Pre-Fall

By Sybil Kot

Photos by dear mom : )

(Club Monaco top, COS skirt, Topshop boots, Massimo Dutti bracelet, Zara jackets and shades)

When everyone else is still indulging in the crazy summer sale, I made an effort to pile on layers of fall winter clothes just to impress you – yea that’s what I do, freeze in February and melt down in August – just to impress you! Jokes aside, I’ve been quite impatient myself for the weather to cool down so that I can start wearing the dressy sweatshirts, full skirt and oversized coats… So here a sneak peek for the exciting season to come! Speak soon.

Silver and bronze jungle.

Photographs by dear mom : )

(Topshop jacket, t-shirt and sunglasses, Zara skirt, Asos heels.)

This outfit is inspired by the concrete backdrop of my city. The two shades of gray make a good contrast with printed coppery skirt, and reflects the coldness of an urban landscape. The round drop shoulder jacket and the tulip shaped skirt added softness to the shape. (My odd outfit analysis is induced by an art history reading overdose, bear with me.) You might have spotted this Zara skirt from your local branch or on blogs, for me it’s a hit-and-miss because on one hand the print and the colour are so adorable. But on the other hand it’s kinda saggy and the length’s abit awkward. In case you are pondering on this, I’d say pass on this one : ( Or you may spot it later on my closet shop : P !

I have to postphone the Fall essential post because I’ll be doing a collab with Sam. That’ll be so much fun as you’ll see the wardrobe essentials of two individuals with distinctly different style. So for those who wants to see my fall essentials, one more week, I promise. Happy Monday : D

Stealing an old man’s job.

Photographs by dear mom : )

(H&M blazer and jewelry, Zara Shorts, unknown brand dress as top, Mesecca Coraline wedges)

Polka dots and burgundy color, pretty obviously choices for early fall huh? I guess those of us who live in HK should stop lying to ourselves about how fall is coming soon, cox it’s not. And it’s not gonna be here til late November. Having said that, as a blogger I urged myself to plan a little bit ahead of the weather and post early fall outfits. So that my viewers can get an idea and have more time to do the planning and shopping, etc. See, I care about you guys!

Back to the outfit. Don’t ask me where I got that top, I swapped it with a couchsurfer sometime ago – that’s how random my life is. The thing with the dots trend this year, is that the dots have to be BIG. Not the granny dots, the sophisticated Marc Jacobs/ Stella McCartney/ David Koma dots. It’s the first time in my life that I actually find polka dots attractive, no joke. And ofcourse, you can never go wrong with burgundy for fall wardrobe. And I’m absolutely in love with these Zara shorts.

As some of you might know by now, I’ve recently left my job at Midwest Vintage. It’s a pleasure working with such a diligent team of people. I wish everyone there the best, and it’s time for me to move on for good : ) I’m going to take a quick rest and dig into creative blogger collabs. But for now, I’m just gonna steal the old man’s job – I wish you can see his resentful stare : P

 The giveaway is now closed and I’ve picked the winner!

Adriana from Fatale Fille
Congrats!
Please email me your address and I’ll send it right away.
(I know there were some problems with my last giveaway. I’ll send it with registered post this time, I promise.
Don’t feel bad if you didn’t win this time, cox I’m planning on a series of mini giveaways!
Just stay tuned and keep trying!

Talk to you guys soon : )

Are we bored with summer yet?

Photographs by dear mom : )

(H&M blazer, Zara silk pants, Jeffrey Campbell heels via Free People, American Apparel bandeau and Asos clutch)

It took me lots of guts to wear a bandeau out. But it took even more for me to convince my mom that it is socially acceptable to do it. Nah, it’s okay, my mom’s pretty open-minded with that : P I was just a little insecure about the meatiness on my tummy… Anyways, this look was inspired by Sam from her styling section with Electric Sekki. Go check it here.

