Tag Archives: mod cloth

Pop Goes the Arteest

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Pop quiz: What does Chic Vic enjoy in addition to poppin’ tags? Pop art!

As much as I’d like to believe that I’m artsy fartsy, I can’t say I’m in the know of what’s hip and happening in the art scene. However, as the occasional museum goer, I do appreciate aesthetically pleasing things. It’s hard for me to name my favorite art genre, but pop art is one category that easily pops into my mind.

Pop art was a movement that started in the 50s and 60s that challenged the norm.
The conventional art form at the time was fine art, which was generally very elite. Pop art was a countermovement to this, with the attitude that art should be accessible by everyone. Pop art employs the use of everyday commonplace objects and elements found in consumer culture and poses them as art in satirical ways – thereby making art more easily attainable for the average person. Famous pop artists include Andy Warhol, Richard Hamilton, Roy Lichtenstein, and many others.

Marilyn (1967)
Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing? (1956)
Drowning Girl (1963)

I recently attended a pop up shopping event, and among the sea of vendors, one particular shirt popped out at me. Indeed it was the vivid pop of color that caught my eye – it was a Roy Lichtenstein wannabe and I wanted it to be all mine. Lichtenstein is well known for his satirical humor based comic book inspired artwork, recognizable by his signature use of Ben-Day dots.

Drawing inspiration from this copycat Lichtenstein-esque tee shirt, I applied his comic book technique to my outfit and Ben-Day-ed myself. The polka dot scarf, the black and white multi-strand beaded necklace, and the perforated clutch bag all spotlight the Ben-Day dots and dotted embellishments all over the tee. Now

I love this look more than anything…


J.Crew cardigan (similar cardigan) / pop art tee (similar tee shirt) / Urban Outfitters pants (similar sailor pants) / vintage Nina pumps (similar pumps) / Gianni Bini clutch (similar clutch) / thrifted necklace (similar necklace) / thrifted scarf (similar scarf)

Mom Jeanetics

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I’m not planning to be a mom anytime soon, but that won’t stop me from wanting to sport the “mom jeans.”

If you’re lucky to get it from your momma – a pair of hand me down jeans – then you’re already one step ahead of the trend. I call it jeanetics. But what exactly are these so called “mom jeans”? They are characterized by a high waist, slight bagginess in the crotch area with optional pleats, and a tapered leg opening. In other words – they are quite unflattering in that they make your butt look bigger than it is, while simultaneously flattening it. Call it pancaking.

All of this sounds like bad news bears, but oddly enough, it is precisely the ill-fitting unflattering way of the mom jean that makes it so charming.

The tomboyish cut makes it a perfect candidate to juxtapose with feminine elements, such as high heels and a girly top.


Or, you can embrace the boyish look with a cropped tee and sneaker flats, with the hem of the jeans rolled up to show some ankle.

I may have gotten my single dimple from my momma, but mom jeans I did not. However, I did score this vintage Levis jeans upcycled into a pencil skirt. I imagine that they were a pair of mom jeans in their previous lifetime, and so I styled them accordingly: with a soft knit top, wedge heels, a fancy belt to accentuate the high waist, and a healthy dose of girly accessories.

To all you mothers out there: wear those mom jeans up high, loud and proud! Happy Mother’s Day!


vintage top (similar top) / upcycled vintage Levis (similar denim skirt) / Natural Comfort shoes (similar shoes) / vintage belt (similar belt)

The Mystery in the Woods

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I spy something in the woods.

In grade school, the Nancy Drew series was one of my favorites to read. In each mystery case, Nancy, along with her gal pals Bess and George took sleuthing to a whole new level. Like the bookworm that I once was, my weekends were spent at the library reading the books from cover to cover.


While Nancy Drew has undergone constant transformations from its inception in the 1930s to present day, it is the probably the series written from the 1960s and 1970s that I identify with most. Perhaps at age ten, I was unconsciously attracted to the vintage fashions donned by Nancy and her gal pals who graced the book covers. Not only were they beautifully illustrated, but also Miss Drew’s hair was always perfectly coiffed and her outfits were to die for.

I put on my figurative sleuthing hat in the form of a plaid Sherlock Holmes-ish trench shirtdress. Nothing says detective and drama like a big oversized cape. This lovely one from the 1960s is a bit long for my petite frame – but it is perfect for covering up bare legs when wearing a short dress underneath. The best part about this cape is the matching scarf complete with a little fringe. This is surely is an outfit that Nancy Drew would have problem solving – sometimes my styling skills remain a mystery even to me.

