FW06 Fashion Trend: Long Sweaters

Waking up for school itself is already tiring enough. So to make my mornings more effortless, I've recently been really into wearing grey jeans and a long, thin black V-neck sweater with a grey camisole underneath. Also, thin long sweaters are great for weather like now, ie. when it's not too hot nor cold. So I've decided to look into more long sweaters:


I'm really liking this kind of black sweater. This Vince one isn't as long as the one I have, but it looks simple and easy to wear -just what I need in everyday life.

For those who like the preppy look and want to wear the long sweater look, thick striped sweaters are the way to go. These two are by Lux from Urban Outfitters.

I like how this Alicia + Olivia sweater looks like an artist's colour palette -only in this season's trendiest neutral colours of course.

Most of the sweaters I've chosen are quite minimalistic. For those of you who want something slightly more interesting and more street-casual, this L.A.M.B. cashemere pullover is a fantastic choice.

Short sleeves, chunky sweaters are part of this season's look. PersonallyI think they're hard to pull off and not entirely practical, but if you like this one, it's by Larok.

And if you want a more structured look, then accessorize with a belt, or even get a sweater that has a built-in belt, like this Sienna sweater by French Connection.

These two Top Shop sweaters are SO great -totally practical and I like the cuffed sleeve details. Available in two of this season's hottest colours: grey and dark blue.

Vince has a LOT of choices this season, so if you're looking into buying a sweater, check Vince out. These two cable knits look so comfortable. And if you look carefully, they have bell-sleeves, which is a feature commonly seen in this season's sweaters.

Most of these sweaters can be found on shopbop.com.

Just a few tips:
- PLEASE wear them with jeans skinny or straight-leg jeans. Do NOT wear them with only leggings -save them for sweater dresses.
- The sweater should end at about the widest part of your hips as seen in the picture directly above. Any longer would just make you look short.

This Week HG Is Loving...

Patent flats!
So before school start two weeks ago, I was on a desperate hunt for a pair of back-to-school, everyday flats. My requirements were:
a) Bought from the high-streets so they’ll be cheap and I wouldn’t be too heartbroken when they stop looking new.
b) Preferably black, but any neutral colours would be fine too.
c) Must be made of patent leather –trendy and waterproof, which is so essential for the moody English weather.

In the end, I settled for this pair of flats (in cream & black) from Top Shop. (Sorry about my terrible shoe-photographing skills!) While it wasn't exactly what I had in mind, (I was hoping for a pair of pointed, black patent leather flats,) this pair is still pretty and very comfortable. The only thing I wasn't big about were the huge bows and the size issue.

And can I just say how much I love this patent leather shoe trend? It's been raining almost everyday in London in the past two weeks, and my cream-coloured flats still look clean -how great is that?

BG's Paris Diary: Week 1 + 2

As you may have gathered by now dear readers, I’m in Paris! So far, it has been FABULOUS. But the first few days were a total haze. I was jet lagged, I couldn’t understand a word of French (and that is all anyone seems to speak here. Whatever happened to English?) and nothing was opened (I arrived on a Sunday). The area I lived in was not what I imagined Paris to be, even their keyboards are different! I was completely shocked and confused. Now I know what a culture shock is.

But then, we stepped out of the St. Michel and Notre Dame station and found civilization. THIS was what I imagined Paris to be. We toured the Notre Dame, ate crepe and walked around the streets of Paris admiring the quaint streets and gorgeous architecture. It was bliss.

After that I finally learnt how to use the metro (which turns out to be SO much better than Chicago) and how to squeeze onto it in the morning, I mastered the art of communicating with a mixture of English, a few French phrases and sign language and all was good.

We visited 2 of the Chateaux de la Loire and they were beautiful. It really brings me back to the days when kings actually lived there and thought that colored tiles was a luxury (personally it looked like it belonged in a bath). It also amazes me that people were able to build such grand architecture so long ago, even this awesome double spiral staircase in the shape of a DNA that creates an illusion that someone is coming down the stairs but really they’re on the other staircase. There we also to see a quaint little village on the way and there was this really weird building that periodically had dragon heads come out the window. . . . strange.
Saturday, we went to Disneyland! The Halloween theme was up and it was fabulous even though it is nothing compared to Orlando. We went on some pretty cool rides, took loads of pictures, found McDonald’s (boy do we miss good ol’ American food) and of course, spent LOADS of time in the gift shops. Check out this remarkable imitation of Jack Sparrow on a cup, kind of creepy no?

