Greetings law school! The Law School Fashion is back this semester with a bigger and better collection of fashionable styles from the ladies – It’s LAW SCHOOL WOMEN’S FASHION! This time, we bring you five chic and fashionable ladies from Year 2 to share their individual fashion philosophies.
1. Venessa Phoa – High Street Chic
Venessa’s look: Top from ASOS, Pants from Korea and Shoes from Converse.
Venessa’s look: Dress from Topshop and Shoes from ASOS
What is your fashion philosophy?
Whatever I choose to wear, it has got to be something that I feel confident in. I wouldn’t wear anything that doesn’t make me feel comfortable, even if I’ve been told that it looks great.
What is the most important piece of clothing/accessory in an outfit and why?
A set of staple accessories. While I wear different clothes every day, I always wear the same accessories–not only because they hold sentimental value for me but also because they are unique to me. They make any outfit I wear my own.
What is the one piece of clothing/accessory you want in your wardrobe right now and why?
A pantsuit like one worn by Marlene Dietrich in the 1930s. It’s powerful, but also distinctly feminine.
Do you have any fashion advice for the ladies in law school?
Whatever you choose to wear, make it your own. People should notice you, not your outfit–that means your hair, your smile, etc. Your clothes and accessories should be showcasing you and not showcasing themselves. I think it’s always nicer to be remembered for who you are instead of what you wore. If you’re always confident, you will always look good.
Give me one quote on fashion.
“There’s a big difference between being told “That’s a great dress” and “You look great!”” I’d want to be told the latter.
Editor’s note: Venessa’s style is so distinctly her’s, that I have decided to call it ‘The Venessa‘. Well done!
2. Teo Siu Ming – Geek Chic
Siu Ming’s look: Top from H&M, Jeans from Topshop, Sandals from Charles & Keith, Necklace from Pull & Bear, Cardigan from some mountainous village in Australia
Siu Ming’s look: Top from Cotton On, Overalls from MDS, Shoes from Adidas, Necklace from The Editor’s Market and Bracelet from Nepal
What is your fashion philosophy?
Make sure I put on clothes before I leave the house.
I wear whatever makes me feel comfortable and confident! This could mean (if I bothered to make an effort) something that could passably be on a streetstyle tumblr? But usually it means throwing on one of my many Adventure Time/Pokemon/Simpsons/DC/Marvel/Tintin (this is getting embarrassing) tops or band t-shirts and some kind of bottom (which could be plain denim or rainbow Aztec print, depending on my mood).
I know I’m 20 and public opinion probably frowns upon me dressing like an 8-year-old 50% of the time, but I think the way you dress gives people some insight as to your personality, and I think a sense of childlike wonder is not a bad thing in an environment as determined to jade you as law school.
What is the most important piece of clothing/accessory in an outfit and why?
Underwear. You should almost always be wearing underwear.
What is the one piece of clothing/accessory you want in your wardrobe right now and why?
Something with pinstripes, because I don’t own anything like that and I like the clean lines!
Do you have any fashion advice for the ladies in law school?
Wear whatever the heck you want, and never dress just to impress a guy. Do it to make yourself feel like a confident, badass HBIC.
Give me one quote on fashion.
“Florals for Spring? Groundbreaking.” — Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada
3. Trinisha Ann – Bohemian Chic
Trinisha’s look: Dress from Dorothy Perkins and Sandals from Rubi
Trinisha’s look: Top from Pasar Malam, Jeans from Urban Outfitters, Scarf from her mom and Sandals from Rubi
What is your fashion philosophy?
My utmost priority is to wear things that make me look good really (don’t we all?) Uni days have led me to seek comfort over all else as well. After years of trial and error (those awkward puberty years), I have roughly figured out what clothes don’t make me look like a tree stump, and that’s all I can ever hope to be.
What is the most important piece of clothing/accessory in an outfit and why?
I would say never to underestimate the power of hair and makeup in completing an outfit. I don’t mean that you need to spend hours actually doing up your hair and makeup though. Most of the time I think my hair sort of has a life of its own, and I simply wake up and let it do its unruly thing. As for makeup, personally, I feel most excited for life after I ‘put on my face’ in the mornings, but there are so many people whose naturally radiant fresh faces are their best accessories.
