Not Your Average Woman: Shu Lee

This is my ex-housemate Shu. Shu was always a smarty pants and when growing up, was amongst the top percentile in Singapore – attending the BEST schools. But she didn’t grow up to be no corporate zombie and is a sassy, quick-talking, fashionista!

We’ve lived together in 2 different apartments and people tell her that we look alike, ALL THE TIME. Do we? I think that other than size and a similar bob cut, we’re quite different – especially our styles. I like quirky, rock chic or straight up flouncy. Shu’s worked in fashion, beauty and retail, so she’s more on trend and definitely more grown-up than I am. Now that we’re no longer living together, I was shocked to find that she has “upgraded” to a 8-door (?) closet bursting with clothes when I visited her to do this shoot. (I’ve always benefitted from her massive wardrobe and get nice expensive things from her once in a while too!)

For someone who’s not standard-issue Asian, or fashion-size, Shu has an AMAAAAAZING amount of clothes. She has to. It’s her job to be on trend and fashionable!

The photo shoot was done months ago on 24 September 2012 and I’m glad we finally got round to getting the answers together for the post. I hope she inspires you!

• What is your dress/shoe size?

I wear a UK16 normally, but i’ll go up or down a size depending on the cut of the outfit. I wear a size 38 shoe, but that’s kind of a compromise really, my right foot is about a size smaller than my left and shaped quite differently too. I show them off sometimes to freak people out. Heh.

• Describe Your Style I like keeping things simple. Not too many items, not too many layers, just a few good pieces that are cut well (and devoid of frills and lace). Nothing overly girly cos I like “fiercer” clothing, but I’ll wear the hell out of a good dress if I have the chance.

 

• What do you normally wear to work or a work event/meeting? Well I work in retail, so there’s some flexibility with the dress code. No need for pinstripe suits and pencil skirts, thank god. A nice dress if it’s a fancy event or an important meeting (depending on the dress), a tunic and leggings some times, most of the time, pants and a nice top. Then I accessorise up or down accordingly. If it’s a blah day, then i forgot the accessories.
  

 

• Where and how do you shop? I shop on the fly – sometimes after work (it’s nice to work in town), sometimes out with friends. It’s not very often that I schedule specific shopping trips (unless someone asks me to go shopping with them). I should stop that though. I have entirely too many things. I’m lucky enough to fit into the largest sizes of most brands, but I shop a lot from the UK brands – Warehouse, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins – and from TANGS, of course. I also shop a lot overseas.
  

 

• What are your favourite things to buy? I always love a good dress. Maxi dresses make me feel all floaty (and trust me it’s not often I have a chance to feel light and goddess-like). I like buying jackets, which is a curse when you’re as afraid of the heat as I am. I’ve considered moving to a colder climate just so I can buy more jackets. Also, I have entirely too many pairs of jeans. Tees too, limited edition ones that have a great design. And shoes. Many shoes.
  

 

• What are your favourite brands or shops? My current favourite is Warehouse, they’ve had some good collections recently. Other than that, no particular favourite. I also like looking at men’s clothing, sometimes I feel they’re designed better – I think designers/brands/manufacturers work harder at men’s clothing and accessories. They make the print, cut, design and the overall aesthetic much better because there’s just less options for men. Women have so many things to buy, designers and manufacturers get so lazy some times. Girl’s shoes? Well, just stick a bow on them, some one will buy it. But men’s clothes have to sell themselves a lot harder. I like that.
  

 

• How do you dress on your blah-days? Jeans and tees. No accessories.
  

 

• When you were 12, what did you imagine your life would be like at your current age? I actually thought I was going to be a lawyer. I think I fell victim to an SBC drama series starring Chen Liping. I entertained many fantasies of standing in a courtroom and shouting “I OBJECT!” But I soon realised that those black shapeless robes invovled were not my thing at all. So I’ve ended up in retail. I guess that says a lot.