I remember when my mom used to pick out my clothes and tell me they were pang tinedyer.

She made a clear divide of what teenagers could wear and what was reserved for adults. I didn’t get it. And a lot of the time, I wanted to borrow her clothes. I hated the idea that age should restrict me from wearing certain things, especially when I despised most of the trends popular among my peers.

I learned over time that personal style is ever evolving, not necessarily to keep up with the changing fashion landscape, but more so to suit your transformative taste. As you mature, so does your personal style.

That’s not to say your style ages. Rather, you’re on the path to discovering what your true sense of fashion is, and so with each year you grow in age, you’re fine-tuning your image and personality through your wardrobe. So my mom kind of had it right when she told me that polka dot pleated skater skirt was for teens. Although I disliked the item itself, your youth is the time you can explore and experiment, no matter how strange the trend, to see what you like and don’t like. Besides, you can’t knock anything until you try it.

While there isn’t really a clear divide between what clothes are appropriate for each age group, we all have a sense of what pieces are better on an 18-year-old, a 38-year-old, and a 58-year old. However, there are loads of clothing styles out there that works throughout the generations. Other than the obvious classic pieces that are essential for a capsule wardrobe, there are several dresses that any woman at any age can certainly pull off.

Have a look at our list of age-defying frocks:

1. A Wrap Dress

Last year, we wrote a feature on the significance of a wrap dress, sharing its history and highlighting the benefits. To briefly reiterate, it’s a year-round piece that looks good virtually on every body type, as it creates a waist even for apple-shaped figures. Plus, a wrap dress can be easily dressed up or down, and there aren’t a lot of frocks out there that can slip through the cracks of several dress codes.

An item with three-quarter sleeves like a V-neck long sleeve loose mini dress would look especially good on more mature women, however ladies in that age group might opt for a midi hem. Because some might deem a dress like this too matronly for their taste, thus women under their 40’s might go with the mini hem instead.

2. A Sleeveless Sheath Dress

The bodycon silhouette is pretty problematic for some, though some are all for it. Hell would probably freeze over before the Kardashian sisters retired their skintight sense of style, but others might say that there is an age limit for bodycon pieces that put everything on display. A sheath dress, on the other hand, does not discriminate in age or figure.

Fitted with some wiggle room unlike a bandage frock, a Dot pattern pencil midi dress shows off your curves without making the dress look like a second layer of skin. A dress like this is appropriate across various environments, from your workplace to church events, as well as cocktail parties and weddings. You can also wear a sheath dress with a snug jacket or a fitted cardigan.

3. A Skater or Fit and Flare Dress

No matter how old or fit you are, the problem area that we all commonly struggle with is our midsection, or our tummies. We love anything that conceals our bellies, and skater dresses are perfect for that. Fitted from the neck and flared from the waist down, the Vintage floral print midi dress is an example frock that could potentially be worn by a 20-year-old or a 60-year-old.

The silhouette offers retro vibes and has proved its worth over the decades. It’s fun and flirty, and offers a youthful look for senior women. You can also throw on a fitted cardigan for a more conservative look.

Do you have all of these dresses in your wardrobe already? If not, make sure you check out our dresses so that your wardrobe is filled with pieces that will last you.

Happy Fri-yay! Who’s excited for the weekend?

The end of the workweek is something we always look forward to, as we shed our 9-to-6 persona so that we could just chill all weekend long. Switching gears like that normally means we ditch our office wardrobe for our laid-back pieces. And by laid-back, I don’t necessarily mean a ratty t-shirt and pajama shorts. That is, unless your plans consist of binging on takeout and Netflix.

For the rest of us that have plans of being out and about, we like to wear easy, breezy pieces that will last us through to the evening, if necessary. Perhaps one of the most popular items that check off all the boxes is the midi dress.

A one-piece outfit that can be found in a myriad of styles for various occasions, midi frocks boast of the perfect length for comfort; it’s neither too short that you risk showing more than what you bargained for when the wind comes sweeping in, nor is it too long that you end up trapping heat in your skirt. It’s completely effortless, until you put it on and realize you’re not entirely sure what shoes would be appropriate for this kind of hem.