As if Disneyland wasn’t enough for the day, we went straight back out for the once a year Nuit Blanche, where Paris is suppose to light up and be opened all night. We went to the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysees. Check out the highlights: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Louis Vuitton store (which was opened till late and we even spied a little party going on at the top floor tents!).

But really, when they say all of Paris was opened they only meant certain stores like bars and car stores. We found this “drugstore” which sold Marc Jacobs, 150EUROs pillows and these really quite awesome socks for 34EUROs. And saw the “bat mobile” at the Peugot store. And whoever it was reponsible for organising this night was clearly out of their minds, the night transportation was beyond terrible! The infrequent buses were all full to bursting, the metro was closed and none of the cabs stopped. We ended up stranded in the streets of Paris (along with a hoard of people) all night until the metro started again at 530am! Definitely a night to remember.

In addition to all that, I've also explored Place d'Italie, the Louvre, Montparnasse, Chatelet, Luxembourg and Denfert Rochereau. Yes, I've had quite a week. But now I must go and pack for my weekend in London/Cambridge. A bientot!

Juicy Couture FW06

Remember back in the days when the trendy people of LA worshiped Juicy Couture and wore its tracksuits everday everywhere? Think hard -surprisingly, this was only about 5 years ago. Fast foward to today, if you visit many big department stores, you'll notice that Juicy has its own big corners, and they don't only sell those terrible tracksuits anymore. Juicy is defintely one of the fastest growing fashion brands I could think of in the past ten years.

Here are some pretty Juicy stuff from this season:

This white tank is simple in a not too simple way. I love it's versatility. Just think, you can wear it day and night to many different activities.

Juicy has always had knit sweaters like this one, but I'm glad to see that the designers finally got rid of Juicy's signature dog and replaced it with an elegant-looking 'J'.

While I personally wouldn't wear this, it does look pretty. Looking at all the frills and the second silk layer at the bottom of the dress, it's nice to see the Juicy designers are actually putting some thoughts into the designers. (Remember how Juicy clothes used to all look the same?)

Fantastic casual clutch. This would totally be great to carry to dinner and would be perfect with blue denim.

The Sophie Studded leather Tote is actually what inspired me to write this blog. I really like how it's feels a bit edgy and very practical. And even though it is no where near the standard of Balenciaga's Motorcycle bag, I still like it... although maybe I would get rid of the charms (the key).

And this season, Juicy has a new high-end line called Couture Couture. I admit I was very skeptical about it at first, but after browsing through some of its clothes, I was quite impressed. While some of the designs are still 'inspired' by other high-end designers, the clothes are still really nice. Two fabulous examples are the cashmere cardigan and pleated tank in the photo above. Unfortunately, the prices are even more impressive.

Beauty Trend FW06: Brown Shadows

I am sure most of you have figured this out by now if you've been haunting the make-up counters this season.

Whether it is done so naturally that one can hardly see it (but of course, we still know that it is there), like here in the Chanel and Marc Jacobs runway. .

. . .or not quite so subtly as on the Dolce & Gabanna and Luella runway, brown is THE eye shadow color of the season. As a result, all the make-up brands have been coming out with brown eye shadow palettes.

Most noticeably must've been Bobbi Brown's limited edition Chocolate eye palette containing bone, caramel toffee shimmer wash, frappe, champagne truffle shimmer wash, cacao shimmer wash, stone and chocolate. It was positively delicious. I LOVE this palette, because with so many shades of brown from matte to shimmer, it contains all the shades I am going to need this season. You can also use it wet or dry, so imagine all the possibilties! So far, I've used the lighter shades for a casual look in the daytime and the darker shades to achieve the smokey eye for night. Its truly an awesome palette!

Laura Mercier has also come out with a collection of brown eye shadows in various shades called the Evolution of Colors for the eyes (she has also made one for the lips!). I've tried this palette at the counter and while the texture IS really silky and smooth, I found that there really wasn't much color to be found. And I also dislike the idea of palettes like these where the colors might mix together. But maybe I just tried the wrong range of colors as she has three to choose from.

For those in Asia, Chanel has also come out with a brilliant limited edition eye shadow palette called Gold Rush. I haven't tried it, but I'm positive the color will go on beautifully and look shiny as all Chanel eye shadows do. Unfortuantely, I believe it has already sold out.

