Trending: Oversized Outerwear (Fall/Winter 2013)

Though it seems like the Fall and Winter weather has yet to make its first appearance here in sunny Southern California, for weeks, retailers have been in a mad rush to relinquish any type of bikini strap or mixed print piece to make room for designs inspired from the Fashion Week seen not too long ago; thus continuing a perpetual cycle of "out with the old, and in with the new". These looks, though diversely inspired by different designers, form a consistency among retailers deeming it as the "latest trends". As a major advocate for layering, one of my current favorite trends for  fall/winter 2013 are oversized outerwear. This trend is convenient for this sporadic southern California weather and lifestyle because whether it's something you throw over on your way to a concert, or strategically pieced together it has an effortless essence to the final look. (In other words, it's a great "go-to" piece to invest in.) 

Anorak - 3.1 Phillip Lim
Romper - Topshop (Sale)
Bag - 3.1 Phillip Lim
Spiked Necklace - Cotton On (Sale)
Lace-Up Booties - I completely forgot! (They're really old)

Cropped Knit Sweater - 3.1 Phillip Lim
Acid Wash Denim Skirt - Target
Bianca Clutch - Marc Jacobs
Tardy Lace-Up Bootie - Jeffrey Campbell

With such a petite frame, I love this trend because depending on the material, the way the pieces hang help accentuate (or at least create) my non-existent curves. More structured coats (none shown here), are great pieces to fill the closet because the bold shapes convey a sort of glamorous, yet modern statement that could be easily thrown on over jeans, white-tee, and heels for a more casual look. The key to surviving the temperamental southern California weather (where it could rain one day and be the perfect beach weather the next) is versatility. And these oversized coats are the perfect fall trend to effortlessly toss on while running out the door.

Coat, Sweater, Necklaces - H&M
Lita Booties - Jeffrey Campbell

**Side Note: I am a broke college student with bills and loans piling up. I may have a few "designer" pieces in these looks, but most of them I happened to stumble upon in a really good sale or splurged for my birthday (the 3.1 Phillip Lim pieces are from my internship.)

Like I've said in my previous post, there are many more exciting things to come as I explore this crazy, but fabulous industry!

Thanks for reading!

Photo Credit: Nicole Rashid

How To Make It In Fashion L.A.

I was fortunate enough to attend "How To Make It In Fashion" hosted by Fashionista - and it was phenomenal. It was an all-day conference giving us an opportunity to hear from industry professionals, have a one-on-one mentoring session with a professional in our area of interest (I met with Chelsea Matthews, founder of Matte Black), and a chance to network, network, network. 

Here's basically how I spent the day in the beautiful W Hollywood, surrounding by fabulously dressed individuals:

It was awesome to be able to have a more personal conversation with industry professionals and hear each individual story and their advice. L'Wren Scott was the Keynote Presentation - and I was in awe. The way she told each story, it was if we were actually in the atelier with her and Karl. (I bumped into her on my way out of the bathroom and I'm still fangirling at the fact that she acknowledged my existence and spoke to me.) Anyway, through all the speakers and conversations with industry professionals, I found a consistency amongst the many pieces of advice given, that could be summed up in five points:

1. Never look back

"Fashion is like a treadmill; once you get on that treadmill, you don't get off. You have to keep on your treadmill and keep moving forward at all times. Don't look back."

-L'Wren Scott (Designer)

2. Don't rush to the finish line

"Be mindful of watching, learning, listening. You're there to learn...Wait until it's your turn." 

-Cher Coulter (Stylist)

3. Just Ask. Be Brave. Be Fearless.
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"The best people I've worked with are the people that have stalked me down and said: "I want to work with you because x & y." 

-Macala Wright (Writer and Strategist)

"It doesn't matter what you do. Find people who do what you love and ask them to mentor you."

-Erica Domesek (PS I Made This)

4. Talk once, listen twice. Take out your ego.

"It's also very important to listen to your critics, they have things to teach you. Listening is important."

