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Interview with Wei

Today’s interview is with someone who I’ve long admired for her beautiful sense of style (and not to mention fantastic wardrobe). Wei is one of those girls that you see on the street, and you instantly stop and admire whatever she’s wearing. She’s refined, chic and always looks perfectly put together while never over the top. And most importantly, she looks incredibly comfortable and at ease in everything she wears. Enjoy meeting Wei!

Who are you? What do you do, and where are you from? Where do you live now?

My name is Wei. I was born in Taiwan and came to United States when I was four years old.  I was raised and had all of my schooling including college, all right here in Northern California. Some may say that I’m a bit of a townie because I never left where I grew up. But the Bay Area is a really great place to live so I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.

You’ve had quite a career path, ranging from working at a defense contractor, to fashion. Can you share some of that journey and how you got there?

Well, I worked two jobs to put myself through college, and I was fortunate enough to get a paid internship with a defense contractor, and later got hired as a buyer with them.  After graduation, I worked in IT as a buyer.  I was always the only woman in my group…the IT and defense industry is so saturated with men that sometimes it was challenging to work with them.  It paid the bills, but my heart was always in fashion.

So, after I got married, my husband encouraged me to follow my dreams.  I went back to school and got a degree at FIDM in Product Development.  The fashion industry is tough with long hours and you get pennies on the dollar.  But after working for a couple of companies, I decided to break out on my own and try out my hand in paving my own way through this industry.

You have a lovely sense of style that’s perfect for your body type. Can you describe what a typical “go to” outfit for you and the components of that?

I am actually super casual. Most days when I need to get a lot of things done and fast, I pull on my black leggings, my boxy striped tee and flats.  But if I’m just going to work and I want to look more presentable, the outfit will usually consist of my skinny jeans, with a variation of tee shirt/cardi or a fun sweater, and the thing that ties every outfit together…..HEELS.  I swear, heels make every outfit better.

Love the blue Constance!

What are some of your favorite “cheapie” items in your wardrobe, and your favorite less expensive places to shop?

Some of my favorite cheapie items in my closet are these long sleeve boxy tops that I’ve gotten at Zara.  They have a version of it every year and I always pick some up.  This year, the one’s that I got had polka dots and a zipper that goes down the back.  I think Zara has some cute stuff, but it’s not always really THAT cheap for the quality.  I go to Forever 21 ONLY for their camisole tank tops.  They’re only $3.50!  Also J.Crew is great..but it bothers me sometimes that I can’t walk down the street without some girl wearing the same thing as me.

Can you share some of the items in your wardrobe that you wear the most?

I have a thing for cashmere sweaters.  My husband thinks that I’m obsessed because if I find a cashmere sweater that I like, I buy it in at least two colors.  So I have a LOT of cashmere in my wardrobe.  Also, skinny jeans.  It’s really hard for me to find the perfect pair so when I do find a pair that hugs me in all the right places, I stock up.

Beautiful Chanel jacket

What are some of your favorite, “holy grail” items that you love?

Clothing: Chanel jackets.  I only have two but they fit me perfectly and everytime I wear them, I appreciate the beautiful design and tailoring.

Bags: Hermes bags..I adore each and and every piece I have.  The craftsmanship is divine and I love how each piece is done by hand, not mass produced.

Shoes: Right now, it’s my gingham Miu Miu’s, nude suede Alaia’s and pink satin Manolo Blahniks.  I feel like Cinderella everytime I wear them.

What are some items that you purchased in the past, thinking that they were going to be classic and worn all the time- that you regret now?

It’s funny, but I would say my blazers and woven collared shirts.  I always see how great these pieces look on other people, but I’m just not the structured garment type of girl.  So they just all sit in my closet, waiting for me to wear them.  Also, many of my designer bags. Remember the “it” bag phase?  There are many sad Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga bags in my closet that haven’t seen the light of day for years.

In a gorgeous Joie little black dress

What’s a lesson about shopping/style/budgeting that you’ve learned over the years that you can share? What percent of your items do you buy at full price versus sale?

Over the years, I’ve learned to never buy something because it’s cheap.  Most of the things in my closet that have never been worn, and that have tags on them still, are proof of that mistake.  Also, trends are great…..but they don’t always work for everyone.  I try to be conscious of the current trends, but try to translate them in a way that is still classic and wearable for more than one season.

I can count on my hands how many items I’ve bought at full price.  The only things I buy at full price come from Hermes because frankly, almost everything else will go on sale at some point.

Burberry Prorsum jacket

Relaxing in Hawaii

I know you love to travel. What are some of the favorite places that you’ve been? Any travel tips that you can share?

Yes, traveling is so liberating…to see the world really opens one’s eyes.  One of my favorite places that I’ve been to is the Maldives.  It’s so far, but incredibly amazing and beautiful!  A travel tip that I’d like to share is…whatever you pack in your luggage to check, be prepared to never see it again, or see it getting auctioned off on that show “Luggage Battles”.  I never check anything that has any high monetary or sentimental value!

Wei and the adorable Mei

What are some of your other passions and hobbies?

In my free time between work and travel I try and spend as much time as I can with my toy poodle, Mei.  She has the biggest personality and I adore her!  I also love to eat!  We like to try new eateries and restaurants wherever we go!

Finally – please share something surprising about yourself!

