I’ve always loved cute little floral prints, so I was thrilled to learn that they’re back this season. And when I saw this See by Chloe floral print dress hanging on the rack, I simply HAD to have it. I love the cute pink floral print over the dark blue background and I love the intricate details of the dress. It looks really simple, but it is actually VERY intricate. It is a two piece that is a one piece. The top is a button up, and the front and back part are not attached to the skirt. You can leave them hanging out if you want. But it is attached to the skirt on the side by a stripe of cloth. The skirt is high waisted with a zip at the back and frills on the edges that is simply adorable. It was designed for the front/back part of the button up top to be tucked inside it. To make things more complicated, there is also a bow attached to the skirt by two buttons at the back (that need to be unbuttoned everytime you want to get out of the skirt……..), for you to tie around the waist. The over all effect is very ladylike and very pretty.

After wearing it for a few times though I have three problems with it.

1. WHY did they have to make this dress so complicated??? Couldn’t they just include all the details in there and make it an one piece with a simple zip at the side/back? Why bother making it a two piece that is an one piece? It is SUPER tedious to put on and get out of (especially when you’re going shopping!) and frankly I don’t see the value in the extra steps. The prints are so overpowering, that it wouldn’t make a big difference if I left the front part of the button up hanging out instead of tucked into the skirt (even if it did, it wouldn’t look especially refreshing). Am I missing something here?
2. While it is hot in Hong Kong, it is still spring and can get a bit chilly. I need something extra to pair with the dress to keep me warm, except nothing I own seems to go with it really well. My black blazer is too dark with the dark blue and it looks a little like I’m going to work- except it’s not even appropriate for work with the short skirt. My pink cardigan made me feel dowdy and my yellow cardigan just didn’t seem to go. Maybe a leather jacket. Or a really long cardigan in a lighter color. Thoughts?
3. I love this dress, but sometimes the monotony of the dark print is just so overpowering that it takes away from the design and makes it look bland (especially when I also have dark hair!). I need some kind of a twist to keep it chic. Something edgy and unexpected like the floral outfits below from the Net-a-Porter magazine, where they pair floral with a solid long cardigan/belt, or clash it with stripe prints and a structured blazer. Except this dress just seems to refuse modernization. I’ve tried putting a long sleeved striped tee or a frilly white shirt underneath to no avail. Putting somethig over it doesn’t seem to work. The only thing I can think of is to replace the floral print waist bow with a wide white belt to break up the monotony of the floral prints. Or I can just wear it with my hair up, and a white neckalce so it’s not so dark. Any suggestions?

Image Source: See by Chloe and Net a Porter

When I was a little girl, my mom would buy me mini crossed-shoulder messenger bags to carry, because kids could not be trusted to hold onto their purses and not lose it within 5 minutes. Since then, I’ve stayed clear of mini messenger bags, because I thought it was proportionally awkward for adults to carry small bags in such a manner and they reminded me of townies/tourists.

But then last year, I noticed one of my friends carrying a very classic brown mini messenger bag across her shoulders, and somehow it looked really good on her- in that charming old school kind of way, which unexpectedly juxtaposed really well with her chic outfits. As always when I first notice something, it then started to appear everywhere. Shopbop now has a whole section devoted to crossed-shoulder messenger bags.

The other day, even my friend mentioned to me that she wanted a small crossed-shoulder bag to go partying with, so that she wouldn’t have to worry about her purse while she’s dancing. She was envisioning a small Chanel flap bag, but since it was out of her price range (and it was for clubbing), she wanted to find something cheaper to achieve the same effect. I think these two edgy bags above from Shopbop is an excellent alternative.

I’ve often wondered why my mom has so many mini crossed-shoulder messenger Vuitton bags from back in the days. Maybe she had something going on there after all. The trick to not look like a townie or a tourist is to wear these bags with an understated effortlessly chic outfit. Don’t over accessorize, you don’t want to look like you are trying too hard. Admittedly, this look is very hard to achieve. So double check yourself in the mirror before you go out!

Image Source: Shopbop

Lately I can’t seem to get this image of a slouchy but structured, high-waisted pair of pants out of my mind, even though I can’t pinpoint where the idea came from.

My image looks a little like this (left) from the SS10 Stella McCartney runway. In fact, they both give off the same sophisticated, effortlessly chic vibe. The long jacket, tucked in shirt and light-colored heels with these pants are definitely a good match! Especially the light colored heels. Darker colors/flats would make you look short and stumpy, given the awkward ankle length of the pants. After much research, I finally figured out what they’re called- pleated pants. It is the extra pleats on the pants that gives the hip part the oomph that gives you extra wiggle room and accentuates your figure.

I tried on a beautiful pair the other day from Dries Van Noten, though they were a bit large for me even at size 2 (maybe the design runs big?). Regardless, it was out of my price range anyway. Luckily, I found a similar pair surprisingly from Elie Tahari (above). “Surprising” because I usually associate ET with more sophisticated work clothes- but I suppose these do qualify? They’re perfect, and I’m super tempted to put in my order. My only dilema is whether to get 0 or 2!

Another pair I have my eye on, are these ones from Zara (I’m almost 90% sure that these pants (right) corresponds with the ones from the catalog (left)). Though does anyone else think that this color reminds them of the safari? I suppose I can go and try them on and see where it goes from there!

Image Source: Shopbop, Zara and Style.com

When HG first blogged about the Proenza Schouler PS2 bag, I loved it. It reminded me of the messenger bags I used to favor in high school when I thought I was too cool for back packs (though I did revert back once I realized that my shoulders were killing me!).  Of course, my messenger bags weren’t quite so well made and effortlessly chic as the PS2.

But alas, I fear that now I’m too old for school and that this bag is too cool for work. I’d only be able to wear it casually, when I am channeling the casual college girl look.

As if reading my mind, Miu Miu recently came up with a similar bag to the PS2 that is perfect for work. The shape is just right to fit in documents, and the style is elegantly structured and simply embellished to match the whole professional look. When you feel like looking casually cool, you can release the straps and go for it. I admit, the effortlessly cool factor is compromised in this design, but they make up for it with ladylike sophistication. It comes in many colors. Besides the white, I’m actually loving the blue. I can’t find it online, but it’s a bit like this color. Definitely not the most easy to match color, but somehow the odd shade of blue speaks to me.

Image Source: Net a Porter