I used to be a dead-poor student with few belongings. But I got by anyway, and somehow managed to accumulate a sizeable collection of shoes. Back in the day, I had an eye for maximizing my money. Which is quite wondrous, thinking about how I actually managed to find alot of good bargains. I started my collection of basics, especially that of racerbacks, to wear to the animal shelter where I counsel at on most weekends. Because it’s so hot, I need something lightweight.
Needless to say, I’ve found the same basics extremely conducive to wear to teach when the weather is excruciatingly scorching. But one dilemma I’ve always had was just how to dress ‘em up. Beyond solid colors. Yesterday I wore the same ol’ racerback out. And then I found some old photos on how I used to accessorize them.
1. With some deep-brown leather accessories. The clutch and belt are from Mango; and the flats from Bata, a shop we all grew up associating with school shoes. That was my first pair of ballet flats. Which I bought because it was cheap, and because leopard prints and red flower corsage maketh anything look splendid. Top from Zara; and earrings from some pushcart.
2. The same look, albeit with old ornate brooches. These belong to my mother, and are mostly from India. Some have had their pins spoilt, which is quite easy to fix by using appropriately-sized safety pins.
3. Sometimes the plain tank look for androgyny. It’s quite fascinating how the body can look womanly at one angle, and boyish, at another. Ahh well, I tend to get fascinated by weird stuff, I know.
Top from Mango; drainpipes from Victoria Beckham for Rock & Republic.
With chunky necklace (from Mango) and large earrings (from Forever 21)
With shades (Mango) and chunky gold necklaces (vintage). I love chunky gold necklaces, and have them in different lengths,sizes and thickness. They dress up anything instantly.
How I used to look at the pound, although we now have uniforms. Necklace from Diva.
With the simple heart-chains. Top from Ms Selfridge, with nice cute tassles by the side. I bought it when I was 13.
necklace from John Little; with two plaits and a smile, topped up with the hair ties of a five year old’s.
Layered under tops that might be cut a little too low for comfort. I like this top from Mango, because it has intricate prints, as well as tons of chains and gold baubles hanging off them. I can’t remember what I was wearing around my hands then.
Drainpipes from Warehouse; clogs from VNC.
For the basic dressed-down look with gold sneakers. Here, I wore my Mango baubled biker chain with multiple embossed crucifixes, as well my Dad’s army dog-tags. Threw on a pair of shades and got a clutch. The tank top has got rhinestones all over its border, and is especially memorable because it was my first purchase from Mango, which I still wear today.
With more brooches. This one’s kinda Victorian-looking, with some a clay-like ornate figurine’s head, tons of pearls and white ribbons. The racerback’s from Mango, and I customized it by sewing lace around the borders, and letting them hang down casually at the back.
And the latest look, with the bird chain.
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