In my opinion, art gives people the freedom of self-expression. And fashion is a form of art. Therefore, people should be able to dress however they desire. "Unconventional Chameleon" features details about my unique fashion choices. Through my blog, I want to show fashion to others, as art, and not just as something to make them "look good" or "be fashion-forward". I hope you enjoy.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Hi everyone,
I apologize for not posting in a while. My AP exams are less than 2 weeks away, and I spend the majority of my free time becoming hysterical and shivering.
However, before I leave you for a few weeks to study for my tests, I wanted to post an outfit for you. My school's choral concert took place today, and my friends and I attended. I wore quite a colorful outfit, so I hope that you enjoy. My friends also asked to be featured on my blog... so here are my friends Maggie and Ariella!
This is Maggie (her male name is Malacai). She is a stellar knitter, and she has her own blog about knitting! Here is the link in case that you are interested: http://threadhead-kai.blogspot.com/. The pink dress she is wearing actually used to belong to me. I participated in a clothing swap, and when I showed her the dress that I donated, she, quite literally, staked out the clothing swap so that no one else would take it. ^^ Actually, I must admit that she wore it better than I ever wore it. :) You look beautiful, Maggie!
The young lady here is deemed Ariella (her male name is Anton). Her Sailor Moon shirt from Hot Topic brings back so many childhood memories. :)
Here is what I wore (I was in a very colorful mood today):
faux leather jacket (Romeo & Juliet Couture); shirt (from a clothing swap); skirt (Korea); boots (Korea); purse (Paloma Picasso)
Sunday, April 15, 2012
We are all idiots...
Though I usually wear minimal make-up, today I decided to wear some eyeliner. My friends and I went to see "American Idiot" by Green Day, so I decided to add a bit of "grunge" in honor of the rock musical.





faux leather jacket (Romeo & Juliet Couture); scarf (Urban Outfitters); lace top (RagDolls); dress (Korea); boots (Gap); purse (vintage)
One of my favorite scenes from the musical was when Johnny decided to toss aside a boring job that required sitting at a desk for 7 hours straight. When I grow older, the last job that I would want would be a job that requires me to sit at a desk for a countless number of hours. I would like to be a doctor, a veterinarian, or a teacher. I never understood why in movies that include someone who is working, that person's job is never specified. There is merely a scene of that person sitting at a desk in an office, and typing away at his or her computer. However, I shall eschew such monotonous work, and I shall instead discover a profession that requires me to think creatively and to help others. :)
faux leather jacket (Romeo & Juliet Couture); scarf (Urban Outfitters); lace top (RagDolls); dress (Korea); boots (Gap); purse (vintage)
One of my favorite scenes from the musical was when Johnny decided to toss aside a boring job that required sitting at a desk for 7 hours straight. When I grow older, the last job that I would want would be a job that requires me to sit at a desk for a countless number of hours. I would like to be a doctor, a veterinarian, or a teacher. I never understood why in movies that include someone who is working, that person's job is never specified. There is merely a scene of that person sitting at a desk in an office, and typing away at his or her computer. However, I shall eschew such monotonous work, and I shall instead discover a profession that requires me to think creatively and to help others. :)
College Tour
Greetings, my fellow readers!
I'm sorry I haven't been able to post in a long time. During spring break, I was touring colleges, and when I got back to school, I had tests, quizzes, projects, and homework thrust upon me. Also, for the next three weeks, I have two quizzes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Yes, I am in a very stressed and frustrated state right now.
However, I am posting pictures of some of the outfits that I wore on college tour (I went to the chilly East coast):




I admit that I was a bit apprehensive about wearing red and pink together (I'm wearing a pink button-down underneath the hoodie). However, after seeing the red and pink girl that is sewn onto my bag, I decided to give the color combination a shot.




This is more of a casual Lolita look (I left out the petticoat). I enjoy adding a few Lolita pieces to my outfits when I'm not in the mood for going full-out Lolita. By the way, I ordered some more Lolita dresses, so I will post pictures of them when they arrive (and when I find time to post the pictures) ^^.


