

1) White Christmas

White Christmas by j-char featuring a draped dress

I really think that white and gold or anything glittery go really well together. I like the idea of a white dress with a gold belt because it seems like a character walking out of some greek mythology. Of course, to top the idea, a gladiator sandals would be perfect. But to modernise the look, I would suggest a pair of glittery gold flats (heels are okay too but it would be better if the whole heels is not covered with glitter. It's all about moderation).

2) Black Christmas (Since there's a white christmas, why not go against commercial convention and have a black Christmas? It can be as cool and classy too!)

Black Christmas by j-char featuring bangle jewelry

I really like the combination of black and purple. I feel that it adds a kind of je ne sais quoi into an outfit without sacrificing glamour and elegance. Of course, glitters and gold work well on black too, but I guess nothing beats purple, in my own opinion.

3) Red and Green Christmas

Red and Green Christmas by j-char featuring studded belts

Jump straight into the mood of Christmas by walking down the street in your reds and greens. For those who are bold, pair your top and bottom with red and green. For those who think that this combination is too much, you can incorporate reds and greens subtly through your accessories, shoes, watches, etc.

What do you guys think of these outfits? How would you dress for the festive seasons?

Fashion and Style

I was glad yesterday because a friend of mine said the shirt I was wearing is nice.

I'm not a fashionista, or what you would defined as a well-dressed person; in fact, I'm often too lazy to dress up, although I enjoy dressing well and am into fashion. 

To me, fashion is what the current trends is about. These trends will fade away and may return again some other time. 

On the other hand, style is something very individual. T-shirt and jeans can be a style; to me, some people really pulled them off very well and looked stylish while others (I'm probably one of them) just looked sloppy and too casual. Style is something very individualised and what defines you, fashion doesn't. Even if one has the most trendiest clothes, he/she cannot become a stylish person; instead, I would label these people as cookie cutter individual where they seem to wear the same thing as everyone else.

Last year, I was in love with the preppy style which I think consists mainly of the clothing basics. The keys to getting out of the mundane with these clothing basics are experiencing with bold elements, such as bold colours, statements accessories and print. It's challenging because this mix-and-match either makes or breaks your outfit. 

I think the preppy style is essential to getting wardrobe basics and building up your wardrobe. I thought the list below is a pretty good guide to building up a sustainable wardrobe:

Image Source: (http://matchbookmag.com/)

After acquiring these basics, one can mix-and-match or even incorporate new elements into an outfit. For instance, a white buttoned shirt and black pants might be too conventional, but it certainly adds a bit sparkles to the whole outfit if they were paired with say a bold leopard print jacket, a striking red blazer or a red pair of shoes. 

Ultimately, the proportion is the most important. Loose fitting clothes tend to make one looks sloppy, in my opinion. Of course that doesn't mean that people cannot wear loose fitting clothes. It's the proportion. Loose fitting clothes have the tendency to make one looks stretch out, hence making one looks short and squarish. However, if a loose fitting T-shirt, for example, is paired with a pair of skinny jeans, it might look okay. But ultimately, it boils down to comfort and confidence. 

Fashion and Style is something to be experience. We shouldn't confine ourselves within the safe zone of dressing. 

Boom Shakalaka!

Finally, I sat myself for the past hours to finish a decent draft for an essay that is due this coming Monday, albeit playing Free Cell in between. I have been procrastinating the idea of forming a decent draft and arranging the ideas in a coherent manner for quite some time after I came up with my essay plan and ideas. But today, finally I'm done. I told myself that if I can't finish by 9.30 pm tonight, I shall not watch the You're Beautiful (Minamishineyo) which is showing on T.V at 9.30 pm tonight.

Unfortunately, tonight is the last episode. Minamishineyo is the only Korean drama that I'm watching after not watching Korean dramas for many years. School work has kept me from watching the TV. On some weekends, I had rather be with my books and do my readings. But that's a good thing. After this Saturday, I'm gonna go back to mugging mode. I've been slacking and sleeping too much these few days. It's like I am sleepwalking through this semester. I want to get a GPA of 4.5 this semester, I shouldn't slack anymore! I fall behind readings, and lack inspirations for my essays. Gonna get my feet up and my drive back! Gambatte!!!

For now, I shall allow my brain cells to multiply and produce a little by listening to some new songs of Big Bang before working on my essay again.

I particularly like Fantastic Baby. The rhythm just makes me feel very awake.

And I love their printed pants and jackets so much! I'm still rather reserved when it comes to clothing choices. The most prominent bottoms I had wore were a pair of bright green high-waist shorts with gold buttons, and a tie-dyed pair of jeans.

Oh, and Blue, it's so dreamy! I should learn Korean someday so that if I ever become a journalist or something someday, I can interview Bigbang!!! T.O.P's outfit is so awesome in that above video. I have the same stripe-shirt; I would really love to have that pants and a blazer, albeit a more feminine cut, to wear with my stripe-shirt. And his deep voice is so mesmerizing. I just have a weakness for super deep voice. And not forgetting, his cool and seemingly nonchalent attitude that emits rays that say, "I'm a star".

Before I end off, I would like to share this picture of Jang Geun Suk. His hairstyle is so nice, and it's something I would like to try someday (I know it seems like an easy hairdo, but I don't know how I can make it looks stylish on me):

Image Source

I really like what the Korean males wear and are things that I will like to incorporate into my wardrobe. I feel really uncomfortable if I'm dressed in pinkly-girly-dolly manner. It's just too "feminine" for my character. I like a combination of masculine and feminine. That's why I like Rui En's, a Singaporean actress, style so much:



Image Source



Androgynous Fashion

To what extent can society accept androgynous fashion?

For quite a long time, women wearing men's clothing, such as buttoned shirts, T-shirts, and jackets, are deemed as socially acceptable, or even fashionable. There are even pieces inspired by male clothing such as the boyfriend jeans and the blazer. As a female, I personally think men's (inspired) clothing pieces such as the blazers are really cool.




Source: http://k-a-t-r-a-n-t-z-o-u.tumblr.com/


However, how many people actually think that men wearing pieces that are inspired by the female fashion socially acceptable? While men's fashion has introduced more numbers of bold elements such as bold colours and fanciful patterns over the years, how far can society actually accept a male wearing the so-called "feminine" clothing or a piece directly from the female's wardrobe?

Korean celebrity Jang Geun Suk is an example who has been criticised for some of his fashion outfit. He has been spotted in several events wearing female-fashion inspired clothing. To what extent is men wearing female-fashion inspired pieces acceptable?

Some examples of Jang wearing female-fashion inspired clothing:

Source: http://www.allkpop.com/2010/09/jang-geun-suks-odd-fashion-catches-attention

Source: http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/celebrity/buzz/asia/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4050329&page=2

Personally, I think as long as the clothes fit and look great on the person who wears it, it is acceptable for men to incorporate a little bit of feminine pieces into their wardrobes. As for the above two pictures of Jang, I personally think that the first one would have been awesome if he'd chosen a top that is more fitting. Nevertheless, I think the second outfit was great!

Strange as it may sound, as a female, I actually look up to Jang for fashion inspirations. And a little digression and incorporation of fan-girl mentality, I would really like to meet him in person someday.