Prep work

Uniqlo called it. 

The preppy-era is back, yet again.

Time to bring out those polos, cardigans and sweaters.

But here's a reimagined way of looking at preppy.

Put together this ensemble using pieces that are normally preppy, but with little twists here and there. The top is a knit polo, but with a slightly exaggerated shoulder and a drawstring at the bottom. Got this at Landmark. 

The SHEIN skirt has an asymmetric waist detail and an off-centre hem.

Finally, the shoes are a cross between sneakers and ballet flats, with very preppy primary colours. This is also from SHEIN.

See? Looking preppy AND modern doesn't take a lot of work.

Printed Matters: Toile order

You know me and Toile Du Jouy Prints. For me, it’s irresistible!

Just like this print:

It’s a quintessential toile print - florals. 

And this fab print is from an equally fab dress from SheIn. 

It’s no wonder I ordered it the moment I saw it.

Printed Matters: Mimicking Marimekko

That’s the vibe this print gave me the first time I saw it.

The floral pattern and colour palette was giving me Marimekko vibes.

But this beautiful floral print is actually from SheIn. It’s from a top and skirt set that caught my eye on-line. Eventually bought it, and it was as pretty IRL.

The top had an interesting cut-out detail at the back, plus ribbons on the side. The skirt was elastic, which is always a plus.

Well done, SheIn!

That Muumuu that you do

Today’s generation probably don’t know the term, but back in the 70s, everyone knew what a “Muumuu” was.

It was a dress style that was a huge hit around that decade. Known for it’s oversized silhouette and vibrant prints, it was the perfect lounge dress.

Growing up, Mom had a lot of muumuus in her closet, and it was her go-to house dress (as well as her mahjong dress.)

Spotted a dress from the SheIn x Frida Kahlo collab, and it was giving full-on muumuu vibes. That’s the reason it snatched my attention and eventually purchased it.

While the shape is muumuu, the print is modern, and the asymmetric ruffled hem is also a contemporary touch. Those details make it cross over from the 70s to today.

That’s how you do muumuu,

The short and short if it

During a trip to one of my haunts, there was a pair of shorts that caught my eye from afar. It was because of a combination of the colour, the fabric and the cut which was very classic.

Upon closer scrutiny, it turns out that the shorts were from the Kendall & Kylie collection which is usually sold at Walmart in the US. So, this is probably made in the Philippines and imported abroad. The shorts are called "Icon," and for a good reason.

Because a classic deserves a classic, this iconic pair of fatigue shorts deserves an iconic white, boyfriend shirt from SheIn. The result is this very comfy, chic and fashionable outfit.

Now, the same pair of shorts was available in a dusty rose colour. Of course, had to get that, too, and pair it with this feminine graphic tee from ForMe.

These shorts are so chic!

Flora, Fauna, Frida

These words would be what i’d Use to describe the pieces from the SheIn x Frida Kahlo collaboration.

Aside from the pants and shirt combo that was featured before, these 2 dresses from the same collection have an interesting mix of prints.

This one has oversized flowers that are very prevalent in Frida’s works.

And this one has leaves and plants, also playing on the same color story of greens and reds.

Bonus: A Frida face print!

Another F to describe these items? Fabulous!

Classic Cool

Walking past H&M in Megamall, they have this huge display pushing their denim line.

The in-store billboard features a big and diverse group of models wearing jeans and different types of white tops. This combo of denim and white is the ultimate “classic cool” ensemble. It’s so classic and easy that you can wear it any time, anywhere, and you’ll still look chic.

Just like this ensemble that I was able to put together.

The white top is from SheIn, the jeans are from Mango and the snakeskin sneakers are from Zara.

Cool, eh.

Free the Frida

Even before going on my exchange program in Mexico, I've always been a huge fan of Frida Kahlo and her art.

Being an art fan even as a grade schooler, I'd already look at art books and was always enamoured by her paintings. The colours, vibrance and the occasional surrealism - they were so unique and creative and was uniquely her.

