Cute, Confident and Comfortable: Suki’s Real Life Style
As I packed up my camera at Suki’s Seattle condo, post Home Tour-shoot, she half-joked that she’d been scouring the internet in search of a palm tree dress to match the bold wallpaper print in her bedroom. Sporting a sweet vintage white dress that day, it was clear she’d come up empty-handed, but I couldn’t help but lament for the palm awesomeness that could have been.
“Well, if you find one in the next week,” I said, “call me because I’m coming back to take that picture!” We both laughed, but the fashion gods clearly knew I was not joking, because I got a text from Suki three days later with a link to THE dress. It was on.
I knew Suki had a playful side to her personality (it clearly comes through in her home and her look), but what else defines her personal style? She was kind enough to share…
Your very favorite outfit: A tough question. It depends on the occasion. I like to have fun with my hairstyle and color. I also get very dark in the summer. Yes, I get tanned in Seattle. My hair and skin tone often dictate the hue of my outfit. That being said, I think all my favorite outfits carry the three “C” factors. They make me feel Cute, Confident and Comfortable.
The #1 item from your fashion wish list: I have gone through multiple closet purges over the past few years and kept only outfits that bring me joy. I have joined a couple of “Buy Nothing” groups on Facebook. Paradoxically, my sixth sense magically unveils itself whenever I am in close proximity to cute clothes and shoes. Whenever I am tempted to shop, I tell myself that there is nothing that I want that I don’t already own. I don’t always succeed, but I like to think I try.
The TV or movie character’s wardrobe you’d steal in a minute: I would give anything to get hold of any of the gorgeous vintage wardrobe worn by Rachel McAdams in The Notebook. To demonstrate a wide spectrum of my favorite outfit style, I would also torture any old pervert to put my paws on the cute red hoodie worn by Ellen Page in Hard Candy.
Your best bargain find ever: The white vintage dress I wore for the House Tour. I found it in a bargain bin outside a thrift store in West Seattle. Apparently, it was too tiny for anybody, but it fit me perfectly. The owner gave it to me for one dollar. No sales tax!
Three things from your closet you couldn’t live without: A vintage Boy Scout shirt, a faux fur jacket, and all my fun socks.
Most fashionable friend and why: My dear friend, Kelly Durian, in Eugene, Oregon. She proves that fashion doesn’t have to be taken so seriously. She makes a pair of jeans and a simple white T-shirt effortlessly look cool and trendy. Besides, she brings sexy suspenders back.
The item you no longer have but wish you did: While purging my closet, I got rid of many vintage dresses. Luckily, I do not miss them a lot. Only before Halloween or themed parties.
Your typical work “uniform”: A soft denim shirt with AG’s high rise Stevie ankle jeans.
FAVORITES:
IRL shop: To be honest, I do not have time to shop offline. But when I do, I love visiting the Fremont Vintage Mall.
Online shop: Modcloth, Topshop, Perpetualkid, Etsy and Ebay.
Makeup brand: Any Korean brand, especially TONYMOLY’s mask sheets. They are magical. Oh yes, I am very proud to be Korean.
Haircare brand: Manic Panic. And, Uncle Harry’s leave-in conditioner. It smells so good!
Best jeans: AG’s high rise Stevie ankle jeans.
Coolest sneakers: I love walking and urban hiking. Every morning, I walk to my work. A total of 2.7 miles. Mostly uphill. Naturally, I own a lot of sneakers. My coolest sneakers right now are Abound’s Lillith Oxford. So shiny and fun!
Signature scent: I rarely wear perfume anymore. Instead, I use essential oils. My favorite is Aura Cacia’s Chill Pill (lavender and roman chamomile).
Go-to source for style inspiration: Travel! I get out of the country at least once a year. It is the biggest inspiration for me because I am always on the lookout for the perfect wardrobe for my next destination. I also like to bring home a couple of local finds while traveling. I am going to visit Barcelona, Costa Brava and Madrid this summer. I would love to find a white chambray shirt before or during my trip.