A detective wouldn’t be a detective without some sort of eye-seeing gadget. This vintage brass binocular is perfect for sleuthing, the opera, bird watching, or for my favorite pastime: people watching, especially of the male species. Not to mention it is so heavy that it can double as a weapon, should I be put in harm’s way.

Mystery in the wood? That’s what he said.

Jan. 2014: The Mystery in the Woods

H&M beanie (similar) / vintage cape (similar) / thrifted dress (similar) / We Who See shoes (similar) / vintage binocular (similar)

The Great Cape Her

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It’s official: winter has arrived to the Northern Hemisphere. From here on out, days will slowly become lighter and chillier. It seems almost villainous to be wearing only a cape in December, but that’s a California winter for you.

Although a cape can be rather drafty and not as warm as a coat, my solution is to layer a wool cardigan underneath. It adds minimal bulk under the cape and the natural wool fibers provide maximum warmth while staying stylish. I just so happened to have a cardigan in the exact same hue as the cape – a match made in heaven indeed. Fur makes everything feel cozier, so I took a fur collar off another jacket, and pinned it to the cape. I finished the outfit with a pair of mean green jeans, and saddle shoes that tie into the cream and green colors of the outfit. I heart their heart shaped buckles.

Shero Chic Vic to the rescue, saving unsuspecting would be train wreck fashion victims from their ultimate doom on the railroad tracks. All aboard the best dressed express!

Dec: The Great Cape Her

vintage cape (similar) / Urban Outfitters tee (similar) / vintage cardigan (similar) / Uniqlo jeans (similar here and here) / Bass shoes (similar) / ankle socks

Style 101: Preppy Plaid n’ Pleats

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I recently visited my alma mater where I studied my dura and pia mater, but none of that matters anymore, as it has no bearing on what I do at my 9 to 5. Psych!

It’s been a while since I’ve been on the UC Berkeley campus, but my visit reminded me of how beautiful it is. I love the architecture of the lecture halls and buildings. Red bricks somehow remind me of all things academic, which inspired my next look.

I’m a Professor Mix A Lot of sorts when it comes to mixing and matching patterns and textures. Case study: the almost tonal plaid skirt serves as a neutral canvas, allowing the vibrantly colored plaid blouse to dominate. However, one must also take into account the confounding variables of different fabrications and textures, such as the pleats and sheen of the skirt, the delicate lightweight cotton shirt, and the ruffled edge of the cardigan. In the place of schoolgirl knee high socks, I opted for the grown up version in the form of ooh la la nude fishnets. All of these add layers of interest to my outfit. Instead of following the crowd, I like to be an outlier sometimes. There is no regression toward the mean for me!

As my age gap closes in with the older folk, suddenly the undergrads look like such youngsters and the grad students seem mighty attractive. Excuse me Professor, when are your office hours?

Dec. 2013: Preppy Plaid n’ Pleats

RED sweater (similar) / Old Navy plaid blouse (similar) / vintage skirt (similar here &  here) / Urban Outfitters shoes (similar here & here)

A New Look (give thanks)

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Gobble gobble till you wobble.

Tis the season of thanks. I decided to pay tribute to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend by putting the black into Black Friday. And what better way to do so than with Dior’s New Look?

The world emerged from the World War II with a renewed sense of hope and a fresh outlook on life – a perspective that fashion reflected also. When Dior introduced the “New Look,” he did away with the minimalistic utilitarian look of the war years and ushered in an era of excess and femininity in the form of long skirts, voluminous use of fabric, nipped in waists, and emphasized hips.

Dior's "New Look"

To channel this New Look, I chose an all black ensemble complete with pleats and a very sheer organza top. The prudy length of the skirt off sets the risky business of the blouse. The blouse’s faux leather collar and button placket gives this look a subtle edge that even Dior would be proud of. This is certainly a new look for me of sorts, but you won’t catch me wearing this whilst shopping on Black Friday. Clawing my way through crowds to get that deal wouldn’t be very ladylike, now would it?

I always remind myself to have an attitude of gratitude everyday. I have a lot to be thankful for: loving family and friends, good health, a roof over my head, food on the table, and of course, a blog following. As always, thank you dear readers, for continuing to follow my humble blog.

