Good Eats

I missed the streamlined urban aesthetic that men in Toronto have.  As seen at Rick's Good Eats in Mississauga, ON.

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Embroidery is back

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Midwest

The most stylish person in the thrift store today...  That looks like a beautiful vintage Coach bag T_T  Also, an interesting multi-tone boot with a practical heel.

As seen at Valley Thrift Store in Dayton, OH.

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Goals of letting go

Since I've been living away from home for the majority of the past 3 years (around some amazing thrift stores, mind you) with a whole other closet to fill, I've accumulated way too many clothes.  Every time I move back it's very clear that I'm stuffing things as efficiently as possible, and still running out of space.  I suppose I don't need 5 different white dresses and 4 grey blazers and 6 different skinny jeans...  Granted, some of it is things I've still kept from high school and even junior high that either I (or my sentimental mom) don't have the heart to throw away.  Sure it's great to have a ton of variety, but it's been equally frustrating with the literal and figurative weight of all these clothes.  I really need to consolidate, especially as I mature and my lifestyle evolves.  So my goal has been to be practical, get rid of pieces that are poorly fitting, that I can't imagine wearing even for fun.  I will save a lot for my younger cousins to eventually inherit but for the most part, a lot must go.

I've been slowly donating to thrift stores and selling through Poshmark and Thredup, revisiting my closet regularly and biting the bullet.  There are a lot of closet clearout videos on Youtube that I play in the background to keep me motivated and objective.  I've been trying to be much more choosy in my thrift purchases - is this in good condition, does it fit right right now or is it worth tailoring, does it make sense in my wardrobe, does it spark my mood when I wear it?  In the future while I'll still go thrifting, I'll also treat myself to higher quality pieces at consignment stores.

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Featured

Thredup featured my Instagram shot on their blog!  #claimtofame hehe

Almost that entire outfit was secondhand: 

Lace top by JCrew Collection (Thredup)

Slim pants by Banana Republic (Thredup)

Shoes by Salvatorre Ferragamo (found at Goodwill for less than $5!)

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Again Thrift

Again Thrift Shop

712 W Division St

Mt Vernon, WA 98273

After all the ridiculous moving in the past couple of months, I stopped having to drive down this one road in town.  In that time, this adorable little vintage shop popped up and I can't believe I just discovered it!  

Again Thrift is a mix of modern and vintage pieces - women's and men's clothing, accessories, furniture, housewares, local artwork - curated to be cute and quirky.  Everything is in great condition, hand selected, and organized, which seems more like a vintage, shop, but the prices are a lot more reasonable than many vintage shops that I've ever been to.  The owner was very sweet and even refurbishes or repurposes some of the items herself.

Loved the 70's vibes and free coffee.

I ended up just having to buy this embroidered burger patch cropped t-shirt (originally by Zara) as a gift for Jenni... but might wear it a little before I see her haha.

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Droptokyo part 3 - Speaking Volumes

I've already mentioned my love of Japanese aesthetic in terms of voluminous structure, but these are really great showcases of how it can really be stunning (and yet wearable) in real life.  One of my favorite captured streetstyle looks from my trip to Korea also featured such drama.  

Here are some from Droptokyo:

Name: Kurumi | くるみ
Occupation: Free Model
Tops: HELK
Pants: JOHN LAWRENCE SULLIVAN
Shoes: Cry.
Accessory: Used

How elegant is this woman?  It takes skilled tailoring to achieve volume like this without looking heavy.

Name: Daiki | ダイキ
Occupation: Hair Stylist (OOO YY)
Jacket: Used
Sweater: UNIQLO
Bottoms: Used
Shoes: VANS

Something as simple as unexpected bagginess (while everything remains crisp) really adds attitude.

Name: SEN | セン
Occupation: Model
Jacket: LOEWE
Shirt: LOEWE
Pants: LOEWE
Shoes: LOEWE

I'm not sure if this counts as volume or just relaxed, but Sen Mitsuji is just good looking so I'll just leave this here anyway ;)

Name: Yuka | ユカ
Occupation: Office Worker
Tops: H&M
Pants: Bershka
Shoes: Balenciaga
Bag: LOEWE
Belt: Polo Ralph Lauren

Whether she works in a creative field or this is her off-day, this is an incredibly bold look!  Definitely not the typical OL-san.

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Droptokyo part 2 - Cult Classics

Sometimes the classics are the most striking.  Love how these looks all have a modern twist - whether it's in length, combination, hair and makeup, accessories, or cut - that definitely keep them from being anything but boring.

Name: Shuhei Uesugi | 上杉柊平
Occupation: Actor (KEN-ON)
Coat: UNIQLO

This blazer coat hits at such an interesting place.  Since the rest of his outfit is completely white it really highlights the sharpness of his outerwear.

Name: Ruka | る鹿
Occupation: Model
Jacket: ROSE BUD
Bag: ROSE BUD
Shoes: Dr.Martens

Styling is so important.  Neckline buttoned up all the way, matching red in the lips and nails = on point.

Name: Ken Morita
Occupation: Model (BARK in STYLe)
Sweater: UNIQLO
Denim pants: A.P.C. 

Rings and earrings are super subtle.  Love the cozy grandpa knit and suave hair.  Hipster style, Tokyo version?

Name: RUKO | るうこ
Occupation: Model
Tops: Acne Studios
Skirt: IRENE
Bag: Bottega Veneta
Shoes: Bottega Veneta

So many ways things can be reinvented.

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Droptokyo part 1 - Muted Magic

Japanese fashion's influence on minimalism is monumental.  I absolutely love voluminous structure inspired by traditional shapes, and the classic combination of varying shades of navy and khaki reminiscent of indigo dye and bamboo.  The simpler some things appear, the more studied and perfected the lines actually are.

Droptokyo features all sorts of streetstyle, and I love how they give you facts such as occupation, so that you can imagine how each person incorporates their style into their normal lives.  It surprises me some of the unique major designer items people own, but they are always incorporated in a subtle, personalized style all their own, and mixed with low, and even second-hand pieces.

Here are some of my favorites in the muted theme:

Name: Saki Shibata | 柴田 紗希
Occupation: Model
Jacket: Yves Sain Laurent
Bottoms: Used
Bottoms: flower
Shoes: Used
Bag: GUCCI

No rules for petites.  Anyone can rock a dramatic hemline.

Name: Rintarou Asari | 浅利琳太郎
Outer: MUJI
Tops: Used
Bottoms: AOKI
Bag: Christopher Nemeth

That white scarf really pops despite the restrained, introverted air.

Name: Suzumi | スズミ
Tops: Used
Bottoms: MUJI
Shoes: JOURNAL STANDARD relume
Bag: ZARA
Hat: Used

Love her use of texture to break up the black, and make her French chic look not at all cliché.

Name: Sho Ono | 小野 匠
Occupation: Actor
Jacket: YANTOR
Tops: YANTOR
Pants: YANTOR
Glasses: Chistian Roth
Hair Salon: vicca

The hues of this look are so rich when combined in layers.  See how large yet streamlined the shape is.

Name: RYUTARO | リュウタロウ
Occupation: Hair stylist (OOO YY)
Jacket: NuGgETS
Setup: yotsuba
Casket: Yohji Yamamoto
Shoes: MIHARAYASUHIRO

A cute, mori ("forest") look.

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27 Dresses

The fashionista in me is cringing at all these proposed bridesmaid dresses...  Who would want to wear an office dress made out of shiny taffeta?  Why do the rest look like soggy caveman chiffon?  Did they really need to add a puffy flower there?  Is this really how I want preserved in someone's photo album forever?

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