-L'Wren Scott

5. You have to want it - no matter what the cost.

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"It's not glamorous. It's a lot of hard work. It can be fun, but it's a lot of hard work."

-Lyn Paolo (Costume Designer)

"It's a full time thing, and you have to be very, passionate about it, because if you're not, there are a million people who are."

-Cher Coulter

"There's nothing stopping you from doit it. If that's your dream, you've got to be fearless and just do it." 

-LWren Scott

Needless to say, this was one of my favorite events and it was worth every dime. I left incredibly motivated, with exclusive advice, several business cards, and an awesome gift bag.

 I'm so excited to share my future experiences with you all. Like I said in my last post, big things are coming up because opportunities keep arising. Until next time! xx

Not Very Good At This...

Quick Update! I've been crazy busy with midterms, internships, and procrastinating homework - that leaves no time to sit down and write posts, since I'm always on the go. But things are finally settling down so hopefully I'll have a chance to finally get to the posts I've been meaning to write.

I'm also currently editing my layout - hoping to finally get a domain and update this look, so stay tuned.

Big Things Coming Up

To be honest, I'm very surprised, excited, and humbled to learn people are actually reading my blog. In just the past week alone, so many opportunities have appeared and I'm so excited to be able to share it. When this blog was just an assignment for class, I would have all these ideas and immediately blog, but then go through a dry spell of writer's block. So,  I've decided to lengthen these out throughout the month of October. But to organize my thoughts a bit (for my own sanity), here's a list of what to expect for this month's posts:

1. "First Glimpse"

I was recently invited, as "AllThatAndClass", to an event hosted by Heidi Nazarudin (founder of BloggerBabes.com) at the Emblem showroom. Along with fellow fashion bloggers, we have the opportunity to preview four new collections whilst sharing cocktails and networking.

2. Internship Update

Like I said, opportunities have been appearing like crazy. I'm currently finalizing my internship details, but keep on a lookout for that!

3. WOMR/H&M Haul

My newest prized possession is my clothing rack from ikea (it makes my room too tumblr, but no regrets). I'll post a "What's on my rack" displaying some of my favorite "go-to" pieces for this dreaded summer-fall transition. And, of course, H&M starting revealing their Fall collections so I went a little crazy - so haul, real soon.

4. How To Make It In The Fashion Industry

Lastly, but most excited for this event, "How To Make It In The Fashion Industry" an event hosted by Fashionista.com (I've written about it here) is finally coming to the West Coast on November 8. I purchased my, surprisingly expensive, tickets, and am looking forward to learning more about what it takes to make it and hopefully snagging a few business cards from industry professionals.

5. Fashion Month Recap

Fashion week(s) have come and gone, and unfortunately, I've missed majority of them. But once I have the opportunity to catch up, I'll do a quick recap on my favorite shows, designers, collections, etc.

For those of you actually reading my blog:

First of all, a big thank you! I'm honored and humbled at the thought that my insight is relatively interesting (if not, at least entertaining?) The industry has been making itself more and more available, and I'm excited for the chance to share it with you all!

WANTED: JC Zeitan Bootie

There's some sort of masochism in window shopping whether it's online or in person. As much as I hate the discouragement of knowing I can't afford such beautiful pieces, I'm always guilty of putting myself in these situations. Anyway, I was trolling through my favorite online retailers (post: TBA) when I stumbled on these beauts. The second I saw them, I was convinced that love at first sight existed. I've been in search for a new winter bootie - initially, I was looking for two pairs: both black (no surprise there), but one that was more simple, while the other was more of a statement piece. I knew I would most likely lean towards Jeffrey Campbell because his designs are always either simple or statement (there is no in between). Stumbling upon this pair, I fell in love with three parts:
1. The marbled-effect color (I think it just screams winter).
2. The shape of the bootie (raised ankle/detailing on back)
3. Hint of Christian Louboutin (red inlet)
This is Jeffrey Campbell's Zeitan that I found at NastyGal - retail $198

If someone would like to purchase and donate these to me, well that would just be grand.

