Black and White

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” – Yves Saint Laurent

YSL couldn’t have said it any better. There is a lot of gray area (50 shades, to be exact) with regards to what is fashionable and what is not. But whether or not you have style is very black and white: you either have it or you don’t. Especially when it comes to wearing black and white.

If you’ve been a long time follower of mine, you will know that I am a huge fan of color and a lover of prints and rich textures. Not everyone can mix and match as I do, but even Chic Vic has her days. I can’t tell you how often I’ve wasted time staring into the depths of my closet just to pick out the right shoe or scarf to match my outfit.

So when I went to my friends at Lalakitty seeking an item to borrow for my next outfit post (readers: use code CHICVIC20 for 20% off your order!), I naturally wanted to pick a floral frock. Instead, one of the co-owners excitedly pulled this white number from the racks. “Try this! It’s much cuter when worn,” she said enthusiastically. I was skeptical, as it was outside the realm of my signature style. It wasn’t colorful or printed, and lacked the soft feminine element I usually preferred. For precisely these reasons: challenge accepted.

Occasionally I like to step out of my vintage bubble and join my friends in the 21st century of fashion, and this tee shirt in faux patent leather was the perfect fit. The cropped and boxy silhouette begs to be worn with something high waisted and slim on the bottom. Instead of wearing it with my usual pair of high-rise skinny jeans or vintage pencil skirt, I reached for my black jogger pants.

Naya Leather Box Top / Urban Outfitters joggers (similar jogger pant and jogger pant) / Enzo Angiolini pumps (similar pumps) / Giannini clutch (similar clutch)

The jogger pant trend has been around since last fall, and up until recently, I had paid it no mind. Remember when everyone and their mom started to wear yoga pants to the café, the mall, the bars – basically everywhere outside the yoga studio? The jogger pant now follows suit.

But these are far from the usual sweatpants you were forced to wear for P.E. classes in junior high. Jogger pants these days come in a plethora of fabrications to make them oh so lux – whether it’s faux leather, silk, denim, or plain old sweatshirt material, the jogger pant is the answer for the girl who wants to look stylish and relaxed, with a hint of urban cool.

To avoid looking like you’re actually going for a jog, try pairing the pants with heels. The result is a perfect juxtaposition of feminine dressy with relaxed comfy. Keep it simple on top with a cropped tank or even a soft cotton tee tucked in for a high waisted jogger pant look.

It don’t matter if you wear black or white, this is one look you won’t want to break a sweat in.

The Jogger Pant

Cropped Tops & Jogger Pants

Mom Jeanetics

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)

April Showers Bring May Flowers

This would be true if it were not for the drought that is plaguing my beautiful state of California. Oh rain, why does thou not have California love?

Despite the lack of rain, flowers are still a bloomin’. This means that spring is in full swing, as well as seasonal allergies. Gesundheit!

But before you reach for the Claritin, let me give you some clarity: you can still enjoy flowers without stuffy sinuses, itchy watery eyes, and sneezing. Just like allergies, floral prints return season after season.

Be it a floaty floral top, slacks with an allover floral print, or daisy studs in your ears, there are many ways to incorporate flora into your style repertoire, and Chic Vic is here to help.

How, you ask? Well, I’m excited to to announce that I’ve launched an online personal styling business with Keaton Row. This is a free online styling service for clients with free shipping and returns from your favorite retailers such as Nordstroms, ASOS, and ShopBop. Enough of the flowery speech, check my profile and floral lookbook.

Soon, instead of reciting “he loves me, he loves me not” while plucking flower petals, you’ll be asking yourself “should I buy, or should I not?”

Floral Fantasy

Floral Tops

Fancy Pants
Floral Bottoms

Floral Finishes
Floral Accents

2 Legit Knits

I was saving this outfit for a rainy day but did not think that day would come so soon. Dress, tights, and boots – a combination I miss like the deserts miss the rain. So I must do like the dry Californian soil and drink up the wet weather opportunity while it is here.

