Global Challenge 2: Hong Kong

July 9th, 2009

For part 2 of my forum challenge we’re flying to the city that’s closest to my heart. It’s home because I was born there 39 years ago today.

Hong Kong street style is something else. You’ll see haute couture fashions sported effortlessly by men and women of all ages throughout the day. From the best of modern-classic style to the funkiest and edgiest looks. Outfits are for the most part urban, dressy, neutrally toned, texture-rich, branded and brimming with character.

One of the things that I love about Hong Kong street style is that the locals dress up when they go out to play. You look the part wearing a fancy outfit to a hip restaurant for cocktails and supper. So my outfit is a take on what someone might wear to a fairly swanky restaurant. Although you wouldn’t be surprised to see this combination on a shopper in the high end Landmark shopping center, even during the day.

Hong Kong Challenge
Click to enlarge

The dress is a strappy sequined vintage number that I bought in HK several years ago. The jacket is Diesel and 10 years old, completely tailored to fit like a glove. The gold and leather chain cross-body bag and bracelet are pukka Chanel, received as gifts from friends in HK many years ago. The retro red patent pumps are Kate Spade and a gift from my sweetie four birthdays ago. And I couldn’t resist the 80’s Wayfarers because at this stage I want to wear them with everything.

This outfit was a challenge because it’s the first time I’ve worn a super casual jacket over a very glitzy dress (a very Hong Kong combination). I’d have normally popped a satin trench or wool coat over this number. I also NEVER wear gold hardware or jewelry because I’m a platinum gal through and through and do not mix metals. These beautiful Chanel pieces have been hibernating for 15 years for this reason. But I’m glad I took them out of their box and left off the pearls. The outfit still feels like me because of the shoes and frock and I’m actually digging the gold. So how did I do?


 

67 Replies

Posted on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 6:27 am

Absolutely awesome! So was yesterday.

These outfits, you surpassing the challenges are inspiring. Thank you.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Debora

Holy Smokes!!! My heart started to flutter when I saw this! How perfectly appropriate to be celebrating your birthday by wearing an amazing outfit inspired by the city of your birth!

You are absolute perfection! I love the dress and jacket combination and the gold accessories make the outfit! The branded bag is genius!

Have a truly wondrous birthday and I can’t wait for tomorrow’s journey to London. The excitement just keeps building and building!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Inge

What a surprise! The first thing I noticed was the gold bracelet and the gold chain on your bag. And the fact that both are Chanel, which makes them very you;-)

I love the combo of the sequined dress (so yummy!) and the denim jacket. It looks fantastic on you, and I can definitely see you walking down the streets of Hong Kong, doing a little window shopping and then off to a lovely restaurant. (now I want to come;-)

The red pumps are cheerfully Angie-esque, and I agree, you absolutely pull off the gold.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Angie!!! I can only hope I’ll look so stylish on my 39th birthday next year;-)

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 6:43 am

Brava, Angie! And Happy Birthday too!
The entire outfit is amazing. I love how you combined all these older items into such a fabulous outfit. The red shoes add a nice touch, very sexy. A perfect 10!
Did you actually wear it out? And what is pukka Chanel?

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Keri

Angelique, as always, you look fab, and you are fab!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Love

Keri

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Ana

Wow Angie! I’m so happy you accepted the challenge, because I’m loving these posts, and seeing these amazing outfits!

I think the gold definitely works (you’re one of those lucky ducks that can wear both yellow and white metals). This is very reminiscent of your HK street style posts, but you are so good at still keeping it “Angie,” which is where the real challenge comes in.

Great job! :D

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 6:52 am
HannahC

Love your outfit and a very happy birthday to you!!

Are you planning to wear this outfit to your birthday dinner/lunch/brunch/cup of tea? Because that would be absolutely fabulous, although I suspect a little bit too much for Seattle :)

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Laura

You are full of surprises, birthday girl! Who knew you had so many gold chains in your closet? You wear it well — in fact, you should wear gold more often!

