Of Coffee and Caramel

    Honestly, it feels so surreal to be writing an outfit post at this time. I took these photos late last year, and never in my wildest dreams would I have foreseen then this masked and isolated situation that we're now in. Back when I was shooting these, I think my mind was principally occupied with perhaps the Black Friday sales and such, and now I can't even imagine what Black Friday this year would look like, or if there would even be a Black Friday to celebrate come November. 

    寫這篇穿搭文心情真是前所未有的微妙。這些照片其實去年秋天就拍了，懶癌緣故一直拖到現在才整理。拍照的當下怎麼也不會想到發文的時候會是今天這種口罩隨時傍身，上班如履薄冰的局面 (= =;)  我想我當時腦袋裡大概還記掛著黑五特價的清單，而現在我根本無法想像今年黑五會是什麼模樣。

    Erm, seems to have strayed a bit here, let's get back to the outfits then. Since the idea for this Style Guide post was originally conceived in the fall, fall-inspired colours -- brown and camel et al. -- feature prominently in my item selection. As I just got myself a matching set of lace top and skirt in the shade of caramel boba milk tea (?) from Taobao, I thought it would be fun to gather some brown and camel pieces, add in a pop of blue and try to create multiple outfits from a limited number of items (like I used to do in previous Style Guides).

    好像扯遠了，還是回歸穿搭吧 XD  因為這個主題是去年秋天臨時起意想的，所以單品大多選了秋冬色系的棕色駝色之類的。當時剛好淘寶買的焦糖奶茶色（？）蕾絲套裝到貨了，就想說集一集衣櫃裡棕色系加一點藍色系的單品，像以往的穿搭教學文一樣用有限的單品重複搭配出不同的穿搭。

    In short, I eventually picked these 8 items as shown below, and used them to create 15 outfits (should be more, but the OCD in me loves a more rounded figure lol)

    總之，最後選了以下這8樣單品，搭出15日穿搭（其實應該能更多種，只是我喜歡比較完整的數字XD）

Vetements = Clothing = 衣物單品

1. Muted brown matching lace top and skirt

The lace is of acceptable quality, it's more of an antique lace vibe and nothing that reminds you strongly of granny's curtains. I love that the elastic part of the skirt sort of blends in with the whole outfit. And, technically speaking, there are actually 2 items here, so I cheated when I say 8 items, lol.

1. 奶茶色蕾絲套裝： 

這件質感我覺得還可以，蕾絲看起來並不太窗簾。裙子鬆緊的部份（單品照沒拍出來，可以看穿搭照）有呼應到整件套裝的設計，露出來也不影響美觀。然後⋯這件作弊了，因為是可以分開的衣裙，其實等於9件單品了哈哈哈（得意什麼

2. Crotchet lace linen top

Love the intricate lace detail of this top, it reminds me of engraved medieval windows somehow. I'm not exactly sure about the fabric, it's not too sheer but it wrinkles really easily. 

2. 鏤空蕾絲棉麻襯衫

喜歡這件上衣的鏤空蕾絲設計，總會讓我想起古早教堂的窗花。我不太確定它是什麼布料，有點類似棉麻，不是非常透但是超級容易皺。

3. EMODA corduroy salopette skirt

A frequently featured item in my outfit posts IIRC, but truth be told this is the most agonizingly S-sized an S-sized item could ever get. I've a 23-24" waist, and I have trouble buttoning it up. That said, the converging straps combined with the cinched waist manage  to create the illusion of an impossibly tiny waist.  

3. EMODA 燈芯絨吊帶裙

好像是蠻常出現在我穿搭文的單品。但是我不得不說，這件S號的腰真的是有夠S的 orz  我腰大約23-24吋，這件幾乎快扣不上。不過也是這緊到不行的腰配上V形吊帶的位置讓腰有超級無敵細的錯覺XD。

4. Navy blue double-breasted blazer

Honestly, I'm very unimpressed with this blazer. I know it looks alright in the photos, but the fabric is rather flimsy and the workmanship sloppy. I even had to rework the buttons and alter the placement because some are sewn askew.  

4. 深藍雙排扣西外

一句話：別買XD  雖然照片上看起來好像還行，但是它料子很薄，做工也不行。釦子還是我拆了重新縫上的，因為有些根本縫歪了orz

5. Retro brown polka dot shirt

Clearly my obsession with dotted items is still going strong. This shirt has slightly puffed sleeves, which, in combination with the brown polka dots, give it a bit of a retro vibe. The cuff of the sleeves are hemmed with elastic, which I love because that makes it easy to roll them up for a half-sleeved look.