I think if I didn’t love fashion the way I do, I would have gone into acting.  I could always see myself in the cast of SNL.  Even as a child I would do inprov skits to entertain my family.  I’m a goofball at heart and love to make people laugh.

 

It’s funny that Wei mentioned having a difficult time wearing collared shirts and blazers, because I feel the same way too. I have quite a few perfect white tailored blouses in my closet – yet I never wear them. Reading her experience just makes me more determined to stop buying them!

I personally love Wei’s style and I am happy that I could share this interview with you all today! Thank you Wei for taking the time to share some of your life here today, and best wishes for your fashion endeavors – they’re sure to be fabulous. For more of Wei – keep in touch with her on her blog, here.

 

24 Comments

  • Reply
    Sonya
    October 10, 2012 at 8:14 am

    Oh she has fabulous style. I would love to hear more about her fashion endeavors.

  • Reply
    Marlene @ chocolatecookiesandcandies
    October 10, 2012 at 8:54 am

    I’ve admired her style for a while now. She looks absolutely stunning every time. I think it’s admirable that she put herself through college. Love her clothes. Ah…her Kelly and Chanel jacket. Wicked combination! Love!

  • Reply
    pink horrorshow
    October 10, 2012 at 9:04 am

    IN LOVE with that Chanel jacket, leather shorts, leopard booties combo. She really does have a great casual sense of style that doesn’t really LOOK casual, just very put together and simple.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      October 10, 2012 at 9:23 am

      Her style reminded me a lot like yours Frances…it doesn’t hurt that both of you have amazing legs and awesome heels to match 🙂

  • Reply
    Michelle
    October 10, 2012 at 9:06 am

    I also have many white, blue, striped, check, colored shirts but never wear them. I just bought a new shirt from J Crew this morning, unrealistically thinking I can pull off this one… should have read this post earlier lol.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      October 14, 2012 at 10:14 pm

      I’ve done the exact same thing…I always think they’ll be classic and worn all the time!

  • Reply
    adele
    October 10, 2012 at 9:17 am

    I love her sense of style.
    Happy Wednesday Hun xoxo
    http://www.intotheblonde.com/

  • Reply
    Kiwifashionblog
    October 10, 2012 at 9:58 am

    Great interview as always! I wonder how do you find these fabulous women to interview with! 🙂

  • Reply
    Jill
    October 10, 2012 at 10:01 am

    Thanks for another great interview. I especially love the first picture because it looks like it’s from the Hermes Festival des Metiers! I recognize that bar of 90cm scarves! I saw one similar when I attended the festival in NYC recently. It was such a beautiful show. It’s nice to meet Wei and I agree with her on so many points. I have been loving all your recent interviews, keep up the great work! XO, Jill

  • Reply
    miriam
    October 10, 2012 at 10:16 am

    great interview!!! wow, so inspiring! how cute she used to improv in front of her family! =) heheh, so cute!

  • Reply
    Anouka
    October 10, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    She looks fabulous! Thanks for this interview with many valuable tips as always. xo

    LUXESSED

  • Reply
    Elle from Parisian Chic Blog
    October 10, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    Another great interview, she is stylish indeed! thanks for sharing Elle

  • Reply
    Chic 'n Cheap Living
    October 10, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    I love her sense of style and knew I would from the first picture at the Hermes Festival de Metiers! I am the same as your and Wei and love structured button downs in theory (a beautiful Behnaz Sarafpour for Target button down is still unworn), but don’t wear them. That could also be due to my severe aversion to ironing though…
    It is also see someone who changed careers to do something in fashion. She is living the fashion blogger dream!

    xoxo,
    Chic ‘n Cheap Living

  • Reply
    Malena
    October 11, 2012 at 4:39 am

    Great pictures!

    http://www.fashioncontainer.com

  • Reply
    latkesanddimsum
    October 11, 2012 at 5:15 am

    another lovely interview! I love how she used to be the only girl working in very male-dominated fields.

    btw – try some statement necklaces with your white collared shirts. They really liven things up!

  • Reply
    Plumtree
    October 11, 2012 at 7:36 am

    I love Wei’s style and I check out her blog too. I love the photo with her and the adorable Mei and I admire people with varied career paths. IMHO it makes them well rounded, adaptable individuals. Well done Wei!
    (and you can Kat can send your tailored shirts over here: I’ll have them please!) 🙂

    • Reply
      Katherine
      October 11, 2012 at 10:46 am

      LOL! Only if you send me some of your unused Hermes – I think that’s a fair trade right?? 🙂

  • Reply
    Jan
    October 11, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    Loved the interview! The two of you share the same body frame! You could be twins!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      October 11, 2012 at 2:19 pm

      Hi Janice, that’s so kind of you to say. I wish!

  • Reply
    kaloka
    October 11, 2012 at 11:30 pm

    Great! I also interviewed Wei for my blog last March. http://thekaloka.com/blogmosphere-wei-and-mei/

    Cheers!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      October 12, 2012 at 9:44 am

      Hi Kaloka, I didn’t realize! Thanks for the lovely read 🙂

  • Reply
    Melody
    October 13, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    I’ve already been following her blog before this. I love her style alot. Doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful as well. 🙂

  • Reply
    Weekend Update | Feather Factor
    November 22, 2013 at 7:11 am

    […] First up is fabulous cardigan from one of my past interviewees, the lovely Wei! I was thrilled to hear Wei’s news that she finally started her own line, YLIN. She was kind […]

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