I know that the pictures are not of the highest quality, and I apologize. However, I hope that you liked some of my outfits.
I have noticed that my outfits are gradually becoming less insane or "outlandish". For example, I put on less accessories. However, my classmates are still under the impression that I am always "making a fashion statement", so I guess that I haven't "lost my touch" after all. As long as I am not completely conforming to mainstream trends, I am happy. :)
I'm sorry I haven't been able to post in a long time. During spring break, I was touring colleges, and when I got back to school, I had tests, quizzes, projects, and homework thrust upon me. Also, for the next three weeks, I have two quizzes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Yes, I am in a very stressed and frustrated state right now.
However, I am posting pictures of some of the outfits that I wore on college tour (I went to the chilly East coast):
I admit that I was a bit apprehensive about wearing red and pink together (I'm wearing a pink button-down underneath the hoodie). However, after seeing the red and pink girl that is sewn onto my bag, I decided to give the color combination a shot.
This is more of a casual Lolita look (I left out the petticoat). I enjoy adding a few Lolita pieces to my outfits when I'm not in the mood for going full-out Lolita. By the way, I ordered some more Lolita dresses, so I will post pictures of them when they arrive (and when I find time to post the pictures) ^^.
I know that the pictures are not of the highest quality, and I apologize. However, I hope that you liked some of my outfits.
I have noticed that my outfits are gradually becoming less insane or "outlandish". For example, I put on less accessories. However, my classmates are still under the impression that I am always "making a fashion statement", so I guess that I haven't "lost my touch" after all. As long as I am not completely conforming to mainstream trends, I am happy. :)
Friday, March 2, 2012
Lolita
I have recently developed an interest in Japanese fashion. I am not Japanese, but I love manga, anime (Hayao Miyazaki is a god), and (of course) HARAJUKU! One of my favorite animes, Detective Conan, has an episode in which the main characters encounter a "Goth Loli". When my FAVORITE boy Conan-kun explained to his "Uncle" that Lolita fashion was based off of Victorian and Rococo fashion (but had a Japanese touch), I immediately perked up, as I am an avid Sherlock Holmes reader, and I am greatly interested in Steampunk fashion. I began to research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolita_fashion
http://www.lolitafashion.org/
http://www.harajukustyle.net/
When I realized that the purpose of wearing Lolita fashion goes hand in hand with how I dress "eccentrically" to express myself, I immediately took it on. I find it irritating that most women feel that they must expose as much skin as possible to feel beautiful or attractive. Lolitas dress for themselves, and not for men or for anyone else. Remember how 150 years ago, women wore petticoats and dressed much more conservatively than they do now? Lolita fashion serves as a reminder that women can dress modestly, but still feel beautiful. I purchased a "Wa Lolita" outfit (Lolita with a strong Japanese influence) with some of my Christmas money, and I decided to wear it to school today:







