Ministry of Retail

Posts Tagged ‘Korean Dress’

Casual Ambiguity – Feel Like Wearing Casual Dresses?

posted by:

Have you ever wondered if you could wear your favorite maxi dress or that skinny jeans with your chiffon blouse to work every single day? If you ask me, how I would want to dress for work every day, my answer would be: CASUAL. The reason is really simple, it’s comfortable and I love clothes that I can not only mix and match easily, but make a fashion statement. I would love to dress casually but it depends on the day of the week, of course.

Let me show you why:

What would I be wearing on a Monday you’d ask, I’ll be wearing either Casual Wrap Dress or LBD:

Korean Dress - Casual Wrap Dress

If you need something casual, the best material to go after is cotton. One good example of this is Casual Wrap Dress.

Korean Dress

Little Black Dress can be comfortable and versatile. Note: This dress is currently restocking and will only arrive in early March

Though casual and made in cotton, these dresses look smart and fun depending on how you accessorize. Want to look smart? Tie your hair up, accessorize with pretty pins, a simple long necklace and a pair of heels. Want to go casual? Pair this with sheer stockings and a long knitted cardigan. Most people would have “Monday Blues’ on Monday and feel lazy or can’t be bothered to dress up. Hence, these 2 Korean dresses can really pull off quick style under five.

On Tuesday, I’ll like to be a little more funky. I love to mix and match my casual dress with sneakers. Like this Diamond Cut Dress:

Diamond Cut Dres from MinistryofRetail.com

If your workplace allows (if and only if), pair a casual dress with white sneakers. Look funky and relaxed in this piece.

The colour combination (white with royal blue) of this dress is great! Pair up with my white sneakers and a stunning hair band and you’re ready to go. The best thing about this dress is, when you want to dress smartly, simply just wear heels. It will compliment the dress nicely.

Wednesday is the most difficult days for me to choose clothes, because of meetings and evening appointments. Thus, I will always love my clothes to be an “all-rounder”.

Wrinkled Grey Jumper - Twirl the grey tie and turn it into a scarf

Wrinkled Grey Jumper - Twirl the grey tie and turn it into a scarf

Like this Wrinkle Grey Jumper, I could just wear a jacket/blazer with it to office in the day without worrying if I might look under-dressed. In the evening, just remove the jacket/blazer and I will still look gorgeous.

As we are getting closer to the weekends, Thursday is the day when I will start to dress down a little. It’s also fashion to wear romper but Korean fashion has a unique style which I can’t take my eyes off:  Jumper Trio

Jumper Trio - For the fun-loving elf, no matching required.

Jumper Trio - For the fun-loving elf, no matching required.

I love this because I will wear it when I’m feeling lazy and when I don’t feel like matching my clothes, but it brings out the fun-loving side of me.

Casual Belted Dress - For the lazy days when you just want to put it on and go

Casual Belted Dress - For the lazy days when you just want to put it on and go

The Korean dress above; Casual Belt Dress is my all time favorites dressing style for work on Friday. It’s simple and nice, and most importantly the belt plays a role to help my clothes stand out. If you don’t wish to use the brown belt, a black or red colour one would do just fine. If you want to glam up a little, try using a high waist belt or a blazer.

So, would you still think CASUAL wear is not suitable to be worn in the office?

Chinese New Year is Not Just About Red Packets! (Don’t Dress Like One Either!)

posted by:

Don’t know how to dress up without looking like a rabbit? Alright, keep those *fur-ry thoughts away and let me share some ideas for the reunion dinner and for the first 3 days of Chinese New Year (don’t know what this is? scroll to the end of the post for a little history lesson).

Reunion dinner: Everyone from the family will be usually gather and have dinner at some renowned Chinese restaurant (or at home), thus the need to look presentable. Try a simple dress with fun colours, such as this Korean dress – Bursting paint drops dress

A sunny spring frock bursting with colours - perfect for the Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year)!

A sunny spring frock bursting with colours - perfect for the Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year)!

Not only is it fun, this dress brings out the fun-loving and sweet side of you. Don’t catch a cold (nobody likes to fall sick during Chinese New Year)! Pair it up this with a jacket sweater or cardigan if you’re dining somewhere cold.

Chinese New Year Day 1: This is the day when most people will go visiting and sometimes the entire extended family will gather at an elder’s place. The important places to go to – paternal and maternal Grandparent house, the in-laws and your extended family. Usually these elders are pretty senior and traditional. Watch your dress sense – don’t wear too revealing tops or short skirts and leave a bad impression (deemed as disrespectful).

Dare to be different? Try this lovely loose-fitting green dress with the gold belt that enhances the feminity and uniqueness of the dress.

Dare to be different? Try this lovely loose-fitting green dress with the gold belt that enhances the feminity and uniqueness of the dress.

It is always good to wear dresses, like this Korean dress, Jealous of green or sophisticated and elegant looking korean fashion blouse like Fair Princess will do the trick.

The Koreans definitely know how to weave elegance and simplicity together. This cream coloured blouse is a good fusion of elegance and simplicity.

The Koreans definitely know how to weave elegance and simplicity together. This cream coloured blouse is a good fusion of elegance and simplicity.

I love the way they brings out the ‘lady’ in us. Thank god for korean fashion.

