Looking for style inspiration? I’ve pulled some of looks from my favorite of China’s personal style bloggers, i.e. those with above-average fashion sense to wear original looks and below-average modesty to stage daily photoshoots. Today I’m giving you a healthy dose of 80s decade. Kind of like the remnant fireworks post Chinese New Year, it.just.won’t. stop.
This gal held nothing back. When channeling a decade, it’s sage advice to incorporate one or two statement pieces from an era or other reference to get your point across. But she missed this memo– or totally ignored it– and I’m liking her dissidence .
If Betty Boop and A Smerf went to a Madonna concert, this is would be the wardrobe result. Maybe the fact that Im using cartoon references to assess this outfit means that it’s not real-world-wearable, but either way, I appreciate her unconventional sense of style. Aluminum-silver oxfords laceups with azure tights turn the volume up on her adorable polka-dot dress.
Switching gears. Her boxy pinstripe Mafia suit paired with studded ankle boots pose a dynamic, powerful look. A flash of ankle thanks to her cuffed pants reminds of her feminity. Try cuffing your trouser-pants worn with heels– it will add a casual sexy nuance to the menswear staple.
One more thing, “You talkin’ to me?”…Yeah, lose the frou-frou hat.
Hart, March 3rd 2010 |
Posted in 时髦人 //COUNTERFEIT Style//
Go on, it’s okay to judge…
Nationality? Occupation?
This time I have the answers! Give me your best guess. We’ll see whose best at piecing together this sartorial puzzle.
Hart, February 28th 2010 |
Posted in Show me what you wear...
We’ve all heard the adage, “It’s not what you wear, but how you wear it” before. Rough translation: You ain’t hot shit just because you’re wearing an expensive little number on which you spent your rent $ money. On the flip side, the phrase promises that a rather simple piece has the potential to look extra special; that is, if you can style it right. This mantra is particularly true for accessories and especially for the sartorial add-ons you gotta fandangle a little bit…like the scarf. A few twists, knots and tucks turns a strip of fabric into a voila statement piece. So how are the 上海人 twisting? And shouting?
Her oversized scarf stands out in the palette of blend-in browns and beiges.
Not just for girls; this gentleman shows us his fresh take on the traditional loop-through.
Twists of the super-sweet shade of pink reminds me of salt-water taffy.
Hart, February 25th 2010 |
Posted in how locals wear...
Let’s face it, Chinese women aren’t known for their fabulous taste in shoes. Walking around the city– even climbing mountains– I am absolutely astonished by the plastic contraptions they call shoes and slip on their feet. These ugly shoes have all of the feminine elements– bows, color, sparkles– but somehow don’t add up to anything remotely elegant. Older women are mostly the epicenter of these cobbler catastrophes, which makes me wonder if remnants of the foot-binding horror of their ancestors still linger in their minds. Now the tradition has morphed into a new way to torture their toes: tackiness.
I’m being way too harsh (I’m currently sipping my first cup of my morning coffee). My hypothesis is hodgepodge.
But what caught my eye with these two ladies (besides the mammoth fur vest), was their shoes. I still can’t decide if I dig them, but I noticed a directional turn away from the feminine shoe to something…different…even combative (girl on the left). What do you think, would you wear them?
Hart, February 23rd 2010 |
Posted in Shanghai Street Fashion
What sells out at The Source boutique in four days in Shanghai? An Adidas collaboration with Star Wars, that’s what.
This Saturday I attended a launch party at The Source to celebrate Adidas new Star Wars line which Chinese guys tore off the racks faster than Luke Skywalker can whip out his light saber. The gear– including Darth Vader hoodies with capes, droidian tees and storm trooper kicks– is as dramatic as a galactic battle. And (sorry dorks), is mostly sold out. But before you start lamenting, “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope!” there are some other ways to write-in some of this science-fiction cultural phenomenon into your fashion script–> borrowing from the wardrobe color palette of silver, black and red. Hiding under oversized hoodies. Or even sporting an old-school digital watch.
Ladies, check out Eva (below) , one of Source’s marketing directors. While she looked perfectly adorable in this particular setting, I’m curious if her hair is a daily ‘do or don’t?
Source hosted the collection debut along with a Star Wars encore from the first trilogy.
Rubbing elbows with Darth Vader (he is so much nicer in person!) with my friend Erika (huge Star Wars fan).
