Mail Bag: Colors for Asians

okay Kasmira,

Allow me to confess my ignorance on online fashion blogging websites, for i have just stumbled into this lovely side of cyber world only since the past month (my normal daily routine would usually consist of msn news and yahoo finance).

Your blog has been quite an eye-opening experience for me. I have learned so much from your daily outfit, color palettes, and also developed the love for thrifty shopping. I wish there were such lovely websites existed back in my teenage years; it would have saved me much sorrow on awkward and embarrassing fashion moments growing up.

I am sure you have thousands of thank-you & i-love-you letters a day so i will stop babbling on how much your blog enlightened me. I would love to know what color palette you would consider looking best on medium asian skin with black hair? Being artistic has never been my forte, so going through different color one attempt after another is just a complete torture.

I work at a financial investment company so black is my normal go-to outfit, but i have to admit that the blonds just look immediately 10 times better in it. oh, and they also look striking in red, green, blue, pink, and any other bright color you can think of, and all of them make my asian skin look dull. Any suggestions?

your devoted fan who views your blog on an hourly basis,
Kat

ps. This is the first time i have ever written letter to a stranger (never even to a celebrity growing up as a geeky little girl), yes, you have inspired me THAT much. Hope you consider it as my best appreciation.

I’m so glad you enjoy my blog, and I hope you’ll consider it merely an entry point into the wonderful world of style blogs (buh-bye news and finance). In fact, I am going to point you to some bloggers with coloring similar to yours for inspiration. These ladies may or may not consider themselves “asian,” but they share your yellow-based skin and dark hair.

Academichic (check out E’s posts)
Adored Austin
Cheapskate Chic
Clothed Much
Fashionist (a street style blog that often features asian women)
Just My Style
Nubby Twiglet
Style Bubble
That’s Chic
Times of Glory
Two Thousand Things
The Voguette

Also, try scrolling through the Wardrobe Remix Pool for color inspiration.

I don’t intend to avoid your question or label anyone, but I think that observing others with coloring like your own will be more helpful than any advice a cool blonde can give you!

Another way to find colors that look good on you (besides color charts – which have never done me a bit of good), is to take an honest friend shopping with you. Try on tops in different shades and get her opinion. You might even ask her to take pictures so that you can more objectively judge for yourself or revisit certain colors later. Having a buddy will hopefully make the experience less torturous.

Also, experiment with makeup. The right lip color can make clothing in even the most unwearable shade work for you. If you’re no makeup maven, find a cosmeticsaholic friend to help you out.

Finally, I’d ask my readers to leave their own advice (and links to any other inspirational style blogs) in the comments.

Cherry

Denim jacket, Forever 21 (overdyed). Dress, Forever 21 (swap). Tank, NY & Co. Flats, Nine West. Studded choker (worn as bracelet), thrift. Bag, thrift. Zinnia hair clip, self made.

I never subscribed to the notion that redheads can’t wear red (or orange or pink). I will concede, though, that this shade of cherry red plays more nicely with blond than red hair.

This dress with red hair:


And with blond:

Butch Punk

Tuxedo jacket, thrifted. Dress, Forever 21 (via swap). Necktie, Mike’s USNA uniform. Open weave leggings (worn over solid tights), Forever 21. Shoes, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Bracelet, swap.

Last time I wore a tie, it started quite a furor, both in the blog comments and on flickr. In anticipation of wearing a tie again this week, I poked around on the internet for current attitudes about women in ties. Not much has changed; it still isn’t a popular look. According to the ladies on the Purse Forum, if a woman wears a tie, she’s either butch or punk. I’m not sure which adjective I should claim.

Those Capris Again

Asian-inspired satin dress, Forever 21 (via swap). Capris, Steve & Barry’s. Slingbacks, Delicious. Beaded necklace, Xhilaration.

Stand by to see me pair these capris with every short dress in my closet before the summer ends. I freaking LOVE them.


Speaking of short dresses, I’ve found this frock a little challenging for work wear because of the short hemline. I’ve felt most comfortable wearing it over pants or leggings. Tights still left me feeling a little exposed. Actually, the girl who swapped it to me referred to the garment as a shirt! She must be much taller than I.

China Doll

Asian print dress, Forever 21 (swapped). Black tights, Gap. Patent mary janes, Xhilaration. Triple strand, faux pearl necklace, JC Penney. Red bead necklace, Xhilaration

I remember Forever 21 carrying this dress early last spring. The collection at that time (Feb/March) was so bright and jumbled that I barely set foot in the store before fleeing from overstimulation. As a result, I missed out on buying this dress. I was thrilled when it surfaced in the Flickr Wardrobe Swap Shop group.

Mike actually begged me not to wear this to the office. He said it was only appropriate for work if I were serving sushi. Thbbbbpt! His opinion was definitely in the minority because I received many, many compliments today. Even perfect strangers (on the street) told me how pretty the dress was. So there, Mike.