Tag Archives: style

Textural Context

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Look first, and then touch.

It’s finally been cold enough for me to wear my beloved woolens that have been in hibernation all season. Time to work my pattern play magic – winter edition.

All of the elements in this outfit are great stand-alone pieces that beg for individual attention. You would think they clash together, but instead they actually cozy up quite well. This is thanks to the color palette of blues, grays, browns, and creams – all of which are neutrals and will always be in each other’s good company. The plaid print of this 1980s pleated skirt and the blazer’s checkerboard weave are both classic patterns that work together in sophisticated harmony.

To lighten up this winter woolen look, I opted for a lovely chiffon blouse. It adds an effortless airy touch to the outfit, and the Swiss dot pattern takes the sheer factor from humdrum to noteworthy. As much as I love pattern and texture, sometimes there is a need for solids. My solid opaque tights and cream beret add some balance to the otherwise texture rich outfit. Baby it’s cold outside, so why not layer on the hosiery? I chose to wear a lacy pair of ankle socks over my tights cause I’ve got fancy feet.

The resulting look is one that is visually stimulating and makes the eyes travel from head to toe. Whether it is the pleated wool, the woven checkerboard, or the textured chiffon, I bet this is one outfit you can’t keep your hands off of. What can I say? I’m easy on the eyes and oh so tactile, not to mention lovable too.

Feb. 2014: Textural Context

Urban Outfitters beret (similar) / Orofino blazer (similar) / Daniel Rainn blouse (similar) / vintage skirt (similar here & here) / lace ankle socks (similar) / Guess platform pumps (similar)

A Horse is a Horse, of Course, of Course

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Quality time with family, endless eating, exchange of sweets and delectable treats, and envelopes of money? All this can only mean one thing: Lunar New Year.

For those of you unfamiliar with this holiday, it is one of the most important Chinese celebrations, lasting 15 days. Each year is based on a 12-year cycle of the Chinese animal zodiac and 2014 is the year of the horse. Those born under this sign are energetic, independent, great communicators, and love to be in a crowd. Can I get a neigh?

There are a myriad of superstitious traditions that one must perform in preparation for and during the New Year. Homes are decorated with flowers and Chinese calligraphy posters. You must clean your house, get rid of stuff, cut your hair, and shower one last time before New Year’s Day. This is to ensure you get rid of bad luck that you’ve accumulated during the year by literally sweeping it out of the house. In contrast, on actual New Year’s Day, you don’t do any of those things, for fear of getting rid of good luck. The next 15 days generally involve a lot of family time; such paying visits to your relative’s homes, bearing gifts of fruits and treats. Married couples will give their unwed and usually younger family members red envelopes of money. It literally pays to be single – all the single ladies now put your hands up!

There is no horsing around when it comes to ringing in the New Year in style. It is customary to wear new clothes, as they symbolize a new beginning. Avoid wearing black, and instead choose red. Red is highly regarded as a lucky color, and is believed to ward off bad fortune. Add a dash of gold and you’re golden for the New Year.

Here’s to wishing you a wonderful and prosperous Year of the Horse – the animal that puts the “hay” in Gung Haaaaay Fat Choy!

Year of the Horse

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)

Do the American Hustle

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Fur. Sequins. Disco. If 2013 was the year of the 1920s, then 2014 is the year of the 1970s.

I recently hit the theaters and caught up with the con men of American Hustle. I had a vague idea of what this movie was about, but I wasn’t prepared to be dazzled by the skills of costume designer Michael Wilkinson. Never before have con men looked so sexy and I have definitely fallen for their swindling ways simply due to their well-dressed appearance.

The movie has changed my views on 1970s fashion, as I became entranced by the clothing and hairstyles of the female lead characters, Sydney (Amy Adams) and Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence). Both ladies are foxy in their own right, and Wilkinson’s genius styling of vintage and contemporary pieces is simply a feast for the eyes. It allows the audience to visually understand the how the characters are polar opposites. While they do not represent the entire spectrum of 1970s fashion, they certainly depict the essence of swanky disco trends in NYC during that decade.

In one corner, there is Sydney, with her long wavy hair, wrap dresses, and plunging necklines; she portrays a sexy, confident, and powerful con woman. In the other corner, there is Rosalyn, with loose curls piled high on top of her head and body-hugging jersey dresses – she represents the bored suburban housewife.

I was less sold on the men in the movie – who likes a balding Christian Bale with a protruding belly anyway? I also prefer Bradley Cooper sans curls. I’m not a fan of the unbuttoned dress shirts and exposed chest hair on a man – to each their own, I suppose. Despite my general dislike of pointy dress shirt collars and wide lapels, I do however appreciate the silk ascot ties donned by both Bale and Cooper.

Pros and cons of American Hustle? There are many pros in this movie: the fashion, the acting, the plot, and the con men of course. At one point I was confused about who was conning whom. As for the cons…well, there are none, except for the con men.

