I don’t think many people in high school considered me to be a “serious” journalist — you know, one of those reporters who covers politics, economics, and secret birthday messengers. Frankly, I didn’t consider myself one either. I enjoyed and still do enjoy writing about art, culture, and fashion; it comes naturally to me and I will defend these genres of reporting to the death. Even last year, when I started college, I became a style beat chief for the Columbia Daily Spectator, the school newspaper, and I co-founded a campus fashion magazine, Hoot, where I serve as Editor in Chief. I have willingly cornered myself into being a fashion writer, and I am very happy as it is.

‘Tis why I was surprised when the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) chose me as a finalist for their 2010 Convention News Project. They pay for my plane tickets and hotel accommodations, as well as provide me with mentors, networking, and training with some of the most talented and passionate Asian American journalists in the country — all while spending a week at the convention in Los Angeles. I Googled some of my fellow finalists — they are all extremely accomplished student journalists, who have written, interned, and taken photographs for national news publications, corporations, and broadcasting stations. How does a girl who finds nothing wrong with writing an ode to a skirt fit in?

I do want to expand beyond my comfortable realm of fashion journalism.  I do want to explore my community, my country, and the world through investigative journalism. I want to raise consciousness about issues, people, communities, and stories that don’t always make the front page. In other words, I want to bring the world closer to home. I loved and excelled in history and government classes in high school — and I don’t see anything wrong with loving some beauty (fashion, art, culture) too.

So, I was dismayed when my editor for the AAJA Convention News Project told me that it is best to dress very conservatively at the convention because that is how investigative journalists for politics, social issues, and economic affairs are expected to dress. Can’t I report on important issues and wear Louboutins? I suppose not.

I panicked at first. Ironically, for all the clothes I do have in my closet, I still don’t even own a business suit. Or “sensible” dress shoes, for that matter — if we must define “sensible” as heels shorter than two inches. I perused through some Theory suits online, but I couldn’t make the $300-a-blazer investment. Indeed, suits are great investments for more conservative jobs, but I have not lost my love for the fashion industry.

I mean, I own blazers and fancy jackets. I own a tailored black Hanii Y blazer with sheer sleeves and puffed shoulders, which fits fantastically. I have a navy blue schoolboy blazer, bought on sale from the boys’ department at Nordstrom for only $40. I own other jackets, in various colors. However, I wouldn’t call of these pieces conservative in a conventional sense. Let’s not talk about shoes.

I will buy a few dark-colored skirts from American Apparel before I head off to the convention; they’re good-quality, comfortable, versatile, and affordable for someone like me, who isn’t sure if she needs to invest in a conservative suit yet. I plan to pair it with tasteful jewelry, my nicest and least flashiest blazers and jackets, and a clean pair of black heels.

Still, the excessive amount of time I have spent thinking about wardrobe for the convention has made me wonder if I could ever compromise fashion for “serious” journalism. I would like to have both substance and style, substantial and frivolous. Perhaps I am asking for too much.