5X5: RING OBSESSED

5x5 Clothing
Lee Lee

Pssssst.. I have a secret. I looove RINGS!

I can't help it.
The bigger the better.
Love the type that take up almost your entire hand.

Leopard print? Makes me weak in the knees.
Sparkly and tacky? I gotta have it!

They don't need to be expensive, infact the best ones are usually under $20.

I find them everywhere and anywhere.

You can never let your guard down or you might miss a hot gem.

So if you happen to come across something hot, call me up! I'll be down there asap to get my lady fingers on!

xoxo Lee Lee

5x5 Loves Vintage Shopping

My favourite vintage scarves.

5x5 Clothing

Margot

The other 5x5 dames were outraged when they found out I had done a spot on my best vintage shopping tips for another online zine, so I immediately agreed to remedy the case and share them here (including some I did not get to mention!)

Doesn't it irk you when you see someone wearing the most fab 'fit and realize what wonders it would have worked in your own wardrobe? Here are some tips for snatching the most amazing finds for yourself:

1. Before you even start shopping, break into your parents' closet. Rummage through your grandma's jewelry. Seriously, some of the most amazing gems are lurking there, waiting to see daylight once more.

2. When you do go out, try to stay clear of trendy areas. But don't give them up altogether. These things happen in waves: once a relatively unknown thrift shop becomes popular, it gets picked over and you're likely to have less and less luck there (unless you know exactly when its new product arrives) until everyone catches on and abandons it. Then it's a safe bet once again. You just have to stay on top of it.

3. Check out an estate sale. Although you might have a few uncomfortable moments with a teary-eyed relative, estate sales are a great place to snag great pieces (it's kind of like the parents' closet theory) before the buyers from your favourite vintage shop do and mark them up. 

4. Make friends with employees. They are there to help you, promise. If you're looking for something in particular (maybe something outrageous)--a 90s done 60s-style snake print mini dress, for instance--buyers will often keep an eye out for you when they're out making their rounds. 

5. Be prepared to try clothes on! Even if you know your measurements to a T (which I suggest you do if you're a serious vintage shopper anyway), you still won't be able to get a good feel for the fit or flow of the fabric until you get it on your bod. I'd even say the same for accessories, be they belts or bags, brooches or bangles. It really helps to build an outfit around an item when you can visualize the proportions accurately. 

Finally, be patient and prepared to be thorough. Although vintage boutiques are so wonderful you probably wish you lived in one, take the plunge into a bigger thrift or second-hand store. Some of the best finds are hiding right at the end of the rack you were just about to give up on!

An array of my vintage favourites-- deadstock German shades, Ralph Lauren gloves, grandma's opera binoculars, grandpa's flask, and the recent addition of a beautiful quill from Paris (c/o a lovely friend).

FUR FUR FUR FUR FUR!!

5x5 Clothing

Lola

Fur.

Fashion Do, or Fashion Don’t: the topic of many heated discussions everywhere. 

I love the way “real” fur looks and feels, but naturally I hate the method by which it's collected. 

Despite the red riot acts, fur is still popular for 2011--especially with our cooler-than-usual Toronto spring!  From fox jackets to wolf shoes, fur seems to be making a quite a come back. 

Prada is never ashamed to let their vision hit the run ways. Their bold and tactful colour blocking almost gives the illusion that the fur isn't real!! 

Hitting the streets hard, Anna Dello Russo's already jumping aboard.  

Surprised!?!  I’m not, what a quick “shock alert”!! Throw on a man-fur and be talked about for weeks!! Smart or dumb, you decide....

And Kate Moss does look good in this monochromatic evening look, even though it's fur.

It's  a hard topic to discuss. 

Animal products have helped us stay warm: wool, leather, silk, and mole hair (just to name a few) are often considered “okay” materials to use.  Even though the hide from the cow is not “humanely” removed (in most cases) it hits the streets with fewer repercussions, in comparison to fur. 

I don’t like the idea of cute lil furry animals getting killed so we can look good either, but on the flip side, I can understand why it's not going to drop from the runways or the streets.  

5x5: Your Heart's Delight

5x5 Clothing

RA RA

5X5 Clothing website now up and waiting for you to peek on her!

