I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced such a warm and comfortable winter so far, splitting my time between New York and Tokyo. I can’t say it doesn’t make me skeptical for the dropping temperatures to come for the coming months -but I don’t want to think about that yet. From what you can see, my outfits are still on autumn tones.

To be quite frank, I don’t generally like colors, especially for outerwear, and green (my least favorite color) too. But I got this olive green coat a couple years ago that I wear on random occasion. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to fully adapt my rotating winter wardrobe to it. The trick is to just keep it neutral and simple. To make it even easier, here are two outfits that look completely different with just a change up of pretty much just accessories and footwear.

Olive Coat: Mute by JL (Mansur Gavriel similar)
Camel Sweater: Aritzia (similar here)
Pants: AGOLDE
Shoes: Similar leather flats
Bag: Mon-Purse

Photo by Hardy T.

Olive Coat: Mute by JL (Mansur Gavriel similar)
Sweater: &Other Stories (turtleneck option)
Pants: AGOLDE
Shoes: Acne Studios Jensen boots
Bag: J.W Anderson Mini Velvet Pierce

Photo by Shun S.

For a more casual look, I switched out the bold matching colored pair of flats with my usual pair of Acne Studios black boots. Looking at this now, I wish I kind of threw on a belt to make it look a bit more polished. Otherwise, this coat works with pretty much everything as long as you got a simple base. I wouldn't mind switching out the fuzzy knit for a turtleneck either.

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One Shearling Jacket, Two Different Outfits

Quite a warm winter I've been experiencing both in Tokyo and New York this year. But that's no excuse not to dress to the fullest- I mean, warmest. I don't know about you, but shearling has always been a winter material that oozes warmth, even if it can get a little bulky.

As much as I love shearling on the inside layers of outerwear, I love it when it's on the outside too. Shearling gives this great illusion of texture that feels cozy, and therefore, warm. Even if you're not into fur, you'll be able to appreciate shearling since it can be worn more casually. See how I'm just wearing this over a soft pink crewneck and a pair of skinny jeans with sneakers?

Shearling Jacket: ASTR The Label (another option)
Top: COS
Pants: J Brand
Shoes: Common Projects
White Bucket Bag: Similar here

Self-Portaits

Shearling Jacket: ASTR The Label (another option)
Top: Old (similar cream knit)
Skirt: Pixie Market
Shoes: OTK Grey Boots (via Amazon)
Bag: Chanel WOC

Photo by Shun S.

You might have already seen this shearling and satin combination before, but one thing I forgot to share about this outfit is that I love how it feels a little dressed up, but not too over the top as well. Something about this moto structure to this shearling jacket that just screams casual cool.

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A Working Formula

It's taken a while, a whole year to be exact. And I finally feel like I've gotten my rhythm back. Quite a journey, now that I look back, on how much I've grown, personally, this year. December has always been a month for reflecting, and this year is no difference.

I look back at my lowest and highest moments, and one thing that those have in common was really, how naive I was. Not necessarily in a bad way, but definitely something I look forward to improving in the future. Don't get me wrong, I think there's a beauty that's attached to living life a little less calculative. There has to be a reason why we adore children's innocent-ness, no?

I always feel like as someone who's always on the brighter side of things, my expectations are always way too high. The formula that I've figured out is just to take it one step at a time. Same with my clothes, tbh.

My wardrobe is an ongoing work in progress. This double-faced coat was bought last year (camel coats are always in), and now I'm layering it over a linen blazer that I wore non-stop all summer.

For the longest, I wanted to have my whole life plan out. Not sure if it's a blame I can put on living in New York. But being there put such a huge pressure of success and time limit on by when those successes are validated by. It' might be a "working" formula for some, but I guess for me, I've figured out that it isn't.

Double Faced Coat: United Arrows, similar here, here
Linen Blazer: JP, similar here
Top: UNIQLO Heattech
Pants: GRLFRND Denim
Shoes: ATP (black and white option)
Bag: meli melo

Self-portraits

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Something Green +Winter Sales Picks

A lot has been happening this month, mostly due to the fact that I've been constantly out and about. It's fun, but exhausting mentally, for me. And that always call for some personal space and time. I've been taking up self-portraiting again now that I'm finally easing into my own neighborhood here in Tokyo. I took these photos right before sundown. Running back and forth between 3-second-per-frame shutters while racing for every last bit of light. The third and fourth photo was definitely taken when a cute Japanese grandma stopped 2 feet away from me waiting for the last shutter of the self-timer to finish going off.

Since I'm getting back into fashion here and there (not that this super casual outfit speaks for it), I wanted to round up a few things I've been eyeing.

It doesn't hurt that there's a ton of sales going on as well.

Hunter Green Sweater: Uniqlo
Top: Uniqlo
Pants: AGOLDE (similar)
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: JW Anderson Velvet Pierce Mini

Self-Portraits

By Retailers

Among my favorite sites to shop at is Shopbop, Matchesfashion, and Net-A-Porter. I love that they offer worldwide shipping and free at certain caps as well. Shopbop at the moment has an amazing sales of up to 25% off with code [ MORE18 ] on full-price and sale items. Below are things that are in my cart as well as things that are currently in my rotating fall/winter wardrobe that might be available for less, especially sweaters.

