a fashion deliberation

Review: Franco Sarto Holt Flats

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 17:45:00 +0000

Read the full review here!

And We're Live!

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 02:18:00 +0000

Please visit my new website here!

xCher

AFD Obsession: Ann Taylor Trench Wrap Dress (and on sale!)

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 14:39:00 +0000

Ann Taylor Trench Wrap Dress

I'm on a strict no-buy right now, but I saw this dress in Ann Taylor email and I am super tempted to break it as I missed out on last year's trench dress. Perfect not just as a dress but as a layering piece, and it comes in petite sizing! Right now AT is having their F&F --i.e., 40% off with the code FRIENDS40. A great time to pick this up before it sells out (and it will)!

Creative Layering and in Transition.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 02:10:00 +0000

I am very much a minimalist when it comes to style, so often times, creative layering can be a challenge for me. But lately I have purchased more fun and with more unusual lengths shapes, so the layering has actually become a little bit less of a struggle.

Zara Long Tailored Vest / Aritzia Sweater / Jacob Sleeveless Blouse (similar) / Babaton Trousers (similar by Theory) / LAUREN by Ralph Lauren Adena Pumps / 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Satchel / Forever21 Bracelet and Rings / Michael Kors Runway Watch

My posts have been sporadic of late. Truth is, I have actually been hard at work on this blog--but on the back end. So even though you don't see it yet, there will be some changes coming! I finally decided to bite the bullet and just go ahead and do what I've been thinking about doing for the last few years. No time like the present! Hopefully the new website will go live within the next week, and without any major problems. I really have no idea what I'm doing and trying to wing it the best I can. So please pardon the lack of posts of the next week or so, it's all for the better!

Shopbop Big Event.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Shopbop's first Big Event of the year has come around.

Now 15% off $250 (the first tier), doesn't seem like a lot, but it's important to note here that unlike the other discounts that Shopbop has to offer, this one works on brands and designers that are normally excluded from their sales. So if you are looking to make a big purchase and have been waiting and stalking items for a sale, then this is the time!

Below are a few items I would love for myself:

Print Mix.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 00:26:00 +0000

I don't often mix prints and patterns, mostly because I don't own all that many, and in part because I never felt like I could do it successfully without looking like I got dressed in the dark. However, one day I decided that the black and white stripe and black and white floral pattern was simple enough to pull off and at least didn't make me cringe when I looked in the mirror. And yes, it probably also helps that only a tiny bit of the shirt is peeking out from under the sweater so it didn't scream at me that I was doing something wrong.

Jacob Striped Sweater (old, similar here) / J.Crew Boy Shirt (old but love this this) / Club Monaco Emily Pant / Alexander Wang Gabi (or Gabriella) Bootie / 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Satchel (medium on sale with code BIGEVENT15) / Michael Kors Runway Watch / Forever21 Rings

Favorites: The Laundress.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000

I am a bit, dare I say, anal when it comes to washing my clothes. Although I have no problem with throwing most things in the wash (in a mesh bag and cold water, of course), the majority of my clothes are hung to dry. For the most part, I use good old Tide or Woolite for Darks. For more delicate items such as silk or cashmere, I turn to The Laundress.

The Laundress Stain Solution has almost never failed me. I have watched stains dissolve before my eyes, even those stains that the dry cleaner could not remove. And if they are really stubborn, I let it sit over night, et voila! The stain is gone. If these products were not so pricey, I would wash everything with them (and really, my mom was actually washing everything with them because she saw how good they were until I told her how much the bottle costs). The bottles have lasted me quite a long time because a little goes a long way, but I certainly wouldn't call them cheap either. They are however, eco-friendly, which is a great bonus if you care about that sort of thing.

My favorite place to get the Laundress is on Amazon, but you can get select items on other websites such as J.Crew or on The Laundress website directly. I haven't tried all their products, but the ones I have tried, I have been extremely pleased with.

Just a few of their products that I think are worth checking out below:

Anyone have experience with The Laundress products? Please share in the comments below!

Inappropriate.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 01:25:00 +0000

It is by no means appropriate to be wearing this coat right now, as the temperatures as I am sure most many of you are also experiencing is in the, "holy crap it's cold" category, but I wanted to share it with you just in case some of you want to get a head start on the Spring wardrobe update.

This Banana Republic Swing Trench is just the cutest thing I've purchased in a while and very, very similar to the Everlane Swing Trench, but comes in petite sizing (yay!). BR also had a Swing Trench from last season that only came in regular sizing, but it was not a great fit for petites without alterations, and I was not willing to invest the money into it because I know how costly it could be. Jean, on the hand successfully had it altered and it looks great, so it is definitely an option if you are willing invest.