The length tends to throw people off, as the midi places a stronger focus on footwear in comparison to other hems, with the maxi almost completely covering your feet, while shoes are secondary to the mini as more attention is paid to the dress itself.

Don’t let the midi intimidate you! Your shoe collection is full of options that would do your midi frock justice.

Here are a few midi-and-shoe pairings to hopefully give you some inspiration for styling your dresses:

Striped midi with white leather sneakers

Happen to have a white striped frock? Whether it’s the Summer striped halter midi dress, off-shoulder midi, or a backless long-sleeve, stripes are a perfect match for the casual white sneaker. What is perfect about white kicks is its ability to match with any midi, but it works especially well with prints, patterns and anything loud, as the shoes dial back the craziness of the piece. Thus, any time you want to dress down a midi, Casual leather sneakers should do the trick.

Basic t-shirt midi with flat slides

Maybe you’re more into solid hues and basic silhouettes. If you have the Cap sleeve jersey bodycon midi dress or anything similar, try going for something simple, such as flat slides. Although you can totally dress these up with some peep-toe pumps, Mocha two straps sandals are totally made for a chill weekend. Think of slides as the slippers you can wear outside of the house, the alternative to your flip flops that you should really be only wearing at the beach. Plus, with slides, you never have to worry about snapping your tsinelas and awkwardly walking to the closest shoe store to replace them.

Midi scarf dress with strappy sandals

As for your scarf midis, or dresses that look like a combination of separates, go with strappy sandals. Heeled sandals are a great pairing with the Korean soft touch midi dress, especially if you need an outfit slightly dressier than the previous two. If you’re still not the best in walking around in heels, go for the High heel block sandals. The chunky heel offers more stability and comfort than thinner ones. Flat lace-up sandals are also another option, though some people prefer heeled sandals for the sake of elongating their legs.

No matter if you choose a kitten heel, high heel, or a flat sandal variety, the key is in the detailing at the ankle. The only kind of sandals you want to avoid with midis are gladiators. These sandals look much better with knee-length and mini hems, as they showcase enough leg for the gladiators to be on full display.

There you have it! These shoes prove just how easy it is to style a midi dress. With options such as white sneakers, slides and sandals, there’s no reason to panic when choosing accessories for your favorite off-duty piece.

Got any other shoes that you like to wear with a midi dress? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Happy Friday, everyone!

Hope you all had a wonderful and productive work week. And if you didn’t, it doesn’t matter because it’s Friday. With it being the end of the work week, we thought it would be appropriate to dedicate today’s post on Casual Friday’s.

What’s acceptable and not acceptable varies across companies, superiors, locations etc., but we’ve got a bunch of suggestions that will help you dress down your usual work outfits while still maintaining the look of a businesswoman.

We’re not trying to push the boundaries of acceptable office wear. Your clothes are a reflection of how you are as an employee, and you want to hold yourself to the highest of standards to maintain the level of respect you have among your colleagues and superiors.

What to Wear on Casual Friday

Tops

It’s always safer to wear a button-up, but if you have any shirts that you wouldn’t consider part of a typical work outfit, save it for Friday. Shirts like a V-neck bat sleeve shirt are eccentric, yet still suited for the workplace.

If you’d rather wear a blouse than a shirt, go right ahead. Just make sure that you’re not wearing anything sheer, cropped, low-cut or decorated with distracting patterns. A blouse like a Retro floral print loose long sleeve blouse checks off everything on the list. Additionally, the dark floral print adds some personality in your ensemble.

Pants

Jeans are certainly the first choice of bottoms at the end of the work week, but it’s important that you choose a pair that’s solid toned and clean cut, which means no acid washes nor distressed detailing. Cropped boyfriends jeans are a great choice, though it is safer to go with dark blue or black skinny jeans, such as Korean style elastic high waist jeans, if you’re unsure.

Shorts are obviously a no-go (unless your office is extremely casual), but you can get away with cropped or capri pants, like Carly culottes. They’re well-tailored and much less restrictive than your regular workwear pants.

