A substantial wardrobe isn’t one that can be built in a day because Rome definitely wasn’t. While I do find tips about basics and wardrobe essentials helpful, I just don’t think that we should treat dressing up with a checklist mentality. It is also because of this that I don’t find myself really keeping up with trends since that feels like I’m just completing one task to the next.

Everyone’s wardrobe is unique as it should be and there’s no right or wrong way to start building or as I rather call it, editing, your closet. When it comes to fashion, I’m actually pretty practical about it because, for me, comfort is key. I hate the idea of actually getting ready so I’ve been working hard on building a wardrobe that is super easy and versatile. I think a lot about what I want to buy before really committing by making sure that whatever the item I buy, is able to form at least 3 different outfits with all of the clothes that I already have in my closet. If you've been following me for a while, I'm sure you've noticed that I love styling  a single piece in multiple ways.

I also really like the idea of dressing from the bottom up, meaning: shoes first. As a shoe person, I genuinely believe that your shoes make your outfit. For everyone that’s struggling to maximize variety in their day to day looks, having different shoes really give you that much more options. I especially love how I can wear the same outfit with a pair of flats or sneakers and it’ll seem like two completely different looks.

For me, less is more, as I have the most fun coming up with new ways to wear old things.

There is a misconception that in order to be stylish and fashionable, you have to own a lot of things. But as someone who values quality over quantity, it wasn’t enough for me to just say it, but also show it. This post is a personal project that I’ve had in mind since a couple of years ago to actually showcase how I formulate my every day outfits and how I manage to blog about fashion with a limited closet.

With a few of my most favorite pieces in rotation, here are 100+ different outfits that I’ve managed to document with #forevervannyootds on my Instagram (@forevervanny) in the past year with looks I’ve worn days in between a slightly different  variation from some of these.

Here are some outfits sorted by some of my most worn pieces.

Leather Jacket/Moto Jacket

This jacket is 4 years old and it was from Mango, but it's one of my most worn pieces because of how unique it is. It goes pretty much with all my girly or edgier looks. I also love this jacket in a beige as well.

Coats

Coats are really important to make your look complete in the winter and fall. They're also great for layering. Each year I add one coat to my collection and in the past couple of years, I've formulated a very good rotation of coats that compliments the rest of my wardrobe based on color, texture, and fit.

Shoes

Going back to the point I made above about dressing from the bottom up, my wardrobe basically revolves around a pair of OTK boots, ankle boots, and a pair of white low top sneakers.

I discovered the Acne Studios Jensen ankle boots a few years ago, long before they were available in more than 2 colors, hence why mine don't even have the updated metal tips (but I prefer it that way anyway). These boots are quite an investment but they really go with everything I wear and they work for semi-formal events as well.

On all casual occasions, my Common Projects are my go-to sneakers. I've had these for two years and they just get better and better over time.

“Why fashion?” Is a question I get asked all the time. And for me, it’s something that I feel is really intimate yet very public. No matter who you are, what your job is, financial situations, race, ethnicity or gender - we all make a conscious decision to wear what we wear every day. Clothing is a reflection of ourselves and for those of us who have the luxury to pick and choose, I hope that I can inspire some of you to think better about the things you buy and create a better way of life by getting dressed in a more thoughtful manner. I also hope that this will encourage those of you who don’t have a lot of clothes or don’t think you have the resources to pursue fashion or styling of any sort to reconsider as well.

Now that I've gotten a foundation on my wardrobe, I'm looking forward to adding more statement pieces and incorporating more colors, patterns, prints and fine jewelry into it.

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Kyoto, Japan

I’m one of those lucky people that get to say I’ve been to Japan several times already in my lifetime, but visiting Kyoto finally was definitely a game changer to my previous thoughts on Japan. It’s one of those places that just feels unreal but in a really practical sense and not dramatic at all.

Kyoto was brutally cold if I’m being quite honest, but I can still recall how warm these soy-sauced rice cakes that a grandma was selling on the streets tasted that first morning I was there.

