Through K's Eyes

I want to preface this post with a disclaimer: I don't normally fall in love with shoes. I admire their design, but the prettiest shoes are always unwearable high heels. I do have a problem with buying shoes just because they fit and not because I love them, but I blame that on the genetics that decided to gift me with tiny feet. (My mother's feet are the same length but significantly wider, so she can wear size 6-6.5. I'm a tiny bit wide in the front, but my heels are too narrow to stay in pumps that are too long.)

However, the new Anthropologie July catalog just came out... and I am in LOVE with these Bookbinder Heels.



The sad part is... these have an infinitesimally small chance of making it to sale in my size. Already--and these are practically a brand new release online--there's only 3 pairs left in stock online. And my local Anthro doesn't carry shoes unless they're returned, so unless I make a special trip, I can't even try these on.

Honestly, I'm also a little afraid to try these shoes on... I have a birthday discount to spend in July--my birthday was in May but I never got a coupon, turns out they had my mom's July birthday in the system instead--but these shoes cost $140 even with the discount. And I'd be afraid to wear them in any kind of not-perfect weather, for fear of ruining the heels.

EDIT: In EA comments, someone mentions that these shoes/this brand runs long in length and narrow in the toe box--exactly the opposite of what I need (I would love to find a 5.5 or even a 6 that runs short, because it's more common than a size 5, and my toes are slightly wide).

 Overall, I really like Heartsy.me (referral link), which is a group-buying daily deal site for handmade goods from Etsy and elsewhere on the web. It's different from Groupon in that there is no initial "tipping" point, but there's also a strict limit to the number of vouchers available for each deal.

I've purchased two Heartsy vouchers so far, both for Etsy, and it's really easy to check out with them. However, I ended up getting one of the vouchers refunded and had to argue with customer service by email for several days... so, I still recommend them, just be aware that they will make it difficult to get your money back and think of it as final sale. I did get my refund in the end by being persistent and aggressive. (The voucher was for custom-made clothing, and more expensive than most of Heartsy's deals, or I wouldn't have bothered.)



Secondly... somehow I managed to miss Anthro's Blurred Hydrangea Dress on second cut and only just noticed it on third cut to $50 from $400... obviously, it's all sold out by now. But I am willing to pay the second cut price of $100 for a size 0 or 2... maybe 4 if it's cheaper than $100 and will come out equivalent after alteration costs.

Don't know how long the link will be active, but what a useful and original advertisement by ModCloth! Basically it's two animations of a top and three skirts, then a skirt and three tops. They get mixed-and-matched in different outfits, with different layering possibilities nicely illustrated.

I've finally dipped a toe into the online sample sale world--via, surprisingly, Amazon's MyHabit. I chose it because it satisfies two of my strict online-shopping requirements: free shipping and free returns (whether in-store or online). Although MyHabit returns are store-credit only, they do pay for return shipping as well as initial shipping--and reputedly pretty fast!--plus, unlike every other sample sale site, the store credit is usable at all of Amazon's websites. Amazon.com has everything, so the store credit returns aren't a deal-breaker.

Haven't bought anything yet, but it's been fun to browse knowing that I might actually buy... if I have to pay for shipping, I'll usually talk myself out of it first.

For some reason, every style guide I've ever read assumes that if a woman 1) is petite, and 2) has narrow hips, then 3) she must have a lovely, small waist just waiting to be shown off. Uh, no?

My present measurements are 28.5" waist, 34" hips. That's with "hips" verging dangerously close to the top of my thighs, rather than my actual hipbone. And on every retail size chart I've seen, including those of high-end designers, I have a size 6 waist but size 0 hips. Did I mention my (realistically) 32AA chest?

Yep, I'm pretty much cut like a pre-pubescent girl. But I'm not a tiny petite, either; recently I tried on a blouse at Ann Taylor LOFT in size XXSP, and the armholes were too tight.