THANK YOU TO MAGGIE for taking my pictures. She quickly took my picture before I needed to rush home, and while I am not in my most flattering position in this picture (Maggie took a very high quality picture, I just had a creepy smile on my face because I had just come out of a math test), I think that it gives you readers an idea of the look. Though I started off in the morning with stockings (as it is considered quite scandalous for a Lolita to have bare legs), it soon became 75 degrees, so I took them off midday (of course I kept my drawers and petticoat on underneath^^).
Though I have fantasies of becoming a full-time Lolita (wear only Lolita 24:7), I do not think that I can give up my harem pants or my Bohemian maxi-dresses. However, I will occasionally wear Lolita, and I plan on adding more Lolita clothing to my wardrobe.
I received mixed reactions towards my outfit. Some girls told me "I love you" for wearing the outfit, and a teacher told me that I looked "gorgeous". However, I also received smirks, or bemused facial expressions. While I was on my way to the ladies' room (using all fanciful language right now), a girl saw my outfit and muttered "why would she wear something like that?". I cannot pretend that it does not hurt me when a person sneers at my unconventional outfits. Many people see fashion as just something that shows how "stylish" they are. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with being "stylish", as fashion is really how you express yourself, and if you want to look "stylish", hats off to you. However, I know that people do not understand that I treat fashion like how I treat all forms of art; it is a way in which to express myself. Just as I express myself when I dance, act, sing, write, paint, or draw, I show everyone how I feel when I dress the way that I would like to dress. A person commented how my outfits usually seem "uncomfortable". However, I would feel truly uncomfortable if I dressed the same as everyone else does. Though people may smirk or roll their eyes at my "style", and I know that dressing the way I do is quite risky, I feel a certain thrill in defying the current day's "standard of fashion". I do not aim to look "chic" or "fashion-forward", but I do stay true to who I am (I know this sounds quite cliche, but I cannot think of a better phrase to describe how I express myself through fashion).
All in all, I hope that I was able to help some of you learn more about Lolita. And most importantly, I want to let you know that if you dress differently from how others dress, there will probably be at least one negative comment that you receive throughout the day. However, remember that if you dress the way that YOU want to dress, you can just hold your head high. Fashion is a medium through which you can silently express how you feel, and your emotions can become instilled in your clothing, but no one should judge your emotions. Let any negative comments bounce off of you, and don't let the bullies get you down :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolita_fashion
http://www.lolitafashion.org/
http://www.harajukustyle.net/
When I realized that the purpose of wearing Lolita fashion goes hand in hand with how I dress "eccentrically" to express myself, I immediately took it on. I find it irritating that most women feel that they must expose as much skin as possible to feel beautiful or attractive. Lolitas dress for themselves, and not for men or for anyone else. Remember how 150 years ago, women wore petticoats and dressed much more conservatively than they do now? Lolita fashion serves as a reminder that women can dress modestly, but still feel beautiful. I purchased a "Wa Lolita" outfit (Lolita with a strong Japanese influence) with some of my Christmas money, and I decided to wear it to school today:
THANK YOU TO MAGGIE for taking my pictures. She quickly took my picture before I needed to rush home, and while I am not in my most flattering position in this picture (Maggie took a very high quality picture, I just had a creepy smile on my face because I had just come out of a math test), I think that it gives you readers an idea of the look. Though I started off in the morning with stockings (as it is considered quite scandalous for a Lolita to have bare legs), it soon became 75 degrees, so I took them off midday (of course I kept my drawers and petticoat on underneath^^).
Though I have fantasies of becoming a full-time Lolita (wear only Lolita 24:7), I do not think that I can give up my harem pants or my Bohemian maxi-dresses. However, I will occasionally wear Lolita, and I plan on adding more Lolita clothing to my wardrobe.
I received mixed reactions towards my outfit. Some girls told me "I love you" for wearing the outfit, and a teacher told me that I looked "gorgeous". However, I also received smirks, or bemused facial expressions. While I was on my way to the ladies' room (using all fanciful language right now), a girl saw my outfit and muttered "why would she wear something like that?". I cannot pretend that it does not hurt me when a person sneers at my unconventional outfits. Many people see fashion as just something that shows how "stylish" they are. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with being "stylish", as fashion is really how you express yourself, and if you want to look "stylish", hats off to you. However, I know that people do not understand that I treat fashion like how I treat all forms of art; it is a way in which to express myself. Just as I express myself when I dance, act, sing, write, paint, or draw, I show everyone how I feel when I dress the way that I would like to dress. A person commented how my outfits usually seem "uncomfortable". However, I would feel truly uncomfortable if I dressed the same as everyone else does. Though people may smirk or roll their eyes at my "style", and I know that dressing the way I do is quite risky, I feel a certain thrill in defying the current day's "standard of fashion". I do not aim to look "chic" or "fashion-forward", but I do stay true to who I am (I know this sounds quite cliche, but I cannot think of a better phrase to describe how I express myself through fashion).
All in all, I hope that I was able to help some of you learn more about Lolita. And most importantly, I want to let you know that if you dress differently from how others dress, there will probably be at least one negative comment that you receive throughout the day. However, remember that if you dress the way that YOU want to dress, you can just hold your head high. Fashion is a medium through which you can silently express how you feel, and your emotions can become instilled in your clothing, but no one should judge your emotions. Let any negative comments bounce off of you, and don't let the bullies get you down :)
Monday, February 20, 2012
I Heart Sherlock
During Spirit Week at my school, my school required that we one day dress as anything that starts with the letter "m". Being a Sherlockian, my thoughts automatically went to Professor James Moriarty. And when I wore my Moriarty outfit to school, I felt really bad-ass. My friends admitted that my outfit looked "very cool". However, as much as I think that Moriarty, as a character, is interesting, he cannot provoke in me the love that I feel for Sherlock himself. I have read all of Doyle's novels/stories on Holmes, but I never cease to be amazed at the spectacular intelligence and knowledge of the great sleuth. Therefore, I created an outfit quite similar to the Moriarty outfit that I wore to school, but an outfit that is meant for Sherlock.