I have also been trying to experiment more with different shapes and silhouettes lately and this fit the bill. Great color, great material and quality. The sizing is a smidge small, so if you have a broader shoulder like I do and want to layer heavily underneath, you may want to consider going up a size. I am wearing a XSP, my normal BR size, but If I close up the jacket with layers underneath (which I would likely never do anyway), it can be borderline too small.

If you are busty, this jacket may not be the best choice as it may look a bit maternity, but I love how the slight change in shape can completely change the look of an outfit.

Denim: J Brand Lovestory / Scarf: Banana Republic (sold out but love this) / Blouse: Babaton Peyton / Boots: Coach (this is such a cool pair) / Ring: Aldo / Bag: Zara / Jacket: Banana Republic Swing Trench (also comes in black).

Shop similar items below!

AFD Obsession: Nasty Gal Cape Blazer.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 01:54:00 +0000

I haven't paid too much attention to the brand Nasty Gal, but this blazer certainly caught my eye. What a great cover-up for a night out. I saw a similar studded version by Blaque Label, that I fell in love with, but it sold out fairly quickly. I think I might actually prefer this version and it's under $100. Check it out here.

Like A Jumpsuit.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 01:40:00 +0000

But not.

One of the things that has always turned me off about jumpsuits, is the restroom issue. I really have no desire to strip down in a public stall just to my business. On the other hand, they can be very chic and makes for easy dressing...if you can find the right fit. And as a petite, this is especially challenging.

I was shopping my closet the last few days and saw that I had purchased this blouse from H&M years and years ago, but it has rarely been worn (also true of 98% of what I buy from H&M, which is why I have stopped shopping there). Paired it with these Theory bottoms...et voila!

Blouse: H&M (old) / Pants: Theory Louise (here or here) / Shoes: LAUREN by Ralph Lauren Adena Pumps / Clutch: Aldo / Rings and Bracelet: Forever21 / Belt: Banana Republic Factory.

Tuesday Deliberations: Wise Words.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 16:41:00 +0000

Its been a rather rough week to say the least, so I did not have a chance to put together a post today. Instead I leave you all with a motivational (more directed at myself than anything):

An outfit post is forthcoming!

Chunky.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 23:06:00 +0000

Time flies. Somehow it is already February into 2015. It is also about that time when those of us who experience the harsh, deep cold in the winter months, are just getting sick of it and are itching for spring to come. As I long for warmer temperatures, I continue slip on those thick layers and chunky knits which by this time is completely tiresome.

I have spent all winter looking for an over-sized chunky grey sweater, since I had to give up my last cashmere turtleneck after wearing holes into the elbows last year. It is just so difficult to find a great quality, slightly over-sized wool sweater with a good fit for a small petite that is also within a reasonable price range.

I finally came across this one from Aritzia, which also happened to be on sale. I actually had to go down a size from my regular Aritzia XS so I didn't look I was being swallowed up, but it totally fit the bill. I am now wearing this constantly until spring rolls around and it gets too warm to wear it.

Skirt: J.Crew (similar) / Boots: Cole Haan (similar) / Sweater: Babaton / Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Satchel / Ring: Le Chateau

Shop similar:

Rediscovery: The Cardigan.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 02:16:00 +0000

I had pretty much shunned the classic cardigan over the last few years. I just didn't feel like it suited my personal style, and have leans more towards jackets and pull-over sweaters. I disliked them so much I had even considered donating them all, but ended up keeping a few v-neck cardigans thinking that maybe some time in the future I will look for them, despite the fact that I am an extremely aggressive-closet purger. I have yet to regret donating something, I am sure I will make a mistake one day. The hazards of the ever-evolving personal style.

It took about three years, but I think I have come full circle.

Sweater: LOFT V-neck cardigan (similar) / Blouse: Babaton Peyton / Pants: Theory Louise (or here on super sale but final sale) / Shoes : LAUREN by Ralph Lauren Adena Pumps / Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Satchel / Rings: Aldo / Earrings: Gabriela Artigas / Scarf: Banana Republic

I have to mention these new Theory pants I'm wearing. Wow. Just wow. I've been looking for the perfect wool slim leg work pant for ages and I finally found it in these pants. It could maybe use a smidge of hemming, but they otherwise fit amazingly well. I only wish that these were lined. If you are sensitive to wool, these may be a bit itchy. but if you are petite and can fit *almost* Max C, these fit just a tiny bit smaller. Keep in mind however, that if you carry more weight in your legs than I do, these might actually be too tight for the office.