Skirts

Pencil skirts are form-fitting and midi skirts can be pretty heavy, and so you probably want options that are lighter, freer to move around in for your Friday work outfit. When it comes to styling Summer A-line pinstripe midi skirt, you’re better off matching it with a crisp white button-up with matching kitten pumps. A t-shirt with the skirt sends those weekend vibes that might not bode well in the office.

Dresses

Work separates can be pretty tedious after a while. On the other hand, dresses are effortless, one-pieces that are perfect for Friday’s. The beauty of simple frocks, such as the Cap sleeve jersey bodycon midi dress, is that they can easily be dressed up or down. A blazer or a denim jacket would pair well, depending on how casual you want to be. Something like the European short sleeve doll collar mini dress can even work on its own, worn with tights to polish it up slightly. Tights are also a safety net if your dress might be a tad too short for work.

Shoes

Tired of wearing heels throughout the work week? Let Casual Friday be the opportunity to give your feet a rest. Many people would probably want to go for something super comfortable like sneakers, but it all depends on your office environment and what’s indicated in your Employee Handbook. In any case, the type of sneakers you do want to go for are sleek leather types, matched with something a little more polished on top. If you decide on jeans and leather sneakers, perhaps finish the outfit with a blazer over a tank. A black jersey dress with a denim jacket could also work.

Flats are the perfect alternative to heels as they help to refine an outfit. Think closed toe footwear like Oxfords, loafers and ballet flats, or even beautiful Butterfly suede shoes. It’s all about having a little more fun with your workwear.

This goes without saying, but absolutely no flip flops.

Accessories

Nothing too drastic should be changing in the accessories department. Your Friday bag should still be the work tote you use during the rest of the week, so don’t go switching things up with a fringe cross-body for the sake of it. As for jewelry, nothing too chunky or showy. The rule of thumb is if it makes a bunch of noise while you’re walking, change your jewelry.

Keeping all that in mind, there’s still fun to be had on Casual Friday’s. It’s the time of week when you can wear something a little more trendy that you’d never wear on a Monday. You just have to hone it in a bit, opting for fun and comfy while still editing your final look so you are perceived as the professional that you are.

Have a great weekend!

(INSTAGRAM // iamhearte)

It’s no secret that celebrities like Heart Evangelista lead a lavish lifestyle. About a month ago, the Pinay sweetheart was branded as one of the real life Crazy Rich Asians, featured in a Harper’s Bazaar segment that had her hanging out and discussing fashion with author Kevin Kwan, among other affluent style icons that fit the bill. Ah, the front row seats at NYFW, the personalized fittings with couture designers. If only we were Crazy Rich Asians, am I right?

While we may not be able to live as opulently as they can, we can certainly mimic their style. Although most of us can’t afford designer labels, there are a few notes we can take from Heart: our very own beautiful, talented, Crazy Rich Asian.

Steal Her Style: How to Dress Like Heart Evangelista

1) Say “no” to skinny jeans

(INSTAGRAM // iamhearte)

Skinny jeans don’t seem to be part of her style repertoire, and we totally get it. Instead of pairing her eccentric feather blouse with second-skin denim, she opts for the boyfriend fit, indicating that you don’t need to showcase every curve and crevice of your body to dress it up. Looser pant silhouettes, like High waist cropped boyfriend jeans and Retro flared jeans can be just as easily incorporated into a sophisticated outfit, so take it easy on your skinny jeans.

2) Embrace the midi

(INSTAGRAM // iamhearte)

Although you’ll see that she wears a mini or knee length skirt every now and then, the majority of her snaps feature the midi hem. Whether it’s a dress or skirt, it’s clear that she’s fond all things midi, and who can blame her? It’s elegant without being overly formal, it’s the least offensive of the hemlines, and it’s easier to walk in compared to minis and maxis. Plus, it’s the perfect length to show off her shoes, and as you might have noticed, she has an exquisite heel collection.

3) Don’t forget your handbag

(INSTAGRAM// iamhearte)

If there’s one item that you should really be investing in, it’s a handbag. Clothes and shoes will experience the inevitable wear and tear, but the one accessory that will potentially last your whole life is a handbag. Looking through her photos, Heart never forgets to show off her bag of the day. Her sense of fashion is impeccable, from her makeup all the way down to her choice of purse. They say that shoes really make an outfit, but the right handbag bring an entire ensemble to the next level.

