Looking for the fashion in-crowd’s best-kept styling hacks, most-cherished vintage treasures, or favorite trends of the moment? We’ve prigged their answers… today, YIN FUNG shares her STYLING SECRETS. Cover photo: courtesy of Yin Fung
Yin Fung has been working for fashion magazines over the past decade, but the development of her “cool rich Asian auntie” style, as she likes to refer to her way of dressing, originated years before. “I grew up in a traditional Chinese family with three siblings. I didn’t get any clothing allowance, and we were expected to dress; our clothes were practical and usually handed down from older cousins. Dressing average was the norm. So, when I had my first job at age fifteen, I started spending money on clothes. I view clothing as a way of self-expression. My parents were fine with my take on dressing, but sometimes they would ask if I could dress like their friends’ daughter. Average, yet chic.” Her first job was at H&M, and she would spend her salary on clothes at the end of the month. “There’s nothing wrong with dressing average, but I didn’t like it. I would say I was rebellious, but when it comes to fashion, I was.”
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STYLE SESSIONS WITH YIN FUNG
“A colleague once sent a meme of a slightly older Asian woman looking over-the-top, fabulous, and rich. He told me I looked like her, so I created this description.” ‘Cool’ is the proper adjective here since Fung opposes big logos or eclectic prints. Look at her Instagram page, and you’ll get it.
“Through the years, I’ve become a huge fan of The Row. Their minimalist aesthetic appeals to me, and I love how they prefer quality over trends. Years ago, I would dress very colorful; now, I prefer more toned-down neutrals. However, there’s always a place for an eye-catcher like the bright pink Jil Sander blouse I found on Vinted or my lavender-colored Samsøe Samsøe knit.” However, she doesn’t get it when an eighteen-year-old owns a Chanel bag. “What’s left to long for?”
“YOU CAN NEVER GO WRONG WITH A CLASSIC PAIR OF LEVI’S 501 JEANS.”
Yin Fung
As a fabulous auntie, she indulges in LOW CLASSIC and qualitative pieces. “A classic, slightly oversized wool coat would be a great investment, and I live in my Levi’s 501 jeans. But looking at my wardrobe, I wouldn’t say I stick to one particular style. Some days, I feel like dressing up more than others.” In the end, she doesn’t need much, Fung emphasizes. “I share an IKEA Pax closet with my boyfriend; we have half of it. A large pile of clothes doesn’t appeal to me; it would stress me out. Endlessly combining with the key items is more enjoyable.” The key trick? “I don’t emotionally attach to clothes easily; therefore, I sell and donate a few times a year. There’s one dress I will never get rid of, though. It’s a black Zara dress I never wore, but I wore it to the first date with my boyfriend eight years ago.” You find her other precious items on her fingers: a couple of rings she got for special occasions.
Shopping in Asia is better, Yin thinks. “Compare it to K-Beauty: there’s a lot of choice, the offering is original, and the prices are lower than in Europe. When I visited Hong Kong, I recently discovered a cute Japanese brand and bought a “hairy” sweater. It’s unlike anything I own, making it a great addition to what I already have.” Although she’s never been to Seoul, Fung loves Korean fashion and can only dream of how its inhabitants dress.
“COMPARE ASIAN FASHION TO K-BEAUTY: THERE’S A LOT OF CHOICE, THE OFFERING IS ORIGINAL, AND THE PRICES ARE LOWER THAN IN EUROPE.”
Yin Fung
VINTAGE HUNTING
Fung carries a wishlist on her iPhone, which she updates regularly. “I’ve been doing this for years. I check this list when people ask me what I like for my birthday. I usually only shop for items from my wish list on a city trip. Sometimes, I update the list daily; other times, I only look at it for a few weeks. But it’s always in my pocket, and I recommend everyone do the same.”
Every week, Fung’s followers await her now-famous vintage hauls. Every weekend, she shares the hidden treasures she discovers on the Vinted and Vestiaire Collective platforms. “It started when I stumbled upon a pair of Manu Atelier shoes for a fraction of the original price. They were brand new, perhaps worn once by a content creator. They weren’t my size, but they were too good not to buy. So, I shared them on my Instagram Stories, and people started asking for more.” Her heart skips when an item is sold or followers send thankful messages after buying one of her recommendations. “I love to mindlessly scroll on those platforms without intending to buy anything. Lately, I’ve doubted if I had to go on with it since there’s so much happening in the world. It didn’t feel right to focus on luxury items. Friends told me they love my weekly vintage hunts, which add light to darker times. So, I decided to continue.”
Fung has suggestions for anyone who doesn’t like to wait for her weekly edit. “Always look for brands. Never type in “leather skirt” because you will get thousands of hits, and navigating through those is impossible. Make it more specific, like ‘Reike Nen sandal,’ and include your size. That way, the search results will be more finetuned. On Vestiaire, I insert a brand and type of item I am looking for, and I always check the box “We Love.” It’s a hand-picked selection the Vestiaire Collective team created, and it only shows qualitative items. It saves lots of time and makes the hunt more fun.”
“MY NUMBER ONE ADVICE WOULD BE TO DRESS HOWEVER YOU LIKE. DON’T JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON OF FAST-PACED TRENDS YOU SEE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.”
Yin Fung
She has straightforward advice for anyone searching for a personal style: “Wear whatever you like and feel great in. Don’t jump on the bandwagon of fast-paced trends you see on social media; opt for something that matches your taste instead.” She laughs when asked about trends: “Trends stress me out! Perhaps I unconsciously wear trends, but I don’t like to pay too much attention to them. When I watch a show or visit fashion week, the clothes and the fellow fashion week guests inspire me, instead of trends.” At last, Yin’s ultimate styling hack: “I don’t think I have any. I dress based on my mood, but red lipstick elevates every look.”
