Balmain

Ebay Lust-Have (Vintage version)

by cecylia on September 15, 2009

You know how there are things that you want from Ebay, and then there are things you WANT. Well, these garments were from my WANT-list. I really loved these but we were just not meant to be…

I was hoping to wear these leggings with my black wool dresses. They are achingly unique and the pattern looks like a pink version of a traditional Chinese landscape painting. I was devastated when I lost the auction. *sobs*

I wanted to transform this long top into a minidress when I got my hands on it- cut off the sleeves or something… I love the symmetrical front panel. But once again, it slipped under my radar.

I had all of my fingers crossed whilst I bid on this leather dress. I was wrecked when people bid much higher than me. It is just an amazing piece of structured leather- miliary-style dress. How will I ever find another one?

I am a huge fan of brogues and these comfortable silver lace-ups were going to replace the ones I am currently wearing to work everyday.

I have been in search of a cute sailor dress for years, ever since I saw Mischa Barton wearing one on her holidays. This is the 3rd cotton dress I have lost on Eay!! I guess it may actually be a little too see-through for the streets of Melbourne anyway…

This girl’s Balmain-like vintage military jacket was a smash hit among Australian fashionistas. Why wouldn’t it be? It is 100% wool, has gold stitching around it and looks like it used to be worn by a Renaissance captain. The sleeves are my favourite. This is THE jacket for Fall and it would instantly glamorise an ordinary outfit. The whole country seemed to be bidding on it. So i just watched from afar and did not participate in the auction of the season.

The great thing about Ebay is, you win some and you lose some. You get some absolute gems and some second rate dont-quite-fit stuff which is still fun if you have the flair to make it fit. I still maintain that as long as you have a good figure, you would still look good in a brown paper bag. Now I just need to find myself that brown paper bag.

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Further reductions in our International sale. Enjoy up to 70% off NET-A-PORTER.COM

Ebay Losses

by cecylia on August 9, 2009

They say it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.

When I was first introduced to Ebay, I spent my nights searching pretty much only ‘vintage’ garments and accessories. But recently, thanks to the naughty influence of Sea of Shoes and the ridiculous postage expenses I have accumulated with my vintage finds, I have steered my searches more towards designer goods. The following are a couple of items I have loved but lost…vintage and designer.

I have seen these Melissa for Vivienne Westwood plastic slingback heels a few times on fashion magazines. They certainly left a big impression on me. I actually was invovled with 2 auctions of these shoes: different sellers, of course. The reason why I was not as desperate for them is because they were 1/2 size too big for me. Even though it is merely 1/2 a size, plastic is not the best material to mould to your feet. They are gorgeous though and apparently they are sold out everywhere… you know what I will be looking out for when I am in Singapore.

This kimono-like mustard silk Willow dress was going to be a new addition to my wardrobe… Mustard is so fresh and this photo certainly won me over. I know I could have put more money on it, but in the end I had to let it go. After all, I already have too many beautiful frocks I have not even worn yet!

I nearly cried when someone outbid me and stole this charming belt from me! It was my ‘buy- of-the-day’, on my mental wish list. I was so sure that I would be the winning bidder, but I lost the bid in the last 20 minutes, while I was cooking dinner…I sure hope to find a similar one in a vintage shop.

As you have read about my beautiful Maison Martin Margiela mock-crock boots (http://cecylia.com/2009/07/trying-on-my-new-boots/), I am quite obsessed with boots at the moment. I have purchased 5 pairs in the past month! My heart skipped a beat when I found these amazing REAL crocodile boots on Ebay, but to my disappointment, they were 2 sizes too small for me…. Farewell, my lovelies.

Thanks to the uber-hot label Balmain, this jacket became every fashionista’s most-wanted. As you can see, this wool military jacket with gold trimming was a favourite among many ladies of style. Even though it was a fraction of the cost of a real Balmain jacket, by the time I had seen it, it was already not cheap, so I did not even bid on it! I must admit: it is simply gorgeous- a spunky update to every woman’s wardrobe.

I was pretty heart-broken when I lost this divine navy vintage Bally quilted bag to a (much) higher bidder. *sobs* I love the chain and the tassel. Oh well, at least I already have one in tan =)

I was very blessed to found this Bally bag in an awesome vintage shop in Spitalfields, London. It is a gem: Bally leather is akin to cashmere, so soft and luxurious. I love the gold chain detail and the Eiffel tower is a personal touch. I guess if I bought the navy bag, it would be difficult to chose which one to carry…

Dissection of a great outfit

by cecylia on July 2, 2009

Here is a stylish lady walking down the tiled street, she was snapped by The Sartorialist because of her impeccable taste and I fell in love with her street-cred so much that I decided to analyse her sophisticated look. My guess is that she’s European, probably on her way to a fashion show…

zippy-bag

She is one who dresses for herself, not to please others. I admire her both her boldness and her ability to streamline her look with vastly different designer pieces. She’s mixed the ‘too-cool-for-school’ rebellious look with polished tailored pieces to perfection.