4) Have a wide range of blazers

(INSTAGRAM // iamhearte)

The fit, the collar and the tailoring, there’s nothing in your wardrobe that polishes an ensemble quite like a blazer. Heart is all for them blazers evidently, and she’s not just limiting them to the classic black staple. Other than this checkered piece above, she’s been seen wearing items in bold colors as well as muted tones, such as pastels. In fact, she’s yet to be seen in a black blazer, at least on Instagram, that is. Of course, with that many blazers in her collection, there’s no doubt that she does have at least one in black hanging in her closet.

5) Always wear heels

(INSTAGRAM // iamhearte)

Who would have thought that a PAWS t-shirt could be dressed up like this? Heart makes everything possible style-wise, and with this kind of outfit, she’s showing everyone that you can wear almost anything with heels. Yes, heels can be pretty uncomfortable, but when you wear them as often as Heart does, they won’t bother you as much. Also, heels just makes everything look better. Switch that midi with distressed jeans and she would still look oh-so-chic.

6) Make sure your hair always looks good

(INSTAGRAM // iamhearte)

If you look through her Instagram, one of the other things that’s consistent in her posts is how sleek her hair is, including this photo above. The fact that she looks this good while having her morning coffee on the weekend is unfair. It’s rare for most to look this put together on their day off, but a simple ponytail or bun can make all the difference in your appearance.  Even though she is in a slip, she still looks put together.

So there you have it. You may not be a Crazy Rich Asian like Heart, but you might be able to look it by following in her fashion footsteps!

The media has been pretty cruel to glasses wearers, often depicting them to be nerdy, unsocial members of society. And if the specs were on a girl, she often went unnoticed by the popular kids in school, but everything changed once she took her frames off. An ugly duckling had grown into a beautiful swan with the help of contacts. Does the movie plot sound familiar?

Let’s see. It could be She’s All That, it could be The Princess Diaries, or it could be something else. Honestly, there are way too many films out there that have put glasses-wearing in such a negative light. More than anything, glasses should be seen as an opportunity to accessorize. Like the choker on your neck or watch on your wrist, frames are a stylistic choice that everyone with imperfect vision should embrace. You should never be embarrassed about wearing them in public. In fact, wear them loud and proud!

Obviously, frames are an important accessory, since they’re used to see things clearly, so let’s find out how you could be tailoring your outfit around them. Often, people will focus more on the kind of makeup, face shape and hairstyle would suit their glasses, forgetting that the entire ensemble does affect how you appear in specs.

No worries if this is your first time hearing this. You might not have committed any major fashion faux pas up to this point. It just helps to know how you can improve your style while wearing your frames.

Here’s how you should wear your glasses:

1. Cut down on your accessories

You’ve learned the secrets of styling your outfit with just the right amount of accessories, neither wearing too much that they end up overwhelming your clothing items, nor wearing too little that it’s clear that something’s missing in your final look. With something as bold as glasses, you want to stray towards minimalist accessorizing. In this case, less is more.

Big earrings and chunky necklaces are definitely to be avoided at all costs. Small or simple stud earrings and/or either a small pendant necklace or choker are as far as you want to go in terms of jewelry on your head. Leave the chunky jewelry to your wrists.

Understated pins can be quite cute in your hair, but like with your jewelry, you don’t want to go overboard with hair accessories. Keep it simple.

2. Dress up, not down

Nerdy chic is totally cute, but you never want to go full dork, as they do in the movies. We’re trying to break the stereotypes of glasses wearers, remember?

There are lots of ways to smarten up your look, namely going for tailored pieces like our Korean-Style Mid-Length Blazer. Whether you’re wearing cat-eye, rectangular or square frames, glasses look tremendously better with a dressier ensemble. They end up becoming a statement piece that elevate your outfit, rather than drag it down.

Of course, you don’t have to go for items that you’d normally wear to the office or another formal setting. It’s more about wearing glasses with classy pieces to show everyone that glasses can be as sophisticated as you want them to be.

