Styling Your Legs

Hi,

I’ve been reading your blog and the letters that were sent to you and this inspired me to ask mine as well.

I’m going to ask about fashion, balak ko kasing gumastos ng 3k for clothing this month, like a super belated birthday gift for myself. I want to maximize my budget so I don’t really care about brands and I’d go for ukay. Though, I don’t know what is appropriate for me, I’m 15 and I usually just dress up when I go somewhere and I MIGHT be studying in a ‘no-uniform’ university next year so I guess this is a start.

I’m interested in those, I think stockings?, yeah, those. But I can’t find cheap enough pieces so I could buy at least three.I’m also inlove with heels at this moment.

To give you a gist of my style, Little J’s outfit nung binigyan siya ni Serena ng party. The dress, the dark stockings and pink heels. But I think walking in the streets of Manila, I’d be the center of attention. GAH.

So I need, a list for a 3k budget.
Where to of the stockings, I think?
And what style is age-appropriate.

So please, help?

-ohblackstars

Dear ohblackstars,

Cherish your youth and teen years. Your age is actually the best time for you to start exploring fashion and girly style. I also adore how Little J dresses but with my mid 20’s age I’m quite hesitant to be in her teeny fashion – unless I want to achieve a pa bagets look. ;(

Anyway, 3k budget is a good start for your basics. For this entry, I’ll focus with the stockings. If you’re looking for printed and textured type, I suggest Leg Love by City Lady designed by Kate Torralba. They’re retailed in SM Department Stores or Watsons for 299-399 pesos per pair. Though the Leg Love Limited Edition designs are most likely available in its main store in Greenbelt 5.

If you prefer leggings, I recommend ZARA. I personally have a pair from the store and the quality is nice – still stretchy after several laundry tortures. These clothing type ranges from 750-900 that makes them cheaper than TOPSHOP. If you’re lucky enough to shop during a ZARA sale, they’re down to 400 pesos.

If you’re not that particular with brands, you can try in Landmark at the accessories section. I bought some panty hoses (which I also use as black leggings) before and I still use them without any runs. I’m not referring to the plain black stockings but the ones with thicker texture than the usual. Bought a plain black and dark brown for only 150 each.

In case I have your 3k as my budget, I think I’ll use it for shopping in different price range. I might buy 1 from a boutique, 1 from a department store and try my luck in ukay. This doesn’t just apply to the stockings but also to your tops, shoes and accessories. In this way, your money will be maximized and you get to try different qualities. You will learn from here about what’s good and not-good-enough brands.

I bet you’re already familiar with mall stores but just to mention a few, it’s cost effective to shop at People Are People, Schu, and some stores like MANGO and (again) ZARA will be down to 50-70% for the midyear sale. But of course, it’s not about WHERE to shop but HOW you pick your clothes. It’s really helpful to read magazines and watch chick flick series. They won’t fail you about the latest trend. If you don’t have enough moolah to buy the exact clothes in certain places, you might as well copy them through good finds.

If you’re concerned with what style is age appropriate, honestly, I can’t tell because it actually depends on your choice or how you handle your age. Some older women tend to dress like early adults and they’re successful on how they carry themselves. Some teen agers dress like manangs so they tend to look mature and stressed. Think for yourself. What kind of personality would you like to portray through your physical appearance? It’s up to you. But of course, just take in mind some stereotype reminders like not looking too sexy/bitchy and avoid overdressing.

And coming from you, it’s quite peculiar when you style ala Little J in an ordinary day here in Manila; so know when and where to have this fashion if you don’t want some holdapers eyeing at you. As I commented here, chances are, you might take effort on how you look on the first day then years after, you’ll just be on jeans and shirt… unless you study in Constance.

Break a leg! Study hard but stay kikay.

Love Lots,

Leyn