Another brand that has offered us a range of brown is Paul & Joe, with it's Chocaholic collection. In the collection, there is this very cool face color powder that can be used on the face for contours AND as eye shadows- great bargain! And don't you just LOVE the packaging of their products? Its soooo pretty!

Paris Spring/Summer 2007 Wrapup V

The last SS07 fashion week post. I don't know whether to be happy or sad.

Miu Miu

Miu Miu is always one of my most anticipated shows, but I was really disappointed with this collection. These were the only outfit I liked. So ya, don't want to talk about it. Maybe I just need more time to understand the collection?

Lanvin
On the other hand, I am usually not that interested in Lanvin or Vuitton clothes, but both these collections were amazing -in different ways of course. I really really like this Lanvin collection. It's got sophistication; it's got edge; it's minimalism with pretty bits. I love the cute A-line dresses and short shift dresses. Of course, one wouldn't actually buy clothes from Lanvin unless one had a formal and high-class event to attend.

The whole back outfit Lily Donaldon (right) is wearing looks amazing on her, but I can't imagine most of us would be able to pull it off.
The last dress (right) Du Juan is wearing is SO stylish!

Louis Vuitton
Wow. Usually Vuitton clothes are so not my taste I jump to the accessories' photos, but this collection is just, wow. This collection was super cute and pretty. Per normal, Marc Jacobs and his team managed to put together seriously amazing outfits. And I love how it's obvious how this collection feels like a continuation and evolution from the FW06 collection. This collection has a pretty spring colour palette: white, khaki, pale blue, pink. There were also lots of flowery prints. There were so many great looks I took so long just choosing which ones to post:
(Top) I love Vlada's look -white long shift sweater with flowery scarf. The pretty pale blue mini dresso (right) really reminds me of this season's Miu Miu borocade dresses.
I LOVE Jessica Stam's look (left) -it's so casual yet chic and cute. Am so in love. Now I have to think of a way to get that look next season!
Marc Jacob's Vuitton version of layering.
Check out the 'LOVE' on the white shirt -Vuitton never ceases to amaze me with the different number of ways to put 'LV' on its items.

Btw, if you haven't done so, I seriously recommend you to check out the 'close up' shots at style.com. Those flowery head pieces are GORGEOUS, and the accessories are simply irresistable.

Paris Spring/Summer 2007 Wrapup IV

Chanel
Mostly I thought this collection was refreshing, very different from the very detailed Chanel of the past seasons, with the splashes of color and crazy biker shorts. This collection was simple, elegant and of course- very Chanel as always. It never ceases to amaze me the number of ways Karl can shape the classic Chanel look into something new.

Simple chic Chanel outfits accessorized with gold chained jewelry, that perfectly compliments the black and white.

Love the suit jackets and the flowing dress shirts. The chiffon bow softens the rest of the structured look. Personally I think the outfit on the far right is a very lovely and ladylike bathing suit. But it could also be a pretty ladylike shirt paired with weird skanky shorts that resembles diapers. . . I guess this is open for interpretation.Then there were these chic evening wear. The silver dress is very reminiscence of Mischa Barton at the Marc Jacobs show, but still, very cool. And the black and gold dress is very regal and chic- I love it!

There were also a few pieces that I am not entirely crazy about. Like this pink covering the head thing. I sincerely hope people won't be wearing that on the streets any time soon. There were also a lot of LBD's, although the frills and bows were a little too much for my taste.

Chloe
Admittedly this collection was not exactly very exciting, but compared to their last collection I would say that it is definitely an improvement. For one thing, no one looked like they were wearing a bag (well, maybe only one did). The collection was very Chloe as we were used to. Boxy structured silhouettes, clever layering and beautiful chiffony flowing creations- enough to satisfy the appetite of any Chloe girl.
Chloe for the streets.

Chloe for work.
Gorgeous chiffon creations. I adore the outfit on the far left- its sooo cute!

The smashing gold embroidered shift styled dress and royal blue silk dress is very reminiscent of outfits we've seen before, but still, very pretty, although the frills on the blue silk look a bit too much, like a bib, too cutesy. And I absolutely LOVE the flowing dress on the far right.

Then there were a few that I just didn't know what they were thinking. The first one is mismatched. The middle one is absurd. And the last one looks like she's wearing a bag made out of origami paper.