This awesome 80s lacy eyelet nubby knit dress was another great find from Buffalo Exchange. The body-hugging silhouette combined with the light ivory color makes it possible to see everything going on underneath. I also had to worry about the short hemline. My simple solution: a pair of sweater tights. There’s nothing that a pair of knit tights or opaque leggings can’t fix, especially with short hemlines. The result is a knit on knit combination that is perfectly cozy and makes the outfit appropriate even for work. And that’s legit.

My warm and comfy ensemble wouldn’t be complete without a cozy jacket, so I reached for my canvas parka.  Although real shearling is warmest, this Sherpa lined collar will do just fine – plus, no sheep were harmed in the making of this coat. You can’t say baaaah humbug to that!

And that, my friends, is how you make a splash into the rainy days of spring.


Camaieu parka (similar parka) / vintage dress (similar dress) / Urban Outfitters tights (similar tights) / vintage boots (similar boots) / Urban Outfitters necklace (similar necklace) / Urban Outfitters watch (similar watch) / vintage belt (similar belt)

 

Winter: That’s a Wrap!

I know it’s officially the first day of spring, but I am finding it difficult to part ways with winter, especially since we barely had one in California. As a fashionista with a coat obsession, this was the ultimate curse. So many coats, jackets, and sweaters untouched this season! Winter, this is my last ode to you.

The mild California winter allowed me to wear my mid-weight items without feeling frigid, such as this poncho. The perfect length for my petite frame, this poncho was a souvenir purchase from my trip to Mexico last December. The taupe hue and allover geometric pattern made it a fast staple in my closet.

Inspired to go for a tribal look, I tried a head wrap on a whim. My only practice was in the reflection of my car window right before the photoshoot. Please excuse my elementary attempt, as there is no method to the madness going on atop my head. This green scarf is a souvenir from my trip to Peru a couple of years ago. Both the scarf and poncho hold a special place in my heart and in my closet, as they were both lovingly curated from my world travels.

What do you think of the head wrap? Chic Vic or not?

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, and goodbye to winter. And that’s a (head) wrap!

Peruvian scarf (similar scarf) / Mexican poncho / 5733 graphic tee (similar graphic tee) / BDG jeans (similar jeans) / Vintage Cobbie Cuddler boots (similar boots) / Daiso sunglasses (similar sunglasses)

Lucky in Gold and Green

This 1960s golden brocade shift dress was my lucky find at the end of the rainbow. The A-line silhouette is most flattering and the long sleeves help balance out the short flared hemline. My favorite detail is the button on the back. It provides an unexpected surprise for when heads turn to watch as I walk away. I’m cute as a button, quite literally.

To prevent me from looking too washed out in light gold from head to toe, I opted for a pop of color in a bright tight. Ruby red, midnight blue, or plum purple? Any jewel-toned hue will do, but my choice is emerald green, perfect for St. Patty’s Day.

Although the dress is plain in style, the brocade fabric is what elevates it. Brocade is a fabric woven on a loom, typically with multicolored silk threads. To identify brocade, check both sides of the fabric: the topside should look like embroidery throughout while the underside has layers of thread. For these reasons, brocade was a luxury fabric worn by nobility since way back in the Middle Ages. No wonder I feel royal in this dress, even though it don’t run in my blood.

To finish the royal look, I must adorn myself with baubles fit for a queen. Jewels on my ears and an emerald stone on my finger – how do you do? How about a gold blingy brooch with a bangle to match? Your royal highness requests it. Only the finest shoes will do for my regal feet; these velvet rhinestoned beauties simply beg me to kick up their heels in song and Riverdance.

Cute as a button in my noble gold dress and lean green legs, don’t you dare pinch me. Unless you want to be pinched back tenfold.


thrifted jacket (similar jacket & jacket) / vintage dress (similar dress & dress) / Xhilaration tights (similar tights) / Poetic License shoes (similar shoes) / vintage Dooney & Bourke purse (similar purse) / vintage brooch (similar brooch) / vintage bangle (similar bangle) / vintage ring (similar ring)

Fat Fashion Tuesday

Ah, Mardi Gras! Tis the time for eating richly, drinking heavily, dancing crazily, and all around non-stop partying as a way to celebrate before starting the solemn days of Lent. Although I am not religious and haven’t had the opportunity to participate in Mardi Gras New Orleans style, it doesn’t mean I can’t dress to impress for the occasion.

