Sundance Catalog: many pearls bracelet

Sundance Catalog: Tri-Travel Bracelet

Sundance Catalog: River of Pearls bracelet

Sundance Catalog: Jakarta Bangles

Sundance Catalog: Punjabi Wedding Bangles

Me and my sister. Totally posed.

thrift store top: 80 TWD (2.42 USD)
green turtleneck: 70 TWD (2.12 USD)
belt: strap from a purse
my trusty old "Giordano Khakis": about 300 TWD (9.09 USD)

turquoise Nepal necklace: 100 TWD (3.33 USD)

Ran into this at an open-air market. Luscious exotic jewelry from Nepal. Vendor said he would be in Kaohsiung for the next three months so if you're in Kaohsiung until sometime in February 2010 you can call these numbers 0922-114-645 and 0936-350-117 to find out where he's setting up his stand for the day. He will not sell this cheap in Taipei.

Naeem Khan 2009

Gareth Pugh 2010

Wear a shimmery tank or lining under that, and make sure the pants aren't too tight.

This picture has been modified.

Bill Blass 2007

I love the coat and colors but I lengthened the dress as much as I dared without destroying the picture. Should be longer but I ran out of time.

Me and my brother.

He's not in the military, but he's so tall he has to have his pants custom made, and the cheapest material at the seamstress's is surplus camouflage.

turquoise Nepal necklace: 100 TWD (3.33 USD)

Ran into this at an open-air market. Luscious exotic jewelry from Nepal. Vendor said he would be in Kaohsiung for the next three months so if you're in Kaohsiung until sometime in February 2010 you can call these numbers 0922-114-645 and 0936-350-117 to find out where he's setting up his stand for the day. He will not sell this cheap in Taipei.

His parents left Tibet during the Chinese crackdown and he was born in Nepal but grew up in Singapore from the age of 5. He has an uncle with a jewelry factory in Nepal so he'll bring a load of stuff to sell in Taiwan for awhile, then turn around and buy Taiwan electronics to sell in Nepal.

black turtleneck: 100 TWD (3.33 USD )

turquoise sweater top: free, second-hand

tan corduroy jacket: free, second-hand

my trusty old "Giordano Khakis": about 300 TWD (9.09 USD)

And this is with the jacket off:

tweed skirt: free, second-hand

thrift store top: 80 TWD (2.42 USD) I passed this up twice until I realized how elegant the collar was.

But any immodestly low V-neck could be salvaged the same way by sewing on a matched scarf ...

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wine turtleneck: 70 TWD (2.12 USD)

thrift store top: 50 TWD (1.51 USD) Actually it was free because my mom gave it to me. I usually don't give T-shirts a second glance, but I fell in love with it after she bought it.

Note how a bit of lace dresses it up. And you may not be able to tell in the photo but there is a layer of net over the picture on the shirt.

my trusty old "Giordano Khakis": about 300 TWD (9.09 USD)

thrift store top: 80 TWD (2.42 USD)
black turtleneck: 100 TWD (3.33 USD )
my trusty old "Giordano Khakis": about 300 TWD (9.09 USD)

Here is the outfit with a grey turtleneck ...

You could possibly do this to any shirt with an over-sized collar. Pinch an inch, sew it at the top, fold it over and tack a big button on it ...

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snood: painfully expensive 290 TWD (8.78 USD) after bargaining the lady down from 390

thrift store top: 80 TWD (2.42 USD)

Trusty old black velvet skirt I've worn for years and years and so the price doesn't really count but it was 300 TWD (9.09 USD) when I bought it.

Kenzo

Basso & Brooke

Alexander McQueen

dress should go in an art museum

Alexander McQueen

I did a terrible job of modifying this picture (black fur from another picture for the neckline). Anybody else want to try?

Dolce & Gabbana

This picture has been modified.
I filled in the neckline with white lace.

It actually looks more symmetrical now with 3 lace sections, instead of 2 (not counting the sleeves).

edenbridals.com

Can't remember where I found this cami, but I have the brand initials down as "AF"

ashford.com: Sensa Batik Lavender Mist Ballpoint Pen

amazon.com: Lucky Brand Jeans Shoulder Bag

Etsy.com: babycakesboutique: handmade willow floral wristlet

amazon.com: L Erickson: opera wallet

Ashford.com: Tess Loriani: pink and gold bucket bag

Newport News: embellished silk bag

Vivienne Tam

Gen Art

This picture has been modified. With paint software, I copied a tiny square of the mustard and bricked in the neckline.

This picture has been modified.

Using paint software I grabbed a tiny square of the belt and bricked in the neckline, to give an idea of what can be done to wear this lovely plaid James Coviello modestly. Glad he brought the hemline down to the knee.

Tracy Reese

Katina Katoo

Newport News

This is from an old Anthropologie catalog on the Google Catalogs site.

J. Jill: boucle topper and purse

Victoria's Secret

J Marco: smokey teal sweater - velveteen skirt - jade and croco boots

Remember to get a size that skims not clings.

This picture has been modified.

Boston Proper necklines usually look like they've suffered a shark attack, or like somebody went through the factory ripping out shirt fronts to salvage some fabric. I used paint software to fill in the neckline, but in real life you could use a more opaque version of the sleeve sheer, or lace the same color of the shirt. Secondly, the shirt needs to be a size larger so you're not stuffed into it, like she is. Skim, don't stuff.

Soft Surroundings: Marrakech Palace Skirt

I would want to make sure the skirt of this regal Cynthia Steffe outfit covered the knee.