Category Archives: Fashion

For the Men: How to Buy Clothes for Women

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Alright men, this is for you.

A male reader recently asked me to write a post about how to buy clothes for girls. Man, it’s hard enough to buy clothes for yourself let alone another person….let alone a girl!

Ok, here’s my take on the matter.

Please Don’t
1. Buy bottoms. – It’s really hard to find the right fit, so unless you know how to dress your girl to the T, don’t even try.
2. Bright and Outrageous Patterns/Prints – It’s hard to decide what pattern your girl may like
3. Generic gift sets – Shows no thought whatsoever.

Safe Bets:

Sweaters / Cardigans
You can’t go wrong with the size or shape.

1. Forever 21 $22.80 // 2. Lulu’s $63 // 3. Anthropologie $138

Chiffon/Silk  Loose blouses
Easy fit, good fabric, and feminine


1. Forever 21 $13.80 // 2. Old Navy $25  // 3. Ann Taylor $79

Graphic T’s
Comfy, relaxed, and shows creativity!


1. Old Navy $9.97  // 2. Lulu’s $28 // 3. Free People $68

Jewelry

You don’t necessarily need to give her diamonds…

1. Banana Republic $35 // 2. Anthropologie: $48 // 3. J. Crew $150

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I hope this was helpful and that you will feel confident when shopping for that special girl of yours. But please, if you decide to go with my advice despite the THOUSANDS of hints she gave you about the #1 thing on her wish list…don’t blame me.

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REMEMBER: If you have a styling question or an idea for a blog post, feel free to click the “Ask a Question” at the top of the page and ask away! I can’t wait to hear from you!

Faux Fur

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Happy Thrift Style Thursday! Today’s theme — Faux Fur.

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Vest: Thrifted // Shirt: Free People (Thrifted) – Similar // Pants: Gap – Similar // Shoes: J. Crew – Similar // Necklace: LOFT

Now, if you’re out of luck and can’t seem to find a furry treasure at your local thrift store for a mere $10, here are some store-bought options 🙂

H&M $20 // Forever 21 $47 // Daily Look $80

FOLLOW ME
Twitter: @alexisnguyen
Instagram: @snippetswithalex
Facebook: www.facebook.com/snippetswithalex
WhatIWear

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Other Thrift Style Thursday bloggers:

Zhenya at Being Zhenya
Kristi of Alligator Toe
Miche at Buttons and Birdcages
Jackline at Sincerely Miss J
Martyna at Spoolish
Justine of The Two Cent Chic
Nout at Sandpaper Kisses
Brandi at The Fair Trade Fashionistas

The Academy Blazer

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Ah, here’s to another blazer.

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Blazer: Gap – Similar // Top: Thrifted – Similar // Jeans: Gap // Shoes: Thrifted  // Necklace: Talbots // Watch: Michele // Earrings: Anthropologie – Similar (F21)

Details to look for –> The Academy Blazer

1. The Fit
Especially for women, blazers need to fit well. Make sure the blazer tapers in nicely at the waist so that you still get that hour-glass-esque shape.
2. The Patterned Cuff
Having the extra detailing of a patterned cuff adds an interesting aspect to your outfit. You go from dull and stiff, to stylish and chic!
3. The Pockets
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I have to have pockets! Where else are you going to put the things that you confiscate from students or extra whiteboard marker pens?

*Sorry, the pictures are a little blurry today! 😦

European Flare

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Bonjour! This post is dedicated to the wonderful fashionistas in Europe who never fail to look classy. I was blessed to be able to visit Paris this past March and I just fell in love with the culture! So today, I decided to combine the  Thrift Style Thursday Theme of bags this week with a little European Flare.

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Coat: Anthropologie // Sweater: Gap – Similar // Jeans: Gap // Shoes: Talbots – Similar // Watch: Michele // Purse: Thrifted – Juicy Couture // Necklaces: Urban, Vintage

Outfit highlights:
THE COAT: I’ve been looking for a cream/off white coat for awhile. While I was in D.C. for Friendsgiving, we did some after Black Friday shopping and I found this beautiful more traditional/classic coat. I was about to snag it, but then I thought about my other coats, and I have plenty of nice typically-shaped coats. Therefore, I decided to get the one shown above. I figured, it’s always nice to have something that makes you feel like you should be on the runway. Right? Especially when it was an extra 20% off!

THE PURSE: Since it is Thrift Style Thursday, here is my Juicy Couture purse that I thrifted at Crossroads Trading Company. I have been looking for a nice, quality, black side satchel piece that would go with practically any outfit. Well, I lucked out and found this beauty. Usually JC stuff is a little too out there for me, with a bunch of their logos plastered all over it, but this one fit my simplistic style.

THE WATCH: Now, I’ve been on the look out for good watch for awhile. I had no idea what to look for until I talked to my fashionable-in-the-know cousins. Their tip: TWO-TONE. Get a two-toned (both gold and silver) watch and band so that it can match with every outfit no matter what. Yes, this was definitely a splurge, but so worth it! It’s functional as well as a stylish accessory! You will probably see me wear this guy every post. 🙂 I got this watch at Nordstrom Rack. Be on the look out, because these are hard to find!

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Last tip of the day:

How to look European (in my humble opinion):

1. It’s all about the coat
Since it gets pretty chilly over there during the winter, the only thing that you pretty much see are their coats! I suggest always having a classic coat, but when you want to add some flare, try a new style!
2. Neutral colors are key.
Keep it classy with the neutrals.
3. Less is more.
Don’t be decked out in accessories. Keep it simple!
4. Confidence.
Just like with any outfit, confidence is key. My quote of the day:
“The outfit is the lightbulb, but confidence is the electricity.”

