Casual Saturday

I must admit, working on Saturday is a drainer, but keeping it comfy and casual gives it a positive vibe. There is no uniform at my work place, so I've decided to go casual smart on weekends. Typically this is my Saturday work OOTD:

White cable knit skivvy (Uniqlo) - check the link, it's currently on special, really warm and comfy fit

Tanned fitted blazer (H&M) - Bought this in Malaysia and love how it's so fitted to my petite body

Fitted super slim jeans - my favourite jeans are those I find in Vietnam, no alterations required, and this is one of them

Over-sized Coat - this is so "IN" this season, got this on my Taiwan trip at a random street wear shop for $50 AUD, it's my favourite find of the year, it certainly doesn't look and feel cheap.

Vintage black leather belt with gold hardware (Casual Corner) - I've been on the hunt for a good quality thrifty XS belt, and I found this on eBay last year for $20, unfortunately this label has gone bankrupt since 2005 :(  

Vintage Stevens Bag with gold hardware - Made in Australia with genuine leather. A family friend was clearing out her closet (she's in her 60s, hence she's got a lot of vintage stuff), and she gave me this along with other bags. The bag fits all my necessities and wears comfortably to one side; yes also my beloved item at the moment. I like my other bags very much but it weighs me down after carrying them over a long period of time.

Wedged Heels (Nine West​)

Asymmetric

N&M Pattern Printed Top | H&M Black Asymmetric Skirt | Nine West Zelexa Wedges

Another work OOTD. I tend to find a lot of clothing from overseas  as it fits me well and they always have my size (especially Asia, or USA cause only a minority is petite there). 

The brand N&M is based in Vietnam, their designs are very simple and great for the working environment hence I tend to visit every time I return. The top I'm wearing was about $15AUD, which is a little pricey when converted to VND, but again its a staple item in my wardrobe for those warmer days in Melbourne and I've warned it for the past 2 years. 

Turtleneck

H&M Black Boyfriend Blazer | H&M Black Cuffed Tapered Trousers | Mango Sleeveless Turtleneck Top | Nine West Zelexa Black Wedges | Tiffany Beaded Bracelet | Gold Love Bangle | "H" Brown leather belt

OOTD: my agenda at work is comfort and to me that's usually pants and shirt. On the random days when I don't want to pair my usual dress shirt tucked under my trousers I would pick out something like this sleeveless turtleneck top from my Mum's 90s' wardrobe to mix things up. To hide all my bonny parts I threw on this boyfriend blazer which makes it more work appropriate. 

TIP: Mix things up with old and new items, or ravage through your family's closets, your outfit may turn out okay. It's like going thrifting but in your own home. 

Black Saturday

They say blue and black is a bad mix, but hey rules are meant to be broken. Here's a weekend OOTD from my teeny cousin.

Valleygirl Faux Leather Crop Top ($5) | Black High Waist RES Denim | Black Patent Laser Cut Out Oxford Style Shoes from DFO Gumboots (ONLY $2.50 a pair! clearance sale) | Black Oversized Knit H&M Sweater ($30) | Random Blue Cap

Persian Print

Pink An Phuoc Shirt ($20AUD) | Zimmermann Brocade Dress | H&M Blazer ($50AUD) | Windsor Smith Heels ($25)

I work at least 6 days a week and sometimes all week, so this is one work outfit of the week. I intended to post up daily OOTD, but with time constraints I am lucky to even upload one post a week, I would love to be more consistence.

I am petite so I love my “An Phuoc” shirt, which is fitted for Asian bodies, the gold & black Zimmermann persian print strapless brocade dress was a gift (and I love it, though I personally think strapless anything is unflattering on anyone skinny as me, hence to hind all the boniness - the pink shirt brightened up this dress and covered up my cleavage so it's appropriate for work), H&M Blazer to keep warm due to the change in Melbourne's weather, and to finish off, these black strappy Windsor Smith with it's golden heels synchronized with this dress colour (last size 35 on special hehehe). 

Red Black Lace

It is another winter work date in Melbourne, this is another OOTD: 

Top: 

        H&M navy fitted coat - surprising this was only $40 AUD (not on sale), it's warm and versatile 

        H&M black lace long sleeve dress - due to the shortness of this mini dress I thought it was 

        inappropriate for office work, hence the red skirt elongated the whole outfit making it more

        suitable in length 

Bottom: 

        Fitted red pencil skirt - bought at the night market in Vietnam, it seemed comfortable enough for

        work, and I didn't want to spend too much on a colour that I wouldn't wear everyday. 

        Inexpensively comfortable.

Belt: 

        Salvatore Ferragamo Patent black

Shoes:

        Another inexpensive item at the night market in Vietnam. This was under $10AUD... they are

        very comfortable for a pair of patent maroon loafer styled heels, and I love the quilted diamond 

        or herringbone pattern stitch at the front because it makes the pair look more sophisticated 

Eyeglasses: 

        Burberry prescription eyeglasses bought over 2 years ago, still good heheh

TIP: got a mini/ short dress? and don't know what to do with it, pair it with a midi skirt and wahla, you got yourself a longer outfit without alterations

Boxy Winter

My weekend doesn't start until Saturday noon, seeing as I still work from 9am-1pm every week. To compansate for looking professional on week days, I mix my Saturday attire to look more laid back and comfortable. It's not obvious but Melbourne is currently averaging 10 degrees Celsius during the day so keeping warm is my absolute priority.