3. Wear the same colors as your frames

Got a pair of pants with navy blue pinstripes, or a blouse with maroon polka dots? Those little details are what could help streamline your outfit, literally from head to toe.

For colorful frames, choose one or two of the colors (not all are necessary!) in there to include in your outfit. If your glasses are leopard print, striped, or have some kind of print or pattern, do not wear the same print anywhere else on your body, unless you’ve got a matching purse. Otherwise, leave the pattern on either your frames or your clothes, never both.

4. Use your glasses as a pop of color

You know what an item like our Cap Sleeve Jersey Bodycon Midi Dress could use? Red frames and red peep toe pumps or a matching shoulder bag. Red tends to be the go-to hue when people want to incorporate a pop of color into their outfit, but feel free to choose other bright shades to stand out against other neutrals. Perhaps purple glasses with an all-white ensemble, or pastel pink frames with a gray outfit? You decide!

What do you think of these tips? Hopefully, they gave you a newfound appreciation for glasses. They’re an accessory more people are investing in, even those with perfect eyesight. So remember, there is no shame in wearing frames. The more you dress up with your glasses, the more people will realize that glasses are anything but nerdy.

The media has very skewed perceptions of beauty. From long, straight hair to slim figures, it’s hard to be a confident girl or woman in this day and age. Arguably one of the most irritating of all Filipina beauty ideals is the idea of lighter or whiter skin.

It’s hard ignoring the billboards and commercials that associate “dark” with words like “dirty” and “ugly.” And it doesn’t help that it’s deeply-seated in our culture that skin tones mirror economic status. It sounds ridiculous to us now, but the way that the beauty industry goes on about achieving a fairer complexion, it’s obvious the shame from having dark skin still exists.

Despite the countless ads that promote whiter skin, remember this: you are beautiful just the way you are, whether you have light or dark skin. Your skin color shows off your heritage and there is no shame in that. And if you happen to get darker because you’ve spent your time in the sun, so what? A little tan never hurt anybody, and it’s time that we learned how to comfortable in our own skin (literally). Also, we really should be celebrating our ancestry by wearing clothes that highlight our skin tones, rather than lighten them.

How should us brown girls dress? It’s all about choosing the right colors to bring out your skin color, so let’s find out which ones suit us best.

1. Earth tones are great for casual outfits

Style experts across the web say that earthy tones are what works best with the Morena complexion, which does make sense. Browns and creams look great against darker skin, and greens at a nice pop of color into your ensemble. One shirt color for morena is olive green. It’s a great neutral to have in your wardrobe, and it looks awesome on pants, utility jackets, blouses, shorts, you name it. For an effortless olive green top that matches well with denim cutoffs and pleather leggings, check out our Loose Bat Sleeve Shirt.

2. There’s a gray tone for every Morena

According to Who What Wear, gray is another color that brown girls should have in their closets. For sisters on the darker side, light gray is the best color that suits morena skin. Medium skinned girls should go for dove gray, while lighter ladies should opt for charcoal gray.

3. Crazy colors like metallic and neon highlight medium skin

You might have heard that bright colors are no-no’s in clothing colors for morena skin. While metallic and neon hues tend to dull darken skin because of the contrast, medium skin tones strike that balance that neutralize the crazy colors.

Remember not to go overboard with either the metallics or neon. Unless it’s a pantsuit, the general rule of thumb is to limit the metallic or neon to one piece. It’s best practice to pair crazy colors with slightly muted hues. You can also add a matching accessory to streamline the outfit. For example, you could wear our Slim Business Blazer with a matching pink heel.

4. Navy blue is the perfect color for evening occasions

Darker colors tend to be more popular for nighttime soirees, but it holds especially true for brown girls. Some girls may be more conscious of dim lighting and aren’t sure how well colors they would wear in the daytime will fair in the evening. Navy blue is a safe bet for a morena specific skin tone, especially when it comes in a gradient as that is said to accentuate the figure. However, a basic navy dress like our Slim Long Sleeved Midi Dress will do.

Don’t limit yourself to navy blue, though. Feel free to experiment with other deep tones, such as a dark purple or burgundy.

