Tilly Bloom

On gloomy days like today (out here on the left coast, anyway), I really like an odd thing to make me smile and remember sunnier times. Cheesy sounding, isn't it?

I first saw Tilly Bloom at the Takashimaya Department Store Shinjuku in Tokyo back in 2009. I was passing through the accessories section, generally overwhelmed by the pearls and delicate gold chains when something completely curious lept out at me.



I immediately flip over the object in question and was greeted by a cute little emblem of the brand - Tilly Bloom. Like the savvy (or cheap) consumer I am, I jotted down the name of the brand and continued on my merry way (because surely I can find this imported item cheaper at home, right?)


Fast forward to Christmas 2010. I order Tilly Bloom for myself and my sister who I have in our gift exchange. I also requested Tilly Bloom from my other sister in the gift exchange. It was a very Tilly Christmas.

Mine:




For my sister:


I was right, ps. Wayy cheaper online! Check out the lass at here.
All images from www.tillybloom.com

Statement Pieces

One of the easiest ways to kick up your personal style a notch is to focus on a statement piece. A statement piece can be any piece, but there must be only one. This is handy if you aren’t super-rich (like myself) but still want to look like you aren’t completely hopeless on the fashion front. And it’s also handy because you only need to buy one thing! Even if you don’t know what to pick, most gaudy things look OK on their own paired with an all-black ensemble. Think…like, yellow stilettos or something. Catch my drift?

My favourite stand-out items are necklaces, brooches, bottoms, and tights. And some of these can be bought for really cheap. Use your imagination!









I own the leggings and the tights and, well, they are me. But this is just to give you an example of how one item can turn your otherwise mundane black pants/tunic/blazer/dress into an outfit. The list I’ve shown above is a real mix between high and low fashion (Lanvin necklace, handmade brooch, handmade leggings, cheapo $4 tights), so no excuse not to try. No harm – I want to see more of this!

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Case Study 1: Creating an "eye"

What looks good? Why? How do people ever figure out how to look stylish and fashionable with what’s available in their price range? I’m not a professional, but I do know what looks awful and why.

Let's do a short case study. Here's two photos and I want you to think about who is fashionable and who's a fashion victim.



It's too easy, isn't it? But why do you think so?

Here’s my two cents on it. Dear Solange in the pink tights looks like she’s combining a bunch “trendy” things to say “look at me!” – the belt, the tights, the booties, an awful shiny shirt – but our friend in black has worked with proportion, details, and a hint of gold. I would fix Solange (ha ha ha – I’m getting self-righteous here), by changing two things – the tights and bag. My personal choices for substitution would be these:


Pamela Mann tights - $13.30 (I own these and love them.)


Alexander McQueen clutch – more than $13.30 (I have no idea and I’m not going to check! But Solange has enough money, so…no excuses.)

The easiest way to start seeing what works and what doesn’t is to look at yourself in the mirror every morning, basically. Don’t you get that feeling when something doesn’t “work”? Trust it. Make sure you feel good about it when you leave the house. Believe me – it will put a bounce in your step.

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Can't Quit You

So I've been shopping again in the last few days, but don't tell anyone. It's just low-budget type things: McQ crops and a Harajuku Lovers hoodie. Pictures to follow...and here they are! Ah, good old casual fare for summer.

Waiting...

Since I've proclaimed today "cheap day" on the blog, it is best to take this opportunity to show a bit of Alexander McQueen's new capsule collection for Target. I'm not sure how much this one will catch fire (compared to the CDG-H&M insanity), but I'm pondering a few select pieces for myself (naturally). Hooray for Target prices with McQueen's genius. Coming March 4.