May we be ever so lucky to fall victim to tryptophan – Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov: A New Look

Urban Outfitters blouse (similar) / vintage skirt (similar) / Landau earrings (similar) / Sam & Libby shoes (similar)

Floppy Wall Flower

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Whoa! I’m Blossoming every time I put on this floppy denim hat – minus the oversized flower.

I hastily bought this hat a few seasons ago for a summer trip. Although it is cute and my face is shielded from the sun’s harmful rays, I always feel like I will walk into a tree or a telephone pole – it’s just too damn floppy for my own safety. Yet, as most fashionistas do, I sometimes sacrifice comfort and practicality for visual aesthetic. Floppy this hat might be, but a fashion flop it is not. The camera captured my floppy hat in all its glorious motion.

The light denim color of the hat lends itself well to this thrifted silky blouse with washed out citrus colored flowers and a dash of sky blue. Likely once a home sewn project, I date this shirt back to the 1960s. The print is reminiscent of wallpaper, floral motifs on dishware, and flower power stickers that were all the rage in that era.

I wore mid rise denim skinnies to balance out the blouse’s short boxy silhouette. The fact that my jeans are nearly the same shade of denim as my hat is no coincidence. Why, that’s just made in the shade.

Where my girl Six at?

Citrus Summer

My Sassy Girl on the Lawn

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It’s been a while since I’ve sprawled out on the lawn and listened to awesome live music.

Call it cheap seats if you will – I prefer the term budget conscious seats. Having to sit/lay/squat/stand on the lawn for several hours can bring a host of problems, mainly, “What should I wear to stay comfortable yet still look cute?” I had to rule out the mini skirt, stilettos, and anything bodycon.

I decided to go with my worn in soft skinny jeans, a loose fit tee, flat sandals, and a light scarf to cover my bare arms. I love how the girl on my tee-shirt has such a sassy smirk on her face. I accented the colorful floral in the shirt with my floral bangles, ring, and floral details on my scarf. My sassy girl sure loves flowers.

As I lay down on my blanket, the smell of weed drifted through the air. I stared up into the sky and waited for the stars to appear while beautiful music bathed my subconscious.


Zara tee (similar) / Silence & Noise jeans (similar) / Franco Sarto sandals (similar) / old scarf (similar) / old cloisonne bangles (similar) / Forever21 ring (similar)

Poolside Polka Dot

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When it comes to styling the perfect outfit, I often freestyle it. Take the bathing suit for example: one has to think outside the swimming pool.

Betty Grable

Even though I purchased this red and white polka dot one-piece a few seasons ago, the retro design and classic style makes it timeless. Whenever I wear it, I feel like Betty Grable, although I dare not compete with her beauty and body.

Luckily, you don’t always have to bare your bottom. A one-piece bathing suit can be worn perfectly with a pair of trousers or a skirt. I chose to wear my polka dots with a full midi skirt thrifted from Salvation Army and completed my glam poolside ensemble with summertime appropriate bangles and a flower in my hair.

Far from a belly-flop, this is one outfit too chic to do a cannonball in.

Urban Outfitters bathing suit (similar) / thrifted skirt (similar) / Me Too shoes (similar) / flower headband (similar) / bangles (similar)

Jungle Fever

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I’ve got jungle fever – and I don’t mean in the Spike Lee sense.

Although I have never been in a jungle, I have trekked through lush rain forests on several occasions. I would imagine the jungle experience to be similar, complete with the sights of gigantic oversized ferns, hot and humid temperatures, and the sounds of frogs, birds, monkeys, and other critters that inhabit such an environment.

Since I have no plans to venture into a jungle anytime soon, I will gladly settle for this amazing blouse I recently purchased on sale from H&M. As a part of their Conscious Collection, this blouse epitomizes my style in every way; it is soft, flowy, feminine, and most importantly, it has a beautiful printed design. The illustrated jungle scene is depicted as a half fantasy, half realistic utopia.

I paired the blouse with a thrifted cream pencil skirt. Since the skirt is so light in color and form-fitting, I could not tuck in my blouse as I would normally do with a pencil skirt. To remedy this problem, I simply wore the blouse untucked, and added a skinny belt to keep the outfit looking neat and polished.

I’m thirsty from all this blogging. Time for some jungle juice.


H&M blouse (similar) / thrifted skirt (similar) / Me Too heels (similar) / vintage earrings (similar) / vintage Avon necklace (similar) / vintage belt (similar)