NYC: On Hold.

For me, New York is comfortable, not strange.

-Karl Lagerfeld

   Ever be so close to where you want to be, but realize the timing isn't right? Since school started, I have been stressed beyond belief trying to figure out what in the world I'm going to do after I walk across that stage in May. (I read somewhere that one of the top myths college students believe is that you need to know exactly what you want to do with your life.) I've been meaning to update my blog with "Jasmine's latest and greatest plan for life" - but honestly, it's changed so drastically in the past few weeks alone that it kind of threw my mind for a whirl. But after much deliberation, thought, and prayer [of course] I've determined a more "realistic" plan for my inevitable break in the fashion industry - but who knows, this most likely will be modified a few times more in the next few months. 

    Through all the late nights home from work, doing homework while researching schools and internships, by the end of week 3 I was completely drained. (If there was a way to have an IV bag of coffee, I would've already done it.) Even though I had so much on my plate, I knew I could do it - that was driving my determination to see through each commitment I made. It seriously took so many of my close friends and family to give me the same piece of advice, before I even considered it: SLOW DOWN. I'm very impatient - I know where I want to eventually be and I want to be there now. I've always been trying to live life in the fast lane that I'm not taking the time to truly enjoy every experience.  I do want to head NY and pursue a Master's in Marketing (concentrating on luxury and retail) - eventually. Though when people say that it usually means 5-7 years down the line, but I'm determined to make it in the "big leagues" even sooner than then. The east coast will always be there - for now, my plan is to save (which is a major struggle, in itself), understand the different facets in the business side of fashion industry (leaning towards PR/brand management - but not 100% sure), and when I'm both a) financially somewhat stable and b) have a better idea of the specific direction I want to head in because of the experience I gain, then I'll start packing my bags. 

     Long story short, little 8-year-old Jasmine's starry-eyed dreams are going to have to wait just a little bit longer. It's time to "pay my dues" now and start learning the ropes before diving straight into the deep end with no money, no job, no "realistic" plans. To top off my list of metaphors and cliches: the door to the East Coast isn't closed, it's just slightly cracked open; ironically enough, though that opening diminished, so many doors and opportunities opened here. 

Stay tuned because I have a feeling my journey is just beginning.

wow. that was really cheesy.

It's The Most Wonderful time of The Year

-MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK-

     It's only a few short days before the big debut of the Spring/Summer 2014 collections in the top four fashion capitals. Starting September 4, all eyes will be darting East as top designers begin to allow their coveted masterpieces roam the runways. These pieces will declare their vision of what people will be wearing this upcoming year. With such a declaration, we'll see Buyers creep out from behind their cubicles and celebrities fighting for a seat on the runway in hopes of having a first-hand look at upcoming trends or to claim a piece before someone else does. Months of preparation have gone into these 8-15 minutes of perfection as eager eyes soak up every minute detail of each show, scouring for statement trends for 2014. Though the Fall and Winter weather has yet to make its first appearance, for weeks, retailers have been in a mad rush to relinquish any type of bikini strap or mixed print piece to make room for designs inspired from the Fashion Week seen earlier this year; thus continuing a perpetual cycle of "out with the old, and in with the new".

    Not only am I excited to take advantage of the wonderful sales, but along with school starting (and finally ridding of my teenage years), this only adds to my excitement for September. It's going to be much more difficult in keeping up with every show - since I'm taking majority of my core classes - but I'm definitely going to keep up as much as possible via live streams from FashionWeekOnline and Runway Video uploads from FataleFashionIII (YouTube). Last year, I happily stumbled upon FashionWeekOnline (used to be LiveRunway), which offers insight to interviews, afterparties, and each collection - much like Style.com. The difference, however, is that this site offers a detailed calendar, not only of Fashion Week's current location, but also of the updated schedule answering the "4 W's" on everyone's mind: who, what, when, and where. To take it a step further, this site allows you to connect this calendar with your personal calendar so that you'll always know when Fashion Week starts and ends and have direct access to live streaming.

