Lesson from the Boyfriend

*Paris, Spring 2009

Through the previous years of repeated sartorial blunder, I finally realise guys actually have a much better idea of how to dress well and maximise utility of their wardrobe, without burning a hole in their wallets. That's how my bf does it - so effortlessly yet so effective!

1. Stick to your Power Palette

It is important to wear colours that you are comfortable with - yellow top and orange maxi dress may look pretty awesome on that asos model, but might make you feel like a display board for exotic fruits festival when walking in town. Boyfriend loves his blue jumpers, oxford shirts and striped tops and wear them all year long with jeans. For me, I love neutral - and tend to mix my black and white basics with either shades of blue, navy, camel, brown or gray, or a few of those colours together. My odd lipstick red jumper and jade green top are for those spring/autumn/seasonal transition times.

2. Buy if You Truly Love It - and get the most out of it

Boyfriend only has one bag, one pair of shoes and two coats (one for very cold winter days and one for other times) - but he looks good in them, relies on them and wears them to death. The blazer he is wearing in picture was bought when we were wandering in Tokyo in 2008 summer. When we went into the shop, he fell in love with this vintage, brown and subtly velvety blazer and bought it right away. I was it was rather impulsive at first, but soon I realised how much he adored this jacket - by the fact that he wears it every day and it goes with everything that he owns. 3+ years on and he still gets tons of compliments whenever he wears it, while I hardly wear anything that I bought less than 3 years ago!

3. Shopping is not Fun, Often it is a Chore

The truth is, I never go shopping with Boyfriend, because he moans and groans whenever he goes near Oxford Street/Topshop/any shops with loud pop music blasting in the background. For him, shopping is a rather meaningless activity in weekend when the last thing you want to do is to go near anywhere crowded with people bumping around with giant shopping bags when you squeeze yourself between the aisles and queue up endlessly for the fitting room only to come out with more debt and clothes that you barely wear. And does it, really genuinely make you happy, this shopping activity?

4. Try Buying Less Online

Guys rarely buy clothes online. Online shopping is no better than buying in stores in a sense that you do not get to see the piece of real life to feel the texture or cutting of it. Clothes often look pretty on the hanger but look silly on self and with ebay, I have had numerous faux pas since I often got things that looked rather nice in picture but really did not suit me - £4 for a topshop dress might seem like a bargain but if it is not something that you will be wearing, it is £4 going straight to the bin.

But of course, sometimes when you get exclusive online discount on some sites - they can be pretty good deals and help you save money on the skirt that you have had your eye on for ages in store. But do think twice before you key in the discount code!

5. Inspiration Sites

We love going onto Nerd Boyfriend for occasional inspiration and mostly a good laugh. And this is my all-times favourite.

:)

p.s. I am going into the country for the weekend and will be back soon!