Direction

Room wall | H&M Baseball top and The Editor's Market Backpack | Editorials by DANSK

Goals, goals, goals-

1. To learn to be less lazy and emit all contraction-usage on the blog. (isn't it the best thing ever though?)

2. To wake up early enough to actually see the morning sun

3. Not end a month with -$100 and a thousand impulsive buys

4. Not end a month with $1000 and a hundred why-didn't-I-invest-in-that regrets

5. To finally get rid of the year-old blonde ends

6. To work on things I've always wanted to on the blog

There are many reasons to smile (whoa whoa whoa it's the cliche dentist advertisement line!) about school holidays but this one is going to be like no other. 

The smell of September comes briefly with birthday candles to blow for SuedeFingers' third birthday. It's the third year since I first made this site public and yes, a very enthusiastic entrance I did make. Click here for a throwback of such.

I cannot deny that blogging isn't easy when you've grades to fight for in the education department, let alone try to avoid a writer's block or give more attention to coconut popsicles. However, SuedeFingers has become my best friend for fashionable ranting- my trusty listening ear indeed.

With that, there is so much to anticipate this coming month and the number of excitement dances done might have skyrocketed to possibly about a year's worth of dance central. (That being said, I don't even own a Kinect)

I have been spending lots of time sourcing for inspiration, particularly from editorials. Bookstores, museums, photographers, places and magazines are just one of the few things I might have to thank for all the resources (as seen on the wall). This week's favourite has to be DANSK's thoughtful editorials. I cannot believe I actually spent my last $20 on it instead of Vogue's September Issue.

Here's to a great holiday and September- I promise to go for that haircut before October, yes yes yes yes.

Lots of love and goals come true,

Tessa

Arm rule

Top from Seoul, Skirt by Zara, Accessories from Topshop 

Call me a huge sucker for being the ultimate trend-hugger, the one who would unwillingly move on even after that top has gone from "IT" to "EW". Granted, Singapore's bipolar [wet] weather has been the best reason to allow such rule breaking and let's get real- who doesn't like to fall asleep in the bus in something that substitutes as a quilt?

I've gotten many questions as to how this top actually made its way into getting such wide mass-appeal despite the flabby-looking arm cutting. The same old conversation would happen with "american football", "sportsluxe" followed by "oohs" and "aahs" and we'd all immediately reach flabby-arm-top enlightenment.

By Patrick Demarchelier 

I first fell in love with this particular cutting when Karlie Kloss did a spread for TeenVogue back in 2010 after Fashion Week sent models down the runway in clusters of masculinity. Sportsluxe was just around the corner then, and surprisingly- nobody has issued a red card on it till today. 

Who would have known that the sportsluxe trend would go from Olympic-friendly to being another fashionable reason to start working out. Guilty as charged, a part of me sees the whole dressing up routine as another reason to go to the gym. But what's not to love if it gets you out of the bed?

Lots of love and being old fashioned,

Tessa

What does the shirt say

Skirt from Topshop, Bag from Mango (Available online at Zalora)

I'm not too sure if you're into the iPhone edited photos, but I've been into such an editing-from-phone phase so bear with me!

I've always loved how words can hit me whilst sitting there on a plain shirt- that's literal statement-making and something worth dying for. Sadly, there's only so much to offer on the street other than weird random words people would take off the dictionary (E.G "COAST")(!?). Fine, fine, fine- let's just be grateful it wasn't in Comic Sans. 

Still, there is always a huge appreciation for a top that speaks something useful and I'd be proud about carrying. I'm smitten over this one as the sentimental freak in me has yet to get over the whole Saint Laurent rebranding (the top says "Remember Yves?" by the way). Away from the usual "Ain't Saint Laurent without Yves", and I did like the whole hidden meaning from the font usage. 

Granted, I do love Hedi Slimane and he's done a wonderful job (guilty as charged, I wore a floppy hat very obviously inspired by his collection)- But I don't think that the legacy left behind by YSL will ever be forgotten like people try to about Comic Sans' existence. Ever.

Lots of love and t-shirt shopping,

Tessa

Stolen from Instagram

With school alive and kicking, I can only say that the [plunging] anticipation I had for it has become indirectly proportional to the amount of work we're about to expect. Back to slogging our lives away to get a step closer to a better view of our dreams. My dreams have lived long enough to see everything as an opportunity, a fighter it has turned me into. Its strong metabolism can only seem to continue fuelling itself with 4am assignment commitments and the hopes of scoring As. 

