Quiet Luxury: Because We Can All Pretend We’re Rich (But, You Know, Subtly)

Ah, quiet luxury. The trend that whispers, “I’m rich, but I’m not about to yell it.” How classy. How sophisticated. How…unattainable for most of us mere mortals slogging through life at 30 without a trust fund or a yacht to cry on.

For those who don’t know (or who have been too busy adulting and surviving to keep up with Vogue), quiet luxury is all about understated elegance. Think cashmere sweaters so fine they dissolve in water, plain white t-shirts that cost as much as your rent, and beige everything. Oh, the beige. It’s like the color palette of wealth is a rebellion against all our vibrant broke-people energy.

PHOTO CREDITS: CAMBRIA

Now, let’s pause and address the elephant in the room: this trend wasn’t made for people like us. I mean, how does a member of the middle class—or, dare I say, the low-income club—pull off “quiet luxury”? Should we just…not talk about our overdraft fees? Should we whisper while showing off our thrifted Zara blazer that kinda looks like Loro Piana from afar? Maybe if we squint?

But here’s the real kicker: quiet luxury screams judgment. It’s the rich person’s way of saying, “Loud logos are for people trying too hard.” You know, like us common folk who splurge on a Gucci belt as a flex. But hey, sorry we’re not rich enough to look poor! My apologies for thinking a little branding might help signal to the world that I’ve “made it” (or at least that I know how to max out a credit card).

PHOTO CREDITS: IN STYLE/GETTY

And let’s talk about the practicality of it all. Imagine wearing a perfectly tailored, cream cashmere suit to your 9-to-5. Except, instead of being a tech CEO, you’re working retail, and you know, there’s a 99.9% chance someone spills coffee on you. Quiet luxury doesn’t do “spills.” It doesn’t do “hard-working 30-year-olds who’ve been at it since their teens and deserve a break.” It does soft lighting, wine tastings, and passive income.

But here’s the thing: we can still embrace our version of quiet luxury. Oh, yes. Quiet luxury on a budget looks like a clean pair of white sneakers (from last year, but we scrubbed them with baking soda). It’s the perfectly curated thrift store haul that makes us look like we could maybe afford brunch with people who say things like, “Let’s summer in Capri.” It’s pretending we’re rich enough to keep things simple when, in reality, simplicity is all we can afford.

PHOTO CREDITS: MENSFLAIR.COM

So, to my fellow 30-somethings who still haven’t gotten their lives together: let’s redefine this trend. Quiet luxury isn’t about being rich; it’s about looking like you’ve got your act together when you don’t. Because, at the end of the day, nothing screams “luxury” louder than someone who knows how to fake it ‘til they make it.

Now, excuse me while I sip this instant coffee out of a thrifted mug and scroll through Net-a-Porter, adding $3,000 sweaters to my cart…just for the thrill of it. Cheers to looking expensive on a budget, darlings!

PHOTO CREDITS: Salvatore Ferragamo

- FASHION DOOHICKEy

So My Heart Dropped and Sank to the Ground. This is Couldn't Be Happening.

The long hiatus may seem like I am turning back on a lot of things that is related to fashion. But I just don't have the time and the drive to be all cheery and fashion-focused anymore. I started this blog way back in 2009 when I was still a teen obsessed with fashion and the fashion world. Don't get me wrong, I still love fashion that's probably why I had to come back today to post something that really struck a cord.

photo credits: elle

When the New York Times entered my feed, I  couldn't believe what I was reading. I was so preoccupied with the thought of his passing that my thumb could no longer scroll the screen of my phone. There it was, in bold letters. Karl Lagerfeld, Dead.

I looked up to him and the many things he does. It amazes me that he was able to define luxury and how he stayed true to his craft for so many years. I am very sad to know that one of the top fashion  designers or our times are slowly fading away and are slowly being replaced with new legends. The thought of that alone couldn't escape my mind, I hang-on to so many classic fashion designers and am deeply disheartened to know that no one as good as him could ever replace the House of Lagerfeld and Chanel. *sigh

May his soul rest in peace, I mourn with the millions of fans and the many fashionists out there! We lost a star, we lost a legend, we lost Karl. I know that the fashion world could still recover but the fashion world will surely be different without him, without his taste, with out his avant-garde grandeur. I will surely miss looking forward to his designs, I will miss him being a relevant fashion-icon.  

Goodbye Karl, thank you! You were my inspiration growing up, you gave me so much to look forward to when I was still young and innocent of the world, you inspired me to pursue fashion and to really up my taste when it comes to understanding fashion for what it truly is, you ignited hope in my heart, and for that, I will  be forever grateful.

- FASHION DOOHICKEy

Miss Universe 2015

#NowHappening: Miss Universe 2015

Okay ladies and fembots, it's the time of the year once again where all beautiful women around the world compete for the title of Miss Universe 2015.

Who's your favorite?

Miss Universe Top 15 1. Colombia 2. Italy 3. India 4. France 5. USA 6. Indonesia 7. Venezuela 8. Spain 9. Philippines 10. Argentina 11. Jamaica 12. Ukraine 13. Brazil 14. Netherlands 15. Australia

Miss Universe Top 10 1. Jamaica 2. Colombia 3. Ukraine 4. Argentina 5. Philippines 6. Spain 7. Netherlands 8. Venezuela 9. Australia 10. USA

Miss Universe Top 5 1. Colombia 2. Italy 3. India 4. France 5. USA

Miss Universe 2014-2015 Winners

4th Runner Up: Jamaica

3rd Runner Up: Netherlands

2nd Runner Up: Ukraine

1st Runner Up: USA

Miss Universe 2015: Colombia

Well? What are your thoughts on this year's Miss Universe results? Don't be shy! Let your thoughts be heard in the comment section below.