Thank you Source for a fantastic night! Looking forward to more events in the FUTURE.
}}}}}}} HERE ARE SOME MORE PICS FROM THE SOURCE {{{{{{{{
All pics below are property of Tobias Kegler, http://www.tobiaskegler.com/
*******http://www.tobiaskegler.com/*******
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*******http://www.tobiaskegler.com/*******
Hart, January 18th 2010 |
Posted in Shanghai Style: SSF Spotlight
SSF is all about covering trends that surface in this magnificent city, but it is just as exciting to sleuth out how well-dressed locals import overseas-must-haves into their Shanghai wardrobes. Call it trend tracking—> like a fox who sniffs out the hound. Come out, come out wherever you are! What did I dig up this week?
Welcome to a new segment on SSF: “How Locals Wear…”
Who: a lovely Shanghairen spotted out and about last weekend
What: Native American/Nomadic : knitwear characterized by heavy embroidery, geometric pattern, and cozy comfort.
Wear: “Coatigans” and bold knits were brought back into the style spotlight by DVF’s debut of her 2009 Fall collection. Off the runway, fashion blogger Jane looks impeccably chic in her own interpretation of the look.
Photo Property of Style.com, Diane Von Furstenberg F/W2009
Photo property of Jane Aldridge of Www.Seaofshoes.typepad.com
Today’s local models the lower-end of the style spectrum. Even though she does not wear the $$ originals, I believe her take captures the essence quite well. That’s what I love about fashion– while the fantasy of runway is something to dream about, I am more interested in the reality of clothing and how people dress themselves.
While everyone continues to rock the sexy, spot-on BLJ (=black leather jacket. Come on, get with the program people!), these chunky sweaters are the perfect “I don’t give a damn” alternative. Admittedly, it’s not the sexiest or most feminine option, but this outwear definitely adds a lot of personality– and warmth!– to a ho-hum winter wardrobe. By definition, nomads belong nowhere, but for now this style inspiration feels right at home.
Hart, January 21st 2010 |
Posted in how locals wear...
I was quite taken with this woman’s presence when she walked by. For starters, I don’t often see Chinese women wearing sage green. Most winter-wear sightings have turned up grey, grey and more grey. Rarity aside, I think she looks absolutely stunning wrapped in wasabi; while the punch of her feminine red lips offsets her steely, masculine hair cut.
Judging by her outfit– which resembles a uniform– I guess that she works at one of the luxury brands within Plaza 66, where this picture was taken. Even behind the sterile, starched white shirt and black slacks, she radiates a sexy strength.
Hart, January 25th 2010 |
Posted in Shanghai Street Fashion, Uncategorized
Stuck in a style rut? Let me introduce you to China’s most intriguing personal style bloggers. Online and en vogue, these citizens’ wardrobes are brimming with fresh ideas and buzzing with individual pizzazz. I’ve embarked on an internet expedition; searched far and wide on China’s social networking sites for fashion inspiration.
Sure, we all gaze over glossy editorials and gasp longing sighs for enviable celebrity looks, but the time has come to snap your fashion sense back into reality! Looking to real people for more accessible style inspiration translates into a greater possibility for actual change. Follow these simple styling tips for now. You can say xiexie谢谢 later.
The cherry on top to a killer outfit? Everyone loves a little bit of irony. Let’s copy the looks of these Chinese 时髦人….. COUNTERFEIT style.
Mrs. Boss (23) hails from Beijing, where the the freezing northern weather has clearly not distracted her from thinking the warm thoughts of Spring. Even in the icy cold, she jump-starts on the biggest trend of the cherry blossom season: stripes. Trudge through the snow to H&M and Zara where fantastic affordable recreations of the French classic bateau shirt await your purchase. Strike harmony with the dashes by layering loads of pretty, round baubles around your neck. Too sweet? Let Mrs. Boss– well, boss you into wearing it with dark leggings and motorcycle boots.
19 year-old Miffy proves that age is just a number, especially when it comes to her mature fashion sense. She boldly conquers the challenge of obtaining a conservative, menswear look that still allows her feminine prowess to peek through. Like many sages have extolled, this beauty is all in the details. Miffy wears black slacks with a high waist, a white oxford that is loose and soft, and styles her brown peacoat much like the ubiquitous boyfriend blazer: with the sleeves pushed up to show off her feminine frame.