They are on sale for $110 on Theory.com, but are final sale. If you can get your hands on a pair just to try on, to gauge your size I would totally do so. I'm trying to determine what other colors I need to buy!

Out of the box.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 01:00:00 +0000

Year 2014 was a year of purchasing timeless pieces. I always try to do this, but last year was I was extremely successful. However, as a somewhat unintended consequence, my outfits were very... safe. I wore a lot of what I was comfortable in, which is not necessarily always a bad thing, but there is something to be said about stepping outside your comfort zone every now and again. And not just in fashion, but in life.

A style resolution that I have made is not only to keep focusing on timeless pieces, but to try stepping outside the box a bit more. I am still going to focus on filling the "gaps" in my wardrobe (there are still quite a few left!), but also to keep an eye out for pieces that are more out of my "norm" are still consistent with my personal style--while still being pieces that I will actually wear!

One of those pieces, I decided was this sleeveless tunic sweater from Aritzia. In the history of this blog, I don't think I have ever worn a tunic. But when I laid eyes on this sweater, I could see its potential. It's quite a bit different from my usual silhouette but I see its versatility, which is also so important to me when buying something new.

Denim: Zara / Boots: Stuart Weitzman 50/50 / Sweater: Aritzia / Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute Medium Clutch / Bracelet: Forever21 / Rings: Aldo

If it were warmer out (like, not -20C!), then I would just throw a cropped leather jacket over top to play with the juxtaposition with the pieces. But being as freezing as it is, I will have to settle for my heavy duty parka.

Other alternatives to the above pieces can be seen here:

Forbes Style File: Can I Wear Floral Shoes To The Office?

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 13:01:00 +0000

The new year has just begun, and we are still nowhere close to seeing spring, but spring fashions are already slowing streaming into stores. One trend that I immediately noticed was the appearance of floral-patterned shoes. It's fresh, it's pretty, and it's colorful, but can it be worn to the office? A floral shoe can be worn to the workplace while still looking professional and fashionably on point. My own wardrobe is made of mostly neutrals, such as black, grey, navy, and white so I find it much easier to pair a floral item that encompasses one of those colors in its print. By matching a color in the shoe with an item in the rest of my outfit, the entire outfit comes together and looks cohesive. But of course, choose a floral print that suits your fancy. Continuing with the feminine feel of the print, wear the shoe with a skirt or sheath dress. If in doubt, limit the floral print to just the shoe, or with other smaller accessories, to avoid having your colleagues suddenly overcome with an overwhelming feel of a floral explosion:

Topshop Long Trench Coat by Goldie / MANGO Vent pencil skirt / River Island Pink Textured Sleeveless Shirt / Corso como pumps / Coach Edie leather purse / Bauble Bar Evil Eye Cuff / Bauble Bar Ice Cube Studs

I love an all-white outfit especially to bring focus to the shoe, but if this if you prefer a little more color, a pink blouse perfectly complements the shoe as well. If your office place allows for more creative outfits, or for trendy Casual Friday ensemble, try a floral show with some culottes:

MANGO tie-neck chiffon blouse / MANGO cotton cropped jacket / ASOS Premium Culottes / Corso Como leather pumps / Zara shopping bag / J Crew Gold Braid cuff bracelet / Bauble Bar Tubular Studs

If you need something more conservative, the culottes can easily be swapped out for a full length trouser such as these:

Theory Nadi Pant / Corso Como Webster Pump

Although at first seemingly limited in its possibilities, the floral shoe can be a great spring update to the professional woman's wardrobe.

This post was originally published on Forbes.com. See the post here.

The Extra Long Blazer.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 23:12:00 +0000

I found this blazer among the sale racks at Zara this past week. My thought process at stores fast-fashion as compared to other brands, is always, "buy now, think later" because you never know if you will ever see it again. Plus, it's always great to see things in your own mirror with other items that you own.

Blazer: Zara / Blouse: J.Crew / Sweater: Ann Taylor Cashmere Turtleneck / Jeans: Zara / Boots: Zara / Ring: Le Chateau / Hat: Aritzia (similar).

I love the idea of this extra long blazer, but I'm starting to think it falls at somewhat of an awkward length on my 5'1 frame. Either a bit shorter or a bit longer would be more flattering. I will have to mull this over a while longer to be sure whether or not I'm going to keep it.