Rosalyn vs. Sydney

Viva la Chic Vic

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I recently headed south of the border in favor of a Feliz Navidad with warmer temperatures. Hablas inglés?

My first stop: Mexico City. Speaking not a lick of Spanish besides “hola” and “gracias” can only get you so far. Despite what people assured me, “I’m sure they speak English there” – I can tell you they did not!

I filled my tummy with corn tortillas, carnitas, bistek, queso, and I couldn’t get enough of tamarindo anything (whether it was a beverage, candy, or even in popsicle form). I had all the time in the world to explore the far corners of the city but what I underestimated was my stamina to do so each day. I walked for miles and miles through streets, passing though the different colorful neighborhoods that make Mexico City so interesting. Whether it was getting sandwiched on the subway with the locals, exploring the tons of museums the city had to offer (they boast the most in the world!) or climbing up the ancient steps of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacán on Christmas Day, Mexico City is a place I won’t soon forget. Just as I was getting accustomed to my surroundings, it was time to vamos onto my final destination: Puerto Vallarta.

Quite the contrary to exploring the concrete jungle of metropolitan Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta was a beachy paradise teeming with tourists mainly from the US, Canada, and Mexico. People spoke English, things were pricier, and the availability of “real” Mexican food became scarce. Since I’m not much of a beach bum, I got off my bum and got active. By land, sea, and air, I experienced being a tourist by ambling about the cobblestoned city streets, snorkeling in the ocean with raindrops falling on my head, and soaring above the canopy of trees like an eagle on the longest and fastest zip line in Mexico. I cannot say which activity was my most favorite; they were all exhilarating experiences I would do again in a heartbeat.

Never one to stop shopping for all things fashionable, I picked up a few wearable souvenirs along the way. I cannot wait to share them with you; stay tuned for them in future posts.

As for what I wore in Mexico? De colores, de colores!


Jones NY cardigan (similar) / Zara tee (similar) / Urban Outfitters shorts (similar) / Franco Sarto sandals (similar) / Anne Klein purse (similar) / fedora (similar) / beaded necklaces (similar)

As Time Goes By

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To quote some of my favorite men: It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.

As we are on the cusp of a new year, one cannot help but reminisce on the memories made in 2013. It will be hard to top the outfits of this past year, and though I love them all, here are my top ten faves. I look forward to stretching my creative styling for the New Year; what would you like to see more of from Chic Vic?

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, and goodbye to 2013 cause tonight we’re gonna party like it’s 2014!

Jan: You Can Toucan
Mar: Green with Envy
Apr: Flower Power Suit Part 2 – Pattern Play
May: Dressed to a Tee
Nov: Day of the Dead
Nov: A New Look
Dec. 2013: Preppy Plaid n’ Pleats
Dec: The Great Cape Her

January: You Can Toucan
March: Green with Envy
April: The (flower) Power Suit Part 2: Pattern Play
May: Dressed to a Tee
August: Chevron for Velma
August: Birds of Paradise
November: A New Look (give thanks)
November: Day of the Dead
December: The Great Cape Her
December: Style 101: Preppy Plaid n’ Pleats

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

Art Deco the Halls

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I can’t seem to get enough of the fashion, the booze, the dancing and the parties that classified the Jazz Era. But while I have my Gatsby outfit all ready to go for my holiday party, I still need to get decked out in some fa la la la la la la la la – in the form of Art Deco jewelry.

Art Deco has its roots in the 1920s and influenced everything from interior design and architecture, to decorative arts, and even jewelry. The main characteristics of Art Deco are the use of geometry, symmetry, ornamentation, and rich colors.

On my wish list from Chloe and Isabel is a little bit of everything: drop earrings, a cocktail ring, a statement necklace, and a stunning bracelet. If you’re not into rockin’ the rhinestones, at bare minimum, you should have some blingin’ barrettes in your perfectly coiffed bob.

Tis’ the season of giving, receiving, and everything in between. If Santa is reading this, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t expect a little surprise in my stocking this year, and it better be shiny.

Art Deco the Halls

Plus None

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In the days leading up to Christmas, you can bet that water cooler chats across the nation will consist of one topic only: the office holiday party. This prompts a multitude of questions: Are you going? What are you wearing? Who are you bringing?

For the youngins out there, this is the working adult’s version of a winter formal. Unfortunately I won’t be a plus one to any holiday parties this year – nobody asked Chic Vic to be a date! On the plus side, my company’s throwing a Gatsby themed party – and I already know what I’ll be wearing.

In case you don’t have a 1920s holiday party to attend yourself, you can still bring out all the glitzy, shimmery, shiny, and fancy things you’ve neglected in your closet all year. If a pine tree can be decked out in lights and tinsel, why can’t you? Whether you choose a dress or opt for pants, just make sure you don’t let that tree outshine you.

A Holiday Affair

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)