Anchalee Pagsanjan

Culottes have been invading the fashion scene since last year when they were a hot trend. Until now, you can see these wide-legged capris sported by every fashionista. With popular stores stocking up on this style, these pants a readily available to buy.

Not only are culottes everywhere, they are super versatile. I've seen them worn casually with a knotted white tee and formally like this outfit I'm rocking.



 I love/am so lucky to be interning at a company that has a casual dress code especially in the summer. I don't think I can survive just wearing dress pants and button downs. I love expressing myself through clothes and NYC is the best place to do it.

When this trend first arose last summer, I was a bit skeptical. I lowkey thought they were still ugly - just like my 6th grade gauchos. I also thought I wouldn't be able to rock them. I have a short frame and thick thighs. Thick thighs are the worst when it comes to pants. It's so hard to get pants looking right. So I decided not to jump on this bandwagon.






 Note To Self: You can rock anything you want!

It's hard to find a good time to wear leather in summer. Most people say you shouldn't even wear leather in summer -- I beg to differ. When summer hits, no one even bothers looking at the leather pieces in their closest. Let's stop neglecting our beautiful leather!

You can still rock leather in summer without being hot and sticky. Obviously, you shouldn't wear heavy leather when there's a heat wave, it's 90+ degrees out, and the sun is at its highest. Pick a cooler day or a cold summer night. Those are the perfect times to slip on some leather.

You don't have to go too crazy with leather to bring it back to life. It might be chilly but it can still get very hot. If you want to be able to wear this look throughout the day, here's the best way to do it.

• That day didn't feel particularly spectacular. I woke up at eleven in the morning, ended up lazing about for an hour, and ate fried rice for breakfast. Oh, and I was graduating. So after devouring the rice, I showered and got dressed. It took an hour for my hair to curl- but five minutes for it to become straight again. And to make the day a little more special, I decided to put on make up. I'm really not used to my face with makeup, but now I know I actually have eyelashes to apply mascara on. It was truly a learning experience. I never really get opportunities to get dolled up, so looking at this ultimate, beautiful goddess in the mirror was unusual. 
• The ceremony was held in the high school gym on a humid, hot day. In the middle school, the gym is beautifully air conditioned, and you'd think it'd be like that in the high school. No, it wasn't. It was a lengthy graduation, with speeches and awards and the year-long presentation of certificates. Nonetheless, it was a great graduation as we relived all of the class' greatest moments and said our thank-yous and goodbyes to the staff and our parents. It was a bittersweet but hopeful send-off. 
• (Shoutout to my sister who played at my graduation, thank you!!!)
• But by the end of the ceremony, I thought, 'Now what?' The end of the year came sooner than I had expected, it also doesn't feel like I graduated. I had taken my last final the day before! I had gotten used to all the work that I feels unusual to have completed everything. And maybe in my mind middle school wasn't that big of a deal. You have the adorable, grand elementary school graduation, and the grand high school graduation. What's middle school in comparison? It's the transition year. But doesn't that fact make it important? I don't know. 
• Even after graduation, it still hasn't sunken in that my middle school career is over; I am no longer returning to the same school after three short months. Admittedly, I don't want to leave. Leaving requires adaptation and change, and while that's all great and normal and healthy, I believe it demands too much energy. In short, I'm exhausted and sad.
• However, I'm grateful for not having a middle school career I am ashamed of. Rather, I'll look forward to looking back. In a mere three years, I have experienced and learned so many things. I've met people whom I wish to cherish and love forever and ever, and received support and love from the greatest people. (I'll work hard to make you guys proud.) Looking back, I realized that a lot happened. That's only middle school. I can't imagine on what scale high school could possibly be on. 
• Middle school was the longest and shortest time of my life, and I assume high school to be as such as well. I look forward to the next four years of my life and my next graduation.
• Oh, and this day became truly special when we had tapsilog for dinner. It was great.

Tight, long, midi skirts have been in the past year and are still around this spring/summer season. One of the biggest people around who always wears midis is Kim K. Among other celebs who rock this body-shaping look, she's always seen sporting a midi skirt or dress. Let's make things straight. Don't call this the Kim K look.

What's great about midi skirts is that they can keep you warm. They are long enough so on those cold summer nights (or days) your legs can stay toasty. And they are great for all my hourglass silhouette ladies out there. If you aren't one, don't worry. Wearing this look can create that silhouette. All you need to do is grab a long midi skirt -- make sure it's tight all over and doesn't flare at the bottom -- and a crop top of your choice. This will lengthen your legs and shorten your torso. The gap between your crop top and skirt will define and bring attention to your waist.

Go with some minimalist heels if you are feeling girly or ambitious enough to walk around them all day in the city. I opted for some Converse sneakers. I wanted to stay comfy and add a touch of boyish causal look. I also sported up my look with a baseball cap and a leather jacket. The monochromatic palm tree graphics on my knotted top adds an urban touch. Kept my colors in the grayscale to create a clean look.

I decided to make this my first post. Mostly because I love this outfit. It's clean but sexy without being to promiscuous. I actually work this to a mini interview. The blazer is a perfect cover up. The chiffon trouser material joggers make a casual look more dressed up. The waterfall blazer gives the look some movement. And who doesn't love white on white. Paired this look up with some studded loafers and my go-to nude cross body. Very simple but stylish.