Best Gucci Princetown Dupe

“Shame on you for buying designer dupes!”

After hearing multiple luxury addicts say that, I started to justify their claims. Negative connotations attached with being cheap, poor quality and disrespect towards designer’s artistic ideas started to repulse me from the thought of getting dupes. When the price tag is just ridiculous, my coping mechanism is to simply lust over them till that craving subsides. But with the tittle of the post, you probably guessed that I obviously had a change of mind.

the Princetown Gucci slippers have been seen basically on every feet of fashion bloggers out there. My personal thoughts changed constantly since I first saw them circling around the internet.

“It’s whatever”–> “It’s such a sell-out”–>”I’ll never buy it”–>”Maybe I’ll like it”–> “I need it now!!”

It only make sense that I progressed to stalking netaporter and farfetch, then YouTube videos on product reviews and finally the Gucci website. But I never made the leap of faith with the 875AUD price tag. This is contrary to my normal mind set of not needing full commitment with the purchase as I can always return them. Up till now, I can not see myself spending that much money on a pair of slippers, especially that I’ve never been a flats kind of girl. Despite multiple sources labelling them as the new classics, I just don’t see it happening.

Then I stumbled upon a UK brand called “EGO shoes” ,which I will put under the same category like “Public Desires”.  They had a range of the slippers’ dupes with a few colour selection and some other models and I was quite intrigued.

Scepticism on product quality is one of those things that I always have with dupes but the stitching looked neat, leather seem durable and the embroidery look very legit as well. So I placed my order, knowing that the reasonable price reduces the level of risk and so the anxiety I had. A self-proclaimed online shopping addict is a tittle of mine that receives acknowledgements from my closest friends. But when you shop online too much, it starts to take away that excitements and anticipation you get when waiting for the order arrival. I’m now quite distant from those emotions but this order somehow reignited that passion which made me tore through the parcel the moment I locked my bedroom door.

And I just can’t believe the quality on these slippers. Just like the pictures, the leather is shiny and hold the slippers’ structure very well. The flower embroidery is also incredibly neat and the soles are reasonably cushioned so they are comfortable to wear. The edges are far from being rough and will never cause blisters on your feet.

Definitely  be a little careful with sizing if you have wider feet as the tips protrudes inward so they might rub against your toes a little. Maybe I’m just not used to slippers but I also have to point out that absence of traction on the soles makes me very cautious of slipping on the floor. There are downsides with the slippers  but overall they don’t look or feel cheap at all and definitely the best bargain I’ve made this year.

The slippers range between £24.99-£29.99 and if you signed up for their email subscription, there is an additional 15% off the total price (code: NEWEGO) which is an awesome deal!!! Putting side-to-side comparison of the two, I still think the dupes are such a steal. What do you guys think?

EGO (43AUD) v Gucci (875AUD)

 

Favourite Fashion Bloggers You Have to Follow!

Clothes is more than what many view as ‘materialistic tangibles’ and as we know it is also a medium of expression, representing your voice without actually having to say a word. It is also like a window where you can take a sneak peak into a person’s thoughts and interest without actual engagements. Sense of style is something that is very individualistic and personal but let’s be real, not everyone is born with the skill to actually dress themselves well. Lucky enough that we are living in this digital age where it’s so easy to access fashion inspirations online. Being stuck in a slump where you just don’t know what to wear is a very common occurrence which I bet happen even to those at the top of their game. So never be guilty of taking inspiration from another person then adapting it into your own!

I am listing down four of my favourite fashion bloggers/ influencers that I’ve been looking up to for the past few years. Many comes and goes but these are the top list curated based their amazing sense of style and my pure respect for what they do. I’m pretty sure they are no strangers to you so see if they are one of your favourites too!

Jenn Im “clothesencounters”

Starting with thrifting her clothes from Goodwill and vintage shops, Jenn is perhaps the most versatile fashion icon that exist out there. Her ability to rock different looks in her petite frame is perhaps why she cater to such a broad spectrum of demographics. Boldness with mix and match-ing plus accessory game that’s always on point is, I think, her winning factor. Her vivacious personality and contagious laugh is another thing unique to her and one thing she teach her audience is to never give a damn about what others think. I have been watching her religiously for the past 5 years and I’m so proud and happy for all her achievements. She totally deserves it!

