fashionism...is not a disease

fashion has always been my secret passion.

looking at beautiful clothings, handbags, shoes, etc. in magazines (because that is all i CAN do!) usually puts me in a trance. slowly tracing the outline of the items...i start thinking to myself, "why don't i recreate this look? sans expensive tags and huge credit card debts!"

which is why, i am trying (ok, not really trying...but striving) to learn how to make clothes. making clothes will require some designing skills, pattern cutting and extensive sewing skills. of which, i have none!

my "designing" only extends to mentally visualing the materials, and how i would construct it, as if i knew the how-to's. oh and the odd sketching here and there.

but of late,

i) with the progression of 'fuschja' (an online boutique my lalings and i are planning to start)...well...progress in the sense that mrs soapy and i have collected the clothes we would like to sell...

ii) polyvore, which stirred up my creative/style senses (or at least i'd like to think that it did),

i am really, really, really into this whole thing.

in fact, i am starting to study what the styles are on the streets now.

everyone has a unique sense of style. even the punks (a look i am not fond of)...if you looked carefully enough, a kooky t-shirt can be very stylish worn over basic jeans. it's those little things. people usually look up and down...judging the next person. i look at a person...from down to up. checking out their shoes first. but definitely not judging. everyone to their own

I always envy those with irregular body shapes, but with a fanstatic pair of jeans on. i am still searching for mine!!!! to no avail!!!!

i wouldn't call myself a fashionista. simply because i am not one. i don't own the most stylish pair of jeans. or the latest LV bag. i don't memorise catalogues (ok...maybe some...but only mng..:P)...i don't even have a LBD (which is Channel E's TOP Stylish Essentials!)...and most importantly...i don't have a body MADE for those things.

i was the girl who wore awkwardly high jeans, big framed glasses, untamed eyebrows...and a weird chunky fringe (mrs soapy will gladly attest to this). then again, i was 12. i had the license to be awkward...:)

but since then, i'd like to think that i have evolved. i don't look awkward anymore. i am still bottom heavy, but i try to make the most of myself most of the time. i don't think i am a fashion victim, though i do sometimes fantasise about wearing stuff that will definitely make me look like a stuffed sausage instead of svelte.

ok. so i might be mixing this with passion for shopping. i do love to shop (okok, so i MAY BE a shopaholic). the feeling of finding that perfect shirt...or shoes...or trousers.

i always believe that if you find something that makes you look good. buy it. because it is NOT EASY to find stuff. especially for those physically challenged as i am. so, if i were to find a pair of jeans that makes my butt look all jessica-alba (or biel)-ish...i will buy it (of course it would have to be...affordable). but then again, if it really IS that perfect...i would save my money and get it anyway.

i do think i have a good "eye" for colour (different colours for different skin tones) and balance (what should go with what). and i can be adventurous, but only if its practical. :)

most importantly, the wearer must feel comfortable...and confident. because...

'the clothes does not maketh the wearer. it is the wearer that maketh the clothes'

i also don't believe that you can only look good with designer clothes (but if you can afford it, why not!). a top from the bazaar, mixed with trousers from a high-street shop and maybe a handbag from one of those niche boutiques in bangsar, is just fine. and you don't have to be colourful to be noticed. one bright item (e.g. handbag) can accent your bland outfit perfectly.

either way...it is your style. your preference. just make it work. feel good. feel confident.

today, i had an experience which left me humbled, and a little bit excited. i was in mng, at the curve. as mentioned in my previous post...huge sale (yay!). so, thought i'd check out if there were other stuff here, which they didnt have in klcc.

browse, browse, browse...found a few interesting things to try on. and better still! i ended up not buying ANY! woo hoo! self control at its best.

1. black pussy bow top (similar to polka dot one in previous post) - seeing as i have bought the polka dot one, thought i shouldn't splurge on this. it is RM95, which is pretty hefty...for something identical.
2. brown black stripey maxi (very hippy chic feel to it) - thought it made me look dumpy, even though i thought i COULD pull it off with high heels...
3. wraparound cardigan - the tie was too weird.
4. brown knee length shorts - i just tried this to see how i'd like in it. i have always thought that my legs does no justice for anything at this length. i thought right. :)

then, i saw this really delicious brown (black in pic on the left) leather ballet flats. it was so pretty! and better still..comfortable. at a discount, it was RM145. yikes...i was hopping for something under RM100, especially seeing that it's a sale! asked mrs mumsie for her opinion...she said its not worth it. *sigh* i am still considering. if it is still there near the end of the sale...it is MEANT TO BE MINE. for now, i shall "play-hard-to-get"...:)

oh wait...i forgot. humbling experience.

so, after that, i decided to try on some belts (looking for some wide belts). while i was trying a range of belts...this girl kept looking at me, while trying on belts too. she hesitated for a while...and then...

"erm, excuse me...just wondering if you could advise me...what kind of belt would suit me?"

a bit taken aback...composed myself...then looked at her very tiny frame...

"well, there are 2 things that you need to ask yourself...one is what kind of clothes you have, in terms of colour, length, etc....and second...what kind of effect you are looking for..."

she told me she liked wide belts...so picked out a belt, which was one of those that she chose.

"you are very lucky! you are very skinny...so you can pull off most looks. and between the white and blue...i will take blue. cause this could be a contrasting feature on any basic coloured outfit".

she tried it on her hips...and looked pretty happy. and that made me feel happy.

gosh...could this be it...my true calling??