Sam was telling me how she is bored by Summer clothes. But the thing is in Hong Kong the temperature won’t drop until November, and wearing fall stuff in August seems fairly retarted. My approach here is to balance out the heaviness of the blazer and the long pants by wearing a bandeau on top. You can also wear summer silhouettes in fall colors – if you’re getting impatient with the dreadfully long summer.

I was never that pale during summer for a very long time. It looks almost unhealthy in the middle of the summer when everyone’s so tanned. I’m so desperate for a sunny afternoon on the beach.

Have a lovely sunny day!

Skyscrapers

Photographs by dear mom : )

(H&M blazer, clutch and chandelier necklace, vintage waistcoat from Prague, Monki dress, Asos.com boots.)

Ah it’s been a while, I hope you’re still with me : ) Spring has arrived in my city, and so far it’s been fairly nasty (according to Sam). The thing about Spring season in Hong Kong is that you want it so badly when it’s not here. But when it finally arrives you just want to get rid of it. With 95% relative humidity it feels like living in a steam room. The only difference is you can’t just step out of it and say to yourself – Thank God it’s over. : (

I got this “skyscraper” dress from Monki last year. I love the print so much but the quality of it has been quite a disappointment. (It’s the forth time I wore it and it has lost its shape already. I guess that’s the thing about fast fashion… ) I’m wearing this vintage wool waistcoat from Prague together with a H&M blazer over it. Accessories wise I’m wearing a (pretty broken) chandelier necklace and a studded clutch to brighten up the entire outfit. I hope you like this one!

Runway inspirations

(From left: Dsquared² Spring 2011; Brioni Spring 2011; Sonia Rykiel Spring 2011)
Photo source: Style.com

Flowy white blazers are probably your best dress up companions for Spring. Love the almost cape-like blazer by Dsquared². The look was made impecable with the waistcoat and a maxi thigh slit skirt (and the lace details.); The blazers spotted in Brioni’s Spring collection looks crisp and well-tailored, a must-have style for the season; It’s time to gear up with bold prints, and the bolder the better. Love the playfulness in Sonia Rykiel’s Spring collection! Oh and don’t be afraid of matching them up with even bolder accessories!

Street inspirations

(From left: You Got Me Sewn; Fashion Chalet; B. Jones Style)
Photo source: Chictopia.com

Bea from You Got Me Sewn had made this slim Khaki maxi skirt herself and paired it up with a cute blazer. I like the shape of the skirt! And she looks picture perfect : ); I love how Erika Marie from Fashion Chalet can achieve simlicity at its finest! She looks breathtaking in the Marie Antoinette dress by Wildfox Couture. (I can’t post all the pictures here in full size so I suggest you to visit her blog!); And once again, Beth from B. Jones Style has inspired me with her springy blazer and pants with wild floral prints. Join her for a recent thrift adventure here!

Get the look now!

(1. Zara Double Breast Blazer; 2. Zara Camel Coloured Clutch; 3. Topshop Wine Cropped Backed Layered Front Waistcoat; 4. Jeffrey Campbell Gemini via Solestruck.com; 5. Topshop Metal Sticks On Curb Chain; 6.Ecote Tiedye Maxi Dress via urbanoutfiter.com )

Rocking that clutch.

Photographs by dear mom : )

(Zara blazer, American Apparel stripes bodysuit; H&M shorts and heels, Asos.com Sunglasses and Portfolio clutch.)

Happy International Women’s Day! I’m sure you’ve been treating yourself very well for the day ; ) In the past century not only did we achieve equality in so many aspects, we’ve also managed to rock menswear in every possible way. (Yea I know guys are wearing wedges and skirts now… that’s totally self-inflicted by the way.)

My outfit consists of a bright red portfolio clutch, a pair of hot read heels and  some basic menswear elements (American apparel bodysuit, H&M shorts and Zara blazer). I like the simplicity. (Asos.com has some really cute clutches, definitely check those out!) And have yourself a very lovely day,  because you deserve it!