 Samantha Maria

Have you ever seen someone for the first time and feel that instant connection which you can’t really explain? Well, I had that with Samantha the moment I watched her very first video. And this proves true with a recent incident where I basically bought a pair of EGO slippers and Mango jacket to find out the very next day, she uploaded her videos where she bought the exact same thing! Am I just exaggerating and was it pure coincidence? Maybe. Nevertheless I just adore her so much! She rotates between classy, elegant, sporty and casual without being over the top and that’s what I love so much about her.

 Lizzy Hadfield “Shot From The Street”

Lizzy to me is the epitome of sophisticated contemporary British fashion blogger. Super timeless, minimalistic, quite preppy but overflowing with edginess, she always works her height to her advantage. I would say she is highly trend-forward in terms of her choices of luxury purchases but somehow manages to thoughtfully make timeless picks majority of the time. Her dedication to her YouTube series ‘Testing Basics’ definitely deserves two thumbs up and I can see nothing but success for her future career!

 Aimee “Song of style”

To be completely honest, I just got into her the past year or so and what can I say? Inspiring fashion blogger and also succesful girl boss who has earned herself a secured position in the fashion blogging world. She does gravitate towards designer brands but I would say people can always do one of those ‘look-for-less’ and take away inspirations from her posts. She’s just screaming chic-meets-elegance and I’ll die to take a sneak peak into he closet right now.

So, did I mentioned any of your favourite fashion icons above? I would love to know who or what inspire your choice of clothing in the comments below. Hope you enjoyed the post and definitely look into these girls more! 100% sure you won’t call it a waste of time!

 

YSL Croc-Embossed Chain Tassel Clutch

Have you heard of girls declaring unconditional love towards their very first designer purchase even when the poor things had distress and age written all over? Well, I never fully understood this concept of sentimental value till I scored mine nearly a year ago with the “YSL Croc-embossed Tassel Chain Clutch” (what a mouthful to say). Yes, I enjoyed the YSL blogger bag and longed day and night for the Celine belt bag but this is the true baby of my tiny collection. Different to the YSL blogger bag post I made last year, this post will be a full-year review on the bag which hopefully will be more complete and insightful. Skipping the formalities, I am going to list down the pros and cons then add my thoughts and opinion as well.

Bag Description:

It is a croc-skin embossed calfskin bag, with silver metal chain going through the two loops on the top and fringy tassel attached to the YSL logo on the flap. The bag has a single-compartment with an inner pocket and round magnetic closure, dimension (24×14.5×5.5). This make the interior very simple and hollow, hence very light-weight despite its boxy structure. Though labelled a ‘clutch’ I don’t really see it as one due to the size and functionality but refer more to the verdict to find out why.

 What fits inside:

As much as I want to glorify this bag (because I love it so much!), I have to be honest that the width and sturdiness restrict its capacity a little. You can definitely still fit a lot inside though, a portable battery, small organiser, or a couple extra makeup products but try to avoid over-stuffing to preserve the shape.

Verdict:

I am overly lenient towards the pro but I am going to mention the cons of the bags as well for a more objective review.

Negatives:

• Categorised as more structured, the bag is not the most malleable out there.
• Unavoidable swinging movement lead to times when the tassel caught on to the logo.
• Visibility of small indentation caused by the tassel. This is probably if you often store it in a lying down position as I did.
• The bag might not appear casual-occasion friendly to some people, probably more fitting for fancier events.
• Strong magnetic closure means opening the flap requires a bit of tugging which can bother some and also more noticeable wear on the leather surrounding the closure.
• When worn as a clutch, the chain which is tucked inside the bag often annoyingly slips out because there is no actual way to secure it in.
• Non-adjustable chain means the bag will hang on different heights and we know one size does not fit all.

Positives:

• Though shaped like a rectangle, the bag is not overly boxy and ‘harsh’ looking.
• Highly, highly durable material! The croc stamping camouflages the wrinkles that is given with the closure. (On the brighter side, it is theft-free and easy to close!)
• Looks amazing!! One, the tassel being the highlight of the bag adds a very unique and elongating touch to the bag. Second, the croc-embossed version projects a rougher and edgier vibe compared to smooth leather and so more versatile than you can expect.
• Functionality meet versatility as the bag can be worn three ways; on the shoulder, cross body and as a clutch.
• Minimal observed scratches on the silverware and indentation on the skin.
• Way lighter then what it appears to be and metal chain does not dig into your shoulder at all.