What to do? For now, I'm buying more belts and bravely trying out this defined-waist look, although I've been self-conscious about my tummy pooch since before puberty (my little sister has the exact same shape, so I suspect it's inherited from my dad). I've even considered defining myself as an apple, but my ribcage and hips are just barely larger than my middle--plus, whoever heard of a 120 lb., size 2 apple figure?

EDIT: Newsflash! The beautiful and tiny Chloe of The Chloe Conspiracy recently described herself as, in fact, a size 2 apple figure! And her term, "Buddha-belly," is exactly spot-on for me. Would be so weird if we were size twins, since her blog is VERY well-read in the blogosphere and I've just ventured out of lurkdom.

I vaguely recall someone else with 27-35 measurements who described herself as straight-figured/no-waist. That was kind of depressing, since I fluctuate between 28-33 and 29-34. Chloe is literally THE only person I've met (online, obviously, since fruit shape and measurements aren't exactly dinner conversation 'round my parts) who has identified as an apple shape and not also plus-sized or even in the upper range of normal sizes.

This is my fifth and last week in rural Canada before I return to civilization. Tonight I had to attend a 50's themed dance party, and I hadn't had the chance to go shopping (i.e. thrifting, because the closest mall is 30-45 minutes away and I don't have a car) for appropriate attire. At the last minute, I took off the tights I'd worn under a navy jersey dress and layered a cream ruffle skirt underneath the dress as a mini-crinoline. Topped with my charcoal gray peacoat and a quick tie of a scarf that I'd thrifted in a previous week to the amazing Frenchy's^, I was ready to go.

^Other things I've thrifted from Frenchy's since arriving in Canada include a J.Crew Costine sweater, Ralph Lauren polo, Banana Republic striped tank, NWT Express black satin tank, and a gorgeous seafoam-green vintage silk scarf. Everything is sold in giant bins and priced by item type, no markups for brand names. There are often premium brand jeans, too, although I'm hard to fit in pants so I didn't take a look.

Being on vacation with a limited wardrobe--that wasn't particularly well-packed, as I was in a hurry--and I didn't have a good sense of the finicky, rainy spring weather in Nova Scotia--means that I've had to be creative (and, at times, just repeat super-casual outfits) with my style. For instance, I paired a mustard yellow J.Crew Costine sweater, oversized and the first yellow clothing item I can remember purchasing, with navy Aeropostale sweats. And y'know, it worked.

This time around, I love the look of this skirt as a crinoline/slip, especially since I've wanted to own a slip for a while now. (It's on the same impractical-clothing-items wishlist as a corset.) It was a random NY&Co purchase while at school--my friend owns a twin--but has proven to be quite versatile. The matching self-belt is held on by real belt loops and easily detached; it looks great as a ribbon belt over this same solid jersey dress. Plus, the skirt is fun and flirty by itself, has snap buttons down the front for interest if I decide to tuck in my top, AND is machine-washable polyester that has held its shape. And now a modern crinoline. All for $20, originally intended as a trendy way to try out ruffles. This is why I continue to shop at New York and Company: I also own a colorblock jersey skirt from several years ago that I've worn to death fabric-wise but STILL get compliments on. I often walk through NY&Co without finding anything that I like, but when pieces work, they really work.

Specs (photo pending, but under terrible lighting):
* J.Crew Drift dress in Shadow
  - currently available in teal Agate, size L (popback)
  - I own it in size XS; I also got the XXS in the same online order for fitting purposes because I am often sized out of J.Crew non-petite tops (and everything else that doesn't involve an accurate waist measurement), but it was a teensy bit smaller in the waist and had the same slightly-too-long bust to shoulder length.
* New York & Company cream ruffle skirt, size 4
* White Mountain Outfitters black leather knee-high boots, size 6
  - ordered from Amazon
  - The leather on these boots is really soft and very easily scratched, but I'm OK with that look. They are super versatile and when they die in a few years--I bought them for pretty cheap, under $30--I am definitely going to pick up another pair of flat black leather knee-high boots. I'd like to find a similar type of pair in brown, too.
* London Fog charcoal gray wool peacoat, size PXS
  - purchased in-store from Macy's, on sale with coupon
  - sleeves actually fit!
* Jones New York silk crepe moss green floral scarf
  - thrifted from Frenchy's for $1

