Tag Archives: winter fashion

The Velvet Touch

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I’m wearing velvet and I’m feeling myself.

Shiny, gold, and glittery for the holidays is so basic, and I’ve certainly been there, done that. Since I’ve become more subdued lately with my sartorial choices, this year I’m opting for something with less luster but will still hit all the feels – call it the velvet touch.

You know the warm and fuzzy feeling of oh so plush velvet. The soft pile – or as I like to refer to as “fur” – is the distinguishing characteristic of this luxurious material. Velvet is subdued and alluring – dull from one angle until a simple brush of the hand makes the fabric shine with a gentle sheen that is unparalleled even by sequins or gold lamé. It’s a classy flashy, not a trashy flashy.

vintage dress (similar here here & here) | vintage Monet necklace (similar) | Nine West pumps (similar)

The earliest form of velvet may be as old as the B.C. days (what’s that?), and during the Renaissance era it was a luxury fabric that only the wealthy could afford. The 1920s use of the material was donned by flappers in dresses and turbans, while the 1980s and 1990s were crushing it with shoulder pads and crushed velvet.

Renaissance – The Other Boleyn Girl
1920s The Great Gatsby
1989 Azzedine Alaïa Runway
1987 Princes Diana

There’s a certain 80s feel to this dress but I don’t mind it. The jewel-toned garnet color offers a sophisticated muted alternative to the usual cheery holly berry red. I love me a long-sleeved dress, and the sheer fabric offers a textural contrast to the sumptuous velvet – not to mention hides my goosebumps in this frigid winter air. If there ever was a dress in my closet more suited for a winter formal, this would be it.

There’s no time like the present, especially one that’s wrapped up and gifted in a bow with a dash of sexy back.

Perfunctory Plaid

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What kind of plaid are you?

vintage coat (similar here & here) | vintage vest | vintage blouse (similar) | Levis jeans (similar) | J. Crew boots (similar) | vintage Dooney & Bourke purse (similar)

Tartan – Michael Kors Fall 2018/Winter 2019
Windowpane – Gabriela Hearst Spring 2018
Buffalo Check – Carven Fall 2018
Glen Plaid – Fendi Resort 2018
Madras – Thom Browne Resort 2018
Gingham – Balenciaga Spring 2018
Houndstooth – Balenciaga Fall 2018

The defining characteristic of a plaid pattern is a crisscrossing vertical and horizontal striped design. A perfectly perfunctory definition at best, plaid can come in many forms, be it gingham, tartan, windowpane, or Glen, just to name a few. And although I would say it’s hardly a pattern that dominates my closet, my blog posts over the years beg to differ.

Mar. 2013: Windowpane
Dec. 2013: Preppy Plaid n’ Pleats
Jan. 2014: The Mystery in the Woods
Feb. 2014: Textural Context
Oct. 2014: Illulstrious Luster
Apr. 2015: Burlap Gingham Girl
Aug. 2015: Picnic Chic
Oct. 2015: Girl in the Hood

 Plaid through the years: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

To avoid a queasy throw up of mad plaid disease, an easy way to wear plaid on plaid (or any other pattern on pattern) is to stick with similar hues. The warm earth tones of this 70s vibes coat keep me cozy, while a peekaboo of my blouse’s plaid pussy bow in similar colors offers some double plaid action without clashing. A magnificent vine leaf covered wall in an autumn ombre provides the perfect foliage backdrop that happens just once a year.

Houndstooth, buffalo check, or Madras? I’m a pretty plaid, I might add.

Ultraviolet Vibes

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I’ve been feeling pretty invisible on the blogosphere lately, and I blame it on the new year. I guess that’s one thing I have in common with the Pantone color of the year, ultraviolet.

Let’s make things clear, she’s not your basic purple. Ultraviolet is way beyond the “V” in Roy G. Biv. Our girl UV is off the visible spectrum, a radiation with a wavelength shorter than visible light. Shorter wavelengths, means, in short, that she’s invisible. So if you’ve ever wanted to be visible and invisible at the same time, now’s your chance.

My UV rays simply radiate in this bold jewel-toned hue that penetrates the winter’s cool cloudy days. This vintage St. John sweater offers just the right amount of texture that pops against a neutral color backdrop of camel, navy, and a splash of leopard print. For a regal pairing, I accessorized with collars galore – a gold-toned collar necklace and the softest of fur collars to adorn my neck. Here I am, clearly visible in invisible light.

This ultraviolet is ultra chic, no SPF needed.

vintage St. John sweater (similar here & here) | vintage trousers (similar) | Urban Outfitters pumps (similar) | vintage coat (similar) | vintage necklace (similar)

 

White Christmas

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IMG_9611I’m dreaming of a chic Christmas.

Chic Vic is officially back, just in time to usher in a change in seasons. Winter has arrived, bringing with it cold days and even chillier nights. The drop in temperature alone gives me goosebumps and all the more reason to be a homebody. But for all you social butterflies out there, it’s also time for family get togethers, friendship gifts exchanges, and all around excuses to have holiday parties with a mug of hot spiced cider to warm the soul and keep your fingers toasty.

No matter what the occasion, there’s only one color palette that will do you right. From lush creams to winter whites as pure as the driven snow, here are a couple of cozy items under $100 to pick up for yourself or a loved one as you finish last minute gift shopping. You’ll look like an angel on Santa’s nice list in no time.

And may all your Christmases be white.

1. STOLE / 2. EARMUFFS / 3. CABLE TIGHTS / 4. SWEATER / 5. DRESS / 6. GLOVES / 7. SCARF / 8. BEANIE / 9. COAT

White Christmas

Luxe Leopard Lady

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The cat’s out of the bag: I’m not really a pet person.

The only pets I had growing up were confined to tanks, so I don’t have much affinity towards furry four legged creatures. Sure they’re cute, and I may even pet one, but I can’t handle the responsibility of taking care of one. There’s a reason why dogs are a man’s best friend – after all, they owe it to their masters who feed them, bathe them, walk them, and pick up their poop. But what about cats? Cats don’t need to be walked or bathed, you say? And they take care of their biz in a litter box all by themselves?

Although I do have a preference for a cat’s independent nature, don’t call me a crazy cat lady just yet. Dare to be untamed? Kittens are child’s play; only the chicest of fashion bloggers take a walk on the wild side to hang with the big cats. There’s more than one way to skin a cat, so call me luxe leopard lady. As long as I don’t materialize into a cougar somewhere down the road.

This faux fur leopard print coat is definitely a statement piece so the only other statement I’m making are with a pair of green tights. The coat is surprisingly warm for being faux fur, and I wore a chunky sweater dress to keep things cozy. This fine feline’s outfit is the cat’s meow and is sure to inspire copycats, fuel catty remarks, and maybe provoke some catcalls.

Nevermind the lion, this leopard is clearly the queen of the concrete jungle.

leopard coat (similar) / vintage sweater dress (similar) / vintage necklace (similar) / Target tights (similar) / BDG suede boots (similar) / vintage watch cuff (similar)

Leopard

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