How My Fashion Outlook Changed in 1 min 30 secs

Khanh Nguyen
Jul 21, 2017 · 3 min read

Fashion advice isn’t exactly lacking nowadays but there’s one time of the year in particular where fashion advice becomes explosive: the holidays. Just about every women’s apparel company joins in with their own version of a wardrobe guide ranging from outfits for work party, meeting the parents, date night, etc. — all with a (that’s right!) *holiday flair*.

I love fashion and dressing myself so I tend to look at these for inspiration, hoping they bring me some ideas as to what to wear so I can experiment with my clothes while maintaining the ever elusive “personal style.” I love the unexpected pairings I come across every once in awhile but these guides start to blend together — all presenting the same similar outfits, outfits too much to actually be practical in my life, or outfits I’d have a hard time pulling off with the same sense of effortless cool because I’m not a 6’2” fashion model. Somewhere in the midst of all those neutral white/grey backdrops, these fashion holiday how-to’s start to blend together.

Then Shopbop’s holiday video with Lucy Hale popped up in my YouTube feed (I had a brief stint with her show Pretty Little Liars before it got downright ridiculous, but that’s another story). The video didn’t exactly change my life, but it was such a refreshing break. There’s Lucy dancing around a room with outfits that are fun, experimental, and wacky in a completely self-aware way. She’s in a beautifully (emphasis on beautiful) room with her adorable on-set puppy parading around with clothes that looks like she just casually threw on.

(Image by myself + screenshots from Shopbop’s “#HolidayHowTo Get Dressed Up With Lucy Hale” video ; collage by me)

Oh. And to top it all off, this video had such a Wes Anderson feel to it. (I’m a huge fan of Wes Anderson and the look that he has developed for his films, but then again aren’t we all?) Seafoam walls contrasted with gold frame moldings. Feminine French bed and furniture. Soft sunlight coming in big windows. Nothing has too much contrast; the colors are muted and dreamy. Honestly it looks like Lucy has stepped into the world of Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel.

(Image from Google Images)
(Image by myself + screenshots from Shopbop’s “#HolidayHowTo Get Dressed Up With Lucy Hale” video ; collage by me)

The font Shopbop used is also a dupe for Wes Anderson’s iconic “Futura” font that he utilizes in almost all his films. It adds a fun touch to the overall look of the video which aligns with the actual message of the tips themselves.

(Images from Google Images)
(Image by myself + screenshots from Shopbop’s #HolidayHowTo Get Dressed Up With Lucy Hale video ; collage by me)

The advice doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s less of a “here are the things to buy from our store this season” menu and more of a “throw something like this on if you have it!” It hands us the freedom to experiment with our wardrobe, but maybe more importantly, it makes us want to experiment with our wardrobe. The creative direction of this marketing campaign all come together to result in something that is both editorial and entertaining. And best of all, the video is not only relevant during the holidays, it’s fun to watch all year round too.

Watch it & see for yourself!

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