--here's what it looks like--

 

     **when in doubt, just google "Mercedes Benz Fashion Week" and you're bound to stumble upon something.

&& so the deliberation process begins...

    My main "excuse" for taking a trip out to New York was to visit the schools I'd love to attend after graduation this May. As I sit with my cliche breakfast and coffee overlooking the city, I've reluctantly decided it's time to begin comparing my two options. (I say "decided" grudgingly, because I am such indecisive person - especially when concerning a decision that will affect the entire outcome of my future. No pressure, eh?) This is obviously a decision that I won't be able to determine after a couple hours (or even days), which is why I'm glad I still have roughly a year to peruse both school's curriculum thoroughly. Initially I intended on writing about each school after my visit, but considering I'm on vacation and in the city with a pile of homework I've been pretending not to have, I haven't really had the opportunity to sit and reflect on each school properly. SO! Since I've had the chance to visit both schools and meet with advisors regarding the particular programs I'm interested in, perhaps now is the better time to begin weighing options.

    Now I should probably give a little more background of my particular situation in order to understand my little predicament. I'm planning on graduating May of 2014 (yes, one year early - something I pride myself in) with a Bachelor's in Marketing from CBU. #1 question I receive: How is that possible? Well since I'm paying an arm and a leg for tuition, classes are extremely easy to get and I've been taking 18 units a semester (as well as this summer - aka: no summer break for me.) Seeing as though my artistic ability extends as far as stick figures, I've decided that the business side of the fashion industry is where I belong. Another question I get a lot: why the fashion industry? Simply put - I adore fashion. (You can read more in depth here). While I'm overjoyed at the thought of discovering the direction I want to head in (I thought I wanted to be an Optometrist when I started my Undergrad), time is running short on choosing the specific career I would like to pursue, which only makes me more apprehensive as my final year is about to start. If these aren't "legit" justifications for my anxiety, the thought of only being 20 years old, graduated with a BS, and having the ability to attain a Master's by the time I'm 21 just slaps the reality of limited time onto my pile of worries. Yes, I'm proud of the fact that I have the ability to progress through schooling quickly and begin pursuing a career; however, it only adds more pressure on myself to "choose wisely."

    In the next couple of posts, I plan to peruse each school in its entirety - from location to curriculum, pros and cons, everything. But really, the most significant factor in choosing between both schools is the career I want to pursue. While I am studying for a degree in Marketing, this doesn't limit myself in pursuing a career solely in Marketing or Advertising - there are many other avenues in the business side of the fashion industry to consider. Of course, like most wide-eyed student interested in the business side of the fashion industry, buying has always been in the back of my mind as an option. One of the biggest misconceptions with this is that Buyers are constantly going to fashion shows and out scouring for the latest trends, but it's much less glamorous than it appears - much time is spent behind a desk performing various "administrative" duties (i.e. inventory, spreadsheets, accounting, finance, accounting, and more accounting). Still in pursuit of researching the variety of suitable careers, I need to intern in order to truly find out where my interests lay; unfortunately after months of applying, still no luck.
 
     So while I continue shooting my resume to every possible internship in the LA/OC area, for now I can begin my assessment on these two options.

NYC Posted.