*Okay, probably too many different themes for one post. If you got lost in the mumbo jumbo of my writing, I deeply apologize for my rambling.

Thanks for reading!

BTW: I’m trying to get into the social media scene so follow me for more fun!

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/snippetswithalex
Instagram: @snippetswithalex
Twitter: @alexisnguyen

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Check out the other Thrift Style Thursday bloggers! 🙂

Zhenya at Being Zhenya
Kristi of Alligator Toe
Miche at Buttons and Birdcages
Jackline at Sincerely Miss J
Martyna at Spoolish
Justine of The Two Cent Chic
Nout at Sandpaper Kisses
Brandi at The Fair Trade Fashionistas

The Maxi

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Who says you can’t wear a maxi skirt during the winter? You know me, always going against a current. 🙂

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Top: Gap – Similar // Cardigan: Anthropologie – Similar // Skirt: Thrifted – Similar // Necklace: Talbots – Similar

Here’s the inside scoop: maxi skirts make me feel like a princess — especially this one because it flows with the wind, twirls when I twirl, and I can curtsy in it. Yes, absolutely perfect. Hey, every girl needs to have a twirl-able skirt! Don’t judge.

Maxi Skirt Tips:
1. Make sure that the slip underneath is long enough. Maybe it’s just my conservative taste, but I think that the short slip with a see-through long skirt is a bit inappropriate in my opinion. Oh well, everyone’s entitled, right?
2. To make it a more fall/winter look, pair it up with ankle boots!

Camouflage

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It was Spirit Week at school last week! Guess what one of the themes was? Let’s just say that for that entire week, I should have won the “Most Spirited Teacher” award. 🙂

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Jacket: Gap // Blouse: Thrifted – Similar // Shorts – Gap – Similar //  Jewelry: Anthropologie – Neck, Ears

I’m not one to wear camouflage, but this jacket is growing on me! There is even an extra layer vest underneath that kept me warm during last week’s SUPER cool down. Thank you Lydia for letting me borrow your jacket and helping me show school spirit!

Tip: Whenever you wear some sort of all over color and print, balance it out with some neutrals! 

The Modern Polka Dot

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I’ve not been one to wear polka dots, but that was the theme chosen today for Thrifty Thursdays. So here’s my modern take on the classic pattern.

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Blouse: Thrifted – Option  // Blazer: Urban – Similar  // Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Anthropologie – Similar {Sale!} // Earrings: Vintage from my Mom

The blouse is comprised of dots, but they’re more abstract with a little extra detailing and so they’re not the traditional pattern you usually see. Makes it a little special, don’t you think?

Check out the other fellow Thrifty Thursday Bloggers out there!

Zhenya at Being Zhenya
Kristi of Alligator Toe
Miche at Buttons and Birdcages
Jackline at Sincerely Miss J
Martyna at Spoolish
Justine of The Two Cent Chic
Nout at Sandpaper Kisses
Brandi at The Fair Trade Fashionistas

Winter Lace

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I’m all about the juxtaposition of putting cold weather together with lace, especially for the holiday season. Today’s Thrifty Thursday post is comprised of wonderful finds from our local Savers and Crossroads. Here’s my version of a casual holiday outfit.

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Dress: Thrifted – Similar // Boots: DSW – Similar  // Sweater: Thrifted – Similar // Scarf: P.O.K.O

Got a summer/spring dress that you still aren’t sick of wearing, despite the cold weather? THAT’S OK. Throw on a pair of black tights, a chunky sweater, a scarf, boots and you’re good to go!

And just to show you that I actually use the tips that I give out, here’s how I chose this dress.
1. Is this cute? DUH.
2. Will the shape fit and flatter my body type? Yes.
3. Good fabric/brand? Yes. It’s Ann Taylor.
4. Do I have other clothes to make this dress a multiple outfit phenomena? Yes.
5. Shall I buy it? YES.

Check out the other fellow Thrifty Thursday Bloggers out there. 🙂

Zhenya at Being Zhenya
Kristi of Alligator Toe
Miche at Buttons and Birdcages
Jackline at Sincerely Miss J
Martyna at Spoolish
Justine of The Two Cent Chic
Nout at Sandpaper Kisses

Just a Tweed-bit

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Back in the day, I thought tweed was just for my mother and grandmother. But then I grew up and realized that it’s still as fashionable as it was back then.

FLASHBACK

FLASHFORWARD

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Jacket: Gap – Similar // Jeans: Gap //  Shirt: Thrifted – Similar // Shoes: J-Crew

If you clicked on the above links, you may have noticed that the items are somewhat pricey. I just wanted to confirm that when I bought my clothes, they were all at least an additional 50% off. I’m going to have a post sometime later about smart shopping, but right now, let me tell you the true cost of this outfit.

Shirt: $2 (50% at Goodwill)
Jeans: $42 (40% off, A good investment because I wear them practically every day).
Jacket: $20 (Extra 40% at Gap)
Shoes: $40 (Extra 40% So comfortable that I can wear them all day while teaching)

Not too shabby for some easy mix-match quality items, don’t you agree?

Brisk Morning

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Wow, it was cold this morning. I think the weather has officially decided that it is now winter.

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Trench: Anthropologie – Similar // Dress: Anthropologie – Similar // Sweater: Hand-me-down  //Boots: DSW – Similar // Scarf: POKO (a.k.a. Me)

POKO is currently on halt for right now due to other endeavors. I apologize to those who are waiting for a new knitted design. Life just gets busy, you know?