After stalking this 21 yr old Shanghainese student’s looks online, it is obvious Aron Lu does not do anything half-way! When others daintily dip their toes into the water, Aron swan dives right on into the deep-end. With his glass-half-full perspective on personal style, he gets dressed with a firm belief that anything goes. For starters, his pants make me wonder if a Scottish caddy is standing (confused) in his underwear somewhere. Movin’ on up, I’m crazy for his choice of a cranberry blazer instead of the yawn-inducing navy. The mocha shades in his patterned shirt and wooly sweater blend nicely, while his silky scarf is a nice alternative to traditional neckwear. Finally, a skinny belt is an unexpected detail that will earn any guy major style cred. Aron makes it look like a cinch, but some advice is to look for solid, metal hardware like brass and hardy leather in a neutral color to keep it masculine.
Hart, January 27th 2010 |
Posted in 时髦人 //COUNTERFEIT Style//
Girlfriends always somehow influence each other’s personal styles. The result can be a subtle salute toward admiration of an overall look or more of a blatant head-to-toe copy. With this duo, it’s the former case of imitation.
This interplay is really interesting to observe. Sometimes it is very clear who the style leader is amongst her friends. That girl takes on the role of test-driving new trends before her friends do. I wish I could witness these two girls again and again to determine the style leader; although, if I had to make a bet, it would be the girl on the left. Agree?
Hart, February 1st 2010 |
Posted in Shanghai Street Fashion, Uncategorized
Let me take you back to fourth grade. I remember a moment when my French teacher suddenly realized not a single pupil was paying attention to her irregular verbs lesson. She stopped talking, released a long sigh and dropped her head. In the quietness, we all looked at each other in confusion. Next, she popped up with the clap of her hands and quipped, “Se lever!…( ~~~~ something like “Stand up! Pay attention!” en Francais)”. She instructed all of us to get up and streeetcchhh, as if doing a slower version of the hokey-pokey would exorcise our boredom.
Okay so what’s my point (other than the shameless excuse to show you my childhood photos)? I am beginning to feel like Madame. Not quite as exasperated, but I empathize with Madame when she was in desperation after gathering zero response from her despondent students’ faces. These heart-breaking Google Analytics graphs of my website traffic look like an octogenarian’s cardiogram during her physical. But, like Madame and her teaching, I don’t write SSF for the fame***…(ha!) or the money $$(?). If I took on SSF to pay the bills, I don’t think it would be nearly as much fun. As for fame…. YES YOU CAN HAVE MY AUTOGRAPH. now go away.
[No BUT seriously] I think it’s easy to succumb to a desire for credit or recognition. My heart goes pitter-patter when I wait for the latest Google Analytics site traffic statistics to load, then kurplunks like the drop of a heavy textbook. And for what? Whether I have 40 readers or 4000, I need to remember why I do SSF.
Do what you love. And by gosh, wear whatever the hell you want! (Even ratty velcro shoes with lacey white socks, see above).
Hart, February 3rd 2010 |
Posted in Hart2Hart
I apologize for the dry spell of posts, but French and furniture have invaded my thoughts (recently got a new job as a project manager for the French company MyFab). When it comes to updating SSF, quality trumps quantity, so I’m not going to slap something up here just so I meet some obscure weekly quota set by god-knows-who of bloggerdom. Now let’s get down to business…
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This trendspot is special because it showcases a fashion phenomenon that really gets me going: one classic look adapted by two very different cultures. It also happens to be my absolute favorite piece in my wardrobe (I own six)….the striped nautical shirt!
Leave it to Mme Chanel to turn the print of sailors and jailbirds into a first-class chic wardrobe essential.No need for further analysis on Chanel’s influence; but what does need some extra probing is how this same style jumped ship and ended up on the backs of China’s underground hipsters. In Paris, this shirt says the wearer has a perfectly acceptable, classic style; however, the same print in Shanghai speaks more about rejection rather than acceptance of society. The shirt is making waves in the underground music scene, indie rock and rap alike. I even spotted a DJ in the stripes at the Shanghaining hiphop party at G+plus last weekend (I didn’t have my camera, so my photoshop doodles must make do).
Follow up question: Where can I buy a 海魂衫? I want to wear something that translates into “soul of the sea.” Also, I think I just need nautical shirt #7.
Hart, February 8th 2010 |
Posted in Shanghai Fashion: SSF Trendspot
