I Want You Back

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Victoria

This Valentine’s Day, I want you back. Oh, and I brought sexy back too.

My first infatuation with a boy crush was brief. He was in a band, and I fell in love with him upon watching his debut video on MTV. I’ll never forget his frosted permed hair and the way he moved was so in synch. Like all teenage love, I was only hooked for the first album, then broke up after the summer. That is, until he brought sexy back.

Whether you have been on the receiving end of a break up, or were the one doing the heartbreaking, I’m sure we can all agree that relationships are complicated. Break ups can mean good riddance to a coupling that was doomed from the start. But sometimes all you need is a little bit of time away to make you say I want you back, even if it might be as fleeting as a fashion trend. Like star crossed lovers, some trends you part with are gone forever, while others return years later, manifested in a different form. That’s what the backwards trend is all about.

This trend emerged from street style fashionistas last autumn, raising a few eyebrows while being hailed as the latest fashion must try. Is this fashion forward thinking backward?

Luckily, this is a no-strings-attached one-night-stand type of trend that’s easy to try because it doesn’t require investing in a new must have item. Ladies, just look in your closet. I’m sure you have a button down lurking in there behind all your shoes and emotional baggage.

And just like how I’ve heard single girlfriends describe the guys from the dating scene, I’m not sure how I feel about this fashion trend. It’s a little uncomfortable and impractical but the unconventionality of it makes it so exciting and unlike any outfit I’ve ever worn before. It doesn’t quite fit well, but I’m having fun with it, so why not see where it goes?

mini hat (similar) | vintage blouse (similar) | vintage belt (similar) | Express silk shorts (similar) | fishnets (similar) | Enzo Angiolni pumps (similar) vintage clutch (similar) | Victoria’s Secret balconette (similar)

Save for the rouge painted upon my puckered lips, I ditched the cliché red and pink color palette and opted for my favorite vintage sheer blouse in an outfit of classic black that proves to be just as cunning. When one dons a backwards blouse, one has to accessorize accordingly – wearing a necklace backwards or adding a vintage sweater clip as I did draws attention to the sultry open back. The sheer fabric hints at a lacy brassier underneath for eyes to see, while the palpable silk shorts and fishnets create a sensual stimulation to roaming fingertips. If that doesn’t tickle his fancy, well, I’ve got a feather on my mini hat that’ll do the job.

Whether it’s to get your ex back, to entice the person you’ve been admiring, or simply to spice up a longstanding relationship, it’s time to leave the cleave and bring sexy back.

Happy Valentine’s Day loves!

mini hat (similar) | vintage blouse (similar) | vintage belt (similar) | Express silk shorts (similar) | fishnets (similar) | Enzo Angiolni pumps (similar) vintage clutch (similar) | Victoria’s Secret balconette (similar)

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)

Brrr for Fur

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Victoria

Everyone is all about sequins and glitter every New Year’s Eve. To these gals I ask, isn’t it a bit nippy for that skimpy number?

In search of an alternative way to be stylish while not sacrificing frozen nips, I looked no further than to our furry friends. Brrr for fur!

It’s hard to wear this faux fur leopard coat without feeling just slightly posh, even it is synthetic. There’s something about a fur coat that makes it too fancy for the everyday. But NYE is the perfect time for this type of fancy. Heck, if you don’t wear anything else, at least wear a fur coat. And if you don’t own one, check out my picks for under $100:

1 / 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7 / 8/ 9

fur

To get it ready for a night out on the town, I fancied it up with a statement feather brooch I salvaged from my Mardi Gras mask in a post from a while back. If it’s large enough to merit having its own float at the Carnival parade, then it’s perfect for NYE – even if I might have to ruffle a few feathers.

I won’t be taking this fur coat-dress off tonight, because baby, it’s cold outside, and I have nothing on underneath.

See you in 2016!

Girl in the Hood

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Victoria

Although I was born and raised in the inner city that rhymes with smokin’, there’s nothing hood about me even if I tried – save for this hooded leather jacket.

