Virgin Blak Haul

     I am delighted to announce that a package for me from one of my favorite fashion websites, VirginBlak.com, has been received! I reviewed their brand here, and in fact, the company loved it so much, they gave me a $100 gift certificate for promoting their brand! So, I chose just a few things from my wish list and clicked SUBMIT. I must say it was pretty sensational. Now, the actual package I have received:

For starters, I picked out three things:

The Faux Leather Sleeve Zip Cowl Tee (Black)

The Skull Cable Knit Sweater (White)

And Studded Black Leather Gloves

The leather gloves came in first, as a separate package. Nothing was damaged and it was easy to open. The gloves were nice and excited me for the rest of my order. A few days later, the shirt and sweater came. To be honest, I was a little nervous about the quality of the clothes, but once I opened up the package, all of that was erased. The cable knit sweater was of high quality, fit perfectly, and kept me warm. The zip cowl tee was amazingly edgy looking, with an asymmetrical hemline, zipped opening, faux patient leather sleeves, and thumbholes at the end. This shirt was also in excellent quality, and fit perfectly. Will definitely be buying from VirginBlak.com again and look for these things in my "What I Wore" posts.

Birthday HAUL

     November 2nd, 2014 was probably my best birthday yet. A trip to downtown Chicago in a souped-up BMW for a massive shopping spree and lunch at the Grand Lux Café with my dad and his roommate made the day incomparable. We shopped at two H&Ms: the first on 840 N Michigan Ave and the second on 150 W. Roosevelt St., and Zara on 700 North Michigan Ave. It was a fantastic time, shopping and finding things in the city. I want to post all, or at least most, of the things I received or bought myself this year for my birthday.
    I'll start with my purchases from the day in Chicago:

Zara Long Sleeve T-Shirt

I like this shirt because I have never seen anything exactly like it. Its a standard black knitted t-shirt, except the collar folds over into this massive fringed scarf that you can drape over yourself in many different ways. This shirt is from Zara's Dark Collection.

Zara Washed Skinny Jeans with Rips

After I picked up the black scarfed shirt, I saw these jeans. I have quite a lot a pairs already, but they were all the same style. I decided to try these: shredded, and washed. I think they will look good tucked into a pair of Dr. Martens.

Also, while in Chicago, I found a few things at two different H&Ms. And they are:

H&M Collarless Shirt
Chic, simple, yet edgy because of it's collarless and button hiding construction and black fabric. When I saw this on the rack, I knew it would be a piece that should've already been in my collection.

H&M Melange Cardigan

A zippered, asymmetrical  cardigan in black. The one shown is slightly different from the one I bought because its made of a  melange yarn fabric rather than a simple soft black cotton fabric like mine is. Also, mine has a hood, rather than a finished collar.

H&M Washed Sweatshirt

I found this interesting sweatshirt/long sleeved t-shirt. I like the faded black and grey motif. The ends of the sleeves match the bottom. Sadly, I don't have a link for this one because it is no longer available online.

H&M Paint-Splatter T-Shirt

This shirt has a cool graphic of black paint splatters all over the white t-shirt. Also includes a contrasting black pocket. I couldn't find a professional picture of this shirt online and you can't buy it from H&M's website either. 

  I also received a fantastic package of clothes from Forever 21 from my aunt on November 7th. 

Forever 21 MEN Plaid Two-Button Blazer (Green/Black)

Forever 21 MEN Plaid Dress Pants

Forever 21 MEN Cut-Off Pullover (Both Black and White)

And I payed for a new H&M coat with the cash family members gave to me.

H&M Wool-Blend Coat

In addition to clothes, I additionally received two new pairs of shoes. My first pair were (finally!) Dr Martens 1914 from my mom. My second pair were Steve Madden Cap-Toe boots from my dad.