5. When in doubt, go with black or white (or both!)

The two colors that you can always count on, no matter what your skin tone is, are black and white. For those that want to enhance their tans, or simply enrich their complexion, white will do the trick. Black and darker shades, on the other hand, have somewhat of a luminous effect to your complexion. People say it draws out the gold tone in your skin. Whether you agree with that last statement or not, you can’t argue against the fact that black is an absolute must for your wardrobe.

Got any tips for colors or style for your brown sisters? Feel free to add them in the comments below!

If you look through your wardrobe, you can probably differentiate between the daytime looks to the nighttime outfits. From there, you should be able to pick out an ensemble based on the time you’re heading out. But what if you’ve got a full day planned? When your schedule is jam-packed, what’s a girl supposed to wear?

Some women don’t mind the hassle of multiple outfit changes throughout the day (remember Kim Kardashian’s three wedding dresses when she married Kris Humphries?). But not all of us are that committed to showcasing our clothing collection. In fact, most us probably prefer one outfit that will last us from office hours to the after-hours.

And regardless if you don’t mind changing, it’s not like you even have the time. With the Metro Manila traffic situation getting worse by the day, most of us don’t have the luxury to run back home between work and a dinner date.

Day-to-night ensembles are flexible and lifesavers for all kinds of people, especially those who have to turn their wardrobes inside out before they’re satisfied with their end look. And for the ladies who love fashion but are admittedly lazy, the following pieces are just what you need:

1. A Biker Jacket

A go-to for any night-time events, a motorcycle jacket is also perfect for an edgy twist on an outfit. Don’t feel like being too feminine in your floral dress or LBD? Change it up with a biker jacket and moto boots. Remember, you don’t have to limit yourself to the traditional biker jacket. Find them in various hues, cropped styles and with luxe accents to make them appropriate day and night.

2. A Blazer

Almost anything can be dressed up with a blazer. Think about it. A white t-shirt, skinny jeans, blazer and heels will get you ready for a full schedule. How do you make shorts appropriate for the morning to evening? With a blazer, of course!

3. Cutouts

Sweaters and blouses with cutouts really add that extra oomph to an OOTD. Just be weary of where the holes are located on your top. Cutouts around the neckline accentuate your clavicle and can easily be covered up if you’re in the office. Thus, something like our Off-Shoulder Long Sleeve V-Neck Loose Blouse would work. On the other hand, cutouts on your sides our below your chest are best limited to the evening.

You can also wear a dress with little cutouts at the hem. That way, you won’t worry about showing too much skin while still being playful in your wardrobe choice.

4. Leather Leggings

Got different places to be on the weekend? Leather leggings might seem racy for the day, but pair it with something casual on top, and you’re golden! A cozy knit with our Stretchy Faux Leather Leggings is a great play on textures. If you’ve got a collection of graphic tees, try them on with the leggings. Even those oversized ones will look undeniably cool with some crisp white kicks.

5. A Pencil Skirt

Pencil skirts are not only must-haves for the office. They also double up as evening options, from dinner dates to happy hour. They’re sophisticated and sexy, suited for a variety of occasions. You can choose to be a little daring with our High Waist Bodycon Pencil Midi Skirt. Or if you aren’t a fan of the leather look, a black fitted skirt might be more your style.

6. A Ruffled Blouse

There’s something rather elegant about a little bit of ruffle. A flouncy top is all that you need to transition into the night, whether you’ve paired it with skinny jeans or an A-line skirt. Keep in mind that you’ll want to balance the drama on top with something simple at the bottom. Cropped pants or an A-line skirt will do.

7. A Shift Dress

Truthfully, there aren’t too many dress silhouettes that can last you the entire day. However, one shape you can always rely on is the iconic shift frock. It’s laidback and cute with a bit of sass, perfect for social gatherings and work events. Because of the relaxed silhouette, feel free to experiment with patterns and prints. For instance, the checkered design on the Matty Shift Mini Dress translates well throughout the day.

Got any clothing items that aren’t included in the list? Tell us about your wardrobe pieces that help you transition from day to night.