On The Street... Colourful Sweaters In Taipei

Source: StyleSophomore (1&3), La Mode Outré (2)

I actually feel like I have missed out on so many things over the last two years and wearing sweaters is one of them. In fact I completely forgot that they even existed until we experienced Autumn for a short while in Taipei. Lots of colourful sweaters and just lots of knitwear in general worn on the streets, it was really quite refreshing.

On The Street... Black

Source: StyleSophomore

I especially love the first shot that I took in Taipei. It's a great example of how to make an all black outfit look interesting and amazing by playing with layers, textures and slightly different shades of black.

On The Street... Hats In Taipei

I never used to photograph many people wearing hats for StyleStophomore and I think that was because a lot of the time, to me people don't really incorporate the hat into the rest of the outfit. Instead it looks as if they just throw any hat on as they walk out the door (I know that's probably not the case) but more times than not, the hat seems to detract attention from the rest of the outfit rather than compliment it. But, that all changed when we went to Taipei and I found myself photographing so many people with hats! 

Maybe my disliking for hats will change now. I love how these people are all wearing quite small neutral coloured hats that just top off the outfit and without them, it just wouldn't be complete. It's like you need the hat but at the same time it's not the main focus of the look. Missing Taipei already but 6 more weeks and we'll be back!

Source: StyleSophomore

Taipei X Converse

Ok, it's obvious that I love Converse. In fact, coming to Taipei to live for a month with only 1 piece of carry-on luggage (and nothing else), I could only fit in a couple of pairs of shoes and it was an easy choice to bring both pairs of Converse sneakers. This is the land of Converse after all! And I even tried on a pair of hi-tops the other day and if they didn't make me look even shorter than I already am, then I would have definitely bought another! Can't ever get enough of them. They are the comfiest shoes ever and I reckon that everyone should own at least one pair of Converse no matter what. I think everyone in Taipei does and it's so cool seeing all the different styles, fabrics, embellishments and designs around. 

A couple of my favourite Converse shots taken for StyleSophomore. I'm naturally attracted to Converse shoes when people-watching on the streets so these ones were an obvious shot...

Source: StyleSophomore

Cozy Knit Inspiration

Badly in need of some big cozy knits so the next rainy day here in Taipei I'm gonna hunt down a yarn shop and get knitting. God I sound like such a nana but knitting is cool, I like it! It will give me something to do when I'm not in the mood to go out and get photographs in the rain. Gonna start with making some basic sweaters much like the ones below cos I love all of these looks and want them now! I have no idea how to knit a sweater but I guess a good place to start is with some yarn. We'll see how it goes!

Source: Elle.com, mode d'amour

Military Style

An obvious trend this Fall/Winter is the military-inspired jacket and I've seen so much of it around Taipei as well as when we were in Seoul last month. Worn by both men and women alike, over skinny jeans, contrasted with a feminine skirt or dress, or even just on their own, it's a key piece this season and is everywhere in the shops and around the streets. Here's a few shots I've taken in Seoul and Taipei for StyleSophomore that show just how versatile this piece is and how it can easily be incorporated with other current trends.

Source: StyleSophomore

Autumn Knits

James and I took these shots for La Mode Outré and StyleSophomore when we were up in Seoul at the start of September. They were just transitioning into Fall at the time and there were a lot of knits around, worn as under layers, outwear or just on their own. For as long as we've been in Singapore, I've never even thought about wearing or buying knits of any sort. Knitted jumpers, cardigans, sweaters, dresses, I've had no real need for them as fortunately I'm not stuck in a freezing cold air-conditioned office all day and I wouldn't even set a foot outside in even the thinnest knitwear. But, we are moving to Taipei right in the middle of Autumn where temperatures will get down cool enough to wrap up in cosy knits and scarves. I really can't wait to wear knitted jumpers again and mix and match them with jeans and pants that I've missed wearing so much. Ahhhh I'm so excited! 12 more days to go!

Black Skirts

Source: Style Sophomore

I've noticed while sitting out and getting street style photos, that there aren't as many people dressed head to toe in complete black. Instead, I've been seeing a lot of solid black skirts, black flowing skirts and black sheer layered skirts being paired with light-weight summer blouses and tops. With black being easy to match with most colours, you can see how simple it is to create a smart-casual everyday look and look great at the same time!

Light Layers

Yeah, it is hot and humid in Singapore and there's no denying it. After 20 months of living here, we haven't got used to it, we don't think we ever will get used to it, and have learnt that we just have to deal with it while we're here. I ditched the jeans a long time ago, I've made myself more pairs of shorts and pants out of light fabrics, and I have learnt to let my face and skin breathe without attempting to clog it up with makeup or any products.

It will always be hot (or at least humid) and there will always be people who will use that as an excuse for not having style. Something that I'll never understand is when people complain so much about the weather but then you go out and see skin-tight jeans and leggings everywhere! There are people though, who know how to dress for the weather without comprising their style. I think it's all about wearing light layers and wearing natural fabrics such as cotton that breathe easily. So, from the streets of Singapore, some inspiration on how to create a cool everyday look with light layers.

