"Instyle, Vivi Style!" It has been a long time since I have picked up a Vivi Magazine since I have had neither the time nor the need (hey, I used to wear suits to work). Now I'm facing an interesting quandry that I have never faced before in my working world days: What do I wear to work if it's not a suit? And Vivi Magazine is one of the resources I consulted. For those interested, Vivi Magazine is a leading women's glossy fashion magazine published in Japan about clothes, make-up, and accessories. It is often a predictor of new trends as it is published 1 month (or two if you're willing to pay for air shipping) ahead. What makes Vivi special is that it's an easily recognizable magazine among the others and heavily endorsed by US stars (Paris is in October's, J. Lo is in September's, and SJP does ads for them). I bookmark a couple of pages and start researching Yelp to find specialty boutiques to find "forward Asian fashion." And to my dismay, there is a complete dearth of Asian-inspired clothes stores on Yelp. So, what does a good Yelper do? Start her own boutique tour of Chinese Oz!!!!!!! Today I visited Instyle which sits catty corner to a furniture store on Garfield and Valley. Their store windows always look good on a drive by. Some hints: Yes, you can park in front of the store even though it says 24 min parking, No, do not park in the furniture store lot since it costs $10 to park there. You can tell how much furniture I will buy from there. Yes, there is no sign but the building says "Deco" At first glance, I was excited to find a lot of the fashion style in Vivi at 50% off (it was a huge sale). All the dresses, shirts, pants, and accessories are definitely culturally Asian-inspired with beautiful sateens, silks, and froth. Even the tags and price tags show they are from China.... So, how do you filter what is way too "Fob Japanese Lolita punk crazy weirdness" and what is decent? Don't worry, because I actually looked at every single garment in that store!!! Half the party dresses are tailored beautifully, nothing frothy looks good, forget the capri's, bypass the vests, the mni's (unless you like white jean mini's with 500 mirrors pasted on them), and the garish bags. The real stand outs are the pencil skirts (resemble Dior, Chanel, and J Crew) and the satin party jackets (quarter sleeves, graceful collars, and delicate embellishment). I almost died when I couldn't get my bum to fit into all those skirts....Don't steal my skirts!!!!!!!!! As for sizing, it is "Hong Kong sized" so I would try on everything there. Anne is very helpful in making sure you get to try on everything but it is weird to have her kinda follow me around. Clothes here are of a much higher quality than Forever 21 (or similar) with a style similar to H&M, without all those sporty things. Actually, it does remind me of a nice boutique. Although, I did notice that there are small imperfections everywhere which I thought was their specialty (it's not, I asked). With such forward styles and decent fabrics, I think the prices are good but only during their 50% off sale (almost everything in the store). They even took off 50% off a skirt that I really wanted although it was full price since the zipper broke. Some Insider Tips: 1. Anne is really helpful. She's new but she did happen to mention to me that people who pay with cash are given the "Asian Discount." I don't want to get them into trouble but if you are reading this, I estimate there is a 80% probability you know exactly what I am talking about. 2. Stuff with broken zippers can be negotiated for a good price. 3. There really is only 1 of every size which is basically size 4-6 (or smaller). So if you like something, buy it. 4. Cantonese speakers are treated better. Most of all, I really like the cute reusable tote they package your clothes in with a pink bow. Super cute!!!!! It wont replace my Yelp tote, but it will fit in with my Vivi outfit. read more

hehe - another yelper said, "place is really cool if you love fobby asian clothes" It's TRUE. The saleslady even came up to me and said, "I'll give you a 30% discount on that!" *points at shoes I was looking at as I hesitantly look at it*.... there I am thinking, "I AM IN CHINA AGAIN!" LOL! That was only after I started talking to her in Chinese though. I'm no longer sure what the prices of everything is after her discount exclamation - but most clothes were in there were tagged within the $30 range (dresses, pants, sweaters). They carry some really quirky harajuku accessories - which I really liked. Oh, and alterations - they do alterations - apparently $3-$5 / alteration. I asked her how much it'd be to make a dress smaller - she said $3. WAH!? Whoa. Anyhow...nice place. Not really my style but.... it was fun being in there minus the saleslady following you around. Bring your haggling skillz. read more

I just went shopping there today during their 50% off end of season sale and I'm absolutely in love with their choices. You definitely have to look to find gems but what you do find is of higher quality than forever21 or H&M for the same prices. I bought most of my tops and dresses for $10-15. I would definitely only go shopping here when they have the 50% off sale since original prices are a bit expensive. Their clothing is definitely unique in comparison to items you'll find at the mall. So if you love asian fashion definitely give this place a try and also try to ask if an item is on sale if you do even if its regular priced they'll give you a discount. Also, as others have mentioned their isnt a wide selection of sizes. read more

well, this place will be really cool for you if you love fobby and asian clothes(like me. xD) well, i never looked through this store, cuz everything is really pricey, compared to the one thet have near 168 market. what i really didnt like about the place was that the last time i went in with my friend, the lady was following us around and looking at us as if we were going to steal something and it pissed me off. read more

I just shopped here today, for the very first time. I got some gorgeous 100%silk blouses & a pencil skirt for 50% off and i'm absolutely thrilled about it. you'll need to look through everything there to find some good ones, but when you do, i'm sure you'll be just as happy as me :) Though there are some good finds if you look hard enough, most of the clothes in there would be bit too fobby to wear to work/school. (I think) Service was good, in sense that they were right there to take piles of clothes I chose to try on and reserving the dressing area. but as I heard them praising every single person coming out of it with whatever they have on, I wouldn't be quick to trust their appraisal on how good the garment looks on you. The only real complaints I have for this place is that they really don't have very many sizes/selection. They literally have like ONE skirt in S and black, ONE in L, ONE in grey and M...etc. I did love many other pencil skirts and would've liked to buy more if they had more sizes that'd fit me :( for example, I found their M's pretty well fitting to my body, though some were bit too tight around my butt. the one that I couldn't really fit in, they didn't have a L on that design for me to try. Another skirt I found was really cute but they only had one S and one L available -- which neither of them fit me very well -_-... anyways...that's it I guess. overall, I'm very happy with my purchases :) read more