“Worn three different ways by Samantha Maria”

                  My experience:

The struggle was real with writing the pros and cons as with each cons noted I can always find a supporting argument against it.  I never really sat down and examine every inch of the bag nor critically analyse the purpose behind the design but I am now assured I could not have made a better choice! It fits perfectly in size and functionality between my blogger and belt bag, the medium go-to I would say. Here are some personal thoughts on mine.

• Wear and tear: Still looks brand new but each their own as I do take good care  without excessive babying.
• Size and fit: It is always spacious enough, a definite plus as the blogger bag really fits minimal stuff
• Aesthetic: Definitely a statement bag without being overly in-your-face. The logo is definitely catching eyes but it is not overly-branded so it’s a bit subtler and classy.
• Use: My preferred way of wearing it is cross body with the bag resting just nicely on my hip. This bag adds the perfect dosage of sophistication to make you look more put together.
• Price worth: Bought this for around 2400 SGD last year without much comparison or options at the time. I dare say it is a step below the ‘Chanel Boy’ minus the weight, dollars but the attached brand value ofc.
• Resell worth:  Never seen the bag on any resell market like Vestiare Collective so it’s either due to low resell prices or as I like to think people love it too much to let it go! But anyway, this is easily not a ‘commercial investment piece’.

The croc-embossed is perhaps an older version but the design is on of YSL’s classics along with Sac de Jour. The world is your oyster with this bag! You won’t believe how many versions exist out there. You can go for either the medium or small, chain or pure clutches (which are slightly longer), tassel v no tassel, different textures (smooth, grainy, croc-embossed, patterned), different colours (neutrals, metallic, glitter) and different hardware.

Just a few picks from their broad selection

 

For different styling inspiration, look for heyyyjune and definitely Samantha Maria! Take my words that you’ll be surprised at how she can showcase the versatility of this bag. I won’t blame you if you suddenly want one

 

Here are some other great style inspo on amazing girls owning the looks!

Substitutes:

If you are on the hunt for a cross body/clutch of similar design but don’t think this bag is for you, I have found a few others which you might want to consider. There are endless options out there including dupes or similar designs from high street brands so persevere on with the search and I’m sure you will find the one for you

1. LV Chain Louise

• M41279 MM, Black: $3400 AUD
• M51631 GM, Noir: $3100

2. YSL Envelope WOC

• Quilted textured leather with black hardware: $2684
• Black grain de poudre textured matelassé: $1515

 

3. Balenciaga clutch

• Classic metallic envelope shoulder bag: $2100

 

At this point some of you might be sick of the endless luxury bag posts that I’ve written on this blog. Though I enjoy occasional treats of branded goods, I am in no position to be spending grands monthly on designer pieces and this is not the main direction I’m planning to lead my blog towards. So keep an eye on if you are interested in anything from health, fitness, beauty, fashion and even studying abroad life!

If you are interested in the bag/ something similar, I’ve short-listed some great options you can find online:)

1. YSL Official website:

These are identical and in the only two sizes available. The price difference is pretty small so I’ll definitely size up! Refer for detailed description but they are not the cheapest options (*continue scrolling)

• YSL Croc-embossed Tassel bag (medium): $2530 AUD
• YSL Croc-embossed Tassel bag (small): $2515 AUD

2.  Farfetch:

Definitely take advantage of the 10% off if you are a new user to the website! Also don’t forget that price includes tax and there is free return if you change your mind.

• YSL Monogram Shoulder Bag: $2100 AUD (croc-embossed, grey calfskin, gold hardware, no tassel)
• YSL Monogram Shoulder Bag: $2370 AUD (smooth leather, white, intertwined gold rope instead of plain metal , no tassel)
• YSL Croc embossed Tassel Bag (medium): $2990 AUD (textured leather detail, grey calfskin, silver hardware

3.   MyTheresa:

There is less options compared to Farfetched but the prices does include import taxes and the small size is still slightly cheaper than buying from YSL’s website.

• YSL Classic monogram embossed leather shoulder bag (BLACK, small): $2285 AUD
• YSL Classic monogram embossed leather shoulder bag (RED, small): $2370 AUD

4.   Selfridges:

Keep in mind the prices below are exclusive of tax and import charges. In Australia at least, it’s around 10% for items valued above 1000AUD, so be aware of that.