Two days of exploring some of the most noted landmarks of Kyoto resulted in about fifty-thousand steps in total according to the Health app on my iPhone but it all seemed so surreal that I barely felt tired. Although I did manage to fall on my face during my hike down through the torii gates trying to run like my ninja friend Naruto. And even that didn't crush my spirit in exploring the next day.

For someone who’s mind is constantly overflowing with thoughts, Kyoto was the only place that was able to tame my brain. For two days, I felt completely at peace. I was reflecting a lot without overthinking; it was like I was detoxing myself internally. I mean, I still can’t describe it, but I now understand a little bit of what people mean when something leaves them in awe-- because that’s how it felt when I stumbled upon an almost empty Bamboo Grove at Arashiyama on New Year's day.

Aside from the Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and other temples/shrines along the way I was able to make a quick stop in Uji and Gion as well.

I only spent a few hours in Uji but it was enough time to grab some matcha ramen and gyoza. It sounds kind of gimmicky at first, but it made sense right away after I had a green tea tasting with dessert. Having to try 4 different green teas that differ from how they are grown, harvested, dried, and processed, I realized that they all have a seaweed aftertaste which actually goes well with a lot of Japanese food.

Not sure if it was due to the festivities taking place in lieu of New Year’s Day but Gion gave me so much energy despite it being located in a very historic and reserved area. I couldn’t help but try to chase down every single person wearing a yukata. I’m not one to be intrigued by colorful clothing, but something about how these colors and prints all went together and stood out was really inspiring for me to see from a fashion perspective. It’s also one of the things that I definitely want to wear the next time I visit Kyoto again.

With all that being said, if you’re looking to visit Japan, I highly recommending making some time for Kyoto. You don’t really need to stay too long to experience everything, but I can guarantee that it will definitely be the highlight of your trip.

You can break down your trip by doing a day to Fushimi Inari in the morning to avoid large crowds. On the way back, you can stop at Uji to visit the famous green tea town and/or make time for Nara. I did Arashiyama and Gion in a single day and it was a great combination of scenery. From a place that is really peaceful, to one more lively but still very traditional. I had a really good dinner at a random place on the alley of restaurants along the Kamo river called Pontocho. When it comes to food, most places in Japan are already above average as they care a lot about the quality of their ingredients and service, so it really all depends on what you want to eat and personal preferences.

A couple of days was probably long enough to cover common grounds of Kyoto, but it definitely wasn't enough for me. I am really looking forward to being able to visit Kyoto one more time.

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Snapshots on Shibuya

Of all the times I've been to Tokyo, I've never even thought to attempt shooting at Shibuya Crossing. It's one of those places where I've started to avoid like how I avoid Times Square in New York.
The intersection is busy, but a really interesting kind of busy. One of the things I've learned, though, is that while Tokyo is crowded, somehow, no one is really ever in your personal space.

It's crazy to think with the unlimited options of crossing here, that rarely, anyone bumps into one another and maybe, it's also why this kind of thing only exists in Japan.

My boyfriend was feeling a little inspired by the energy of this place and started snapping away while I try to maneuver myself around all these people and colorful taxis.

So, as I didn't intend on publishing these photos as this set is a little different from all of my other posts, I somehow find these snapshots really raw and I hope they make you feel that you were somewhat there to experience this organized chaos with me too.

Coat: Zara (similar for under 50$ here)
Top: Acne Studios (in cream here)
Pants: Topshop
Shoes: Isabel Marant (sold out in animal prints here, similar here)
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11
Accessories: Fendi Bag Bug Charm

Photos by Shun S.

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Thoughts In My Pur-suit

I’ve always hated long bios. Something about proclaiming to be certain things, and to fall under categories even when as empowering as multi-slashes can be these days. That’s the irony of millennials, don’t you think? Breaking free from certain labels not to revolutionize but just to succumb back to a state of what originally was, just exactly opposite. The oxymoron of our generation’s logical perception of what’s quality is rather exaggerated and understated all at the same time.