I'm currently on a trip to NYC and I have officially fell in love with this city. In so many moments in my life, I have never felt so "in the right place" as I have - and I haven't even been here a full day. Just walking around Chelsea, Greenwich Village, and exploring subway transits has only further confirmed little 8-year old Jasmine who decided she wanted to live in New York one day. Of all the sights to see and "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants to eat at, my favorite aspect about NYC has been the people. I have never seen so much culture in one area; it's not just in one spot either, everywhere you go there are such a variety of people from different backgrounds just living amongst each other. Walking down the street, you pass a group of "sketchy" people just hanging out on a stoop, but then a couple steps later, are such "posh" individuals out for a drink. Now keep that in mind, and consider the fashion one would see just by standing in one place. Looking around, you'll see someone dressed in business attire walking past some "ghetto-fab" person - each fierce in their own way. Even the way people walk around here; with such confidence, purpose, direction - they may just be pissed off and in a hurry to get to their destination, but nonetheless, there's some refined urgency in this organized chaos.

Tomorrow, I'm taking a tour of LIM College to get a better idea of their Master's programs and of the school, in general. After, it's just a fun exploration through the city - all of which I will keep you updated.

Featuring Speakers:
Zac Posen - KeyNote Speaker
Rebecca Minkoff
John Jannuzzi
Melanie Bender
And so much more...

       One of the reasons I wish I was New York based, at the moment. Fashionista is a website hub that basically has the latest updates in the fashion industry. It has everything from reviews from fashion week to internship and job opportunities in New York. "How to Make it in Fashion" would be their first ever fashion conference that would allow hopeful fashionistas, like myself, to get a chance to listen to the journeys of now successful people in the fashion industry. When most people think about the fashion industry, the immediate thought is fashion design or modeling. Yet, not very many realize all the various career opportunities there are in the fashion industry. This conference gathers successful business men and women who are in all different spectrums of the fashion industry to speak in a panel about different topics such as the "right" way to network, overview of the more unknown careers in the fashion industry, and their own journey to their current positions. Contrary to most conferences that offer only panels to its audience, this event actually gives the audience a chance to speak one-on-one with the speakers to really get to know each speaker and allowing them to receive a great insight and guide to "making it" in the fashion industry. 
       If you do happen to be interested in attending, tickets are $159 and as of now, only have 11 available. It seems to be a bit pricey, but for the experience I'd say it's definitely worth it - it's an opportunity to not only learn more about making it in the fashion industry, but a chance to begin networking with those already successful in the business. 

Click Here To Learn More!

Summer is Coming

     My favorite seasons have always been autumn/winter; not just for the occasional hot chocolate or wine & dine by the fireplace, but right next to being big on blacks/neutral colors I'm a huge fan of layering. I love being able to throw a scarf or sweater over anything or being able to wear leggings without feeling as if I'm about to faint. Thankfully with this bipolar Californian Spring, it's a good transition into the dry heat that comes our way. To be honest, whenever summer rolls around I dread walking through stores and experiencing what appears to be rainbows and flowers throwing up. Don't get me wrong, I love summer for the ease of throwing on a tank top, high waisted shorts, chucks, and my sunglasses on the way out; but there's only so many times you can pull that off before it's time to invest in "summer attire." Needless to say, whoever decided to leave the monochromatic tones and leather material in stores for summer, is my hero. 
     With the basic fact that life moves ever-so-quickly, came the realization of how broke I am and it gave me a depressing perspective of things I need to be spending less on, and things I need to save for (i.e. school books, gas, the big move). So I've come up with a newer financial savings plan (which is deemed for a different post) that unfortunately involves less spending. However, that doesn't stop me from avidly going online-window shopping - there's some sort of masochism in staying up nights looking at things you can't afford. No matter how many times I tell myself I'd feel much better realizing I can't afford school or an apartment in a pair of kick-ass heels, I can't bring myself to do it.  
      Anyway, all this window shopping made me excited for this summer to finally hit because it brings a new challenge of layering and trying not to melt. Changing it up from my usual adoration of clean-cut, structured pieces, I've become strangely fond of very "flowy" material. Something about spinning in a flowy dress or skirt makes me feel like I'm eight again, when there was nothing to worry about. Other than that, I've become obsessed with a lot of the layering pieces that are out right now. In the fall, I love mixing different textures together - almost playing off the whole "hard/soft" contrast. But during summer I try and stick with the more "breathable" material, and definitely play up my accessories and shoes a bit more. To end this long, drawn-out post, I'm excited for what summer has in store for me and hopefully will be able to blog more about it!