• YSL Monogram leather shoulder bag (medium): $1820 AUD(smooth grainy leather, gold hardware, no tassel, )
• YSL Monogram leather shoulder bag (small): $1520 AUD(smooth grainy leather, gold hardware, no tassel, )

Tips on Dressing Taller

Throw back to 2015, I was quite surprised when a few people started complementing my height growth. Probably because I have been away for a while so I seemed to have grown quite a bit when in fact it was not much at all. A rubbish explanation my friend gave was that the difference in gravity is what ‘stretched’ me but let’s be honest, it was probably just late puberty :’D. I still wish I can grow a bit taller but it just came into an abrupt halt once I reached 164 cm (5’3 ft for you American readers).

I’d like to think I’m in a pretty good place measured for Asian standards but having to tilt my head up to look at Australian secondary school students hurts my 20 year-old girl pride just a little.  I’d be lying to say height does not affect the way clothes look on people and that taller people seem to get away with clothes of different fits better than us shorties. The elongated look tends to be what the mass goes after but there are definitely ways to work around that. Please note that I’m not trying to force my opinion on others and I’m just sharing some know-hows that I picked up after experimenting with myself and observing other people. So here are my top 5 tips on it!

1. Match your bottom with your shoes:

 I am 99% sure that the majority has at least one black jeans or something neutral of the sort. If you actually paired the same coloured pants and shoes together, you get yourself that continuous flow down instead of a break in between your leg and your feet. Don’t limit yourself to just black though, difference shades of tan is also a great option you can go for!

Those statement heel blocks are perfections

2. Go pointy:

Instead of round tipped, go for V-shaped cut for your footwear. This slims down your feet to a point and add a hint of edge to your outfit. Think of its function like a tip-toe. It does not only apply for boots in winter but you can go different styles (ps: they are really on trend too, so win-win situation for you)

3. Stretch your legs:

And I don’t mean it in the literal way but attempt to create that illusion. A top tip that works every time is to lengthen your lower body by compensating it with your upper. This diagram sums it up for you and you’ll be able to understand what I mean.

Excuse the crappy edit but my point is longer tops tend to hide your hide, so show it off with the right pieces:)

You don’t even need cropped tops if it’s not functional price or purpose wise to make it work. You can just tuck in the front part inside high-waisted jeans, jam a corner into a pocket or or bundle it in a knot.

4. Ditch the heels for platform anything!

Heels serves two purpose; a look elevating accessory and a torture device. I’m a believer that beauty often equals pain and heels is the perfect example for this! So a good alternative will be inserting platform whether it be a few centimetre block heeled shoe, mules, or going all out with chunky-brick soles like T.U.K creepers. You don’t have to compensate comfort and can still rock them to different occasions.

I’m mules-obsessed!!

5. Know your body type!!!

Instead of getting stuck in a toxic cycle of  depression over imperfect body parts that you can’t really change, try to focus on enhancing the features you have! Ultimately, you have to work with what you got so try to shift your attention to your strengths or to improve in the areas you are lacking in. In order to do that, you have to know your body type and cater to its needs.  I have a planned blog post coming up regarding dressing right for your body type so keep an eye out if you’re interested!

 

I know these tips might seem obvious to some but sometimes you just need that reminder to keep you motivated cause fashion is just pure fun and there will always be something for everyone out there. Hope you all can take something away from this post and have enjoyed the post:)

ps: None of the actual photos belong to me. I’m just here collaging and editing  them so full credit goes to their respective owners.

The Celine Belt Bag (Taupe) i.e. “The Miracle Bag”

I’ve just read a post from ‘tbymallano’ about how there is basically two types of shoppers; impulse and strategic buyers. With such two polar opposites, I’ll be leaning more towards the later but I would argue it would hinge more on the item itself, mainly the price tag attached of course. Truthfully speaking, I did not bought the bag for any special reasons. People often justify their purchase by saying , “I just reached a milestone in my life and I’m rewarding myself with something to mark the occasion.” And the tangible item that you buy become a representation or symbol of that achievement you made. Which is awesome, but you don’t necessarily need a backstory to make that item significant to you. Your journey could be the unique feature that’s encapsulated within and it doesn’t make it any more or less valuable than other people’s story. This was an interesting one for me so I thought I would share this here and I think some people can actually relate to it.

So in summary, I have been hunting for this particular Celine Belt Bag for a while and because it was an old season release, it was near impossible to get my hands on it. yet here I am with the bag in my hands and this is how the story unfolded.

 *Side note: I recommend reading this at your most convenient of time, probably sipping tea on your couch or tucked under your blanket as this is a lengthy one but you won’t believe what a journey it was:). 