Runway inspirations

(From left: Dsquared² Spring 2011; Costume National Spring 2011; Paul Smith Spring 2011)
Photo source: Style.com

I love the styling of Dsquared² spring collection: the geek sunglasses, straw trilby and nerdy dress shoes. I also love Costume National’s spring show for the minimalistic clothes and super feminine accessories. On Paul Smith… well you know what we love about Paul Smith ; ) I guess the relation between menswear-inspired fashion and these dainty clutches is purely aesthetic, but one thing can be certain – clutch is the new bag.

Street inspirations

(From left: Sam is Home; Come Over to the Dark Side; Rainbows and Fairy Dust)
Photo source: Chictopia.com

I love Sam’s minimalistic chic with a pop of cobalt and the sleek high ponytail. (Go to her blog now!); Rosery necklace, leather pants and leopard print clutch, Cindy from Come Over to the Dark Side has put on just the perfect amount of rocker chic; Who plays with colour better than Clare from Rainbows and Fairy Dust? Her blog name has suggested it well enough ; )

Get the look now!

(Zara Buttoned Blazer ; ASOS Envelope Laptop Case In Faux Croc Effect; Zara Red Peeptoe Heels; Fletcher by Lyell Denim Scallop Short viaUrbanoutfitter.com; Asos LeatherPortfolio Clutch ; Topshop Stripe Slash Tank)

Alpine fantasy

Photographs by tituz

Well, the Alps looks magnificant all year round. But when the sun finally comes out after days of snowing, it’s a fantasyland. We are shooting outside the cozy Tyrolean house of my boyfriend’s family, and the temperature was -4°C. ( I was actually freezing my ass off… )  I’m wearing a cream colour bandeau dress from H&M. To stop the outfit from going way too cheesy, I added my favourite Topshop boyfriend jacket, and cinched it up with the black ribbon/belt that comes with the dress. Feminine? Boyish? I don’t even know anymore : P Hope you enjoy this outfit and the pictures! (Thanks babe, they are phenomenal.)

Boyfriend jacket from Topshop
Bandeau dress from H&M
Lace up boots from Asos.com
Tights and golden bangle from H&M

: D

and…
A lovely surprise!

I’m featured on the front page of Chictopia!
I uploaded my first picture on Chictopia last night, and this monring my photo is on their front page 😮 I’m addicted to the website at the moment…

Merry Christmas : )

Photographs by tituz

Merry Christmas from the beautiful Alps : ) Lately it’s really bad weather throughout Europe and I wish the sun will shine really soon. I’m wearing a brick red blazer from H&M (which is strictly for indoor occasions only) and a floral skirt from Topshop. I’m also wearing gold jewelry and heavy gold gliters on my eye makeup. As Carrie Bradshaw said, we all need some sparkles in life ; ) Forgive those extra fat on my belly, I’m currently being fed like livestock by my boyfriend’s mom… (with incredibly delicious Tyrolean food : 0 )

Brick red jacket from H&M
Bralet from Unique by Topshop
Floral skirt from Topshop
Bowler hat from Asos.com
Tights from H&M
Jewelry from Asos.com & H&M
Nail polish – Glitzerland by O.P.I.

: D

This months feature is a young musician who´s definetly worth to look out for. Jacques Greene is a 21 year old kid from Montreal producing tracks that seem to stuck somewhere between House and Dubstep. “The Look” which is the title track of his first EP released on LuckyMe starts off deeply and keeps us there until the kickdrum comes in and concentrated streams of synths are pushing it to the climax. The Video comes with models Nicole Brand and Bobbi Kay so you fashion bloggers have something to kick about! 😉 / tituz

Sheer spirit

Photographs by dear Mom : )

Navy blue blazer from Zara
Vintage waistcoat from Prague
Sheer mid calf skirt from Asos.com
Boots from Asos.com
Tights from H&M
Jewelry from Asos.com and Nataliaraya

: D