The epiphany I've been waiting for.

     I've been on a crazy writer's block for way too long and somehow lost the direction I originally intended for my blog. Looking over my past posts, I've realized it was kind of all over the place and very "surface" posts. I realized I've been trying to write on such heavy topics that I'm not exactly an "expert" on. So, I've finally discovered the direction I want to head in with this blog. 
     I, myself, am still learning so much about the fashion industry and as a college student attempting to graduate early, don't exactly have time to sit down and do extensive research on the topics I planned on writing about. So rather than pretending to know what I'm talking about, I've decided to use this as a sort of journal to log my journey in studying the fashion industry. There will be more personal posts on careers I'm thinking about looking into; as well as schools I'm considering attending for my Master's.
     Basically, those who actually do read my blog can kind of follow me through the new things I learn about the fashion industry and the steps I'm going through in someday working in an executive position in the industry. (Hopefully this means I'll be posting more frequently.)

Stay Tuned!

How To Edit

One of the hardest things to do is to part with clothes - but it's something that should be done every once in awhile (for me, every three or six months). Before I used to "edit" my closet constantly, I found I had a surplus of clothes that I haven't worn in years and it was so hard to siphon through my closet to find jeans or a simple top. Editing your closet is important because not only does it give you a chance to organize your clothes, but by really sorting through your drawers, it'll be a lot easier to put outfits together and shop. Not only that, but you get a chance to rid of clothes that no longer fit who you are. For me, it's become really therapeutic. It took me a few tries, but after a few closet edits (and a few tips from Nina Garcia and Lauren Conrad) I've found a technique that works the best, for me. 

All you'll need is:

-A mirror

-Time, patience, and self control

-A physically strong and honest friend who knows your style. (This one helps, a lot)

Now, you're ready to start. It's simple, really. All you have to do is

 Try everything on.

From there, you'll basically be making a couple piles:

• -If anything has stains that you can't (or are too lazy) to remove, has unintentional tears or holes (that you don't want to get sewn), it belongs in the trash pile.

• -If you don't really care for something you try on (whether it be it's not your style or it just doesn't fit as well as before) it belongs in the donate/charity/salvation army pile. This could also go to the give-away pile...depending on the condition of the item.

• -If there's something you try on that doesn't look right on you (it doesn't fit your style, it's the wrong size) and would look great on one of your friends, this belongs in the give-away pile...again, could go in the donation pile, as well.

• -If you try on something that you haven't worn in at least the year, this belongs in either the donate or give-away pile. 

• -BUT, if you try on something you haven't worn in the past year and you're not ready to let go of it, this goes in the "just in case" pile. (Now, this is not an excuse to keep a bunch of clothes that you just don't want to give up.) If, on the next closet edit, you haven't searched this bag for the clothes you put in there, all of the items then go into the give-away or donation pile.

• -If you try on something that you know for a fact you wear, put it back in the closet. 

Now, I've noticed after an hour of creating these piles I end up in one of the following moods: either I get too excited about getting rid of clothes and end up giving away pieces I wish I didn't, or I end up stuffing majority of my clothes in the "just in case" pile. This is where the "strong and honest friend who knows your style" comes into play. It's always good to have a second opinion from someone you trust knows you. While you may believe an top looks decent on you, after trying on so many clothes, an outside opinion is always better. There are so many clothes that I've tried to keep (knowing I would never wear it or it wasn't flattering) and my friend would have to tear it out of my hands and put it in one of the piles - and boy does that help. One of the biggest factors you need to try and stay clear from is holding onto items for "sentimental" reasons. Unless there is a legitimate reason to keep an item, just because you wore it all through high school or wore it the first time you drove a car doesn't mean you need to keep it. Lastly, keep in mind that with editing a closet means that it could be filled with newer clothes that are well-fit, timeless, and fits your style more. I love shopping after editing my closet because not only does it remind me of what I do and don't have, but I take longer thinking about the purchase making sure it won't end up in one of the piles during the next edit.

