Tag Archives: modcloth

The Red Coat

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The last two years I’ve traded in celebrating the holidays with family and friends for foreign places and faces. This year I finally stayed put and indulged over home cooked feasts amidst the company of loved ones. This was also my first time in a long while participating in a Secret Santa gift exchange, and it was nice to receive a gift off my wish list. But there one thing that my Secret Santa cannot deliver, unless he’s my sugar daddy: a trip far, far away.

To where I’d like to travel come same time next year is yet to be determined. Bora bora? Morocco? Or maybe unconsciously I’d like to find myself at Buckingham Palace, facing off with a Redcoat on who wears the red coat best.

A red coat epitomizes all things holiday, joyous, and oh come all ye faithful. Some gals love handbags, others adore shoes, but my weakness lies in coats and jackets. I collect many, even though its hardly ever cold enough to merit wearing some of the knee length beauties that are collecting dust in my closet. Note to self: ask for garment bags next year.

With all the post holiday sales going on, you can easily nab yourself a fanciful red coat that won’t break the bank. I think I have scarlet fever, and the only cure for it will be another red coat to add to my bank of coats. Here are my top red coat picks for under $100.

1 ModCloth / 2 Nautica / 3 INC / 4 Calvin Klein / 5 Romwe / 6 Wallis / 7 PepaLoves
8 Ivanka Trump / 9 Anne Klein

Red Coats

I wore a holiday inspired palette to Christmas brunch and dinner last week, incorporating colors none other than red, white, and a hint of green. Gold, I am missing, but blame that on the three kings’ delayed delivery. My tracking number says they are westward leading, still proceeding to California. I scored this awesome red coat from a vintage sale during the summer, and was more than overjoyed to finally make its debut to the world. With my church hat on, I was ready for Sunday mass or even an evening of caroling. Sadly, I did neither. Should I pay a visit to my dear friend the Queen for high tea again? I hear London is quite beautiful during this time of year. This fair lady has no plans set in stone yet for December 2015 travel, but I guess I’ll just cross that London Bridge when I come to it.

It’s so hard to say cheerio to yesterday. Hats off to 2014 with this one last outfit post. Happy New Year everyone!

Baroque Brocade for the Holidays

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ModCloth blouse (similar) / vintage belt (similar) / vintage skirt (similar) / Anthropologie tights (similar) / Vince Camuto pumps (similar) / vintage fur stole (similar) / vintage clutch (similar) / vintage cuff (similar) / vintage earrings (similar)

If I could deck the halls of my home this holiday season, I would do it not with boughs of holly, but instead go broke for Baroque. On second thought, perhaps I’ll just get decked out in a budget friendly Baroque inspired outfit.
Ceiling fresco 1691-1684, Andrea Pozzo

Baroque style emerged in Europe during the 1600s. This style permeated into all art forms such as fine art, architecture, music, literature, and of course, even fashion. Baroque was all about creating excitement and drama through display of opulence and grandeur; it was a time of indulgence. I won’t get into the religious and historical details of the Baroque period, for they are just as intricate as the style itself. While Baroque manifests itself differently in each art form, in fashion it is characterized by textured fabrics, ornate embellishments, curlicues, and abundant details with ribbons, pearls, and delicate gold embroidery.

IMG_7295

It’s no joke that I have no great wealth to show off, so I decided to poke fun at Baroque’s opulence. If anything, I display an eminence of vintage and thrifty finds. I captured the essence of the Baroque style with embroidery and brocade in the shiniest of golden threads. Saving the wide long skirt and plunging décolletage revealing neckline for another day, I opted for a modern silhouette in a sleeveless blouse and slim pencil skirt.

Don’t let the shiny threads fool you – this is just pattern play: holiday edition. When mixing patterns, just follow a few rules. Pay attention to the scale of the pattern (mix big and small), fabric texture (shiny with matte), fabric weight (e.g. silk vs. velvet) and color scheme (same color family or neutral). In this outfit, I decided to go with multiple elements to create a lavish outfit brimming with drama for your momma. Despite all my Baroque details clamoring for attention, it might be the vintage fur stole that stole the show.

We finally started getting rain in our drought induced state of California, but I won’t let it rain on my Baroque brocade parade. Unless the precipitation is of the paper kind.

Happy Holidays!


ModCloth blouse (similar) / vintage belt (similar) / vintage skirt (similar) / Anthropologie tights (similar) / Vince Camuto pumps (similar) / vintage fur stole (similar) / vintage clutch (similar) / vintage cuff (similar) / vintage earrings (similar)

Baroque Brocade

Surprise, Surprise, Faux and Hide

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Things aren’t always what they seem.

From across the sales floor, this dress appeared to have a delicate lace overlay in a beautiful contrast of hunter green and pale blush pink. Yet once we met up close, I was surprised to discover that it wasn’t lace at all, but rather a lace print. This faux lace meant that it would be easy to care for because it was machine washable. No expensive dry-cleaning bills and purchased on sale, this dress was a score.

While the fit and flare silhouette of this dress is reminiscent of 1950s fashion, the length is not. The flared skirt combined with the stiff fabric make for an inappropriate flashing opportunity. I won’t be going bottoms up in this dress, unless I have a drink in my hand.

Like the faux lace, this bracelet was also deceiving. I picked it up at a vintage show, thinking it was just a pretty blingy bangle to add to my collection. Oh, but it was so much more than that: when hinged open, the rose uncovers a watch. Since it was made in the good old days, I was able to wind it up and use the watch immediately. And it just so happens to match a brooch I already had – were they part of the same set and somehow separated long ago? It was serendipity that brought them together in perfect harmony with my dress.

Whether it’s faux lace or a hidden watch, keep the surprises coming. Except for a surprise stain, which I am guilty of overlooking for the love of vintage. Don’t judge me!


Zara dress (similar) / Nina shoes / vintage brooch (similar) / vintage watch (similar)

Tribal Baubles

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Greasy sunscreen, the smell of charcoal, and the taste of burnt hot dogs. Not wanting my finest frocks to smell like barbeque, what should I wear?

I decided to go with one of my favorite tops for the summer, a vintage Leslie Fay knit. I opted out of wearing a belt at the peplum to make way for more food in my tummy, although now I have stylist’s remorse for putting my appetite before my fashion sense. To spruce up the pallid top, I added some colorful tribal jewelry collected from my past world travels. Every time I put on this necklace, I am reminded of the sights, the food, and the people of the village from where I skillfully bargained for it.

Never mind the onlookers behind me, and the smell of barbeque wafting through the air, I attempted to find my Zen in a shady spot under the trees. The hues of blue-greens in the necklace and bracelet helped calm my soul on a beautiful summer day.

If only I didn’t go for seconds, I would’ve achieved the perfect lotus pose.

Summatime