The Perfectly Serious dress

Being a normally chic-and-cheerful dresser-upper, it sometimes pains me (quite literally) to buy Perfectly Serious things for work because sometimes they seem so....boring. But having almost no serious pieces in one's possession can also throw one into a tizzy!

This gorgeously-cut dress, I almost put back on the racks, but thanks to Mr M's sensible persuading that a decent, grown-up dress might do my wardrobe some good especially for government functions, I assented. And he paid, tee hee.

Wool-blend charcoal grey dress: RM50, The Gap at FOS

Not to be thrown, I decided to view this dress as a blank canvas for me to dress up as the situation calls for it.

Now, while many fashion blogs do heaps of one-item-four-ways posts, I notice a lot of layering is involved. But frankly, my dears, layering in Malaysia's hot, humid climate? No thanks. So I'll do it four-ways according to moods.

Look 1: Seriously Proper

What else can be said? Snore.

Turquoise necklace: RM29.90, a store in Subang Parade whose name I cannot remember
Belt: RM15.90, somewhere in Amcorp Mall
Be-ribboned velvet shoes: RM29, a shop in The Summit, USJ

(Sorry I'm so helpful with store names, I keep forgetting to take them down!)


Look 2: Seriously Borderline Not-Serious

Sometimes a boring palette requires a pop of colour. Seeing as how Kahani and I do the black-red-and white thing often, I thought yellow/orange would make a cheery change.

Silk floral scarf: AU$4.95, Just Jeans
Ring (used to hold scarf in knot): AU$1, Cotton On
Sunnies: RM8.90 (yes, seriously), MTM at Central Market, KL
Shoes: RM34.90, Walk-in at Sunway Pyramid

If you were wondering about the ring-scarf thing, here's a close-up. I saw a girl in the Australian edition of The Bible (i.e. Cosmopolitan, according to my secret idol, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde) who wore this with a long tank-top, and I thought it genius!


Look 3: Seriously Sweet

When you can't resist lending a smidgen of girlish charm to an otherwise boring outfit, my favourite way to do it is with a bow. Or two.

Belt and bag: Gifts from two different girl friends
Leather ballet flats: AU$29.99, Big W



Look 4: Seriously Me

Ok, I have to admit of all the looks, this is possibly my favorite. Part serious, part sweet, part sassy, it's the kinda combo I'd wear to work if I thought I'd be able to get away with wearing a leopard-print bow while asking Important People some Very Important Questions.

Thankfully, a sliver of fear of losing my job is well and truly alive within my being.

Leopard-print bow: AU$4.95, Diva
Belt: RM25 (or something), Cats Whiskers
Quilted bag: THB290, Platinum Fashion Mall, Bangkok
Sexy four-inch red heels: RM57.70, Debenhams (70% off)
Naughty read: The Further Adventures of a London Call Girl by Belle de Jour, RM17.90, BookXcess