Nifty Nineties

Back in the 90s, wearing a white t-shirt inside a dress was all the rage.

My Ates were big fans of this look. Ate Lissa had this favorite ensemble consisting of a white t-shirt worn inside a spaghetti-strap floral dress. She had it in several hues and prints, but it’s the black floral dress that I remember the most.

These days, the look seems to be coming back. Not surprising since fashion usually has a cycle of 2 decades before trends come back.

Yesterday, I wrote about this nice, white t-shirt from Elizabeth and James for Kohl’s  that was part of the “Bermuda Triangle.” Today, we use the same shirt for a more 90s outfit.

It’s now worn inside a cream-coloured knit dress from The Landmark. The cable-knit of this dress adds much needed texture and plays well with how plain the shirt is. It also updates the look from being to 90s to more 2020s.

Amazing how versatile a white shirt can be.

Bermuda Triangle

No, this isn’t about things disappearing into thin air. It’s actually about finding things.

Back in the 80s, everyone knew what “Bermuda Shorts” were. They were the uniform of the preppy set. The length was somewhere in the middle of knickerbockers and roller girl shorts. They had a safari-vibe to them, especially when they were in neutral hues. Just this:

They’re very easy to wear and also very easy to style. The vibe changes with the simple switch of a top, And instead of 2 top options, we have 3!

The first is a Simply Vera Vera Wang Top that I snagged at Surplus Shop. It has a comfy and loose silhouette that looks great when tucked-in the short. It has a bright salmon colout that makes the outfit pop.

For something more muted and classic, the same top is available in a gray hue. This is an example of how a slight colour change transforms the vibe of the outfit.

The 3rd option is an homage to the safari roots of the shorts. This time, it’s paired with a plain, white tee from Elizabeth and James for Kohl’s. The yellow scarf, also from the same brand, gives it a much needed splash of brightness.

With this pair of very classic shorts, it’s so easy to triangulate a perfect outfit.

Color Story: Blanc Space

As a fashion color, “white” has to contend with a lot of limitations.

White is bridal.

White is for gala day.

White is for first communion.

White is for Labor Day.

That’s just some on the things that “white” has to contend with.

Personally, though, I like how clean and classic white is. Whether it’s an oversized shirt, a shirt dress, a blouse or button down, it gives any look a clean and carefree vibe.

Same goes with White denim. It might not be the usual or traditional choice, but it’s very classy and classic. 

Like this pair from Elizabeth and James. Yup, it’s still part of the Kohl’s stash that Biboy sent. (Thanks, Bibs!)

To make the whole look very easy on the eye, Impaired it with this off white loose tee from Penshoppe.

Together, the look is so easy, breezy, fresh and clean.

Ah the wonders of White!

Printed Matter: Boutique Batik

Having stayed in Indonesia for short assignments several times, I've always appreciated the intricacy and art that goes into their Batik prints.

During my trips there, I'd always bring home a few yards of that fabric. Whether it's for a men's shirt or a dress for Mom or the Ates, the beauty of the print would always shine through and make the garment be much more visually interesting.

That's why the first time this print popped up on my feed, my eyes were drawn to it. 

It had a batik feel to it, albeit more modern. It's like a traditional batik with a California boutique vibe.

That print, of course, is the material for this Elizabeth and James dress which is still part of the stash that Ate Lissa and Biboy sent early this year.

It's a perfect print - and dress - to welcome summer.

Elizabeth and James Rocks

So, it;s been more than a month but I still haven’t gone around to write about the Elizabeth and James haul that I got from the US.

Since this collaboration with Kohl’s was announced, i’ve been constantly lurking and hoping to get pieces from the collection. Was hoping to go to the US to get pieces on my own. But since travel has been restricted the past year, that was delayed.

Thankfully, Ate Lissa And Biboy we’re able to get me some pieces from the collection. Then, Biboy sent it to us last February, and now it’s here! Well, it’s been here for months now.

Here’s the first installment of that haul.

It’s an ensemble that rocks. Literally.

The top is a loose David Bowie shirt. (A Pop-rock icon!)

The bottom is a pair of faux-leather paper bag shorts. (faux-leather rocks, too.)

Now, if this doesn’t rock, I don’t know what does.

Home, (Elizabeth and) James, Home

While Kohl's is continents away, siblings have a way of bridging that gap.

Thanks to the efforts of Ate Lissa in UT and Biboy in GA, the brand that I've been eyeing for a while now has actually reached our shores, and our home!

Yup! My Elizabeth and James haul has finally arrived!

And I'm so excited about it!

Kohl the Olsens

Here's another high-low match-up that's made in fashion heaven:

Elizabeth and James is the diffusion line of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. It was named after their siblings, which is cute. Of course, Elizabeth Olsen is better known as the Hollywood actress who played Scarlet Witch in the "Avengers" franchise.

Seems to me that Kohl's is really upping their fashion cred. First, there's Vera Wang who still has a line with them, and now this.

I can hear Kohl's calling me.