Siblings' fashion sense focuses on simplicity

Siblings' fashion sense focuses on simplicity

The good-looking Kheng siblings are on a roll.

Benjamin, 25, and Narelle, 22 - half of local band The Sam Willows - have embarked on hosting and acting careers, while their band recently topped the local iTunes chart with the single, Take Heart.

Tonight, they will be performing at the opening ceremony of the SEA Games.

And, it is not just about their looks and talent, they also have style to match.

Benjamin, a Fly Entertainment artist, said he developed his sense of fashion only recently.

He said: "Up until (I was about 20 years old), I had a pretty disastrous idea of colour and texture matching."

FASHION CRITIC

Fortunately, his sister came to the rescue.

"Narelle is brutal when it comes to critiquing my fashion sense. She doesn't hold back."

Narelle agreed: "I'm always very frank with everyone that I'm close to. If I think it's weird, I'm just going to laugh at you openly."

But she stressed: "Ben has great fashion sense. It's simple but its always very nicely put together."

For her, style came at the age of 14.

"My fashion sense keeps changing according to trends or my daily moods. But I do love browsing fashion and style accounts on Instagram just to steal ideas and stuff."

Although they are stylish, the Khengs said they do not splurge on clothes.

Benjamin said: "I'm always on the lookout for the most affordable article of clothing that looks decent. I don't need any luxury items at this point in my life."

Narelle added: "I wouldn't pay a lot for an outfit at all, not above $300."

And while Benjamin admits to splurging on shoes and hats, he will never spend big bucks on underwear.

"(Shoes and hats) are the two things which scream their price range and quality from a mile away.

"Comfort isn't pricey. I don't need my pelvis to be wrapped in silk."


 

SENTIMENTAL KHENG

Benjamin's Lowry's Farm jacket has a lot of sentimental value.

"I got this en route to The Sam Willows' North American tour. It ended up becoming one of my favourite trips. It served me well, and is my go-to piece when I travel," he said.

Narelle's pick is a Cotton On tank top she has worn since she was 13. "I feel the most free and comfortable in this," she said.


 

SPORTS KHENG

For 12 years, Benjamin was a competitive swimmer.

His favourite sports outfit is a dri-fit shirt he used to wear for land training. He added: "The compression leggings are actually a pair of competitive swimming leg-skins that I used to wear for races, but now serve as pretty decent muscle wraps."

Narelle's pick: A Vivre Activewear top, a pair of Lululemon tights and Nike shoes."I don't have many sports outfits," she declared.


 

TRUE KHENG

When asked to pick an outfit that would reflect their style, the Khengs sport very different looks.

Narelle's pick is more casual: A tank top from blogshop Love & Bravery, shirt from Topshop and shorts from Hong Kong brand b+ab.

"Style is whatever I feel confident in," she said.

Benjamin's choice is more dressy. He picked a tailored suit blazer (from local label Mr. Gentleman), Topman's spray-on skinny jeans and a pair of brogues.

For him, style is "knowing what you want to wear, and being confident and at peace with it".


 

STAGE KHENG

The stage outfit Narelle chose - a top from American label Wet Seal, a Topshop skirt and H&M boots - represents her stage self.

"It's bold enough yet still slightly casual with a little bit of character," she said.

Benjamin keeps it simple on stage. 

He said he wears a "simple cotton T-shirt and denim jeans which allow for maximum comfort and style at the same time". "The scarf breaks the silhouette just enough," he added.


This article was first published on June 5, 2015.
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