5X5clothing.com 

Indulge! Enjoy!  Dance!  

My personal favourite is The Scarface Jumper.  

When I saw the luscious snakeskin-esque fabric, I just knew I had to have it! 

And the peach top!  It will put a glow to any girl's face

So 70s luxury bad-ass suited for the likes of Scarface Queen, Elvira Montana.  A cigarette and gold gun, please.  

Say hello to 5x5!

We love you! 

5x5clothing.com 

5x5: Lipstains and Lipsticks

5x5 Clothing
SHI

I decided about three weeks ago that I wanted crazy bright fusia lips. It may or may not have been inspired by a Cosmo article saying that pink is in.  Regardless, I set off with my producer friend Adam King to the local Shoppers Drug Mart to see what they had in store.  

I didn't want to pay an arm and a leg for this lipstick mind you. I was looking for something under  $15.  

I've been hearing a lot about lipstains lately so we checked them out.  They look like markers so it's kinda like reliving grade 1 - and it kinda smells like berries because they use berry pigment to make the colour. So after much discussion I purchased Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstain.  It's ok - it doesn't give you those supper glossy lips, which can be good but it doesn't last as long as i would like. The word "stain" made me think it would last, ya know. It's a more natural look and should be combined with a lip gloss

Here is a useful lil video from the Maybelline website

My search for a long lasting colour continued. I've been discussing my situation with some friends and they suggested I try L'Oreal Infallible lipcolour. Luckily it was on sale for under 12 bucks at Shoppers! There was no super fusia/pink colour so I went with a traditional red, well "Beyonce's Red" a part of their celebrity lip colour line, to be more precise. Now this stuff comes in a fancy two part applicator. One side is the colour, which you are supposed to let dry for about two minutes. It dried in less time than that, and some of it on my teeth (gawd).  I could hardly get it off my front chompers. The other side is a moisturizer which gives the lips the traditional lipstick glossy look.  

Still looking for that perfect pink colour.
wish me luck,
Shi Shi xo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJTRsVx37tY&feature=player_embedded

5x5 Clothing: Thai Designer I Love NoName

5x5 Clothing

RA RA

Oh Thailand,  how you have taught me the ways of DIY!

And who has been my teacher??

I LOVE NONAME!!

I Love NoName is an indie fashion label created by sister team Net and Nop (pictured left).

Specializing in off-the-wall dresses and clothes made with t-shirting-fabric, I Love NoName have long been an establishment of Thai indie fashion.

For the last ten years, their shop in Jatujak weekend market was setting the standards for Thai design.  They have since left the dirty streets of the weekend market for the indie upscale Siam Square, enticing foreigners and Thais alike to dive into their designs.

I love Noname shop in Siam Square

Who needs models when you have bears?

Nop rocks this dress regularly and when worn, looks like a killer kangaroo jumper

tank top plus shirt combo= layers of fun!

Net works her ass off for the DIY cause, and has helped 5x5 Clothing get on our feet!

Thanks I Love NoName!  5x5 Loves you! Lak na joop joop! [I love you! kiss kiss]

Check our their FB here and I love Noname website. 

5x5 Animal Prints: Mix it Up!

this bold boy is miles ahead of me!

5x5 Clothing

LOLA

Mix it up a lil why wont you??

Ladies, this year is the time to get wild!! Take the plunge and get some animal prints in your life!!

Even though my girl LeeLee has nothing but confidence rocking 'nuff prints, this year was my first time: I finally bought an animal printed tank top!!

As a former animal print virgin, I was a little scared to wear it, but once I had it, I needed more.   I guess my inner animal is getting down with itself and making up for lost time.  

Go on! Play around with how much or what size spot you wear.

DO!! Dress this Zebra up or down!!  Turn heads and feel great doing it!

DON’T!!  Love 'em all and rock 'em all.  Ladies it’s not the zoo, it’s your body!  It’s okay to wear one at a time.

Purr kitty Purr!! Yes she is missing a shoe, so what!  The dress is hot as fuck and will get anyone hot to trot.  


Animal prints are branded in fashion, so the key is to buy it in a timeless shape and re-rock it for years to come.... move over black dress?!?