5. 復古棕色波點襯衫

波點控正常運轉中XD  這件的袖子是做有點微泡泡袖的感覺，配上棕色波點有點復古風的味道。袖口是做成鬆緊的，可以隨時挽成半袖的樣子很方便。

6. Brown polka dot maxi dress

This was featured some time ago on my Instagram I think. I initially bought it just because it was difficult to find polka dot items with this colour palette. It may not look like much on the hanger (in fact the shapelessness reminds me of Manchurian royalty sleepwear that I saw in TV series, lol), but it comes with a strap that can be used to cinch in the waist for a much more flattering silhouette. 

6. 復古棕色波點長洋

之前的波點穿搭文有寫過這件。一開始純粹是因為棕色的波點單品相對少見而買的。雖然掛著看很像寬寬鬆鬆的清宮劇睡衣（？），但是它有附綁帶可以綁出腰身，可以當睡衣也可以當洋裝，多好（誤）

7. PAZZO camel brown high waist pants

Also a regular feature in my outfit posts. I know PAZZO items are sometimes inconsistent, but this pair of pants are a steal for me, from the fit to the cut to the rich caramel hue. The high waist gives the illusion of longer legs, which is a good thing for hobbits (ahem, like me).

7. PAZZO 焦糖色高腰西裝褲

也是我穿搭文的常客。我知道買PAZZO有時很像賭博，但是這件算是賭對了，從大小到剪裁到色澤都是我的菜XD  這件高腰的設計能顯腿長，對哈比一族（比如我）算是一大福音 :P

8. PAZZO ripped boyfriend jeans

To be honest I've only bought pants from PAZZO about 2-3 times, but I think I got lucky every time with the fit and the cut. I like that this pair of boyfriend jeans is ripped but not overly so, it has that rugged vibe alright but no concerned granny is going to come question whether your legs are cold from your raggedy pants lol.

8. PAZZO 破損男友牛仔褲

其實我統共也才從PAZZO買過兩三次褲子，但幾乎每次大小跟剪裁都剛剛好真是太神奇了（因為我都沒看詳細尺寸，都憑直覺在賭XD）我喜歡這件牛仔褲雖然破損但不會太破，有破損丹寧的粗曠感但不會破到街上老奶奶來關心你腿冷不冷XD 

Tenues = Outfits = 穿搭

2 + 7

The most basic combination of top and pants (sorry about that extra AF highlight on the cheekbones lol.)

最基本的上衣搭褲子穿法（抱歉當天臉上的打亮太囂張XD）

2 + 1

Used the lace skirt from the matching set. I love how the elastic on the skirt is detailed with subtle wavy patterns so it doesn't seem incongruous with the lacy fabric beneath.

搭了蕾絲套裝的裙子。這條裙子裙頭的部份是有點設計感的裸色波浪狀鬆緊帶，露出來也不會顯得突兀。

4 + 7

Took a leaf out of the blazer seller's page and wore this jacket as a top. The V-neckline is plunging a bit too low for me though, if you're counting on bending forward, it's best to add a cami inside for obvious reasons ; )

學外套賣場上的穿法，把西外穿成上衣。不過這樣穿這V領我覺得低到有點危險，要彎腰的話裡面可能需要加一件內搭保險一些。 

1

What the lace top and skirt looks like when worn as a set. The sleeves are slightly sheer and puffy in design. I usually prefer to roll them up a bit, but they do still maintain a bit of the puffiness this way. 

套裝穿起來長這樣子。它的袖子是有點宮廷風的蓬袖設計，我習慣把它往上挽一些，但蓬袖的效果還是有的。

6

Here I used a brown belt to emphasize the waistline while hiding the bland neckline with a scarf, can you tell I'm exerting plenty of effort here to minimize its resemblance to, say, an archaic nightgown?

用了同樣帶棕色的皮帶系出腰身，再配以領巾修飾領口，我在非常努力的給這件長洋擺脫古裝睡衣的形象XD

6 + 2 + 8

Well, this archaic nightgown can also be completely unbuttoned and double as a very "street style" outerwear. By the way if you're wondering where the top came from, it was Item 2, worn backwards LOL. 

這件古裝睡衣可以完全把鈕扣打開，變身帶點街頭風的長版外套。題外話，如果你在想開衫上衣哪裡多出來的，那其實是 Item 2，反著穿XD

3 + 5

The mix of polka dots with salopettes brings a little playfulness to an outfit which, on the whole, steers towards a darker palette.