OOTD: 

     Top 

• H&M wool oversized boxy coat - XS in size but it looks huge on me, though the armpits fit perfectly. I love this coat because its warm, comfortably fitted and the patterned lining inside looks so sophisticated. It was on special for $33AUD at Malaysia's H&M autumn winter 2013 collection sale
• White oversized button up knit sweater was an item I got at a night market in China back in 2008, the weather was getting cold and I needed something cheap and quick so I got it for about $5
• Temt loosely fitted sleeveless turtleneck top was from my mums wardrobe, again keeping me warm, comfortable and presentable for half a day of weekend work. 

     Bottom

• Forever 21 high waisted ankle trouser - I got this on sale in Malaysia for about $10AUD, though it's a little loose I don't mind, it never fell off and the length was just right so I didn't have to alter it. I've never had to iron these pants which is a double plus in my books. 

     Shoes      

• Massimo Dutti black patent contrast leather flats - I love these shoes cause they had it in my size (35) and once I broke into them, they are very comfortable to walk in, can easily be paired with a lot of styles. I like the tassels, cow leather and horse hair contrast because they compliment well with each other, giving it some texture on top of all this dull black. 

     Bag

• Salvatore Ferragamo black vintage leather bag on gold chain - simple and versatile, this is my go to bag when I'm in need of a small cross body or shoulder bag, I won this a few years back on eBay for about $120AUD with shipping, and haven't regretted this buy :)

OOTD: ROSY COLLAR

As a teenager this is how my cousin wears black and white - keeping in her comfort zone with the high top sneakers, flawy oversized sweater and flirty mini skirt, to complete this look without looking monotonous she added a white button up embroidered collar blouse

OOTD: white embroidered collar blouse, oversized black button up knit sweater, H&M Circular Skirt, polka dot stockings, Streetpop high top black sneakers by Naughty Monkey

What to wear on a lazy day out?

Going somewhere casual? 

This is what my cousin wore to a friends place, something cropped with prints and keeping things simple, she added a sweater or jumper and tights to keep warm and comfortable.

OOTD

TOP: Kenzo embroidered tiger head sweatshirt, oversized white woollen cardigan (from the street market of China)

Bottom: H&M girls grey tights -  these are meant for girls but it seemed to fit me and they were on special for about $5 heheh so I got them 

Shoes: TOMS slip-on navy canvas Women's classics

Patterned Specials

I've recently bought this pair black strappy sandal heels from Windsor Smith for $25 (bargain!), I've been eyeing this style for a while but haven't bought anything since I didn't want to pay too much for what I may not wear on a regular basis. They are made of leather with a golden plated heel.

Shopping Tip: personally I rarely buy anything at full price as I know "what goes around comes around" in fashion, something I like will eventually go on sale, especially my size (I'm XS in most clothing size and a 5AU/35 in shoes). Same would apply to you if you are petite or XL in shoes or clothing size. I would usually shop at Factory Outlets where most items are more then half price, or buy something that's "faulty" or oversize, as my Mum is an alteration genius! EBAY is my next platform and of course closing down/warehouse sales are the best

I'm also into vintage old styled items, hence I paired this with a flowy ankle length white with blue patterned print skirt, and a Louis Vuitton Yellow Epi Petit Noe. I bought this bag from a Japanese eBay seller for about $220AUD with shipping, I would only buy branded vintage items from Japanese sellers because it is illegal to sell fakes in Japan and there is a huge penalty for that type of trade in Japan. 

EBAY Tip: never rush into buying branded items, be patience, search around and only bid when you are happy to pay that price, hence I was on the look out for over 3 months, before I found something that nobody wanted to bid anymore for, don't get desperate and increase your budget out of the blue, there will always be another item. But in saying that it all depends on your luck and how many people are bidding. Goodluck with eBaying it's addictive!

To top this attire up, I wore a sleeveless lacy top with a white woolly button sweater to keep warm.

OOTD:

TOP: Lace sleeveless top - bought in Vietnam, H&M woolly button sweater
BOTTOM: Flowy white with blue pattern printed ankle length plaid skirt - bought for about $14AUD online www.aliexpress.com, style inspired by the beautiful actress Fan Bing Bing
HEELS: Strappy sandal leather heels from Windsor Smith
Belt: Patent Salvatore Ferragamo
BAG: Louis Vuitton Yellow Epi Petit Noe

Layering Black & White

As all Melbournians are well aware there are sometimes 4 seasons within a day here, this is a simple classy way to layer black and white to wear for work, meeting or casually out.

OOTD:

TOP (inner – outer layer): long sleeve sheer white lace top (found in the street market of Vietnam), H&M boyfriends fitted blazer, Alexa Chung inspired tweed black & white coat.

Bottom: Forever New thick zipped skinny pants (was on special for $12)

Heels:  Oroton classic patent pumps
Belt: Patent Salvatore Ferragamo

Bag: Givenchy black Antigona medium bag (something borrowed, there was a little secret that was revealed to me on it’s price and where to get it… will tell you what I found out on my next post, some of you may already know)

Simple Autumn OOTD

It's been a while since I've posted something and my new years resolution was to be more consistent with online postings, but its taken me till now to finally post something... so disappointed :( 

I work in a medical clinic so this is my work OOTD: thin wool turtle neck top & crinkled midi black skirt are from H&M, Nine West Fanesa patent pumps (comfy for work), Ferragamo patent belt, Return to Tiffany mini heart tag in sterling silver on bead bracelet, Cartier gold bracelet, Monet gold chain necklace