Of Blacks and Weddings

As someone who considers herself a fashion rule breaker, I'm still a bit perplexed how I'm quite a traditionalist when it comes to this rule of no black at weddings for a guest. This occurred to me one time when I saw my most favorite fashion blogger (one that I really admire the most) choose this color (or lack thereof) for such an occasion. It took every ounce of strength not to comment how it felt wrong.

I looked back at some of the weddings I attended where I tried my best to coordinate to the motif of the wedding because I believe I read that etiquette sometime before (relative or not). Sure, there was this one time where I wore a black shiny vest and tutu skirt plus gladiator heels but that was because the theme was rock and roll. Even the bride was in black gown. Gasp!

I did some digging to this topic and a lot of reputable fashion websites (Vogue, included) do say that time's changed and black is now acceptable to weddings. The only rules that strictly stand are not to upstage the bride and avoid white. But of course! I'd say I still like the tradition of not wearing black for weddings but should a black tie theme come soon in the calendar, I might try to shake things up and wear this gorgeous Zaful bandage LBD that's versatile, chic and slimming. What's your take on this rule? :)

Black Bandage Dress

Flap Chain Cross Metal Body Bag

P.S. All styling are by yours truly. This post was made in collaboration with Zaful and Rosegal. You may use ZafulChen and RosegalChen to have additional 10%-20% off. :)

A Classic Kate Moss Combo

One of your best investment to make a statement this winter? A bold outerwear. And one of the trends that keep on coming back season after season, a leopard coat! Who do we thank for that? Of course, the one and only Kate Moss! This animal print outerwear has become an intrinsic part of her signature style.

I’ve always always wanted to have my own. But as always, I need an excuse to finally get one. So with an upcoming trip to somewhere wintry next month and a discounted offering from one of my favorite brands, I knew it was a sign. Lol!

If you actually look at this post, you could very well blame the supermodel for making it a wardrobe staple. As observed, she’s been donning this and another item to be specific for the last 15 years. And what is that other item you ask? A little black dress. This two-piece ensemble looked just good in 1999 as it does today from the look below agree? :P Though hers are mostly worn in party style, it should also work in corporate setting. ;)

Btw, as an animal lover, let me assure you that no animals were hurt in this as this is faux fur. ;)

Coat/ Dress/ Sunnies: Mango; Shoes: CMG

Simple with the LBD

"When a little black dress is right, there's nothing else to wear in its place."

There's a reason why today the little black dress is a wardrobe must, a long-standing concept in fashion. It's minimal, versatile and elegant. Since Coco Chanel debuted it in the 1920s (check my Coco-inspired look here), the garment has undergone different looks from femme fatale in 1950's  to business-empowered in 1980's and to grunge a few years after. * And yet, the enduring popularity of the LBD can't be explained only by its unquestionable versatility.

Sure, being versatile means there are a "million" ways to style this dress but for this post let's just stick to one of it's famous quotes from one of its proponents Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor quoted above. When the structure and fit is right (be it an oversized coat as seen in second photo), you don't need too much anything to add on it and let the garment stand on its own. ;)

*You can also check my history of LBD post here.

Dress/ Clutch: Mango; Shoes: H&M

Dress/ Shoes/ Sunnies: Zalora; Bag: Balenciaga

Dress: Warehouse; Shoes: H&M

Coco Made Me Do It

Of course part of the lectures in the fashion styling workshop I took is a study of fashion history. And since the instructor asked us to focus on a particular era by producing editorials out of it, I couldn’t help but understand why that age was pronounced the golden age of French fashion and appreciate the designer behind it – 1920s and Coco Chanel.

Sure, it’s easy to proclaim one loves Chanel. But back then, I couldn’t afford to do so because I feel it’s too pretentious. After all, I couldn’t afford to have a single stitch of such luxurious brand. But a closer study of the woman behind the fashion house and her legacy made me realize that - I don’t have to proclaim it. It’s unconsciously within me – my love for her so-called Little Black Dress, layered pearls and nautical looks – it’s all because of the woman’s brilliance! No other designer represented elegant chic more than Madame Chanel. And yes, I love all her timeless work!

So for the actual representation in the class, I just simply had to recreate this look. This 1926 Vogue cover with her sketch of a calf-length simple black sheath and labeled it “a frock that all the world would wear”. Because all the women did indeed! :)

Dress: Warehouse; Shoes: Dorothy Perkins; Hat: Aldo

And from then on, everytime Sir Lev would assign us another editorial, there's always the question that's so worthy caption of this photo below, "What would Coco Chanel do?" Haha! One of my aspirations in life is to be known as the woman who's dressed elegantly. Sigh.

And for the other 1920s editorial, I was surprised to find out that in my state of overflowing wardrobe I couldn't find any combo that would be flapper-look worthy. I admit this did not fully commit to the look but the instructor did notice the rebellious attitude so he appreciated the effort - a bit plunging LBD, my eyebrow liner used as a cigarette props (haha!) and fur/wig that I had to get all the way from Divisoria market. 

The gallery below as per my interpretation is the day-to-night look of a French woman in the 1920s using a little plunging black dress. Elegantly clad in the day but wild and wicked at night. Lol! ;)

Dress: Mango; Coat: Unbranded; Shoes: Promod; Gloves: Unbranded

2nd look shoes: Zara; Necklace: The Landmark

History of LBD

Business Insider once released a survey about the things that make women physically attractive to men. One of them is wearing red. But during the Victorian era, did you know that wearing black dresses have never stopped anyone from getting men? It's actually somehow an advertisement for finding a husband.

The article where I got this topic from (a writeup just in time for a museum’s exhibit on black dresses that is ongoing now) inspired me to read the novel Gone with the Wind. The said novel has a fair amount of hand-wringing about the funeral mores of the polite society. In the bible, I’d often read about wearing sackcloth and ashes to symbolize mourning. But during the 18th century, the widows are required to wear a sable (black clothing) for two years following the death of their husbands. But it isn't that simple. There is a certain required material (crepe) for the black dress and rules on how it should be worn. Hence it was referred to in the novel as “severely restrictive” social requirements.

While we do know that the purpose of the all-black fashion regime is to bereave the dead, the same source also insinuated that wearing black for a widow also sends a subliminal message to men that (1) she’s had a sexual history and that (2) she’s romantically available.  Say what? This really came as a surprising twist to me.

In a totally different article I read though about the role of black in fashion history, there was somehow a line that supports this idea. To quote, “Unmarried girls feared the merry widow, who could move unchaperoned through society.” How so?

Wearing black then means standing out from the other over-the-top gowns of the period and puts the center of attention on the wearer. "As a woman of sexual experience without marital constraints, [a woman in a black dress] was often imagined as a potential threat to the social order." And those connotations extend further to different works of literature like Anna Karenina and even caused quite a scandal when Princess Diana wore one.

Today, this trusty fashion staple that saves us from I-don't-have-anything-to-wear moments is now associated to chic and sophistication thanks to its patron Saint Coco Chanel. Haha! But whoa, who would’ve thought that this thing we fondly call LBD or Little Black Dress would have such a history? I really found this story very fascinating and educational. J

Now you know the history, check out how I wore my LBDs recently. J 

Top: Warehouse

Dress: Mango

Shoes: Marks & Spencer

Sunnies: Flea market in Osaka

Sunnies: Flea market in Hanoi
Dress: Mango
Bag: Charles & Keith
Shoes: Marks & Spencer

Dress: Warehouse

Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

Necklace: Unbranded

Sunnies: Flea market in Osaka

Dress: Forever21

Shoes: Lewre

Bag: Charles & Keith

Sunnies: Flea market in Osaka