“Why The Belt Bag”

 

 “Why Celine when you just said you make calculated decisions with shopping?”

Exactly, Celine is probably not the first brand that comes to mind when you are making the crucial decision of investing a few thousand dollars into an investment piece. Chanel, or Hermes would probably be better candidates for it. But is this an investment piece?

Yes and No

‘No’ because it is one that is not a ‘classical’ design and will most probably depreciate in value over time but ‘Yes’ because I find this syncs in so beautifully with my current wardrobe and have no plans to resell this in future so I could not care less about the price drop.

 

” How it all started”

Magazine catalogues, designer website or picking up trends from the runways are probably good sources of inspiration that pushes people to buy a product. Mine arrived from Lizzy Hadfield also known as ‘shotfromthestreet’, who was rocking this bag so well that I thought, I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE! Sharing opinions and thoughts on her YouTube videos, everything she said just was purely informative and she was not pushy at all, making pseudo statements like a small number of people on the internet. One of the things she pointed out that  I took into consideration was the notorious issue that the flap is ridiculously painful to open and close, but you can definitely work with it.

(Doesn’t she look amazing, I’m still obsessed!!)

“The Process”

So the journey began with my mother-daughter trip to Hong Kong, often known as the ultimate fashion destination for designer goods in Asia. This, I came to the realisation later, was just an overstated title based on my personal experience. Boy, it was hard to visit countless Celine boutiques only to walk out empty-handed because the only colours they were stocking was black and light taupe.

 

  A simple line was the only thing I needed to repeat with each encounter:

 “Hey have you got the celine belt bag in taupe?”

, and the reply was either a request to see a picture or an immediate head shake. With the end of the trip drawing near, my hope started to crumble with every failed attempts. Deep inside I knew there was less than a 5% chance of finding it knowing this was an old release, so maybe I was plain stupid for coming with an expectation. Hence I was actually armed with plan B which was the second option I had in mind; a cool grey colour.

                                                 

I thought it screamed ‘urban-chic’ and I can still rock this colour just as great. This was a recent release from their 2016’s winter collection too meaning chances of finding it was definitely larger. On the day before our flight, I eventually found the very last one in Hong Kong but it was in smooth skin instead of pebbled texture which gave it a ‘plastic-look’ in my opinion, so that option was out too. To be honest, at that point, I thought either God was probably having too much fun teasing me or Fortuna decided not to be on my side at all .

I decided to take my search online hoping the worldwide web would let me find the little gem tucked away somewhere on the other side of the globe. Stumbling upon the website snobswap.com, I immediately did what i thought was securing the deal on a belt bag of similar colour only to find out the payment was unsuccessful and their internal miscommunication gave away the bag to another buyer.

Utter desperation was what eventually led me to the very last resort: e-bay.

I would buy a phone case or desk lamp from eBay but never did it cross my mind the thought of getting a designer bag through the site.  I’m a straight up sceptic and very cautious too especially with the price attached on designer items.  Online retail shops that is not publicly approved as ‘safe’ is just too high risk, so this was a massive gamble. So the search began again and out of pure luck a bag in grey was stocked by a seller, in its prime condition and at a great price point too compared to the previous two. But a stream of question entails regarding its authenticity and I was just too afraid to make the final move leading to what you can probably guess occur next. Yup, it got sold away yet again to another buyer.

It was the last straw and at that point, I was just over it.

Nope.

I’m done.

Don’t need it, don’t want it any more.

Ditch the idea and I’ll go on with my life.

 

But just then, long and be hold, I got a new email in my inbox which read:

“Hi Dear, we also got this in other colours too if you are interested.”

And so I half-heartedly checked what she sent and one of the few images attached was named: “Small Celine Belt Bag IN TAUPE”.

Just when all hope fails and I was ready to back out, it was offered to me straight up. Remember when I felt I was played real hard? Well, I was but apparently it was all just a test of my patience and perseverance. As a firm believer in the quote “everything happens for a reason” , I believe if it’s meant to be, it will be. It was just about having the right thing at the right time.

 The right colour and size, what more could I possibly ask for? The belt bag retails for around 3100AUD which is around 2500USD/ 1900£ in Australia and Hong Kong at the time I was researching them. I sealed the deal with an incredible 1499USD, on top of complementary shipping, import duties and tax courtesy of the seller, delivered straight from Italy to Australia with the original dust bag and authentication cards in it. I will leave you to make up your mind if this was destiny or pure luck.