coat (Koreatown); jacket (BeBe); button-down (Espirit); Sherlock brooch (Etsy shop called "karamboola"); harem pants (American Apparel); combat boots (Korea)
Being an avid reader, I have a great number of fictional crushes. However, Sherlock Holmes remains and always will remain at the top of my list, and just as he refers to Irene Adler as "The Woman", I refer to Mr. Holmes as "My Man" or "My Number One". I am in love with the literary version (or what my friend calls the "unbastardized version"), but I admit that the BBC version is great. For any Holmesian, I recommend that you watch the new "Sherlock" series on BBC. It is absolutely thrilling, and I think that this is the best modern-day interpretation of Doyle's stories up-to-date.
On a side note, I must say that STEAMPUNK FASHION IS AWESOME! :)
coat (Koreatown); jacket (BeBe); button-down (Espirit); Sherlock brooch (Etsy shop called "karamboola"); harem pants (American Apparel); combat boots (Korea)
Being an avid reader, I have a great number of fictional crushes. However, Sherlock Holmes remains and always will remain at the top of my list, and just as he refers to Irene Adler as "The Woman", I refer to Mr. Holmes as "My Man" or "My Number One". I am in love with the literary version (or what my friend calls the "unbastardized version"), but I admit that the BBC version is great. For any Holmesian, I recommend that you watch the new "Sherlock" series on BBC. It is absolutely thrilling, and I think that this is the best modern-day interpretation of Doyle's stories up-to-date.
On a side note, I must say that STEAMPUNK FASHION IS AWESOME! :)
Circus Freak
I love the extravagance and the insanity of the circus. Though this outfit is a bit toned down (compared to a typical circus costume), I tried to go along with the dancer-esque feeling that so much circus clothing has:




shirt (my grandmother), blazer (vintage), petticoat-skirt (American Apparel), shorts (American Apparel), flats (either Payless or Target)
ps: I wear the shorts underneath as to avoid indecent exposure of my undergarments ;)
shirt (my grandmother), blazer (vintage), petticoat-skirt (American Apparel), shorts (American Apparel), flats (either Payless or Target)
ps: I wear the shorts underneath as to avoid indecent exposure of my undergarments ;)
Autumn
I realize that this outfit is more suited for fall/winter than for spring, but this is one of my favorite outfits, and it is quite comfortable, too:

scarf, vest, t-shirt (all purchased in Korea or Koreatown); zebra-print belt (Target)
When I wore this to school one day, a girl in my English class told me that I looked like I came out of the Fall Catalogue. Yes, the Fall Catalogue. A long vest is very versatile, and can be worn as a dress or as outerwear. You can also wear one over a long-sleeved, formfitting dress. However, I suggest cinching the waist with a belt to define your figure, as I did with this outfit.
Comfortable clothes are the best :D
scarf, vest, t-shirt (all purchased in Korea or Koreatown); zebra-print belt (Target)
When I wore this to school one day, a girl in my English class told me that I looked like I came out of the Fall Catalogue. Yes, the Fall Catalogue. A long vest is very versatile, and can be worn as a dress or as outerwear. You can also wear one over a long-sleeved, formfitting dress. However, I suggest cinching the waist with a belt to define your figure, as I did with this outfit.
Comfortable clothes are the best :D
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