Dr Martens 1914

Steve Madden Tryon Cap-Toe Boots

What I Wore

Overshirt: Zara

Tie: The Tie Bar

Jeans: Zara

Boots: Dr. Martens 1914

What I Wore

Shirt: Zara
Pants: Custom Levi's 511(Seen Here)
Boots: Dr Martens 1460
Collar: Found at a Punk Store

Virgin Blak Review

     I said in my most recent "Fashion Needs" post that I will be reviewing an entire brand, VirginBlak.com, on their clothes. I think the brand has some seriously amazing pieces that can't be found anywhere else. They use quality materials to make great pieces that combine punk, goth, and high fashion together in perfect harmony. Pieces shock and stimulate. I especially love their unique and avant-garde shirts in beautiful black or white, their studded black leather fingerless gloves, and many other accessories like shredded knit or leather scarves. In fact, I just checked out the new arrivals, and I am obsessing over their zipped up sweaters and the zippered shirt. I urge you to take a look at their beautifully crafted studded leather moto jackets like this one. 

 Here are a few selections from my wishlist.

Exposed Zip Front Shirt
$35.69

Stud Gloves

$18.99

Custom Spike Sunglasses (B-Type)

$55.99

(Take a look at Lady Gaga wearing these sunglasses back in April 2011.)

Strappy Sleeved Long Sleeve

$37.99

Cutout Hem Long Sleeved Tunic

$33.99

Double Strapped Two Zip Skinny Jeans

$64.99

Wrinkled Liquid Faux Leather Long Sleeved Tee

$33.99 

Faux Leather Slanted Apron Hem Tee

$31.99

 I will be purchasing some of these items in the near future and look for Virgin Blak in future "What I Wore" posts!

Photo Credits: VirginBlak.com

Fashion Needs

     I must say that my personal style is flowing and transforming into a more gothic and dark look. However, I don't mean that I will be wearing heavy makeup any time soon or listening to gothic music. I do have an obsession with the color black and love leather gloves and unconventional looks. I also love quality, fitted looks that don't need to be cheap but also don't need to break the bank. For this, I always look at Forever 21 and Zara for good clothes and accessories that fit my style mold. I've recently discovered a new place, called VirginBlak.com that sells fantastic goth and punk looks that make me swoon. In fact, I might do a separate blog post in the future exclusively about the brand, as the stuff I love from there is too extensive to include with this post.

Zara Dark Coat

$119.00

Zara Goth Leather Gloves

$39.90

Zara Black Leather Studded Gloves

$59.90

Zara Oversized Trench Coat 

$229.00

Forever 21 Cut-Off Pullover

$17.90

What I Wore

Shirt: Zara

Blazer: Vintage

Jeans: Forever 21

Brooch: Hurst Jewelry

Shoes: Converse

For the Love of Safety Pins

     One of my favorite edgy embellishments is the safety pin. It's unconventional, punk, and easy. I love adding safety pins to anything to give it a rough twist. From lapels on blazers, to black slim jeans, to scarves and bags, I always want to don the safety pin. I think I love the standoffish nature of it. It's hard and dark, but just my style.

    The safety pin has been an edgy element to fashion since the late 1970s with the emergence of the punk subculture. Though punk's main point was anti-establishment and anti-fashion, the concept forever changed the industry. In fact, the safety pinning of clothing was done for function, rather than tough looks. Punks would have to use safety pins to keep their jeans together. Then, in 1994, Gianni Versace created a dress for Elizabeth Hurley often referred to as, "That Dress". It was made of black silk and embellished with massive gold safety pins in strategic places.

     Since then, the gold safety pin has been a Versace trademark. It has recently been incorporated in pieces such as black leather boots, bags, jackets, and dresses styled similar to Elizabeth Hurley's for the brand's diffusion line, Versus Versace.

     Other designers have also taken in the safety pin look, like McQ by Alexander McQueen. However less glamourous than Versace, the brand takes its safety pins to the dark side. McQ has focused on British punks for inspiration, which explains.

     Finally, on this escapade of safety pin embellishments, I would like to show a pair of jeans I composed. They are adorned with silver safety pins going down the outer seams.