Again, another splendid outfit. I am bracing myself for London tomorrow!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:01 am
san

Amazing Angie. I love this and it is so Angie with the Channel accents and Wayfarers. I absolutely love that you mix a jeans jacket with a cocktail dress.
I would love to people watch in HK. Well that would be fun almost anywhere but HK looks expecially interesting.
Lookout Seattle when Angie picks her Wayfarers up from having new lenses put in. These sunnies will bring out the sun for sure. Seeing them on Angie made me think of riding in a speedboat on a bright sunny day, looking very cool.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Phoebe

This is one of my favorite outfits. The mix of casual and glamour always shows good taste. Most interesting to me is the fact, that this outfit consists of “older” items – none of it is brandnew, which shows that one can be very fashion forward and up-to-date by just browsing one´s wardrobe and trying a new mixture. And, of course: Chanel is top of the world!!!

Dear Angie, I wish you a very happy birthday. Stay fab!!!!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Sarah

Lovely!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Alecia

Angie, I looked at the pictures and could see you walking along the Causeway Bay streets immediately. I’m loving the combination of the jean jacket with dressy dresses.

Happy Birthday!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:08 am
Lena

Happy birthday, dear Angie! I hope you’re having a terrific day.

I’m once again very impressed, Angie. I remember the Hong Kong posts well and it’s such a treat to be able to identify the inspiration for this outfit. I’m loving it. I’m also reminded of some outfits you wore shopping with San (if my memory is correct), like that b&w designer dress we all drooled over at the forum. Maybe this is not necessarily Hong Kong style, but Angie style. In any case, I’m learning all the same. I’m opening up my mind to wearing dressy items+casual items during the day.

If anybody can pull off this outfit in Seattle, it would you.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:11 am
The Other Linda

Happy birthday! I *love* the dress with the denim jacket. All the Chanel logos, not so much. But it’s probably authentic.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Joy

Happy birthday! What a change from yesterday, but still fabulous and so Angie! It would be fun to live in a city where people pay attention to how they dress when they go out. I’m going to print out this picture for inspiration.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:16 am

Fantastic, Birthday Girl! I LOVE the whole outfit, Angie. The dress is fab and so perfect with the jacket over it- I dig the cas/fancy contrast. The red shoes are gorgeous, and I like all the gold Chanel, too- but I would, being a gold girl at heart :)

I’ve never been to HK but am dying to go- I have a friend from there who’s been telling me for years how much I’d love it. If this is any indication, I really must make the journey soon, for the style eye-candy alone!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:18 am
mirah

oh my word! absolutely fantastic! and so so you! You are my celebrity and real life style icon from now on..beautiful dress and bag..and the denim jacket and red shoes are the perfect touch..
A very happy birthday Angie! May you have a smily joyful day filled with love and laughter :)

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Chris

Fabulous!
Love the touch of casual mixed with formal and the accessories are totally fun and seem very HK. A home run!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 7:41 am

It’s so special to receive your wonderfully warm and good wishes through YLF today. Thank you so, so much. My heart is happy and my toes are tickled.

Inge, I had to get used to the gold too! Gold is also very HK. It is absolutely considered the superior metal. Red is also very HK. It represents good luck and good fortune in Chinese culture.

I am NOT a branded gal at all because I’m not a fashion snob. I LOVE Chanel because for me, they represent what I like in fashion and style best of all. Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld are absolute geniuses. But it’s not the pukka brand (and “pukka” means “authentic”) that I adore – it’s the look of the brand. I try to incorporate “the Chanel look” into my style virtually daily, but that does not mean it has to be a pukka Chanel item. In fact, I’m not into logos at all. But wearing Chanel logos in this outfit is very, very HK.

Ele, as a fellow rag trade lass, you HAVE to go to HK. The street style will blow your mind.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:05 am
KristenKP

Gorgeous. I can’t believe you had those Chanel pieces put away; you may be a platinum girl, but you look GOLDEN to me! :) (Sorry, could not resist.)

Happy, Happy Birthday! I hope you wear that outfit tonight to a swanky restaurant to celebrate. :)

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:06 am
greenglove

What a treat to see these Chanel items coming to life!!
The whole outfit is so Angie. I like the gold on you with your hair! That dress is so perfect and you have managed to bring into into the day. I think this outfit seems like something you would wear anytime.