波點單品搭配吊帶裙，給稍微偏暗的穿搭加入一點俏皮感。

3 + 5 + 7

Sorry, no new tricks with this old dog here LOL. Just like the sleepwear/ maxi dress, this salopette skirt can also be wholly unbuttoned and transformed into a long vest. I used it here to add a variety of colour to an outfit that is primarily in camel brown.

老招用不膩XD 把吊帶裙的釦子全開也能變身一件搭配用的背心外套，為以焦糖色為主的穿搭加入一點色彩變化。

4 + 6

Speaking of adding a variety of colour to a basically monochromatic outfit, here's another one:  the addition of this navy blue blazer to a mostly coffee brown look.

說到色彩變化，這裡也是一個例子：在主體為咖啡色的穿搭中用海軍藍色的西外做變化。

4 + 5 + 8

In an outfit that is mainly blue, little details in the accessories, such as the brown bag and belt which mirror the brown dots of the shirt, can really change the game and up the sophistication of the overall look. 

在整體偏藍色系的穿搭中，皮帶與包包的棕色呼應著襯衫的棕色波點，能達到畫龍點睛的效果。

1 + 5

The combination of dots and lace is undoubtedly very busy visually, which is why I opted for solid minimalistic accessories here to balance out the whole look. 

波點再加上蕾絲，視覺上已經很繁複，所以配件上選擇單色／無花樣的簡約風單品去平衡。

1 + 7

When you don't feel like adding another colour to break the monotone of a one-colour outfit, mixing different tones of the same colour is a good way to pull off a monochromatic look. 

當你不想用另一個顏色去平衡單色系穿撘的單調時，將同一色系的不同深淺呈現在一起也是單色系穿搭的一個好方法。

1 + 3

I might be smiling here, but to tell the truth, I think I was corseted to the point of breathlessness by this salopette skirt's agonizingly small waistline. In fairness though, the design of this skirt does have a waist-slimming voodoo that comes with the price of comfort (or lack thereof).

就是這件很S的吊帶裙，雖然我在微笑，但我的腰已經憋到想罵髒話了囧> 不過它的設計確實有讓腰看起來比較細的錯覺XD

1 + 3

The scarf in this case has a multitude of uses, as an accessory to enhance the look, and also as a means of covering up the plunging neckline and maintaining a bit of modesty (for me, at least).

在這裡領巾有兩個好處，作為配飾點綴，同時也是稍微遮住（對我而言有點危險的）深V領XD

1

As the top of the skirt features a patterned elastic instead of the usual black piece of rubber, I think it can be flattering when worn as short dress too (you have to be a short enough hobbit for it to work though ; ) )

因為裙頭有點設計感而不是一般黑色鬆緊帶，所以蕾絲半身裙拿來當洋裝穿看起來好像還可以（當然身高也要夠哈比才行 ; )）

Accessoires = Accessories = 配件

    I really was not looking forward to ransacking my closet for a more varied plethora of accessories, so apologies if the accessories in this post tend to get a little repetitive. For the bags, I mainly chose pieces in different shades of brown to suit the objective of this post. 

    因為懶得翻箱倒櫃找更多配件，所以抱歉啦這次的配件門來來去去都是那幾樣。包包主要都是選符合主題的焦糖色跟咖啡色包包來搭配。

    As for the shoes, I went for relatively simple designs and solid colours, because lace and polka dots and denim items usually create quite a busy visual, a restraint in the choice of accessories would balance out the overall look nicely. 

    鞋子方面，主要選相對簡單跟色彩單一的設計，因為蕾絲、波點跟丹寧都容易穿出繁複的視覺效果，所以需要相對簡約的配件來平衡。

    You might perhaps have noticed the use of scarves in several of the looks. I got them from Taobao too during their perennial Buy 2 Free 1 promo. The quality is okay for its price I guess, but I think I chose the wrong size and they ended up longer than I intended them to be when tied round the neck. But not really complaining here because the larger size makes it easier for them to double as headscarves ; )

    這次有幾套穿搭都有用到領巾作為配飾。這三條是在淘寶買二送一的優惠下入手的。我覺得質感還可以啦，就是可能買的絲巾有點太大了，當領巾綁起來有點長，好處是可以當髮飾頭巾使用。

＊　＊　＊　＊　＊

That's that for now! Hopefully the next time I write we'll all have escaped the current situation healthy and unscathed and free to roam the outdoors again.

這次就醬啦～！希望下次寫心得文的時候我們已經逃脫了現狀的束縛，可以毫無約束的閒晃在外XD

 Bises! ♥