AFD Deliberations: New Year's Edition.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 03:35:00 +0000

A bit of a late start to the new year, but I assure you, I am still here. I just a need a little time to get going!

On New Year's Day, a friend of mine asked me if I made any resolutions. I've never big on New Year's resolutions, per se. When I decide to do something, it is not because the new year has come around, but because something that happened in my life has caused me to resolve to do something different. But hey, there's always a first time, so starting in 2015 I have decided on this and to apply it in all aspects of my life:

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year! To good health, love, happiness, and prosperity in 2015!

Winter Favorites.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 15:00:00 +0000

Blazer: J.Crew Regent Blazer (Warm Camel).

Sweater: Equipment Sloane Crewneck Sweater (Merlot).

Pants: Club Monaco Emily Pants (Black).

Boots: Alexander Wang Gabi Boots (Black).

Bag: Phillip Lim 3.1 Pashli Satchel (Black).

Rings: Aldo (Gold).

An outfit wearing my favorite things as of late and a brief comment about this Equipment Cashmere sweater. I am always apprehensive about buying expensive cashmere. Cashmere isn't what it used to be, and you could be shelling out a lot of $$ for not so great cashmere. I have read tons of reviews on Equipment cashmere, but I wasn't totally convinced about the quality. I found this particular Sloane crewneck sweater at Nordstrom's for approximately $100, which I didn't think was too bad if the quality wasn't all there. Overall, it is soft, and the fit is a bit oversized on my petite frame, but I am finding that it pills...even before it has been washed. It's not horrible pilling, but pilling nonetheless. I am happy I didn't pay full price for it, but I continue the hunt for a great quality cashmere sweater. On the other hand, I love the color contrast between this merlot-colored sweater and the camel blazer!

Backlog.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 22:38:00 +0000

Sweater: J.Crew Lambswool Zip Sweater (hthr elm).

Blouse: Babaton by Aritzia Peyton Blouse (Whitecap Grey/Black).

Denim: Zara Super Skinny Ripped Denim.

Shoes: Vince Blair 5 (Black).

Clutch: 3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute Medium Clutch (Black).

Rings: Aldo (Gold).

I'm behind on my posts this week! But here is one from the backlog that I didn't post (or I don't think I did).

Thoughts.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 03:03:00 +0000

Top: J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt (Afternoon Sky).

Denim: Zara Super Skinny Ripped Denim.

Boots: Alexander Wang Gabi Booties (Black w/ Rhodium)(almost OOS but can find them here).

Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Satchel (Black).

Rings: Topshop (Gold).

Can you believe we are approaching the end of 2014?! It seems rather surreal and I think I need some time to reflect on what I have / haven't done this past year. I think I may be getting to a phase in my life where it's starting to really become important to me as to whether I have achieved the goals I had set out for myself when I was younger. Of course, I have to accept that we don't all follow the "standard" path that our culture may have set out for us, and well , to put it bluntly, sh!t happens and things always don't go as planned. However, I am also not content with sitting around (whether intentionally or not) while the world passes me by. Anyone else feel this way this time of year?

Holiday Partying.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 01:00:00 +0000

I apologize for the hiatus as of late, but if you follow me on Instagram, you know that I was spending some time in London. It was somewhat of a last minute trip, which is why I did not have anything pre-planned for the blog.

When I returned from the UK, I was greeted with this lovely bandage dress sent to me from The Kewl Shop. I have always wanted a bandage dress, but my general lifestyle doesn't justify such a purchase. Although I often peruse bandage dresses online, I have never pulled the trigger (but have definitely come close).

The Kewl Shop has a wide selection of bandage dresses, I almost couldn't decide on one that I wanted to try for myself, but I ultimately decided on the Simple Sexy Bandage Dress. I wanted something classic and yet somewhat conservative since it is very tight-fitting. I also lean more towards somewhat longer lengths to help give a longer silhouette, and well, I'm older now, so showing lots of thigh isn't one of my prerogatives. In retrospect, because I am only 5'1, choosing a dress that was "short" in length, probably would still not equate to a mini on my petite frame, even though they did look quite short on the website's models.

Dress: The Kewl Shop Simple Sexy Bandage Dress (Black).

Shoes: LAUREN by Ralph Lauren Adena Pumps (Black).

Ring: TopShop.

Bracelet: Urban Outfitters.

Earrings: Bauble Bar Metallic 360 Studs (Black/Silver).

Clutch: Aldo Minaudiere (also like this Zara version).