Happy Birthday!!!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:10 am
lori

Happy Birthday to my most fab friend! I love the blog, i love the look and i love you! Have the best day and know that i wish i could be there ( trying to look fab) to celebrate!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:15 am

OMG .. You are killing me….I am All over this look…This is exactly something I would love to do…LOVE this on you!!!!!BRAVO:)

Happy Birthday to you Angie!!!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:21 am

Angie: Love you, love your site, wishing you the happiest birthday.

But, can I be honest? The top part of the outfit is super-great–love the dress and jacket combo. But the white stockings and red shoes look like they belong on another outfit. Probably the white stockings would have been ok with black shoes? But the white red combo is “little girly” in some way.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:29 am
rute

Never went to Hong Kong, but loved your description, very stylish!
Do you think their fashion sense is similar to Toquio?

Happy Birthday!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Vani

Phew! It’s getting hot in here :-D Love the dressed down daytime sparkle! I’m like and not into gold but you make it look so good! Fantastic :-) Hope you a terrific day with lots of pastries, yummy cheese and flavorful tea. Happy Birthday love!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:31 am
sinead

Gorgeous! I love that vintage dress and I also think you look great in gold. You make me want to go to Hong Kong just to soak up the style. And I agree with Joy- it would be so nice to live in a place with a little more style focus.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Angie! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:42 am

Ha! Fran, um… Angie’s not wearing stockings! :)

Happy Birthday, Angie! Love you! xo

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Fathenry

Happy Birthday! Like this look but was most inspired by yesterday. I brought out a black sheath and paired it with my husband’s brown woven belt. Fantastic idea! I’ve never figured out how to dress down that black sheath. I’ll have to figure out how to post a photo of it. I”m so proud of myself, thanks for the inspiration to try new things!

Have a wonderful day!
Fathenry

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Joelle

Happy birthday, Angie! I have to say the brand-name items really give this outfit an urban Asian flair (even though Chanel is a French brand). I remember people being really into designer stuff when I lived there. I believe red means good luck in Chinese tradition–so perfect choice of shoes for your birthday!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Joey

Happy, happy birthday fashionista extrordinare! All I want for my birthday is to have your fashion sense. Best wishes my dear. You would look fab in a burlap sack. oxox

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Marlene

Happiest of birthdays, Miss Angie! May all your dreams come true!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:56 am

*chuckle*. Fran, I know I’m pale but I’m not *actually* wearing white stockings. That’s my very white skin! It is what it is :-)

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:58 am

The happiest of birthdays to my fellow moon child! I hope you do something fab today.

You look so fantastic – urban and chic and utterly Angie. (I have those same “white stockings.” LOL.)

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Tanya

Wow Angie, you look absolutely stunning! Very HK and yet very you! I have never thought I’d see you in anything gold yet it suits you so well.

Happy, happy birthday!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Brianna

Angie, this reminds me of something you’d see on upscale Asian women here in Vancouver too (where we have an enormous Asian population). Super fun! I love the Chanel bag and bracelet on this outfit even though I usually detest logos. I’ve never been to Hong Kong but if the upscale Asian look here is any clue, it’s ultra-authentic.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Kari

Happy birthday!

I had to pry my eyes away from that dress before I could type out a comment. It’s gorgeous!

It’s fun to see you go from a very casual style to a high-end style with more casual elements from one day to the next. It’s also nice to see you throw in your Chanel pices not only because they fit HK style, but also because you mentioned that as your favorite of the ideas we were throwing around for challenges. Well met.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Patience

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Happy happy birthday, Angie! For me it’s the gold that makes the outfit. I’m beginning to realize that no matter what, gold will always have a place. Have a fantastically yummy day. ;)

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Antje

Wow! Awesome outfit. LOOOOVE the denim jacket with the dress. Are you going to wear this for your birthday dinner? :-) Happy happy birthday gorgeous style goddess.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Winnie

Absolutely stunning, you look like a pop star! I believe the way you flash designer names is a very HK (even other parts of Asia?) thing to do. And happy birthday Angie :)

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:38 am

happy birthday! Ang, I am thinking you’re just way to coool to hang with ;)

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Cricket

Gorgeous, of course! Happy birthday Angie!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Eva

Beautiful Angie! I love the dress. Would you take it off in the restaurant or does the jacket stay on as part of the outfit?

