A is for Ascot

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Victoria

What do silk scarves and horses have in common? Today’s accessory inspiration is borrowed from the boys, as we travel to their neck of the woods to a royal Europe from centuries past.

Before the ascot tie was called the ascot, it had its origins in the 1800s, where it was donned by royalty and upper class on the daily, and for formal occasions of the middle class in Europe. In this fancy setting, the tie was often made of a heavy linen material, and worn over the collar and pinned.

But fashion is never static, and the ascot became susceptible to change. Adapting to the needs of the growing middle class, I’m sure all it took was one fine gentleman who began to incorporate the ascot into everyday casual wear. Worn tucked inside of an open collar instead of over it, he made it look so cool that other men followed suit.

It was popularly worn at the horse races at the Ascot Racecourse in England – just imagine spectators and steeds alike, wearing matching silk ascots! Okay, I’ll stop horsing around; this is how the ascot tie came to be called the ascot.

Generally ascot ties look like the bow tie’s much bigger cousin, with a narrow neckband and wide ends. If you’ve ever wanted to experiment with an ascot tie, head to your local thrift shop. While you may not be able to find an actual ascot tie, silk and synthetic scarves are bountiful at Goodwill for as little as a dollar a piece. I prefer the versatility of a long rectangular scarf for a turban or bow atop my head, but now it’s time to borrow from the boys an ascot tie.

Here’s how you can achieve the ascot look in a few easy steps:

Drape scarf around your neck, with 1/3 of the scarf on your left (short side SS), and the other 2/3 on your right (long side LS)
Take the LS and cross it over the SS
Bring the LS under the SS, returning it to the right side.
Now bring the LS over the SS, so it is on the left side again.
Bring LS towards your neck, and up under the loop you made.
Adjust by holding onto the SS and sliding the “knot” of the ascot.
Stuff it into your shirt.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to the races to take a gamble on a stallion.

Leopard Faux Fur & Preppy Stripes

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Victoria

Before you pack that faux fur coat back in storage where it will hibernate until next NYE, think again. Just because a leopard can’t change its spots doesn’t mean you can’t either.

I always associate a faux fur coat – and a leopard printed one at that – with a night out on the town or some other fancy occasion. Leopard print by itself already oozes a type of allure as enticing as the giant cat itself. But unless you’re Kate Moss, us regular gals just don’t need to look that good getting out of our limo. Or boarding our private jet. You get the picture.

Bagatelle coat (similar) | Banana Republic top (similar) | Collection 59 blazer (similar) | Urban Outfitters boots (similar) | vintage beaded necklace (similar) | vintage Dooney & Bourke (similar)

January: Leopard Faux Fur & Preppy Stripes

To downplay the luxe quality of this coat and to make it daytime casual friendly, I decided to pair it with a minimalist look: preppy stripes, blazer, blue jeans, and black boots. The neutral color palette makes the seemingly opposite nature of the two prints work together in a balanced harmony. The resulting outfit is a classic look with a wild twist, perfect for a casual Friday at the office or an informal lunch date. Even Kate Moss would approve.

Now If you’ll excuse my leopard coat and I, we’ve got a private jet to catch!

Bagatelle coat (similar) | Banana Republic top (similar) | Collection 59 blazer (similar) | Urban Outfitters boots (similar) | vintage beaded necklace (similar) | vintage Dooney & Bourke (similar)

Out with the Old, in with the New

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Victoria

Happy New Year! Time for out with the old, in with the new – unless you’re talking about vintage.

I enjoyed the last two weeks of 2015, delighting in the crisp wet winter weather, spending quality time with family, and reuniting with friends all in the name of gluttony over a table of scrumptious food. Even the scroogiest of people are somehow friendlier come holiday time. I can’t help but turn my frown upside-down when I stroll down the streets of houses and store fronts decorated in pine garlands and strings of lights as Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire replays in my head to no end.

Holiday Lights

Flying Home

Rainy Day

My Styiln’ Grandma

Winter Hike

Tea Time

Alas, the holiday festivities have come and gone, the ball has dropped, and January has reared its head into our lives. A new year beckons fresh beginnings, a chance to make new resolutions, or perhaps work on ones you failed to complete last year. It’s all about self improvement and doing something different, right?

I sometimes get into a slump during this time. There’s a lot of pressure to make new year’s resolutions I will stick by. I’ve been through this before; I gain momentum in the beginning of the year, only to slow down by first quarter, leading to disappointment and feelings of failure.

What I’ve realized is that writing down your goals is key to ensuring you will follow through with them. Once those goals are documented and declared to the world, you will be accountable for them. Goal setting and achieving should be year round. It doesn’t matter if it’s January or December, every day is a chance to get your ass moving if you were lazy yesterday. So hear ye hear ye, here are a few of my ongoing resolutions for this year:

Free your mind: I’ve been practicing meditation on and off again for the past three years…well, to be honest, it’s mostly been off, and I’m going to change that. It will be a priority as soon as I wake up in the morning and the last thing I do before I fall asleep. In the past I’ve used Headspace’s guided meditation sessions to get started on how to clear the mind. Now I’m attempting to meditate on my own with nothing but the harmonious sound of my singing bowl.
Closet freak: After living out of my backpack for several months, I returned to all my pretties in my closet and suddenly felt burdened by the amount of stuff I have. Who needs 50 pairs of blue denim skinny jeans? Needless to say, I’ve been quite a closet freak these days, organizing and thoroughly purging: coats, dresses, skirts, accessories – even as far as my overstuffed sock and underwear drawer. Keep for future outfits, donate to Goodwill, or sell in my Poshmark closet (sign up with code HLVSP to get $10!)? I’m embarrassed I kept some items as long as I did, but hey, we all have some out-of-style skeletons in our closet, don’t we? Anyway, fashion trends always come back, and I never hid the fact I was a hoarder – I rest my case. Although I barely made a dent when all was said and done, at least my dresser drawers close properly now.
Mother tongue: Did you know that a family’s native language is usually lost by the third generation? My bilingualism is slowly slipping away, and I can feel it every time I visit my parents. This language maintenance goal is always on the back of my mind everyday of my life, and I want my future kids and grandkids to be able to speak the language of their forefathers. I’ve been relying on Pleco’s free offline dictionary for the longest time, but I’m eager to try out some different apps like FluentU and Chinese Skill.
Get physical: I’ve been pretty good about staying fit and hitting the gym at least three or four times a week in the past. But now that I am gym-less, it’s time to lay my yoga mat down and work out awkwardly behind the dining table while my housemates eat dinner. Thank you Blogilates, for keeping me in shape!
Chic Vic: I’ve been using WordPress.com ever since Chic Vic’s inception, but have considered migrating it to self hosing for a very long time now. I haven’t done it because I’m terrified and am unsure if it’s even necessary at all. Are there any bloggers out there who started with WordPress.com and are now using WordPress.org? Please share your tips or story!

Now that I’ve declared these goals to the blogosphere, there’s no turning back! Dear readers, what are your new year’s resolutions, and what tips do you have on goal setting and achievement?

As for the rest of 2016, Chic Vic will now return you to your regularly scheduled stylish programming.