What is the one piece of clothing/accessory you want in your wardrobe right now and why?
I’m really into those NUS law shirts right now. Especially the free ones. My favourite one right now is this year’s matric week shirt, it’s my current go to when I have too much on my mind to think about what I want to look like.
Do you have any fashion advice for the ladies in law school?
Work with what your Mama gave you. Don’t treat your body as the obstacle between you and amazing style. At the same time don’t be indifferent to having a personal sense of style. Style is an outward embodiment of how you feel on the inside, and shows the world the side of you that you want to show them today. I would suggest to anyone to really take the time to get to know your own body and the various types of clothes/colours/textures out there that are really going to complement you and portray the version of yourself you want to show the world.
Give me one quote on fashion.
Fashion is an instrument that makes for maximum impact in a minimal period of time. Use it.
4. Bertrice Hsu – Edgy Rock-Girl Chic
Bertrice’s look: Parka from Tobi, Top and Necklace from Urban Outfitters, Skirt from The Editor’s Market, Boots from TBA, and hair colour from Directions Semi-Permanent Dye and poor life decisions made while procrastinating on Company readings at two in the morning.
Bertrice’s look: Top and Shorts bought on Carousell, Necklace from The Editor’s Market, Sneakers from Converse, and Shirt from a Thrift Store
What is your fashion philosophy?
I’m into anything that can withstand an 8 and a half hour school day, but I also like experimenting? What I wear is very context-dependent on what I’m listening to, stuff I read, whether Grace has set a theme for the day or whatever — I like trying the spectrum of styles, as long as it’s comfortable, and lets me at least pretend I’m a functional interesting person who gets enough sleep!
What is the most important piece of clothing/accessory in an outfit and why?
I really like outerwear because it allows me to go quite easily from trekking through Botanics in the middle of the day to the Hoth-level of freezing temperatures of some of the SRs. I guess an additional layer of clothing also gives the opportunity to add another dimension of colour/texture to the outfit.
What is the one piece of clothing/accessory you want in your wardrobe right now and why?
Probably a new backpack because mine is currently held together by Marvel badges and optimism. I’m looking for something quite minimalist, so it looks put-together but also effortless.
Do you have any fashion advice for the ladies in law school?
Not really, beyond just wearing whatever you want! I think women’s fashion is sometimes inhibited by the need to fit a conventional mould of what is currently attractive or what appeals to guys, and that’s honestly very contrived and unnecessary. Wearing clothes is an act that everyone has to participate in (mostly!) so just do whatever makes you happy and YOLO a bit hahahha ☺
Give me one quote on fashion.
I couldn’t decide on just one so:
‘Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.’ – Oscar Wilde
‘Walk like you have three men walking behind you.’ – Oscar de la Renta
5. Claire Yang – Dance/Street Chic
Claire’s look: Top from Factorie and Shoes from Nike
Claire’s look: Top from Brandy Melville, Jacket from Adidas, Shoes from Nike, Necklace as a gift, and Cap from Scape
What is your fashion philosophy?
Not having one.
What is the most important piece of clothing/accessory in an outfit and why?
Shoes you can dance in (most of the time anyway).
What is the one piece of clothing/accessory you want in your wardrobe right now and why?
Flyknits (need I really explain?) (I accept gifts)
Do you have any fashion advice for the ladies in law school?
Not really. Everyone should wear whatever they want/makes them happy.
Give me one quote on fashion.
“True friends are like diamonds — bright, beautiful, valuable, and always in style.” — Nicole Richie
Hope these amazing ladies gave you some insight and inspiration for looks in law school. Stay tuned for more from Justified, and the Law School Fashion series – we will be looking out for Year 1 Fashionable ladies next! If you want to share your style with the rest of the school, or if you want to nominate your fashionable friend, please feel free to contact me. You might just be featured in the next article 😉
Till then, stay fashionable
Written by: Chen Shilun
Photography by: Chen Shilun