After successfully selling some of my unwanteds at Buffalo Exchange one day, I did my usual post selling song and dance on the sales floor. Not wanting to spend more than what I had earned in trade-in credit, I had to make an important, yet impulsive decision. Would you believe I chose this jacket over an equally amazing vintage 1940s beaded cardigan? Sometimes, even this vintage lady needs to let her hair down and embrace the modern.

The hooded bomber-esque style is more youthful than most things I have in my closet, which is a refreshing change from my usual feminine, dressy, and sometimes “old-lady” style preferences. I like that it adds a hint of laid back casual cool to my wardrobe.

With an equally fall appropriate plaid shirt and mahogany brown wedge sandals to match, I am ready for warm sunny days and brisk evenings – typical of autumn weather in the Bay Area. The leather hood doesn’t give me much street credibility, especially when it feels like I’m channeling the flying nun.

You can take a girl out of the hood, but you can’t take the hood out of a girl. Or off her.

vintage leather jacket (similar) / vintage plaid blouse (similar) / vintage Natural Comfort wedges (similar) / Gap skinny jeans (similar) / Urban Outfitters sunglasses (similar) / compass pendant necklace (similar)

One, Two, Three

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Victoria

Chic Vic turns three today, and all I’ve got to wear is my literal NSFW birthday suit.

It’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed since I started this humble old blog. I remember the days when I would be brimming with ideas, but never had enough hours in the day to post more than once a week. Yet for every burst of inspiration, I’ve also experienced long periods of writer’s block, where there is a stagnation of creativity. As much as I may have infinite style, the outfits I post to the blog aren’t meaningful to me unless they are accompanied by the perfect prose. It’s something I always strive for, but sometimes perfection can be a killjoy.

While I have never before properly identified myself as a “writer” as I do a stylist, maybe it’s time to reinvent the wheel. I like to think that I inspire readers with not only my pictures, but also with my words – be it something that makes you laugh, entertains you, inspires you, or have you rethink what it means to harness your own sense of style.

To fellow bloggers, I ask, how do you maintain your blogging momentum?

To the readers I say, thank you for following me, whether from day one or just now.

With the help of some of my favorite past outfits, here’s cheers to three years!

Day 12

Dirty Flirty Birthday

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Victoria

When I was 17, I did what people told me. Did what my father said, and let my mother mold me. But now I’m in control ’cause I’m all growns up.

Today marks a milestone birthday. As I reflect on turning the dreaded “dirty,” I must give thanks to two of the most important people in my life: my mom and dad. They are the reason that the world is graced by my wonderful presence. It was their unspoken love, support, discipline, and sacrifice that has helped shaped me into the woman I am today.

It only felt natural to dedicate this birthday post to them by literally clothing myself in their clothes. These unwanted items were collected from their closets over the years. I bet they never foresaw their daughter to have such a keen interest in “old” clothes – the concept of vintage still falls on their deaf ears. I can only imagine how my mom used to wear this blouse and purse while toting my siblings and me around. Or my dad who only wears ties when attending a wedding and always dons a sweater vest under his shirts because he gets cold easily.

The similarly striped tie and blouse look as though they were made for each other. The direction of stripes going every which way makes the combination even more charming and keeps it from looking too intentional. My dad never saw the need to teach me how to tie a full Windsor knot, but I learned anyhow thanks to YouTube. I added gold toned and pearl accents for a touch of femininity to the balance out the “old man” sweater.

I can count on my mom to embrace me with a hug and my dad to bestow some words of wisdom on this day. No matter how many birthdays come and go, I will always be their little girl in their eyes who still has a lifetime of learning to do.

What can I say? I get it from my mama (and papa).

Dirty Flirty Birthday

dad’s vintage sweater cardigan (similar men’s cardigan & women’s cardigan) / dad’s vintage tie (similar tie) / mom’s vintage blouse (similar blouse & blouse) / mom’s vintage Mervyn’s purse (similar purse) / Cooperative trouser skinnies (similar pants) / Pour La Victoire pumps (similar pumps) / vintage belt (similar belt) / vintage sweater clip (similar) / vintage earrings (similar earrings) / Express brooch (similar brooch)