 If you don’t call it a miracle, I don’t know what is. It has been a roller coaster ride with this one and the journey behind getting it is probably one of the biggest reasons the bag will stay in my closet forever. At the moment, I cannot give a full review yet as I have yet to wear it out, so I would not have any useful info to give out. The only thing is I’m suspecting the possibility of the bottom sagging almost into the shape of long-champ bags so I’m on the hunt for an affordable bag insert that can help maintain its structure. An update or review will be coming in future and if I’m feeling bold I might do a look book or how I style it. Let me know if that sounds like a good idea.

 If you’ve read everything up to this point, congratulation you made it through! It was just something that I found too interesting not to share. On one hand I hope I expressed myself well enough but on the other hand I hope the stress and frustration was not contagious to you. Anyway, if you had a good read between your coffee break or found the slightest bit of entertainment from hearing the tedious emotional struggles I went through, then it serves its purpose and you just made me a very happy girl.

 

ps: Leave me any questions you have and I’ll be happy to help out if I can:D

 

Extra information:

• Lizzy’s blog post: https://www.shotfromthestreet.com/home/2015/12/29/the-dream-celine
• Lizzy’s YouTube videos:
  1. The bag reveal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGFqbO5RsLc
  2. What’s in my bag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTyVtwbeKec
• HeyyyJune’s YouTube video (belt bag in dune colour) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLD4R4OLTuI

2 Posts & 7 Months later…

I initially made this blog for a couple of reasons that is:

1. I wanted to express my interest in fashion through a ‘safe’ medium. This saying that the blog is supposed to be like my second cosy bedroom but just with the addition of a few new roommates who hopefully share the same passion as I do.
2. I needed to rediscover the joy and freedom I once had from writing that was slowly turning into a love-hate relationship as uni assignments started piling up.
3. I simply had the urge to hold myself accountable for something that I am fully responsible for. Quite silly isn’t it, to be willingly signing up for an extra workload that is probably quite unecessary. But hey, I think I’m probably not the only one.

 

However, it’s been seven months and I barely made any progress or have ever even made the simple effort of logging back in. To be honest I couldn’t even care less if the whole thing slowly turns into one of those mouldy archives on the internet never to be seen or heard of ever again. Sounds quite dramatic, but it’s true.

 

In my nearly 20 years of life, I have never been one to set any new year resolutions. I was pretty comfortable where I was with planning out my daily schedule on my phone. Perhaps I was secretly quite proud of it too knowing some people I know could barely believe I schedule my day on hourly basis to the ton a good day (*most find it quite annoying and stressful to be honest ;p). But just when I thought 2017 is just going to be another plain, standard year, life decided to just completely reroute me off my original track. I was not derailed though, just directed on to a new path, a better one.

 

It’s a lengthy journey which I will rather not touch upon on this post but in a nutshell, things just started falling into place. I started challenging myself, doing things that I procrastinated over the years. I stopped playing victim and decided to “woman-up”. Majority of it has paid off, some I’m still uncertain of and will probably still be left guessing for quite a while.

 

Success is possibly one of the biggest source of empowerment that one can ever source from within. Cumulatively I just got charged with this boost of motivation coming after I successfully break one barrier after another. And so I have decided to leverage this into this platform of mine. Starting from scratch, with the new clean sheet of plain paper, I have made the commitment to dedicate more time and effort into this blog. Long and hard was I thinking alright over the past week or so; whether I can keep my words and whether it will all be worth it in the end.  After weighing everything up I think regret will be a more unfavourable outcome compared to the lost hours of planning, hard work and time I could be investing elsewhere.

 

Realistic goals will be the key so for myself, a good quality post a week is a good starting point to get me into the rhythm. Noting this is not my full time occupation, I will prioritise other things whenever necessary without letting myself fall into a slump of excuses and further procrastination.

 

So here goes nothing.

The last thing I would want to see myself doing is logging into the same blog with 3 posts, 7 months later.

MONOCHROMATIC WARDROBE STAPLES (Inspiring Looks)

It’s almost the end of winter here in Australia and we, Melbournians, just can’t wait to say goodbye to the miserable chilly days and are so ready to welcome the warmer months of spring. But a good old post of inspiring outfit ideas using monochromatic closet staples will never hurt as there is always room for black and white posts on my blog. I compiled some looks from aspiring fashion icons and you will probably know who some of my them are by the end of the post. Maybe you can draw some inspirations from them too and add your personal little twist to make it your own! Enjoy 😀

 

1. White blouse: Nothing will beat a freshly-ironed crisp white blouse. Highly recommend getting an over-sized piece with the basic shade of white for a start but also try styling different cuts and lengths as they are always fun to play with. Also a very handy layering base for winter!