But whilst all this nerd talk, there always has to be space in-between for the unavoidable #ootd ritual. Admit it, it's in your blood too! I spent an hour on the bus just editing a single photo to post with Richard's commentry about Valencia definitely making me look tanned. Not too sure which is more shocking but let's just say that all finally turned well and the picture finally made it on the internet.

I only got 10 likes in the last 5 minutes, do you think I should take it down?!

First-day homage: going the sportsluxe way

Top from Vietnam, skirt by Zara, accessories from Topshop

One of the outfits I have been anticipating was this, and I decided on going straight into it on the first day. I got this top in the middle of a street in Ho Chi Minh, a find that took hours to dig out and finally brag about here. Okay, I kid. But I cannot lie about how smitten I am with its sinking hem and chunky collar. 

Turban day never gets old

Turban from a street store, Zara laced top, Underground boots 

Yes, the turban girl in me will probably never retire. My clique made a deal to dress in black, and it was a done deal with the thought of the turban! I couldn't help but sing A Whole New World for some reason.

Before you know it, it's Thursday!

Sewed the little monster and carrot on the top, blue collared top from Ho Chi Minh, Topshop shorts and chelsea booties, finishing it with a H&M floppy hat  

The fact that the top was custom made by myself always makes it even more exciting to wear it out. Just never did because it was even shorter than a crop top and I had to save myself from any public display of well.. bra. But Voila! A piece underneath did the trick, and its collars gave it a natural fit.

Here's to the [coming] end of yet another week, keep yourselves well and get tanned better than Valencia can!

Lots of love and dream catching,

Tessa

10 Minute wet-weather season

Outfit shots and an added pair of legs by Shereen (@shereensoony)

Uniqlo shirt, Topshop shorts, Primark wellingtons, Aldo body chain

I fell huge victim to my stubborn side, weather reports told me that showers would only be present early in the afternoon but I went for the wellingtons anyway. Yes, I was trying to let my boots grasp as much air at every possible chance and they sure did- under the hot sun.

 But like every other outfit, there were no regrets! I was just more alert for any possible chance to jump into puddles, really.

Sunday was such a good day. Easter, of course, and I finally got to spend some good time with Shereen (by good I meant getting motion sickness on the swings) and lunch fuelled with conversations better than the food (okay fineeee I admit, the ambience was perfection). Give it a chance (My Awesome Cafe at Tanjong Pagar) if you're a sucker for anything old school or old clinics!

Lots of love and good weather,

Tessa

Splitting skirts, splitting costs

(photos taken by +Natasha Von Epichelin)

Thrifted jacket from Hong Kong, Adidas sports bra (or as they'd like to call it, REALLY 'cropped top'), Skirt from Vietnam, Plimsolls were custom made, Topshop transparent bag (a gift from my clique kids!)

Rarely do I wear things that match my hair, which always gets me questioning if it's time to cut. But nuh uh, I'm guessing today's jacket was here to change my mind. I got this beauty (2sgd only) hidden along the streets of Hong Kong, from a thrift shop 'Me & George' (address below) that every fashion blogger had to talk about with bags full of cheap thrills. ALAS, I FELL VICTIM TOO. An hour later, I was 40SGD poorer, yet 10 pieces richer. Pretty crazy for thrift shop terms in Asia, especially when huge superstitions create fusses about keeping old clothes- let alone sell them. But from time to time, Asia will always reveal its own one-of-a-kind hidden gems. Forget about travelling west just to thrift if you're already living in the middle of so much concealed beauty ;) it's rare, but very precious.

Spent some good time with Natalie and Natasha (my two favourite Nats!) over lunch at Concetto. Like every chef-trusting customer who'd say "GIVE US YO BEST", we picked every recommended dish on the menu. Our eyes were full from lots of artistic dishing but don't place your bets on a 'hearty italian' meal on this one. Not very hearty, but scores high on beauty!