Just try it and you'll definitely notice a huge difference in styling, shopping, and overall space in your closet.

Shopping Tips: QVC

Over the years, some would say that I've developed a sort of "shopping addiction." One of my biggest problems is that I tend to think I have more money than I actually do and I happen to be one of those "I'd rather buy quality, regardless of price" type of people. This could be potentially detrimental, seeing as though I am also a firm believer in "retail therapy." But even though I have a tendency to "over-shop," I don't actually have a surplus of clothes (if you look in my closet, you'll most likely get lost in the sea of black fabric, to be honest.) The way I see it, when I shop I have three basic principles:
                     -Quality
                     -Versatility
                     -Cost-Per-Wear
Unless it's one of those rare moments I truly see an exception piece or I desperately need the retail therapy, I mainly stick with these three rules - one of the reasons I rarely make purchases at Forever 21 (but that's another post...)

Quality

One of the biggest problems we run into when caught in the midst of fast-fashion, is the lack of a quality-made product. Most of the time, we tend to overlook this simple factor because the piece is "to die for" or because it happens to be a couple dollars cheaper. I used to be a big Papaya and Wet Seal fan because they happened to always have new styles for an inexpensive price. After my purchase and a couple wears later, I'd discover holes, pilling, or it never would fit right after a wash. This, and the frustration of having to handwash majority of these items because it was too delicate to be thrown with the normal load was too irritating to deal with. I constantly found myself buying more than I actually had to because I believed I was getting more for my money. After you shop for awhile, you develop a familiarity with fabric and instantly you are able to tell which clothes are quality-made and which would most likely fall apart after the second wear. Yes quality may cost a little more, but the benefits of owning a quality-made item surpasses the feeling of knowing you saved two or three dollars. The most obvious benefit is that the product will last longer. Clothes aren't meant to fall apart - unless you happen to be wearing one of those track pants we all know we owned in the 90's (you know, the one with the option to be pants, capris, OR shorts - ah, the power of the zipper.) Not only are the seams more detailed and sewn correctly, but the different dyes used (especially in denim) are less likely to bleed onto other surfaces or clothes. Another aspect I find best about quality-made clothing is the fit. I'm 4'10" and can fit into some of my 10-year old sister's clothes, so to me, shopping at stores with poorly made clothes means size "small" depends on the particular small I happen to pick up (aka each "small" shirt is made differently and therefore doesn't fit the same.) One more benefit from paying an extra few bucks for a well-made piece is the material used. Majority of clothing is made from polyester. And while polyester does have its perks (durability, hydrophobic, and shape retention) it does have its drawbacks (breathability, unattractiveness). Basically, it isn't the most ideal material for any hot area and it doesn't allow some pieces to "hang" as nicely as other materials (cotton, wool, silk) could. 

Versatility

Read almost any fashion blog and one of the things they'll stress is the importance of versatility. It's been used so often that it's beginning to lose it's value. So what do I mean by this? Well, versatility in the fashion world is measured by how many different looks can be made from a single item. While I'm shopping and I find a piece I really like, I have to be able to immediately think of at least two outfits for two different occasions I could wear it at. (Of course, there are always those couple statement pieces you just have to buy.) Most One of the best things about investing in good staple pieces is that you could wear the same outfit but have a different vibe just by changing the accessories. To cut this long-winded speech short, never underestimate the power of basics. (Not all basics have to be solid colored, simple clothes like most would think!)

