I missed the streamlined urban aesthetic that men in Toronto have. As seen at Rick's Good Eats in Mississauga, ON.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Friday, September 8, 2017
Sunday, July 16, 2017
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.
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.
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Saturday, May 6, 2017
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!
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.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
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:
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 ;)
Here are some from Droptokyo:
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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 ;)
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| 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.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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?
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| 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.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
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:
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
Monday, January 16, 2017
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?
Friday, December 23, 2016
"Fashion fades, style is eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent
All the sorts of people were there today to view the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at the SAM. YSL has always had a dichotomous image in my head of being either very elegant and proper or very daring and pushing the envelope. Like with any sort of art though, anybody can appreciate the creativity and craftsmanship and history of such a designer, whether or not it's their personal aesthetic.
These were some of my favorite pieces, although there were many more risque, elaborate, fantastical works that YSL was known for. I loved all the mod styles with sleek cuts that just barely frame the figure.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
I never thought I'd say this, but sometimes regular shopping is much more exhausting than thrifting.
The difficult part about retail is that you have to wade through everything - each piece which catches the eye, and could theoretically be a good buy to some degree - and discern what you actually like and what you're actually being tricked into liking. It's harder to pinpoint what pieces are actually special. After a few stores you start recognizing the same trends and wonder whether you should've bought it from this place instead of that one, whether it really makes a difference that this brand put an extra ruffle here. When they don't carry your size, you try to convince yourself that either you can squeeze into the smaller one or make it work with the bigger one. And of course, there's the eternal struggle of "Do I really like it thi$ much"?
The difficult part about retail is that you have to wade through everything - each piece which catches the eye, and could theoretically be a good buy to some degree - and discern what you actually like and what you're actually being tricked into liking. It's harder to pinpoint what pieces are actually special. After a few stores you start recognizing the same trends and wonder whether you should've bought it from this place instead of that one, whether it really makes a difference that this brand put an extra ruffle here. When they don't carry your size, you try to convince yourself that either you can squeeze into the smaller one or make it work with the bigger one. And of course, there's the eternal struggle of "Do I really like it thi$ much"?
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Article by Connie Wang
*applauds*
But seriously though, I thought I was the only one who felt shame about emphasizing that I was Asian. Going through the racks in the thrift store to see beautiful qipaos discarded and then picked up as Halloween costumes or "boho" styles... And worse, knowing that different traditional fashions are "cooler" than others. I hope I'll have the guts one day to don my culture one day.
And here’s something that’s worth bringing up: Cultural appropriation has made it so a blonde, white woman who doesn't know her chopsticks from her hair accessories will always look “cute” in a cheongsam, and an Asian woman will look like she’s dressed in a costume. That was definitely how things were in the ‘90s, and is often the case today. But, to my surprise, I’ve also found hopeful signs that we are moving in a new, more informed direction. These days, when I encounter non-Asian people wearing Asian trends, oftentimes they’re from trips they took to abroad. They know the origins of these garments and are interested to learn more. I’m biased, but I’ve always found that these clothes are objectively beautiful, too; the silhouettes are striking, and the patterns hit that mix between eclectic and elegant that I’ve always been drawn to. I'm willing to share, but to do that, I need to have ownership of these trends, too. They’re rooted in a history that feels real and tangible to me. In my mind, Woodstock will always evoke technicolor snapshots from Lifemagazine; Audrey Hepburn’s LBD will always conjure scenes from the movie — those are my adopted cultural story. But a jade earring is my mother and my grandmother and my aunts and my cousin; it comes from the same place I do, and it's part of the narrative I was born into.
But seriously though, I thought I was the only one who felt shame about emphasizing that I was Asian. Going through the racks in the thrift store to see beautiful qipaos discarded and then picked up as Halloween costumes or "boho" styles... And worse, knowing that different traditional fashions are "cooler" than others. I hope I'll have the guts one day to don my culture one day.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Monday, August 1, 2016
So awesome - at Wise Buys thrift store in Bellingham, they were selling recycled jewelry handmade by local high school students. Each piece had tag of the student's name on it; how great a teaching opportunity, to give them that sense of pride in creating a product! Some of these look very JCrew inspired and most people would never guess they were made from pieces of old broken jewelry. I almost bought one of the thin chained, single-pendant clear rhinestone necklaces on the chalkboard.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
The culottes trend has slowly grown on me; they're not quite gauchos (*shudder*) but wider throughout and generally more structured and voluminous... therefore somehow more flattering than the bell flare of gauchos. Maybe I'll shudder at culottes in 10 years too, but so it is with trends. Since this one is fairly difficult to pull off and style, I didn't want to spend too much money.
I found these very long, high-waisted, wide-legged pants (that came with a belt) at Goodwill for $2, and simply cut off about 10" from the bottom and finished with an invisible hem. It was difficult deciding just where to crop them - culottes come in all sorts of lengths nowadays from more of a shorts style to just above the ankle - but there's enough room for me to take them lower or higher it in the future if I want a change.
They're fun to wear, and as you can imagine, super comfortable.
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