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Brittney Chiu has fashion in her blood — her grandfather was a designer for a garment manufacturer in Hong Kong many years ago.
Brittney Chiu, who struggles between elegant and casual style, says clothes 'reveal a little bit about you.'
Alicia Wagner Calzada | Contributor | Still, the 28-year-old editor of intranet communications at USAA has some difficulty acknowledging her “casual elegant” style.
“I don't like to think clothes define a person, but they are like a scarlet letter in that they reveal a little bit about you,” said Chiu, adding that she lacked fashion sense and a shoe collection during her high school years. “I was limited by mom's and dad's budget.”
Fast-forward a few years and her collection has grown to about 30 pairs; her closet features pieces that multitask.
MISS MATCH
“Thanks to my grandfather, I can appreciate well-made garments and fine fabrics. I prefer to invest in quality basics — trousers, skirts and blazers — in classic colors like black and tan. To add pizzazz and make them more youthful, I mix in bright colors or bold prints.”
AVANT-GARDEN
Basic khakis come to life when she pairs them with this bloom-covered blouse. “It looks just as great with black slacks and a jacket as it does with jeans. It's perfect for a night out with the girls or a date.”
SEEING RED
“I love spicing up basic black with red accessories. This SeatbeltbagÖ was a gift, and it's one of my favorite red accents. One of my friends bought this unusual bracelet for me in South Africa. Of course, I love it because of all the red beads.”
LOVE THEM SPURS
Couture? Probably not. Cool? Definitely. “My younger sister knows how much I love the Spurs, so she painted these for me. Every time I go to a game — and that's pretty often — I wear these proudly.”
INDULGE YOURSELF
“This is the most expensive item in my closet, but it was totally worth it,” she said, referring to her little black dress by Alexander McQueenÖ. “It was a very special occasion — I was going to see the opera “La TraviataÖ.” The dress probably cost me about $500, but I looked at it as an investment piece and something I could hand down, maybe to my niece.”
ALL IN THE FAMILY
“I love this dress. My grandfather designed it especially for my mother, and she handed it down to me. I've worn it a few times to work, but it's so gorgeous that sometimes I wonder if I'm overdressed.”
µ.Jeanie Tavitas-Williams | contributor
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