- FASHION DOOHICKEy

Fashion Find: Ash Cult Lace Up Sneakers

These Flatforms/Wedge/Platforms or Whatnot are to Die For!

Was never a shoe person I'm not really a huge fan of the idea of being called "the shoe lady" when I grow up but when I see a pair I love, I ogle on it for long periods of time and I stick to it like glue. Such is true with my recent find.

I dunno, maybe I'm just too picky when it comes to shoes? Ha. 

To be a true "fashionist", I understand that one does not have to restrict oneself when it comes to clothing, most especially when it comes to "accessorizing" a supposed #OOTD for the day or what not; fashion is supposed to be art, and artistry has no boundaries. So why did I even bother? Maybe because sometimes we have to bend the rules? After all, fashion and the idea of being fashionable may be for everyone but not 'everyone' is cut out for it (excuse the defensive monster in me). That said, I'm all up for fashion and all things in between (grey matters or not) but when it comes to shoes I find myself too picky with what to buy that I even spend countless hours in a store just to make sure that I find a pair that I would not regret buying (my apologies for all the sales people that had to go back and forth in the storage room, but I do appreciate the effort, thank you!). 

Oh, come one! Don't tell me your eyes are rolling? You have, at some point, succumb to the dilemma of choosing a pair too, right? My point exactly.

Anyway...

Here's the fashion find I was talking earlier about.

photo credit: Ash Cult

I knew a few months ago that the then infamous platforms was slowly making a comeback as today's 'flatforms' shoes, and  I was dying just to grab a hold of it's modern look but never, and I mean NEVER did I ever expect for the flatform to look this brilliant! I love it!

This shoe design is by Ash Cult. It's a bit prices but what fashion find isn't right?

I quite enjoy the snakeskin detailing of this white leather shoe (though I hope it's not really made of real snake skin or it would totally creep me out) and the yellow lace as well. Also find it quite brilliant is how smart the design looks from a fashion-monger's point of view of course.

With all that being said, can't wait to once again submit to corporate slavery and grab a hold of these lovely find by the end of the month!

What are your thoughts on flatforms? Do you love them as well?

A penny for your thoughts?


- FASHION DOOHICKEy

How Do You Style Bird-Print Tops?

How Do You Style Bird-Print Tops?

How Do You Style Bird-Print Tops? by fashiondoohickey

I'm not quite sure if bird prints are in this season but I am taking a fancy on these fabulous top I found over at Polyvore. I have been glued to these kinds of contests ever since. How would you style your own bird-print tops? Let me know on the comment section below. *click *click *click!

Cheers!

How Do You Style Ombré Necklaces?

How Do You Style Ombré Necklaces? by fashiondoohickey featuring sleeveless shirts

A Little Bit of What I Call Thinspiration

A Little Bit of What I Call Thinspiration

A Little Bit of What I Call Thinspiration

So here's something I am currently in the appetite for. Summer is effin' calling my name and I cannot help but respond. I am filled with so much positiveness that I am sharing to you the theme of summer in my fashion boudoir.

Of Powder Blues and Baby Pinks by FASHION DOOHICKEy by Jourdane featuring Casadei shoes

Items: Phoebe Corset, Floral Shorts By Boutique, Casadei Women's 3504 Double Platform Pump, Blue&Cream: Corto Moltedo Susan Python Rainbow Clutch, Fuchsia Fade Cuff, Yellow Gold Pink Quartz and Diamond Earrings, Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer RB2140 5022 962/40 Dark Turquoise Sunglasses.

I am all in for floral and corsets this week and a monochromatic color of pink and blue is what my heart is screaming for as of the moment. What say you?

This is inspiration not persipiration! Anyhooha..

Tell me whatchathink?!

Cheers!

Love is a game that drives us insane.

Love is a game that drives us insane.
Love is a game that drives us insane.

I have been so intermittent lately. I have fallen to love's trap. But i'm free now. I can't believe i have missed out on a lot of fashion cheesemax. But don't worry ladies and fembots, im back with a bang.

Love is a game,
Drives me insane..

Cheers!

Fashion Week: Versace SS 2010 Collection

Fashion Week: Versace SS 2010 Collection
Fashion Week: Versace SS 2010 Collection

Donatella! You make me young-er! It is such a Stop-Rewind-Freeze-I-want-one moment!

I love this collection, i absolutely worship the fashion. I remember 10 years ago, my idea of fashion was princesses and silhouettes and gowns and all the other watery-flowy fabrics that a princess would wear. Guess what? I got educated. But still, I remember adoring Versace back in the olden days. Nothing has changed ever, till now.

take a look at some of my personal favorites.

Don't you just love it? Isn't this collection A-mazing or what? I see Sasha *burp Pivovarova, Lily Donaldson, and Natasha Poly strut the runway, what else could be Hotter than this? Well?

Tell me! Tell me Quick! I love Versace.

P.S. here are some of the shoes and accessories (I'm sure) we will all trade our souls for. Shall we?

This is major Major Hotness!



Cheers!
photo credits: fashionising