Have a good week ahead, and hug tightly onto your last week of holidays, poly kids. I know I'll be grasping onto mine with lots of sleep till the very last second D:

Lots of love and $2-clothing lovin',

Tessa

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Me & George

64 Tung Choi Street, Mongkok; 

9 Li Yuen Street West, Central

*don't expect huge quality pieces- but give it a chance and an hour to find someone's trash becoming your treasure!

Lazy Sportsluxe

Photographed by Shereen Soon (@shereensoony) (basically that crazy one in the photo)

H&M hat, Zara top, H&M joggers, ASOS Sandals, Casio watch 

& my favourite lipstick shade by Smashbox in Fuchsia Flash

(Before I got to writing this post, I never knew how to spell Fuchsia.)

I like to call the Zara piece the thong top, technically because it's lacey detail reminds me so much of it and the comfortably light piece plays well on a lazy morning. 

Today's outfit is my favourite concocted for the season- inspired by strappy sandals and running pants (yes- I've been spending way too much time running/boxing that even the sweat's turning my brain into a crazy nut, wearing anything/everything sports luxe). 

Celine Cruise 2014

_________________

For weeks now, I've been blogging and trying to control my usage of exclamation marks and love for capital letters but HEY OLD HABITS DIE HARD!!!!!! Explains. Whatever it is, I'm definitely way past my battle to have all sentences ending with a full stop, and am pretty much retrenching the thought of keeping all my erupting emotions/SARCASM away from the tip of my fingers as I write. Behind every serious looking blogger (you know, the bloodshot-eye poses and all), I'm sure there's some kind of personality that's just dying to come out- of which only writing can seem to express over the internet. 

(I mean no, nobody makes a whole five minute video reading her entire written blog post to her readers.) 

"Hey guys, it's me Tessa Lin Wang from Suede Fingers dot blogspot dot com, in which you can email me at suedefingers at gmail dot com dot assgee and today I'm wearing my favourite lipstick shade by Smashbox in Fuchsia Flash but I never really knew how to spell Fuchsia before posting this"

I hope you're catching this like I am- writing instead of videoing saves you from a whole lot of "you're such a bimbo" comments arrowed towards your face.

Video making aside, I'm definitely glad to be back and away from serious-sounding posts because they're just not me. Not too sure why I even tried, but thank God it's getting off me soon enough. Or video making might actually turn into a reality.

(Don't get me wrong though, no exclaimation marks or capital letters don't mean I'm not being myself- I do get serious when great serious emotion is involved.)

Lots of Love

Tessa 

Celine photo credit: Harper's Bazaar

The different languages of comfort

Pictures taken by Shereen Soon! (@ShereenSoony)

H&M top, Zara skirt, Bershka bomber jacket, Mphosis heels, Cotton On cap, Primark necklace, Aldo arm brace (or warrior stuff)

I gladly submitted to Shereen's proposal to take this Sunday's (yes, we're making it a weekly habit) outfit shots at Raffles Place.

Like a Singaporean Wall Street, Raffles Place is the heart of our business district that never stops beating- its bloodstream running wild with vibrant characters: dreamers, workaholics and people striving to find comfort in their own capabilities. I've been an avid onlooker of this vibrant city, since 5 years old when mom made it a point to meet Dad after he knocked off and today for my boxing classes. Till this day, it amazes me to see the real world packed into buildings- exchanging cheek-to-cheek greetings and ready to start a meeting, while secretly craving for a good meal to comfort themselves from all this stress.

The magic of being an onlooker is watching the district breathe on such hectic activity, like a body that sustains itself on sugar- sometimes bad, yet terribly addictive. It is for moments like these when we start to realise the silence in the weekend- when the working ones find comfort at home and forget the salad-bar-meals along Cecil Street. And of course, when people like me start to explore (AND THAT CYCLIST) (AND THOSE ISLAND HOPPER BUSES).