Cost-Per-Wear

And we're down to my favorite principle: Cost-Per-Wear. I'd love to think I discovered this brilliant theory, but I'm pretty sure it's been around for awhile. Some of the people I've explained this theory to claim it's my "excuse to buy expensive products," but I beg to differ. But let me explain what it means, first. The formula is quite simple: you take the cost of the product and divide it by the amount of times you plan on wearing it. For example, I bought my studded Lita Jeffrey Campbell's for $80. Since then, I've worn it well over 10 times. Each of those 10 times, cost me $8 and the way I see it, as long as the wear was worth the $8, it was worth the $80. Then, of course, the more times you wear it, the less it costs each time. Call it an excuse to buy expensive products, I see it as an incentive to wear it more. Not only this, but when you're shopping it takes you out of the moment and forces you to think of the investment you're about to make - because the only thing worse than buying a $40 top and only wearing it once is realizing it went on sale a week later. 

&& that's just a quick overview of the important factors I consider while I'm shopping. Of course, there are always exceptions and other aspects to take into consideration. But I realized that when I stick to these three rules, I save a lot of money and have great, well-thought additions to my closet. Try it out and see how it works for you!

Fashion Week Schedule: February 2013

Calendar Source: LiveRunway

We've reached one of the two highlighted times of the year: Fashion Week. As a full-time college student with a part-time job and attempting to maintain a social life, it's not very simple to keep up with Fashion Week around the world. After much search for the perfect, detailed list of fashion week, I've stumbled upon this from LiveRunway and just had to share! It's so handy because you can connect it to your google calendar or iCal (for us Macheads) and always stay up-to-date with the latest shows. Hope you enjoy this feature as much as I do!

In My Perspective...

“Fashion is not something that only exists in dresses. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, and how we live our life” – Coco Chanel

As cliché as it is to be a fashion blog quoting Chanel, it’s true. Fashion is so much more than shopping, runways, and all the glamour that’s connected with the connotation. (Of course it’s everything to do with glamour and runway, but behind the lights and music reveal a world full of industrious inventors making their mark in the world—the way they want to.) It’s the gateway to finding out who we are and what our style is. It’s who we think we are in the moment and who we aspire to be. One of the things I'm not too fond of hearing is “Fashion is an art.” Yes, it’s true – but that is one of the most surface statements one could claim about the fashion industry (right next to having a “passion for fashion.") It’s not just an art, but rather a display of different perspectives of the world. It’s an interpretation of experiences, ideas, and thoughts that shape our persona; essentially, an interpretation of life. Even researching on fashion legends who have passed, their clothes are the essence of the prosperity and hardships of each era. The common presumption is that fashion is moving much too quickly. Trends come and go, disappear for a few years, and eventually find its way back. But with the advancements in technology constantly leading our world into the previously unknown, it’s inevitable for the nature of fashion’s rapid cycles to transition just as quickly. There is no wrong in fashion. Yes, there are wrong choices in execution (need I remind everyone of gaucho pants, denim skirts, and Britney Spears debuting too much of herself to the world in 2007) but because everyone has different ideas, pieces are portrayed differently on each person—this is the very reason I love fashion. For me, it’s so cool to see different people rock the same piece, which only emphasizes the versatility of the fashion industry. I love the idea of the clichéd rocker chick and cheerleader wearing the same thing and working it in their own way. We live in such a diverse society and to see how different factors like perspective, culture, and experiences influence the way people dress is such an awesome concept. Not only this, but because fashion is always moving forward and always changing only emphasizes the fact that there is no wrong in fashion. As I've said in an earlier post, we live in such an experimental time for fashion that "the sky's the limit" (for lack of a better cliché.)  

So this was just a little tidbit of my love every aspect of the fashion industry. Of course I love the substantial areas of fashion (i.e. glitter, glitter, and more glitter) but there is so much more about this industry that is often hidden by all the glitz and the glamour that not many are aware of. Hope you enjoyed the little insight!