Source: Style Sophomore, La Mode Outré

Maxi Inspiration

Source: Stockholm Streetstyle

I've still got loads of black cotton knit fabric left to use, so I thought that I'd quite like to make a full length maxi dress or skirt next, probably one quite basic and similar to the one in the top left picture. I like how all these maxis are quite slim fitting and create long lines. I really need to stop thinking that you need to be tall to wear dresses like these because in fact the dress itself can create the illusion of height.

Still working on James' shirt at the moment and I'm determined to get it finished! Having a second go at the sleeves after spending a good hour last night unpicking side seams and sleeves. I really am going to somehow invent an automatic unpicker machine one day - not so sure how it would work but it would make things so much easier and make me less angry!

As a side note, if anyone wants to buy any black cotton knit fabric off me, please email me and let me know. I'm selling it off at a super cheap price of $5/metre (SGD) as I need to get rid of it all before we go travelling! It's a good quality cotton blend from Korea, about 110gsm (very lightweight) and is great for making summer tops, t-shirts, dresses, skirts or anything else you'd like to use it for!

Casual Coloured Bottoms

After seeing so many different coloured bottoms being worn on the streets this season, I finally went and bought a couple of metres of bright red denim to make myself a pair of trousers. I know many people say that Spotlight is expensive for buying fabrics but when you can get good quality denim for only $5/m down from $24.95/m, it's worth popping in every now and then just to see what they've got. I absolutely love the mint green coloured pants above and also the mustard yellow, so I will be keeping an eye out for those colours next. Can't wait to make my pants, I seriously need to stop buying fabric for now and get sewing!  

Love Chucks

Since I'm pretty much living in my chucks these days, I'm always on the lookout for new ideas on what I can wear them with, or rather, what I can wear with them. I love chucks just because they're so comfortable, stylish and inexpensive so you can get a few different pairs in different colours and styles, and mix and match them in with different outfits. Here are some cool looks with chucks.

Source: Mode d'amour, Fashiontoast, The Sartorialist, ASOS

Something Makes Me Crave The Cold

After living in Dunedin (South Island of New Zealand) for 7 years and now living in the tropics where it's summer all year round, I must say that I never complained as much about the cold than I do about the heat. And seeing pictures of the massive dumpings of snow back home at the moment, it makes me really crave the cold and even the snow right now!

We are off to Seoul, Hong Kong and Taipei in the next coming months where I hope it will be a little bit cooler, but for now, some wintery inspiration for those who are lucky enough to have a winter!

Source: Stockholm Street Style, The Sartorialist, Elle.com, International Street Style

Autumn Palettes

If we lived in a country that had seasons, then Autumn would have to be my favourite. I just love the autumn colours - the reds, the browns, the yellows and the oranges and in all these images, the colours are toned down but bold and stirking at the same time and they all work so well together. The first two pictures are taken from a pre-fall shoot with models Wang Xiao, Xiao Wen and Rila Fukushima in V magazine #72, Fall Preview 2011. The third is probably my favourite photo from The Sartorialist. I couldn't stop looking at this photo when I saw it, I love her style and she looks so at ease with everything. And I want her hair!

It's been one long summer for us and I've actually forgotten what it's like to be cold. I miss having seasons and sometimes wish that we could have spring, winter or autumn maybe just for a day or two. That would be nice. We are yet to find somewhere that has the perfect climate, changing seasons, temperatures ranging from about 20-25 degrees all year round and no humidity! Does a place even exist?

White On White

"White... is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black..."  

                 - Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Source: mode d'amour, The Sartorialist, Hanneli

We all know that white is well and truly in at the moment. White white, cream white, ivory white, ghost white, you've seen it all on the runways and in the magazines and what better way to wear white than pair it with another shade of white. I like all of these looks - the difference in the shades of white are more subtle in some outfits than others but I think all of work very well. Inspiring!

Short Denim

Source: Ring My Bell, Zara trf

I like both of these looks where light wash denim shorts have been paired with simple white tees and light accessories. It's so spring summery and perfect for Singapore all year round!

Also, 2 more sleeps til TOKYO! Yeah, I'm pretty excited!

The Perfect Shirt

Source: Hanneli, La Mode Outre

I love love love all of these looks! I think it's definitely in the lightness of the shirts and the delicate fabrics. Perfect for the weather here where it's basically summer all year round. Loving the light summery pastel shades paired with dark grey or black bottoms, the tucked shirts, the light accessorizing and the overall elegance. 

Bright Red, Camel

Source: mode d'amour, Sincerely Jules, The Locals, Carolines Mode

I really like this colour combination and even though I know it's already been around for awhile, I think the neutral camel colour will always be in. It's one those timeless classics that you can wear anytime of year and with a splash of bright red, it's perfect for spring/summer!

Simple Greys

I do wear grey but not much of it. I tend to steer away from wearing greys as to me it seems like it's a bit of a nothing colour, a dull colour, neither here or there, and I guess I'm more of a black and white person. However, I like these two shots and how they have both used simple greys as a base to the outfit and to draw attention to other areas that they want to show off.

Source: The Sartorialist, Stockholm StreetStyle

Neutral Nude

Source: Natalie Off Duty, The Sartorialist, Sincerely Jules, Vanessa Jackman