 

2. Black moto jacket: You will never regret investing in a good quality leather jacket as it will last you a life time! Coming in different styles and model, the classic outer wear is one that is going to stay on trend for years to come. Adding an instant element of chic and masculinity, it is easily adaptable to different sense of styles.

 

3. The high-waisted black skinnies: When in doubt, go black. Any black jeans will do but skinnies are just body-hugging and they elongate your legs paired with a black top.  As much as I hate jean shopping, I will go on the hunt for the perfect pair of black skinnies as they are a definite must have whether ankle grazed, plain or ripped. Once again it’s very versatile and I’m guilty of owning more than necessary.
   

   
   

   

 

4. Monochrome oxford/ brogues/ loafers : Maybe the most unexpected on the list but they add just the perfect touch of preppiness without turning geeky. Toss them on and you have an effortless put together look for the day.

Paris Fashion Week September 2011

 

5. The LBB: Of course I’m not retracting my original statement that the little black bag is a good addition to anyone’s wardrobe. You don’t have to buy a designer handbag as there are endless good options on the market.

 

I’ve always find product suggestions really useful so here are some affordable pieces to achieve a similar look.

White blouse

• Asos relaxed white shirt
• Dipped hem (ivory color)
• Fresh soul white blouse (with subdued ruffles on the sleeves)

Black moto jacket

• Free people leather jacket (vegan)
• Asos biker jacket

Black skinnies

• Ripped skinnies
• Missguided coated skinnies (glossier look) 

Oxford shoes

• Asos black brogues 
• Asos black (very unique cut) 
• T.U.K (check out their website for more) 

Black bag

• Rebecca Minkoff Camera Bag
• ZAC Zac Posen 
• Aldi cross body with pom pom 
• Or check my previous blog post for some designer brand options 😀

*none of these photos are mine so full credit goes to the original owners.

 

 

 

YSL Blogger Bag Review

It’s been engrained in people’s mind how the ever so famous LBD (aka little black dress) is a ‘must-have’ staple in every girl’s wardrobe. The piece has been making regular appearance in almost every single YouTube video titled ‘My Closet Staple’ that I have clicked on, which is no surprise really. To tell you the truth I am shamelessly breaking that unwritten rule as I have not found the one black dress that will always deliver versatility as everyone has been promising and raving about. Don’t get me wrong, I think the LBD does belong on the list but I would like to nominate a contender which I think is just equally as versatile, if not more and that is the LBB, “The Little Black Bag”. This does come attached with a side of bias being the shoe and bag lover I am but hey, I don’t think I’m the only one who thinks this way (*I hope not :p) With endless options in the market, the pursuit for the right bag is not as easy as it looks. Size, texture, shape, material, price, quality, trend, brand, urghh it’s got just as much elements to it as a maths equation lol. But seriously though, finding a bag that you love does require thoughtful consideration, research and a bit of luck.

 Going back to the main purpose of this post, I am going to review a bag that I just purchased that is the ‘YSL Monogram Blogger Bag’. To give you some back story, I was on the hunt for a casual bag for everyday wear such as eating out or for the movies. Handbags was out of the question as I want to be as care free as possible. I did consider other options: ‘Gucci Soho Disco’ and ‘Prada Textured Leather Camera Bag’. The Gucci bag retails for 1365AUD and the Prada camera bag is going for 1261AUD (*as of August 2016). However, there are just some things about them that I did not like such as the design, material and strap hence the YSL Blogger bag.                                                        

Truthfully the bag was not love at first sight but it was definitely on my radar for a substantial period of time. Long story short I saw them on a few YouTubers’ videos namely The Persian Babe, Melissa Soldera and Inthefrow and the flame within me was reignited again. Initially I was put off by the size but after watching their reviews multiple times and contemplating on them I decided the bag was the one. I told myself: “Okay, just get it first and then if you don’t like it you can always get your money back.” But seriously, who was I trying to trick? My fully sane mind was 100% aware that once the beauty is in my arms, it’s going nowhere.

CUTTING TO THE CHASE FOR REAL NOW!