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Lissa

Happy birthday to you! You look great (as usual).

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:53 am

You did fabulously! And my gosh, happy birthday, beautiful!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Gina

I love the outfit! Happy Birthday, Angie!

I adore sparkly sequined dressy tops and dresses, but I don’t often attend occasions where such outfits are appropriate, so the casual jacket over a dressier dress is my favorite way of dressing down the more formal attire.

Danja, thanks for asking about pukka Chanel, b/c I had no idea what that meant.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 10:45 am
ngm82

Happy Birthday Angie!!!
you look great! love the outfit.. hope u have a great day! :)

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 10:47 am
K Lauren

Angie does it again! My only issue is – how could you resist wearing the fabulous Chanel items – I’m a platinum girl too – and I’d be rocking those as much as possible!
Seriously, perfect outfit for HK (as my HK friend who viewed it voted).
Now, wear this out today celebrate your birthday – and have a great day!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:26 am
san

Ah ha ha ha! I also have the same white stockings!
Angie the red pumps are beautiful. Are they comfy? They look fantastic on you with your beautiful, creamy skin, shapely, legs.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:27 am

Oh my god, that is an amazing dress! Fits perfectly with the red shoes. Love this look.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Maya

I think I love HK style. I would be happy to dress like that every day if it was appropriate. That Chanel bracelet made my heart leap. It’s gorgeous. You have made me really want a denim jacket but I don’t think I’m going to find a suitable one without chest pockets :( Oh well, as they say, you look fab! This is such a huge leap from the Israeli outfit that it’s a bit jarring.

OT: I had no idea you were born in Hong Kong. Does that mean you are a citizen?

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Taz

Happy Birthday Angie. You look awesome. The dress looks so good on you.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:43 am
caramelblondie

I love it! Wouldn’t mind rocking that here in the USA!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Sue M

You look AMAZING! I like the denim over sequins and am on the hunt for a new denim jacket myself. Have a wonderful day and thank you for all the work you put into the site….Happy Birthday!

xxx
Sue

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Dee

You look amazing! Love today and yesterday’s outfits! Great challenge.

Have a fantastic birthday!!!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:19 pm

You are positively adorable in this outfit!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ANGIE!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
julijuli

Wow Angie – this is my absolutely fave outfit so far. I LOVE the look of the sequined dress with the denim and gold and red are something that I always like to include. What would you call this style? Urban neutral? I’d like to know because this look really speaks to me!

Have a fabulous birthday! The sun is OUT just for you!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Shana

Angie, happy birthday! I hope your day is as fabulous as the way you look. Love the mix of casual and dressy .

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Christine

Absolutely beautiful Angie! Happy birthday! I adore those shoes.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Shevia

The contrast between today and yesterday is stunning. I love these posts! And Happy Birthday!

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Paige

I really like this outfit; it has just the right amount of attitude. I too love how it was pulled together using older items. It doesn’t look trendy to me at all and yet it is very current.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 10:20 pm

Happy Birthday! Hope you have an indulgent day. Outfit is very HK.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Therese

Beautiful outfit, but, as always, I disagree with your presentation of HKers and their sense (more like “lack”) of style.

Posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Devin

Awwww….Angie I suck, Happy belated birthday!! I know you had a wonderful day and you look absolutely fantastic! :)

Posted on July 10th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Tom & Jem

Belated Happy Birthday Angie!
You really do look fab – and not a day older than 32 !!!
We love the Hong Kong style – can’t wait for you to turn your stylish gaze to Australia… x T&J

Posted on July 12th, 2009 at 2:03 am

Happy belated birthday Angie! I mean this as a compliment when I say those monthly facials of yours must be the secret fountain of youth – unless you’re willing to reveal ALL your anti-aging secrets? You look gorgeous and not a day over 29 :)

Love this outfit too, fierce!!

Posted on July 17th, 2009 at 8:38 pm

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Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 7:49 am

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