There are two kinds of bios, the type that doesn't say enough, and the ones that say nothing. In a time and age, when the first couple of questions that follow when you meet someone new is, “what do you do” or “where do you work”, you can already tell what type of profile I prefer when I purposely make myself stupid for replying with, “so, what’s your favorite ice cream flavor?”

These days, you can literally be anything you want to be. Just write that shit out and slap that title across all of your social media platforms' profiles and all of a sudden you’ve gained all the qualifications to call yourself whatever-so.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for being confident and self-starting as the next 20-something-year-old. I’d love to call myself a photographer one day, a writer, heck I’d love to be a great cook as well. But, I find that when you have a great passion for something, there’s a certain level of respect for those who are leaders in the industry that you just can’t disregard by shamelessly putting yourself on the same pedestal.

Crowded by a bubble of people who wants to be someone and everyone simultaneously - my irony is, I’d rather be a pursuer.

Typically enough, that’s just as cliche as the next fashion slash photographer slash stylist slash story teller. The reality that I recognize (that I think most people don’t see), is that there is a standard for being qualified that is overlooked when one assumes a certain title for their own. Of course, millennials knows the struggle of what that’s like when interviewing with our seemingly never-good-enough CVs to bosses and corporations that exploit on the idea of super-students. You know, the overachievers that did every extracurriculars and still had straight As. Or even worse, the super-minorities. You know, the really underprivileged that somehow made it.

And if I’m being completely honest, there is no difference between calling myself a singer because I sing (extremely terribly) in the shower than someone with a decent camera and a few thousand followers on Instagram calling themselves a photographer. It’s offensive.

While this sounds like a critical evaluation of my generation of both overqualified and underqualified fellow 20-something-year olds. It's not. See, I feel like this entitlement only exists in places where we are raised to feel like we always need to own something to really have it. The pursuit is no longer about the journey to really emerge and learn and to eventually earn but instead we just take.

With that perception in mind, I just can't help but think that maybe it's not the title that people desire, but rather the idealized recognition of what's associated with occupying a certain job. And you might be thinking, why does that matter, and why am I so frustrated with this. Well, it's because I'm a little bit territorial. It's a part of valuing something so dearly and watch it lose its quality. Kind of like watching a brand you love (Acne Studios) being discredited for so many other great things, and known only for what's arbitrarily insignificant (ahem, pink shopping bags and wool scarves that are bought for the prior mentioned reason). It's interesting, right? To want to be different and to be unique but still, be associated with this sense of perceived 'coolness' that everyone seems to think they are these days.

Scarf: Acne Studios (on sale!)
Dress: Aritzia
Shoes: Sacai (similar, Balenciaga and Isabel Marant)
Jacket: Mango
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

Photos by Lina D

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Cozy Cashmere

If the word cashmere doesn’t ooze with warmth and coziness melting in your mind, then you haven’t really experienced the joy of winter. There’s a saying that goes “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.” This could not be any truer for winter dressing. For one thing, as much of a summer-spirited person as I am, I would take cold feet and hands over sweaty and sticky ones any day but that doesn't mean I don't like being warm either.

Not all cashmere are made equal, though, and it’s important to know that your cashmere is worth the price that you paid for them. GRANA is an e-commerce that aims at providing the finest quality materials to create several lines of basics that not only look good but feel good as well. To learn more about GRANA’s cashmere which is sourced from Mongolia, click here.

To emphasize on the versatility of basics and the quality of materials, I've styled two looks using 3 items from GRANA for reference. This Chinese silk slip-dress was delicate enough to be tucked into my joggers without feeling chunky and uncomfortable. On its own, it is soft and pure, retaining heat when it touches my skin and moves effortlessly under an oversized cashmere cardigan.

If you’re interested in giving Grana a try, please feel free to use this special promo code (VANNYxGRANA) for 25% off.

Cashmere Cardigan: GRANA
Cashmere Joggers: GRANA
Silk Slip Dress: GRANA
Shoes: Tibi Jack Feather Slides(in maroon here) also worn previously here.
Bag: Celine Belt Bag


Photos by Grace J.
Styled by Van L.

This post is sponsored by GRANA. All opinions expressed are my own.

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