Bag description :

The blogger bag is a cross body bag from calfskin with a 62 cm thin strap, dimension (12x11x5.5cm). It has got the iconic YSL gold hardware logo on the front, a slit pocket at the back, chained tassel, inner leather lining and 4 card slots inside as well.

First Impression :

I placed the order with a Far fetch boutique from Italy and the bag arrived immediately in Melbourne, within a week or less. It was securely packaged and I was thrilled to get the actual YSL black box (* you might have to request them if ordering elsewhere). It came with the essential leather sample, black dust bag and the authenticity card. However, my heart dropped when I examined the bag closely as there were very faint almost dragged-like line which was apparently the calfskin folding. It was only apparent under direct light and I think with wear and tear the wrinkles will appear sooner or later anyway. Considering having to ship it back, the waiting time and the fact that they were such minimal defect I decided to keep them.

What fits inside?

Carrying a ton load of stuff has never been my thing so this bag is just perfect for my minimalistic essentials. I can easily slip in my sunglasses, oil paper, a few cards, keys and my IPhone 6 with no problem. I could have probably put in a tissue pack, and a few makeup stuff if I wanted to as the bag is deceivingly quite spacious. Fair warning though: If you are a girl who has to have her wallet, makeup pouches and agenda at all time, I’m telling you straight up, this is NOT the bag for you. You will be better off with the Gucci Soho in my opinion.

Verdict:

Brought this little baby for brunch the next day with my sister and I have to say firstly that it goes with almost all of my outfits and also it was very fuss free. We went out for a good couple of hours and I had no trouble whatsoever with it. Now might not be the best time to put a review as I have yet to wear it out a lot but I can say that for now:

Positive aspects:

• Thin strap does not dig into your skin, nor will it slip off your jacket (*plus point when it’s chilly outside)
• Very versatile to dress down casually or dress it up for parties and dinner
• As mentioned it fits a ton of my essentials
• Very fuss free design wise.

Negative aspects:

• You do have to downsize if you are thinking of carrying more than bare necessities. Based on some reviews, you can just barely fit an iPhone 6s without a casing in so it might be a big turn off for some.
• The smooth calfskin makes it quite unforgiving and more prone to scratches and folds. Once again, will suggest opting for the textured leather on Gucci Soho or YSL Camera bag if you are quite clumsy.

Will I recommend it?

• Aesthetic wise: I personally find the design very timeless especially with the YSL gold/silver logo in the centre. Choosing a neutral colour like black is almost a 100% risk free as well. Though some argue it is tailored for summer use I will say it is even more practical for winter when you just want to keep things simple and chic.
• Am I getting my money’s worth? For close to a 1000AUD I will say that this bag is a bag that I will gravitate towards throughout the year for the next 3-4 years at least. So yes, I am planning to wear the crap out of it.
• As an investment piece: I would not say the model is a classic to YSL itself. The suggestion is based on my limited knowledge of designer brands but it might be worth looking into the YSL Sac De Jour or the Croc-embossed leather chain clutch.
• Considering the price, I can’t stress enough on size and it’s definitely not for everyone. If you are after a similar design, you can look into the Gucci and YSL bag I have linked below;)

For putting up with my endless blabber, I have linked all the useful YouTube reviews down below in addition to the different websites stocking the bag. I have also noted down some pros and cons just to guide you through my thought process when making the purchase if you are interested. Overall I am a very happy girl at the end of the day and I hope the review and information can be of any help for those considering the bag ;D

 

 

Bag availability (+ my pros and cons)

(*Prices as of August 2016)

1. YSL Website (1155 AUD inc tax)

-out of stock most time so you might have to sign up for their waiting list.

2. Net-a-porter (1155 AUD inc tax)

 

3. Far fetch (999.18 AUD + 10AUD for shipping to Melbourne, Australia)

-You get the black box from YSL

-Tax already included + 10% off for full priced items from the website

-Free return

-Also available in white and blue

 

4. Selfridges (910 AUD exc taxes)

-Though cheapest, there is the chance that after getting charged with the import taxes the price might be higher than from far fetch, I decided to play it safe

-There were some negative reviews of the website including undelivered items and poor customer service, so I did not want to take a chance with such a pricey purchase.

-Also available in red and blue

Useful YouTube reviews

• ThePersianbabe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeuBG7LRdK0
• Melissa Soldera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoT8sEApL44
• Inthefrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8QcGKZYAA4

Similar bags

1. Gucci Soho
2. Prada Camera bag
3. YSL Camera bag