Day 2: 2nd day is reserved for visiting of relatives as well. For some families, they visit their paternal relatives on the 1st day and their maternal relatives on the 2nd day. It’s important to dress comfortably as Day 2 is going to be another long day. Try this Korean fashion piece; Double layered skirt as it is light weight and the designs is unique. It is easy to match – just throw on a simple blouse or t-shirt (non-printed ones, please) and you will still look gorgeous.

Try a simple and fuss-free skirt like this (Double Layered Skirt) to survive the long day.

Try a simple and fuss-free skirt like this (Double Layered Skirt) to survive the long day.

Day 3: Some Chinese believe they shouldn’t visit anyone on Day 3 due to superstitious reasons such as people will be in conflict on that day. However, the younger generations no longer believe in this tradition and continue to host parties or invite guests over. If you’re having a party or gathering at your place that day, you can afford to relax and dress down a little (*of course not just jeans and a spaghetti top). You can try a bright colour with interesting cutting, draping and details, such as this Korean top; Drapes turtleneck

Let this bright and interesting piece (with all those criss-crossing drapes on the back) brighten up your day!

Let this bright and interesting piece (with all those criss-crossing drapes on the back) brighten up your day!

It’s a simple top but with interesting designs and cuts. Just throw this on with a dark jeans and you’re ready to host your party!

**A little history lesson on Chinese New Year

For the benefit of our international or non-Chinese friends, Chinese New Year is the “biggest” holiday for the Chinese population around the world. It’s also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival (many parts of the world is still in winter though) and marks the first day of a new year (lunar calendar).

The night before Chinese New Year. Most Chinese families will have ‘reunion dinner’ whereby they gather to have  dinner (either at home or at a Chinese restaurant). On Chinese New Year, they will visit their grandparents or parents and relatives. Usually this is done over the span of 2-3 days. The elders or married will give red packets to the children as well as those who are unmarried. Usually it is the children who truly enjoy themselves as they gather and play with their cousins, get red packet (which contains money) and eat new year goodies (such as bak kwa).

According to Chinese horoscopes which consists of a rotating cycle of 12 animals, 2011 is the year of the rabbit.
The order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
How did the order come about?

According to Chinese legend, the Jade Emperor (“king” of gods) announce that they’re creating a cycle of years and a group of animals quarreled over who was to head the cycle of years. Seeing the chaotic state the animals was in, the Jade Emperor decided to hold a race: the position of the animals will be determined by the order of them reaching the destination.

All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to jump onto the bank, the rat jumped off the ox’s back, and won the race. Hence it was awarded the first place and the ox got second. The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last.

**The Clothing featured in this post are from korean fashion retailer, MinistryofRetail.com.**

Military Fashion Trend Alert – Are You in Control?

posted by:

ATTENTION! Look out guys because girls are taking control. Everyone knows the word Military; we will always link it with the guys, soldier-like. Military has portray a strong masculine image due to its origins.

Right now, fashion designers has taken yet again another challenge, fusing military and femininity to create military fashion. Fashion designers have been bold to use colors other than black and dark blue (associated with navy). The outcome: Military Style - A True Knock Out!

I am in love with shirtdresses, be it in white or black, military style shirtdress are smart, sophisticated but still very feminine to the eye.

Feminine Twist to a Military Style Shirtdress (Tab Shirtdress from MinistryofRetail.com)

Feminine Twist to a Military Style Shirtdress (Tab Shirtdress from MinistryofRetail.com)

Shop for Tab Shirtdress? (http://www.ministryofretail.com/g-tab-shirtdress-p-781.html)

Most importantly, they are easy to mix and match and it’s daytime perfect. (And can even be worn by girls less well endowed in the chest area!) Try this: you can play around with the belt to give a different outlook and mix it with a pair of heels to give it a more feminine touch. Or match it with a pair of sneakers and sweater; you’ll get a school girl look.  I definitely wouldn’t mine owning this shirtdress with the navy belt that adds a touch of class.

Smart Military-Style Business Shirt (Business Lady Shirt from MinistryofRetail.com)

Smart Military-Style Business Shirt (Business Lady Shirt from MinistryofRetail.com)

Now, it’s becoming a trend with Business Lady Shirt style. When one think of “shirt”, the serious and corporate look usually comes to mind. Shirts also solve my Monday morning headaches (usually Mondays are formal days). No more Monday Blues! I can look smart and formal just by matching this ‘Business Lady Shirt’ with a pair of well-tailored pants and heels.

Cut the fills! Pair the shirt with well-tailored pants or skinnies for a smart, no-nonsense look.

Cut the frills! Pair the shirt with well-tailored pants, skinny pants or crops (and not forgetting those shades) for a smart, no-nonsense look.

Shop for Business Lady Shirt? (http://www.ministryofretail.com/business-lady-shirt-p-821.html)

When it’s time to kick off those heels and chill out. I’ll just tuck out my shirt, fold up those sleeves, let down my hair and I’m good to go. When choosing shirts, do scrutinise the material used. Most business lady shirts are made of  silk-like and thinner material, which makes it very comfortable to wear in Singapore’s climate.

If you noticed, Military style is nothing new. It constantly fades in and out from the fashion scene. If you get a well-tailored piece in classic and sensible colour with good cutting and style, it will never go out-dated.

**The Military Style Dresses and Shirts featured in this post are from Singapore’s Online Korean fashion retailer, MinistryofRetail.com.**

This is an original article from MinistryofRetail.com. If you wish to quote this article, in part of whole, please kindly link back to http://www.MinistryofRetail.com/blog