Not pictured:
* Citizen Eco-Drive stainless steel, diamond, and mother-of-pearl watch
  - ~$300, gift from relative, purchased at Kay Jewelers
  - from last year, similar to the Silhouette Diamond but with a rectangular face
  - I adore this watch and wear it every day (though I always wear a watch every day). My skin turns green in the presence of copper, including when mixed into base metals, so the stainless steel strap was a must. It doesn't overwhelm my frame, and since it's link-based, I got it shortened for free to actually fit my 6" wrist. The surface has some scratches because I wear it every day and don't baby it, but the diamonds are all still firmly set in place and so far the no-battery-replacement claim seems to be true.
* Pink floral hair clip holding bun together, gift from relative while visiting in China

This is for a contest entry, but really I'm just happy to have an easy source for regular non-Flash images from Ruche's lookbook. I love their aesthetic even more than Anthro's--although Anthro still wins on sale prices, quality, and return policy--and now I can add their images to my inspiration collection!

Here are some gorgeous pictures, below the cut due to size:

( Ruche: Sunlight Serenity )

I'm not as big a fan of the deep red lips on certain models, but the clothes are beautifully styled and more wearable than Anthro's catalogs. Here's the full catalog!

One trick I've found that works pretty well with clothes is to compare with Anthropologie: would I rather pass on this $30 trendy sundress and put it toward an $80 sale Anthro dress, or a $30 top at first cut? Usually, YES. I already have plenty of cheap sundresses in my closet, and I love the quirky, quality aesthetic of Anthro pieces. I don't see a ton of Anthro at my college, either, although I might just be hanging with the wrong crowd.

The challenge is only buying Anthro pieces that are appropriate for my lifestyle. For example, I adore the Overwhelmed Aster Dress, but the poofy crinoline makes it only appropriate for parties. I have way too many semi-formal dresses already in my closet. I keep going back and forth on the Verdant Slip Dress, which will certainly not make sale and comes in my favorite seafoam green color... I think it's a pass, pending try-on for amazing fit. The straight slip cut will fit but not flatter me, and I'm tired of dresses that require a strapless bra. (My strapless is far from my most flattering push-up, and it tends to slip down throughout the day.) The Eyeleted Corset Top is work-appropriate with a cardigan, but the colors are all brand-new to my wardrobe so I'd need to buy MORE pieces (like the lovely Anadyomene/Seashell Cardigan that the Anthro SA brought me to try on with the top) in order to make it work.

Recently, I've been thinking and comparing to the Anthro skirts that I ordered from the tag sale. $30 for an Anthro skirt or $30 for a sundress from Kohls (or H&M or F21)? I have a few H&M pieces that I love and are well-made, but in general, the quality difference is obvious. I also need to stay away from stores with a style that doesn't fit me and/or high prices for the quality: i.e. Express (except for their jeans, which I love), Forever 21, Urban Outfitters (returned a cardigan once for ridiculous stretching in the sleeves after just one wear), and others. Aeropostale clothes too, nowadays, though they still have good basics and I may pick up another sturdy fabric tote on sale. I can never resist wandering through F21 and UO, even though the clothes are always way too short and too tight at the waist. I've found that my "trend" price point is somewhere around $10-15, such as for a maxi dress; that means I'm limited to H&M and F21, which is fine. It will be a fun hunt!

Shoes are also on my purge-and-invest list. I've been searching forever for a pair of mid-heel black leather pumps. Being a size 5 makes it more difficult than usual. I have a ton of shoes stored away in boxes, but only wear the ones that are out on the floor at a given time. For Prom, I bought a pair of 4-inch silver heels, which I wore only once more at a photo shoot. However, the shoes look smashing in those photos, so they were worth it despite being horribly uncomfortable. Everyone needs one pair of impractical high heels.

Random sidebar: I can never remember the brands of my shoes. Clothes and bags are easy, most of my jewelry is non-branded, I don't own enough belts to make it difficult... but shoes, packed away in boxes, and in the downstairs coat closet instead of my own? They're tough. For example, I think those 4-inch heels were by Chinese Laundry because of the gorgeous box, but I'm not really sure.