In order to look the part, one must wear the official Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold. To get away with all the vices committed on this day, a mask is the absolute needed accessory – the more elaborate, the better. I chose a sequined out mask complete with a burst of feathers that completely hides one side of my face. I feel a bit like Phantom of the Opera – I’m ready to run amok and paint the town red.

I’m not about to flash strangers just to collect some plastic beads I’ll never wear again, so I’ve decided to furnish my own. I love this 1960s multi-strand necklace in varying shades of green, from Kelly to emerald and everything in between. I even threw in a multi-strand pearl and chain necklace to mix it up and incorporate some gold into my outfit. And who says the beads have to be in necklace form? You may recognize this beaded number from my Gatsby days. This time I decided to wear it backwards and unzipped as a vest cardigan. The dangling beads and sequins on the vest cause quite the stir when it rustles as I shimmy.

Now it’s time to shake what your mama gave ya and earn those covetable beads!


vintage sequin top (similar top & top) /Jones New York blouse (similar blouse) / Zara jeans (similar jeans) / vintage green necklace (similar necklace) / Urban Outfitters pearl necklace (similar necklace) / Enzo Angiolini pumps (similar pumps)

Dirty Flirty Birthday

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).


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)

Fur and Leather Weather

Flu season is in full swing and thankfully I have avoided it so far. Unfortunately, I have come down with hustler fever and the only cure for it is fur and leather.

I wasn’t looking for a fur collared leather jacket to add to my wardrobe. Instead, the jacket found me. After successfully selling a few items at Buffalo Exchange, I did my usual song and dance through the racks of clothes to decide if I wanted to take the cash or store credit. That’s when I found this beauty of a jacket. It was in immaculate condition, with no broken seams, perfectly conditioned leather, and intact fur. It didn’t even have any detectable odor that usually comes with most vintage clothes. Most importantly, it fit like a glove and that was what sealed the deal.

This jacket is the ultimate show stopping statement piece and is sure to turn a few heads – fur and leather just beckons drama and attention like that. But why stop there? I pulled out all the stops to make this a surefire 1970s head to toe look, which includes a wide brimmed hat, oversized sunglasses, gold chains, and high waisted pants. Watch everyone stop, drop, and roll when I step onto the scene.

I have always been a believer that our style choices portray to the outside world our inner beauty and personality. However, the same can be said on the contrary: clothes can actually transform the way you feel. The leather jacket instantly made me feel like a confident, sexy, and powerful diva lady. I never fully understood the meaning of swag – in the style sense – until the day I put on this jacket. Do I wear the jacket or do I let it wear me? Let’s just say it’s a symbiotic relationship.

Between the fur, sunglasses, and big hat, I might as well be known as Ms. Incognito: baller and shot caller. There is no better way.

vintage Wilsons jacket (similar jacket) / Ecote blouse (similar blouse) / Uniqlo hat (similar hat) / Levis jeans (similar jeans) / Guess shoes (similar shoes) / vintage necklace (similar necklace) / Daiso sunglasses (similar sunglasses)

Be Mine, Valentine

Whether you call it Valentine’s Day or Singles Awareness Day, February 14th is soon approaching. What will you be wearing besides your heart on your sleeve?

Now before you lament on this Hallmark holiday, let us reminisce on what it meant to celebrate this love filled day as a kid. Do you like me – yes or no? Oh, the excitement of receiving candy grams and cheesy cards riddled with popular cartoon characters! When the card was from the boy I liked, I totally read it with such conviction that he meant those words only for me: “I choo choo choose you.” I have had many a Ralph Wiggum moment.

But we’re all adults here, so before the clothes come off for some brown chicken brown cow, let’s rewind. After all, there is no better way to say, “I love you” than to dress you up in my love, and then undress you. Except I’m doing the dressing myself, because I trust nobody’s styling skills except for my own. Stunning strapless frock or leave-it-to-the-imagination long sleeve shirtdress? Decisions, decisions.

So go ahead and turn to the object of your desire, for whom your pupils dilate, your palms sweat, and your heart races – and ask the all important question: Will you be my Valentine?

I Heart You