I opted for a size S as opposed to an XS because I know that in general, bandage dresses run quite tiny and it fit perfectly! If you have ever laid your hands on an Herve Leger dress, you will know that the material is quite substantial and I would even go as far as to say "heavy". The Kewl Shop's version has a comparable feel. The material is thick which means it will likely be resistant to snags and rips therefore, holding up over time, as well as suck you in. As a warning, since the dress is very snug, you may need help zipping this up! The zipper itself is well sewn in and I am certainly not worried about this dress suddenly popping open while I am wearing it.

Other thoughts worth mentioning? Because bandage dresses are so body-hugging, it does have a tendency to "flatten" you out, particularly if you are not well-endowed. A good strapless underpinning will do wonders under this dress if you are self-conscious about that sort of thing.

Overall I am quite happy with the look and quality of this dress. It may be a bit too risque for a conservative office holiday party, but if you have other holiday get togethers or if just like to go out and get all dressed up, this dress would be so much fun to wear and style. It's simple, as the name suggests, so if you are minimalist like I am, keeping the jewelry simple is a great option, as well as piling on the baubles if you are into that sort of thing.

If you would like to try your own bandage dress, The Kewl Shop has been kind enough to offer 15% off to my readers with code: CHER15. They also have free shipping worldwide! The Kewl Shop also has some beautiful non-bandage dress offerings as well that are worth checking out.

Cyber Monday: Favorite Deals.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 05:00:00 +0000

If you are a follower of blogs, I'm sure that many, if not all of the bloggers, that you follow have put up lists of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales. I don't want to regurgitate everything that you've read probably a million times over, but I will make note of my favorite Cyber Monday deals that are more than just tempting me.

1. Club Monaco - 20% off $200+, 25% off $300+, 30% off $500. Code: TGBIF
2. All Saints - 20% off everything. Code: THANKS
3. Piperlime - 30% off regular price items and 40% off sale items. Code: CYBERSALE
4. Vince - 25% off everything. Code: UNWRAP25

Happy shopping! I know I will!

Everyday Favorites.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 19:24:00 +0000

I rarely change my earrings. If I find something I love, it stays in there until a special event or until something inspires me to change it--this could literally mean months or even years.

When I came across these Gabriela Artigas Infinite Tusk earrings, I was completely fascinated by their uniqueness. I loved the simplicity--they are delicate but still a little edgy. When Shopbop's F&F rolled around a few weeks back, I decided to give them a try, and they haven't left my ears since!

Shop the post:

Suit styling.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 01:20:00 +0000

It's been quite a while since I posted an outfit involving a full suit, so I decided that maybe it was time for another as I'm sure a few of my readers work in a professional setting require a full suit every so often (myself included), but the environment isn't so conservative that we can't play around with it a little bit.

BTW, pardon my sickly looking myself. I was still not feeling that well when I took these photos.

Blazer: Theory Lanai Blazer (Black).

Trousers: Theory Max C Trousers (Black).

Shoes: LAUREN by Ralph Lauren Adena Pumps (Black).

Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute Medium Clutch (Black).

Rings: Aldo (Gold).
Belt: Leather Obi belt (Black)(similar).

Blouse: Ann Taylor Layered Georgette Tank (Black).

Here, I used my well-loved Theory Lanai blazer and belted it with a leather obi belt. This jacket/belt combination of course works with any bottoms you see fit--skirts, pants, denim, etc. I mean, can you imagine how amazing this would be with leather pants? This may be an upcoming post!

A variety of blazer cuts work, however, I think this jacket works particularly well with the cinched belt because of the upside-down v-cut of the blazer. Definitely experiment!

Closet Craving: Theory Varlene Jacket.

noreply@blogger.com (Cher) — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 21:23:00 +0000

So I'm a little behind on my posts. I actually went on vacation a few weeks ago and of course, due to the change in temperature, my immune system decided to go on strike and it allow unwanted viruses into my body. I'm not horribly ill, but I'm definitely not 100%. So between the vacation and feeling a bit under the weather, I am lacking posts.

However, having been working from home the last day and a half and therefore having more time to surf the interwebs, I have a found something today that caught my eye. I've been looking for a double-breasted jacket for some time now, but as a petite, they tend to be too overwhelming. When I saw this Theory Varlene jacket, my interest was immediately peaked.

Theory Varlene Jacket in Edition, $395

It's slightly cropped style may lend itself to petite frames. It does not have a lapel, however. I haven't decided if that bothers me or not, but I'm definitely willing to find out! Find it here on Theory.com.