Introducing Christine

Christine DeLong is sitting contentedly in the “smallest house” she could find to buy in the tiny town of Alma, Michigan, where she lives with and cares for her hilariously named diabetic dog, Doctor Herbert West. Over the twelve years that the doctor and Christine have been together, they’ve lived in New York City, New Orleans, and Seoul, before settling down and buying this tiny house in Alma, for the express reason that it was so small she could easily decorate it from front to back in its dark green, light pink and gold color scheme. It's still only half-painted, much to her embarrassment.  

Thirty-three years old and a proud Virgo, Christina currently works as a Letter Carrier in her adopted hometown; the latest in a string of different jobs, none of which had anything to do with what she actually studied in college (Chemical Engineering with a second major in Jewish Studies). When we talked about books she told us rather ashamedly that she hadn’t read anything in a long time, but when she did read she always read voraciously, everything from Sartre to the horror manga artist Junji Ito. What she was into has always depended on where she was in her life or where she happened to be in the world at the time, but lately she’s been leaning more towards video games, K-pop, anime, and make-up, which she puts down to “pandemic compensation”. She’s shy and introverted, but the more we talk the more you think she wouldn’t be if you really knew her. And, like all the best Virgos, she likes to organize, plan, and write everything down, all in the little velvet bound monogrammed Virgo journal she proudly shows us, a Christmas gift from her ever-loving friends. 

Let’s start with having you explain your style to us, Christine...

My style has evolved in a lot of different directions to this point. I would. Say that I enjoy experimenting with variety. Pairing together different textures, prints, mixing oversize with form fitting, casual clothes with heels. I buy items that grab my interest without thinking about anything I already own, I just get swept up in the excitement of finding a piece that grabs me. That leaves me getting ready to leave the house trying to create an entire look around whatever piece that I most recently got and making whatever I have work with it. If I don't have a specific item I’m working around, I usually have some sort of concept. I really don't put much thought into dressing for my body type, skin tone, color palette, etc. I would never put an item back at a store because it “wouldn't look good on me” or “isn’t my color,” if I like it, (and I can afford it) I’m buying it.

Would your friends describe your style any differently do you think?

I’ve had friends tell me about items of clothes at stores that they really wanted to buy, but didn’t think they could “pull it off” so they wanted me to know about it because I’ll wear anything. I think my friends would say that I am generally more of a casual dresser than I think I am in my mind, but I think that may be affected by COVID. I think my friends understand that sometimes I’m inspired by something specific, sometimes I’m trying a certain theme and sometimes I’m totally uninspired and just trying to make it work. 

Thinking about your friends, what’s your ‘style/fashion role’ in the group?

I can say that I am honestly they “style leader” in my group of friends and they would, and do, say the same. When it comes to “keeping up” with trends and what’s popular, I would say that I’m the leader in my group, even if I don't really pay much heed to what’s going on.

Who inspires you style-wise?

I think that since I like to experiment with different styles, my friends actually inspire me style-wise all the time. And not just with clothing, but interior design too. Nothing has to just be worn the way that it came or the way it was displayed.

In the public eye, whose style do you admire and are influenced by?

Easy one out of the way: Rihanna. I mean, in high school, my biggest style influence was Brandon Boyd from Incubus until she came along. She’s fearless and she’ll wear anything once. Any item, any concept, any way. She’s always spot on with the theme and the occasion. She can make anything look dressed up or down. I can’t even tell you how many items of clothing I’ve bought because “it looks like something Rihanna would wear.” I find everything about her inspiring down to hair, make-up, accessories. All of it. I feel like even when she misses, she hits.

G Dragon: when I moved to Korea, I was moving to be a “professional” English teacher. I had long, blonde hair and a suitcase full of pencil skirts and “blouses.” And there is nothing wrong with that, BUT then I saw G Dragon (because you can’t live in Seoul and not see him) and I thought, 'Well, I’m chopping my hair and wearing whatever catches my eye. I'd rather take a risk with my style.' I don’t always love his looks, but I love the way that he takes everything he wears and makes it for him and only him. He’s a bit more eclectic than I am in general but the way he takes it all, blends it up and makes it work for only him is very inspiring to me.

Kim Hong-Joong (of Ateez): OK, I tried and tried to think of anyone that wasn’t another K-pop idol, but it’s just where I’m at and I guess I can’t change that. Hong-Joong has been a big inspiration to my accessory collection. He seems pretty fearless, trying anything for the “look.” That may be another thing inspiring me lately: the “look.” It’s a concept that is totally put together for a one-time-only kind of situation. Today, I’m preppy, tomorrow, I’m punk. I look at dressing this way when it’s time to go out. He’ll wear anything for the concept, from asymmetrical skirts layered over pants to a huge stuffed animal as an over-the-shoulder bag that matches his one-piece romper suit and I love that.

If you could ‘steal’ one person [in the public eye’s] closet, whose closet would you steal and why?

I’m going to go with Key from SHINee. He’s known to wear anything (he would be my #4 on the above list) and his closet is literally an entire room in his house. I’ve seen him in casual and formal and I want to have it all. I suppose I might miss some more “feminine” items in my wardrobe, but one of my favorite challenges is taking the clothes that inspire me lately, mostly from male idols, and adapting them to be a bit more feminine.

Where are the other places you’re getting style/fashion influence from?

Magazines are also a big source of inspiration, but online magazines. I don’t subscribe to any magazines at the moment, but I follow lots of them on social media. I really love Dazed Korea, I used to buy that and flip through it for days, even though my Korean is basically non-existent. I also flip through most of the big fashion magazines, but haven’t subscribed in years.