Here's to the ones who've been fighting good battles week in and out for the comfort love that's waiting for them at home. Here's to you dad- if you're reading this, press on and we'll always be waiting for you at home for a non-salad meal all day EVERYDAAAAAY (except mondays to wednesdays. It's cleanse period)

Lots of Love

Tessa

___________________________________

GET THIS LOOK

Personal favourites: 

Mango - Something Borrowed - Steve Madden

ZALORA Singapore Google+

Mental metal state

Pictures taken by Shereen Soon (@shereensoony)

Editor's Market leather top, thrifted Liz Claiborne boyfriend jeans, Zara neckpiece, ASOS rings, Topshop chealsea boots

(CAN I JUST EMPHASIZE HOW HARD IT IS TO NOT LOOK FAT IN BOYFRIEND JEANS- WE PROBABLY TOOK A MILLION SHOTS BEFORE IT WORKED)

Like there hasn't been enough love for this leather top, I've probably worn it a thousand times and it's still at honeymoon stage with me. My attachment to all things straight cut probably plays a huge part in keeping this one close to my heart- its stiff and flat structure ticks all boxes in my to-love criteria sheet.

As I type this, I'm happily at home and away from the crazy sun that's been casting a dry spell on our island. Of course, for the love of getting tanned- it's become the ultimate oven for suntanning. With the sun out, my time spent at home has seen a huuuuge peak and I'd hate to admit- so has my credit card when it comes to transactions. 

A minimal ring (basically plain rings) obsession decided to erupt one fine morning after some quality time with Vogue and I started spending 87632876 hours digging through all kinds of sites for it. I was desperate to get my hands on them. Lethal/ a detrimental state/ or close to being Gretchen Wieners would be the descriptions my own thesaurus would've provided and trust me- I would die if I actually became her. The buying soon came to a good halt and 5, 6, 7, 8 deliveries came flying through my door. Needless to say, I was so happy. But needless to say too, they all looked the same. Yeah yeah one's gold and the other's silver and 0.1cm shorter than the other. I'll continue lying to myself!

That's probably the danger of falling in love with a minimalistic style I guess, there are very little differences between the pieces. But we cannot forget the part where the fun starts- to actually appreciate the pieces for their little differences and the challenge set to carry them differently. 

x

Tessa

Till death do us part

Roxy crop top // white bottoms from Taiwan // SAY HELLOOOO TO the Supergas 

This time, I used the I REALLY NEED NEW SHOES FOR WORK excuse to make my next purchase. As stupid as it sounds (just like the rest of the other 323781537621 excuses for every other piece in my closet), it actually happened and I'm still at the cloud nine phase!

I can probably foresee myself advancing to the you-may-kiss-the-bride cum honeymoon stage in about a few days, but I'll update you guys soon on our progress ;)

Ahhh, If it isn't the pair of Supergas that I've been dying to get since last year. I was one very very hesitant girl, playing hard to get with this pair. I remember staying up and wondering whether to make the first move and hand over money. But $70? For another pair of sneakers? Was it really going to rob me of all those precious bowls of ramen and possibly another chance to buy a hamster cage for the sake of fun?

Well yes. Eventually I got robbed anyway.

Although seriously though, I've never felt this happy with a pair of shoes- probably a sense of achievement that I scored a pair of sneakers away from Converse and Vans. Uhuh uhuh uhuh feeling so hiPPpPppPPPpster right nowWwWWWwwwWWWw. If you have yet to know about Supergas- let me do the introducing!

1. This Italian brand has been around since the first World War (yes i know you're like WHAT Y U NO SHOW YOURSELF HERE EARLIER?! Same reaction sista, same reaction. )
2.  Made it's mark with sneaker-goers like us ever since it started creating such versions apart from their original leather kicks. 
3. Fashion icons like our favourite Alexa Chung has graced the Superga-wearing-phenominon, representing the brand through advertising campaigns.
4. Meanwhile, fashion bloggers like Chiara Ferragni (blonde salad) have collaborated with the brand for some lacey looks that lace-tablecloth enthusiasts would love (don't get me wrong, I love my tablecloths too)

While some of you may still be asking what's so good about it, I'll probably just direct you to Rockstar to give a pair a try- understand it's comfort and versatility for yourself! Okay, maybe I could be speaking too highly of it. But love blinds one, no? ;)

While I embark on this new journey with the new pair, do let me know if you've gone smitten over one too- we can start discussing a new Superga facebook fanpage over bowls of ramen that I can totally afford

Aaaand if you're already on your way to handing over the money, head over to

-Official Singapore site
-Zalora (I got mine here for $20 off because of a promotion!)
-ASOS
-Urban outfitters (if you're in the mood to spend some bowls of ramen on shipping)
-or head to Rockstar to experience the shoes on your own!


LOTS OF LOVE