The 2002 film "Frida" was something that I re-watched so many times. And the icing on the "pastel" was going to Mexico and seeing some of her works in person.

Imagine my thrill when Shein came out with a Frida Kahlo collection!

This is so unique and it's the first of its kind in my eyes. Needless to say, several items from this collection have already found itself home.

Further proof that fashion is art.

Joining the Harem

Harem pants are one of the most reviled fashion trends in history. 

It was a thing in the 90s, made popular by M.C. Hammer. In fact, it was called “Hammer pants” back then.

But any trend, no matter how hideous, can be made fashionable when done right. Just like this pair of jeans with a harem pant silhouette from The SM Store.

Because the pants are already filled with character, a neutral top works best with it. Just like this classic white t-shirt from SheIn.

With an outfit that looks like this, joining the harem looks promising.

Holiday Sparkle & Shine

With Christmas fast approaching, and the new normal allowing more and more Christmas parties to happen, it's now time to bring out the party outfits and dress up for the festivities.

Ate Bullet's first official get together is this December 1, so I thought of this outfit that brings out the joy and sparkle of Christmas.

The top is actually almost 3 years old and a find from H&M.

The skirt is from SheIn. Since the top is already very beaded and flashy, the skirt should be very muted. Thus, this silk, pleated skirt that echoes the beige in one part of the top.

For the shoes, a pair of shiny, silk mules from Lazada. It picks up the hue of the outfit, and this make the look totally cohesive.

Ah yes! The holidays are upon us!

A tale of 2 Cities

When I bought these 2 shirts on SheIn, it was mainly because of the color and that vintage touristy print.

Then it struck me once the shirts were delivered. These 2 cities have a role in our lives. Ate Lissa and family live in Houston, while Biboy and family have been living in Atlanta the past 20 years.

How’s that for happy coincidences?.  

LFLTAT: Foxy Browns

While I've written about my discovery of SheIn a few months ago, it occurred to me that I haven't written about my fashionable finds.

Considering that the brand is known for their very, very, very affordable clothes, coming out with a Look For Less Than A Thousand would be easy to do. Frankly, it is. Both for guys and girls.

So, let me start off with this very cool, very comfy and very "street" ensemble from one of my first SheIn purchases. It's a pair that has that foxy, hip hop feel to it.

It's an ensemble that uses brown as the base colour, and uses it in a very fashionably comfy way. The shirt is a coffee brown dolman sleeved shirt. The fabric is very soft cotton that skims the body, making it very breezy and flattering. The jeans are these loose khakis with a brown detail on the side which echoes the colour of the shirt.

Together, this ensemble was less than P700! Not bad for a fashionably foxy look.

Getting (She)Into it!

There's an online fast fashion brand that's been around for years now. 

SHEIN.

That name has been synonymous to fashionable and trendy clothing at very low price points. They've also been subject to their own sets of controversy, particularly selling knock-offs of clothing made by independent designers or bigger fast fashion brands like Zara.

Some online influencers abroad have even featured SheIn in their haul videos, and they swear by the brand for cheap and trendy clothing.

Although I've been looking at their website for years now, I've never gone around to buying from them. After all, I get my fast fashion fix online through Zalora, and I'm assured of the quality of their products. 

Then, I discovered Shopee and Lazada, which is a virtual mall selling brands that you find in physical stores.

But last Christmas Eve, my niece - Princess - talked to me about SheIn and how it's her go-to shopping place for fun and fashionable clothing. She talked about it with such excitement, that it rubbed off on me and I found myself checking out the site again.

More than checking out, I eventually bought a few pieces, just to give it a try.

So far, so good. The quality, fabric, designs and construction seem to be good, especially for their pants and jeans.

And here's a fun fact. When I looked at the address of the store, the name of the building sounded familiar.

Wing Hing Industrial Building is one of my usual haunts for Export Overruns in Kwun Tong! I used to frequent that building when I was still living in HKG, and even wrote about it in an inflight magazine.

Looks like I'm meant to be (She)In this place!