She starts with a black shirt in light-weight material. I have selected a black D&G Dolce & Gabbana bow-detail chiffon blouse

d&g dolce & gabbana Then she slides into Sass & Bide Black Rats leggings- and colour and the ruched detailing is very slimming.

sass-bide-black-rats.222.a

Next, her wardrobe staple- the black blazer. I have chosen Balmain, of course. Needless to say, this black wool blazer is the hottest blazer you could have- first-class tailoring with those eponymous shoulder ‘hills’. Although it have an astronomical price tag, it is already sold-out on Net-A-Porter. An investment piece that will last and last. Balmain tuxedo wool jkt

Next, she thoughtfully chooses her accessories. She wants something edgy with heaps of street-cred. She wants to fit her make-up, agenda, sunnies, camera, wallet and other important belongings into a well-sized tote.

I thought her bag appeared familiar, I found silver and patent blue versions on net-a-porter- the Pauric Sweeney Perforated Bag and the Pauric Sweeney Overnight 7 Patent Bag- both on sale now at Net-A-Porter.com. If only the prices were not in pounds…

pauric sweeney overnight 7 patent bag pauric sweeney perforated shoulder bag

She then wraps her neck in her favourite and the celeb-favourite Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Leopard Scarf. The violet shade adds just the right amount of colour to her dark ensemble.

12069048_violet

She almost look like she is weaing very long boots…however if you take a closer look you will see some wicked ankle boots. My shortlist would be Alexander Mcqueen or Louboutins…so I’ve included both! Christian Louboutin Miss 120 Platform Ankle Boots and the Alexander Mcqueen peet-toe ankle boots which are to die for. These ‘vest-like’ peep-toe booties are made with butter-soft leather with skull-zippers. I love the ‘lappeles’ and the heel detailing.

christian louboutin miss 120 platform ankle boots Alexander McQueen Peep-toe ankle boots

So here we are, the complete breakdown of a great outfit. Style can be learned, but it helps when you have great anatomy too.

Warming styles for Winter

by cecylia on May 29, 2009

I’m more of a summer person because winter is too cold and I like wearing dresses. The only way I cope with the chilly weather is to rug up with style. I’ve compiled 4 of my favourite winter looks this year to inspire you to look stylish and keep warm.

good-on-her

This Leelee Sobieski look-alike has turned a vintage-design rug into a scrumptious coat. A cross-over of a Persian princess and a Japanese kimono. Her slim figure and the cool shades keep her look modern and fresh. I don’t usually do red and black, but the interesting pattern and the grey stitching makes this coat absolutely to drool for. I’m eyeing my carpet.

balmain-jkt-off-the-catwalk

Not everyone has the budget for Balmain jackets and Balenciaga leather pants. But if you do – the finances and the figure, then you ought to flaunt it. Take cue from this lovely young lady who obviously spends her lunch money on clothes. Balmain certainly is the most-lusted-after label at the moment – striking shoulders and tapered waist, a feature we previously would have all loved to forget from the 80′s, has been revamped by the head designer, Christophe Decarnin. I love it when an old classic such as the military jacket- previously seen only on the male of the species (like Captain Cook), gets the denim treatment and a feminized makeover. One of my favourite winter looks at the moment- sharp and smart.

black-chicness

Ignore the other well-dressed ladies in the background, this Penelope Cruz- doppelganger has serious style credits. Black is definitely back this winter. Black cashmere long wrap-around scarf. Check. Black boyfriend blazer with rolled-up sleeves. Check. Black calf-leather waist-belt. Check. Black slinky peg-leg pants that sit inches above my ankle. Check. Black lengthen-my-legs stillettoes. Check. She’s set to rock the streets of Paris.

big-bird

And lastly, my fourth favourite look for winter 2009 is shaggy knits. This lady has mastered this look so well. Wearing a jersey body-con dress underneath it with sky-high ankle boots, she’s elevated grandma’s shag carpet to rock-star status. Learn from Big Bird, when we wear woollies, we ought to keep the rest of the body streamlined- wear skinny jeans, leggings or tight dresses underneath. The strands of her shaggy knit look like feathers. She looks warm and relaxed. But unlike Big Bird, her style is set to take flight.

Photos from The Sartorialist and Elle Street Chic.

Balmain

Ebay Lust-Have (Vintage version)

Ebay Losses

Dissection of a great outfit

Warming styles for Winter

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