My biggest source of inspiration is music videos. Any genre, any artist I’m in to. It seems that something is always catching my eye, even if it is just the color palette. Some days I will wake up to see a new video from one of my favorite punk bands and by the time I’m dressed, I’ve got combat boots and a leather jacket on. Other times, I see a material or texture combination and the next thing I know, I’m on the internet looking to approximate it.

Where are your three favorite stores to shop in for clothing/apparel?

Shein 

Target

H&M

What is it about these stores that make them your favorite/preferred place to shop?

The truth of the matter is that the only store I get to visit on a regular basis is Target and I am so thankful for their designer collaborations because otherwise, things would be much bleaker. I have to drive an hour or so to visit any other dedicated clothing stores. A big trend locally is boutiques opening up to sell clothing that the owners ordered in bulk from Wish and are selling at a mark up. Is Shein much better? Not necessarily, but I can find more things in my style and size there. Shein is seriously great for someone who isn’t a single digit size on a budget.

Does the experience of those stores matter to you too?

Being an introvert, I enjoy any store that I can walk into and basically be unbothered and unfollowed. That being said,  I do prefer a physical shopping experience over an online one. I suppose for the stores listed above, the experience isn’t my primary, or even secondary motivation. I usually know what I’m looking for, or an approximation, or I just want to browse until something catches my eye.

Going a little more specific, what are your top five favorite brands?

H&M: this is one of the first places that I shopped at on my own, able to choose whatever I wanted and with no outer influence. It was affordable enough for me to be able to buy something and take a risk to see if it would work out.

Marimekko: OK, I don’t *actually* own anything from the brand, proper. I do own a lot of items from their more affordable collaborations. Even the plates and towels. I love a good, loud print that I can dress down, dress up, cover up or just wear it out loud. I remember shortly after I moved to Seoul, I went to Garosugil [famous shopping street]. I passed by the Marimekko storefront and wanted to buy almost everything I saw. I feel like they choose colors that are very bright but also muted a bit, so they aren’t necessarily hard to incorporate into a look.

Adidas: I buy lots of their “quirkier” pieces because they allow me to stand out while fitting in. The Ji Won Choi collaboration track jacket with the strappy harness/fanny pack. The Danielle Cathari track pants that are patchwork with snaps all over. Items that look like the basic Adidas clothes at first glance and something more interesting on further inspection.

What are your top priorities when it comes to buying new items of clothing?

1. Details that stand out (big or small)

2.  Cost

3. Fit

4. Color/pattern

5. Will I wear this more than once and, if not, is it still worth it?

And why do those things matter to you in the order they do?

I don't mean to sound cheap, I definitely spend the majority of my non-bill budget on clothes. But student loans... need I say more? *crying*

I don’t put any stock into ideas like “certain people can’t wear crop tops” or “you should only wear this type of pant for your body type.” I’ll wear any “fit”: long, short, oversize, bodycon... you get it. As long as I think it looks good on my body. It’s hard to articulate my personal criteria, but sometimes I just put something on and think “this looks bad on me.” 

Sometimes I see something that I’m just FEELING right now. Will I ever wear it again? Will I buy this and wear it once and then have to force myself to wear it again? Practically, is that an item worth buying? Or is there some aspect of it that makes it worth it? For example: I recently purchased a formal “prom” type dress with the idea to alter it for more daily wear. Have I worn it or altered it yet? No. But the store was going out of business, I loved the floral print, it was $7 and I’m not always the most responsible decision maker.

How many pairs of shoes, any shoes, do you own?

In my home right now, there are 117 pairs of shoes. I can’t think of the things in storage in my parents basement right now because I’m digging my own grave with some extra heels.

If you had to split them up into categories and write a percentage next to them [what, math!] what would that look like?

Heels - 35%

Sneakers - 25%

Wedges - 10%

Sandals/slip-ons - 20%

Boots - 10%

What type of shoe would we typically find you in, if you there is a ‘typical shoe’ for you?

10 years ago: a heel

Now: a sneaker or sandal

What are the most important things for you when it comes to buying your favorite kind of shoe?

These days, I’ve developed an appreciation for sneakers. I’m looking for something that makes a shoe stand out, maybe the color or shape of the shoe. I usually gravitate to the shoes that people describe as ugly (clothes too actually). For example, my friend sent this pair of shoes on Shein to our group chat because she thought they were so ugly they were funny. They are this gross pink, almost flesh color, chunky and covered in wavy, organic shapes with laces poking off the back. I dubbed them the flesh shoes, bought them and everyone agrees I pull them off. Maybe I like a challenge?

What about your favorite brands for shoes? Who do you always end up going to?

• Vans and adidas for sneakers. 

• Target for impulse buys

• Shein for anything I don’t consider a “staple” item but more of a trend that I might wear only a few times

• I haven’t really bought a pair of heels in a few years, I have pretty much any base there covered from my days in Korea (why did I bring all those shoes back with me?)

Why are these your favorite brands do you think? 

For Vans and adidas, they offer pretty much everything. Iconic shapes and styles. And then those styles in new colorways or prints. As I stated above, I have... plenty of shoes. So I’m trying to limit my intake, especially heels. 

What about your favorite shoe stores, again - on or offline? What makes them your favorite stores?

Unfortunately, all of the physical and dedicated shoe stores in my area have gone out of business. The last places left are sports stores that sell athletic shoes. The only place left where I can walk in and buy a cute, fashionable pair of shoes that isn’t a sneaker is Target. I only buy shoes online now if I see something that really catches my eye.