I am a girl from Southern China living her American dream! I am a creative entrepreneur and corporate professional in the DC area. I am a fashion consultant, musician, Zumba instructor, and more. I am passionate about life, cultures, creativity, and food!
2. How do you define fashion and or style?
Fashion is more than just clothing. It can be a mindset, an attitude, or a way of life. It’s a way for us to express to the world who we are, what we stand for, and how we feel. It’s therapy for when we don’t feel our best and an enhancer when we do. It’s personal and intimate. It’s for everyone!
3. What influences your style? ie travel, work, movies, magazines, social media trends, celebrities, color, etc.
I think I have always defined my own style regardless of the current trends and influences. Knowing who I am, my own body type and my comfort zones help guide me to choose what I wear. Sometimes I do like to experiment with trends, styles, and clothing that I don’t usually wear just to challenge myself! I love haute couture so items that are dramatic, unique, and flashy tend to grab my attention most, even if I don’t end up wearing them.
4. How has your style evolved?
Looking back through the years, my style has evolved dramatically! I look back at some of the things I wore before and I wonder what I was thinking. But I know it closely correlated with who I was at different points in life. For example, I used to wear 6-inch heels even just to go to the grocery store. I was not confident about my height of 5 feet and needed the heels to feel complete. I was buying into the societal beauty standards. Now I am usually in flats or sneakers because I embrace who I am and refuse to suffer to meet those standards. A common theme to my style though has always been to stand out and not blend in.
My dream wardrobe would consist of all haute couture pieces. I want to pretty much wear art on my body every day and everywhere. I would love to see a world where others can do the same.
6. If you were to give fashion advice to your younger self what would it be?
Get dressed for you, not for others! Wear something because it makes you feel good, not because you will be perceived a certain way. Accept your body and treat it with kindness.
7. How important is it to be body positive and to appreciate the skin that you're in?
I think everything derives from self-love. Without that, we can’t give love or live a fulfilled life. When we accept who we are and the bodies we live in, we are free. There is no pressure to pretend, blend in, or change. We are teaching others to love us as we are, and we are inspiring them to be who they truly are as well. This is how we build an authentic world for the future.
8. What do you love about jewelry? What is your absolute favorite, is it earrings, necklaces, etc.
Jewelry can serve many functions. They help complete any look. They can elevate a basic outfit. They allow us to express ourselves even more freely than clothing. They show that we have put some thought and effort into what we are wearing. They can also serve symbolic purposes such as marriage, family heritage, and royalty status. As much as I love jewelry, I actually don’t wear it often. When I do, I wear earrings and necklaces more than bracelets and rings. And I don’t like to wear too much jewelry at once.
9. How do you incorporate accessories and jewelry into your daily looks?
I generally incorporate accessories and jewelry into my looks only when I am at social gatherings, special events, or photo shoots. How I include it depends on the time of day, type of event, style of the outfit, mood, weather, etc. I don’t personally find it crucial on a daily basis.
When it’s warm, my go-to's are crop tops, high-waist shorts, mini body-con dresses, and flat sandals. When it’s cold, my go-to's are tight long sleeve tops, light sweaters, legging pants, faux leather jackets, and booties. My staple jewelry is hoop earrings and my accessories are sunglasses. I don’t like to say “never” to any clothing, but I have not been able to get myself to wear wide-leg pants!
11. Tell us why you choose fashion and style. So what we mean by that is, we don’t have to dress up, we don’t have to adorn ourselves with jewels and embellish with accessories, but we do, we choose to… why do you?
I think dressing up gives me a chance to tap into different sides of myself. Some days I feel feminine, so I put on a sexy dress and high heels. Some days I feel like a tomboy, so I put on a t-shirt, jeans, an oversized jacket, and chunky booties. Some days I feel extra, so I put on a statement top, colorful pants, a leather jacket, fancy shoes, and jewelry. Some days I feel lazy, so I put on a comfy shirt, leggings, and flats. It’s almost like I’m putting on different characters to communicate with the world around me.
12. What’s your favorite fashion/style quote or mantra?
“Life is a fashion show, the world is your runway.” – Marc Jacobs
13. How and where can people connect with you?
My website is https://www.tinglinfashion.com/. You can contact me at for any wardrobe audit, organization, personal shopping, and styling needs. You can also follow me on IG: @tinglinfashion. Although I would say I’m not the best at keeping up with social media :)
Thank you and I hope you all live fashionably!
Speaking so much wisdom. Thinking of our outfits, accessories, and jewelry as a way to present our character is such a fun idea! How are you presenting your character today?
XoXo
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