So here is what I ordered from Anthro's tag sale! The Seasons Change Cardi popped out of stock while I was deliberating, but since I wasn't totally in love (no front buttons for warmth, this summer I'll be working in a FREEZING COLD office), it didn't faze me. By the way, the cardi came in three colorways even though only one is left online: white, brown, and a beautiful teal. But I already own a teal cardigan--cashmere, Gap, baggy but looks fine open and cashmere will be warm enough.

I ordered three skirts, but two are navy so I will only be keeping 2/3 at most. Plus two belts (actually four belts since one is a set of there) that sadly didn't qualify for the extra percentage off. It came just over $52; I dropped a $10 necklace at the last minute because I have way too much jewelry and I knew I'd never wear it.

Going under a cut-tag because I got wordy again...

( Tag Sale Round 3 )

Finally, a bonus: agonizing over the Eyeleted Corset Top, which I purchased in-store at the full price of $98 (+no tax, thanks DE!) before leaving for Canada. My store only had a few sizes left in backstock and none out on the floor; I'm sure it would be difficult now to track down a size 2, long sold-out online. I think the 4 currently available online is just 1 popback.

Eyeleted Corset Top by Floreat (reviews; see also Effortless Anthropologie, Erato's Closet--and again)
purchased size 2 for $98


This top has gotten surprisingly little love from the blogosphere. I've been wanting a corset-style top for a while--up to and including a real steel-boned corset from Otakon--and I love the eyelet detail. However, $100 for a top is ridiculous (compare with my Trollbeads bracelet with one charm, which I wear every single day layered with my watch) and since I own no orange (see above) I suspect this will be hard to style. Need to try it on some more when I get home, but it is probably going back. Maybe I'll keep the Snapdragon Belt as an alternative Anthro splurge.

I tried on both size 0 and size 2--no size 4 available--and was able to zip up both, but preferred the looser fit of the 2. It fits me well, though smooshes down my already-flat chest, because of my comparatively large ribcage. Back of bodice is smocked; bodice itself is very well-constructed. Super-flattering and gives me a waist. But--colors and price are a no-go. I don't think mine came with straps, but perhaps I just forgot about them. Here's a gratituous catalog shot:



By the way... for my birthday last month, I walked into my local Anthro with my mom and was prepared to pay full price for a gorgeous, versatile dress. I found the Overwhelmed Aster Dress (perfect fit in size 2 regular) to be gorgeous but terribly impractical; others that I tried on were all meh. I ended up buying the Magnified Corolla Dress for a sweet $30 (third cut, I think) at the register, even though the tag said $90. I am having the lining altered in China so I would probably have returned at $90, but for $30, the print is just lovely. I predict it will look amazing with the Snapdragon Belt. I purchased in size 0 because there was no 2 left and I didn't want to size up to 4. (This was on a different trip than the corset top, or the Inkwell Skirt... I visited Anthro three times in two weeks, I think.)

I am really itching to purge and re-organize my closet. Unfortunately I get home next Saturday afternoon and start work on Monday.

Hello world!

My newest obsession-phase: shopping, although I prefer to think of it as a quest for "personal style." Having pondered it for weeks, as is my norm, I've decided that it's best for my own sanity to start a blog of my own. I hope not to descend into the ranks of commenters who leave their blog address in the signature of every comment.

After all, does it really matter if anyone else reads this little blog? I've already half-doomed it by hosting with Dreamwidth instead of Blogspot. But I want to support DW and I'm too lazy to figure out Blogspot/Blogger's learning curve: so there.

About me: I'm female, Asian, petite, and decidedly uncurvy. I attend college in Pennsylvania. Once upon a time, I used to have a thing for web design, but alas, no more (hence the lazy aesthetic of this blog); hopefully this fashion thing lasts for a bit longer.

Actually, that pretty well sums up my current personal style: lazy. My quest is to make it, "lazy with a twist."