Closet de Jules

It's February now - we are finally closer to the spring! After being snow-in for the past two weeks, I decided to venture into the woods for a short walk. With the Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day falling into the same month again, I was thinking of wearing something bright to go with these two holidays. This fair isle sweater from J. Crew might just do the trick. The pattern on it kind of reminds me of Aztec style, but much brighter and less ominous. All in all, this is a perfect sweater to go with the month of February without overdoing it!

Also, in the spirit of Raven's Super Bowl victory, I figured posting Oriole’s color might suffice since they are also from Baltimore. Sorry, it is going to take me a while to find any purples in my winter wardrobe!






As a side note, I recommend getting this sweater one size up because the fair isle part is connected by the yarns which, lay in a very strange place that it feels like a rope wrapping around you when you try to stretch your arms. After trying the size S, up from my normal XS, the shoulder/chest area becomes roomier that the yarns are not bothering me anymore.

Readers - do you own any fair isle sweaters from J. Crew? How do you like it?

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Sweater: Fair Isle Ski Sweater - J. Crew
Jeans: Toothpick Ankle Jean in White Denim - J. Crew (similar) 
Boots: Cole Haan (similar)
Bag: Calfskin Cross-Body Bag - Brooks Brothers
Sunglasses: Original Wayfarer - Ray-Ban

'Tis the season to be jolly and... to shop! 

 

It's time for the Petite Fashion Challenge again! Hosted by our knowledgeable Fashion Blawger, this month's challenge is: "The weather outside is frightful, but indoor shopping is warm and delightful. So, whether you have wind, rain, or snow, show me your clothes when shopping for friends or foes!"

 

My holiday shopping outfit usually consists of a sweater, a pair of tights/jeans, and a pair of comfortable boots that I can walk in for hours. My favorite sweater from this winter is the Jack Wills Sedburgh Jumper. It’s adorned with the the traditional holiday fair isle sweater pattern, "a partridge in a pear tree". I wish I had sweaters with two turtle doves, three french hen, four calling birds... so I could wear one each day for all 12 days of Christmas!

I haven't really got time to update my blog in the past month due to all these holiday festivities and a 2-week trip to Florida and the Caribbean Islands. That being said, lots and lots of pictures will be up in the coming weeks!

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Sweater: The Sedburgh Jumper - Jack Wills
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Necklace: Bejeweled Flower Collar Necklace - Forever 21
Scarf: Tommy Hilfiger (similar)
Watch: Timex for J. Crew (similar)
Jeans: Levi's Jeans (similar)
Boots: Cole Haan (similar)

As fall slowly slipping away and winter stealthily rings the bell, I have come to realize an immediate need to compile a general theme for my closet revolving around this season’s biggest trend, color-blocking! I know primary colors has been around the block for at least a year now, but who could resist the versatility of mixing and matching the simple yet bold colors. It’s the perfect way to accentuate your figure without using too many pieces of accessories.  Not to mention, putting together those color patterns, either in strips or in blocks, vertically or horizontally, and pairing them up with tights and a pair of horse-riding boot would definitely make you stand out among those monotone black coats or disorientated layering.


A fashion consultant was invited to my office today to give us a 2-hour long “personal branding workshop” (aka how to build your professional wardrobe). It takes 5 seconds to make an impression. What kind of impression you are trying to give to your coworkers or your clients has a lot to do with what you wear. For example, black/navy/khaki suits communicates the authoritative image of you; yellow/orange/pink, on the other hand, is telling others that you are more accessible (i.e. most likely to be asked to do more work from your boss!).

I have always been a huge fan of colors ever since I had discovered the joy of learning how to look good while making my own statement with clothing. Mastering color is the secret of being a skilled stylist which is not surprising, since having a coherent color scene plays a major part of your overall look.


Enough said about colors... I picked up this pink sweater when J. Crew had their 25% off sweaters sale last week. Wearing bright pink used to be a no no for me in the office, so I was playing with my closet to find some ways to incorporate the color as a part of my professional look. I hope you liked my “7 ways to wear a sweater” mixes and matches. Let me know what is your favorite (or least favorite) one!

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Sweater: Tippi Sweater - J.Crew
Skirt (top left): Ann Taylor (similar)
Skirt (top middle): Talbot 
Skirt (top right): Postage Stamp Mini in Dizzy Anchors - J. Crew 
Dress wear as skirt (middle right): Ella Dress in Garden Floral - J.Crew
Boots (bottom left): old-old-old Boots - Cole Haan (similar)
Blazer (bottom middle): Jacquard Pattern Blazer - Zara
Jeans (bottom middle): old Toothpick Ankle Jean in White Denim - J. Crew
Shirt (bottom right): old Non-Iron Sateen Shirt - Banana Republic
Pants (bottom right): Ultimate Double Weave Notch Back Columnist Pant - Express
Clutch: Havana Clutch - J. Crew

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Top: La Dee Dots Top - Francesca's Collection
Jeans: Old Levi's Jeans from Kohl's (similar)
Pumps: Valentina Printed Patent Pumps - J. Crew