Shopbop

Net-A-Porter

Matchesfashion

By Price

Sale season is my favorite to shop for basics as well as more accent pieces that I wouldn't gravitate towards (especially when they are still full priced). For the winter, I'll definitely be stocking up on bodysuits and more fitted knit pieces. Some of these basics while on sale can be as low as $50 dollar. And that's pretty much a steal for something such as a pair of denim that you can wear whenever.

With the holiday season in mind, I'll also probably pick up a satin dress or two that's appropriate for layering for holiday/end of year parties and gatherings.

Under 50

Under 250

By Type

If breaking it down like the above isn't helpful for you- hopefully, this is. My essentials for winter and probably even into early Spring will always be a great coat, a versatile pair of shoes, maybe a bag, and foundational pieces for layering.

However, if you were to ask me the one thing I'd get among this list. It'd be the Isabel Marant color-block bomber, just saying.

Coat/Sweaters

Basics

Bag/Shoes

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Shearling Grey

It's that time of the year when dressing like a sheep is highly appreciated. I'm taking advantage of the nice weather we're having in Tokyo to wear something a bit more frilly. Pairing this satin skirt that I've been wearing non-stop underneath a ribbed crewneck to keep the top part of my outfit neutral for the sky-high grey boots on the bottom.

I'm a sucker for all things fluffy, but this shearling jacket was something that I suckered up to get on Amazon fashion since online shopping for US brands is a little of a hassle when I'm in Japan.

Stay warm out there sheepies.

Shearling Jacket: ASTR The Label
Crewneck Sweater: old (new version here)
Satin Skirt: Pixie Market
Shoes: Grey OTK boots
Bag: Chanel
Earrings: Similar

Photo by Shun S.

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Ribbed Wool Sweater Two Ways

I'm not sure if you're sick of seeing me wear this ribbed wool sweater yet, but I don't think I'll probably get tired of throwing this over possibly every kind of bottoms I own when the weather is chilly and I have one of those "I have nothing to wear" moments.

Aside from how chunky and cozy it looks, I personally haven't come across another sweater, which's structure holds up quite like it. I'm speaking from experience since I own the same one in grey that looks just as new (even though it is well over 2 years old and a million times of wear).

Ribbed Wool Sweater: Acne Studios
Pants: GRLFRND Denim
Snake Skin Boots: ATP
Bag: Chanel (vintage options)

Photo by Shun S.

Ribbed Wool Sweater: Acne Studios
Satin Skirt: Pixie Market
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Meli Melo previously worn here

Photo by Shun S.

When it comes to clothes, I love versatility. In this ribbed wool sweater's case, it's how easily it goes from grunge/street when paired with raw-hemmed denim and snakeskin booties, to effortlessly casual and soft with a satin skirt and some usual white sneakers.

Now I'm not saying you should get yourself the same sweater just because I'm showing you that it's probably the only sweater you'll need this winter (and more winters to come). I'm just hoping that you'll keep this in mind when tempted with fast-fashion sweaters that you'll be purchasing that are generally 100% polyester this upcoming winter season. They might be affordable, trendy, and "cute" but they leave a significantly damaging effect on the planet. In case you didn't know, regular polyester is made from petroleum (processing oil). Meaning, the sweaters, shirts, and even scarves that you picked up from any mass retailers last year that you thought you'd wear again this year sitting in the back of your closets now take anywhere from 20 to 200 years to decompose.

That said, a sweater's price tag doesn't really determine its eco-friendliness either. But even if that's not in your interest, polyester isn't even worth your money. Invest in wool, cashmere, or even wool-cashmere blends. It's durable, and will actually keep you warm (which is the whole purpose of a sweater, RIGHT?).

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Aloha

It's a bit late to be sharing a sweater/jacket-less outfit - but I couldn't help but put this one together to document how the Hawaiian craze in Tokyo won me over this summer.

If you know me, you'll know that I've never been big on prints and loud colors. Not really sure if being in Tokyo has anything to do with it but I've been gravitating towards greens and oranges-- colors that I would probably never even think about wearing in the past.

Looking at this outfit, you probably couldn't even tell that green is actually my least favorite color. Haha.

Top: Hawaiian Shirt thrifted (similar here)
Pants: Olive High-waisted Pants Solov
Shoes: Chanel Espadrilles
Bag: Chanel

Photo by Shun S.

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Weekender Whites

For someone as clumsy as me, I don't know why I'm even allowed to wear white - yet somehow, I gravitate towards white pieces no matter the time of year, occasion, or clothing article. What can I say? A girl just gotta have her whites.

Living in New York for so many years, there was a point where I avoided wearing whites on weekdays because I was afraid the messes I collected on my clothes would be too visible in public meetings, office spaces, and pretty much any other forms of social exchange. And plus, there was this other unwritten rule of not being able to wear white after Labor day that I loathed so badly.

Being able to wear white was the pinnacle point of pretty much all of my weekends. A white midi skirt, cropped top, trouser, pointed flats or even a bag- anything that could easily break the mundane spirit of dressing that typical city-chic-uniform that always called for something black.

I'll be the first to admit, although I have always had a thing for whites, never in my dreams could I imagine having a white bag- mostly for its' sake rather than mine. I was always super close to getting one because I feel like it would go with absolutely all of my clothes, and especially breakup the boring dark looks when I can't wear a white blouse or trouser. And now that I have finally found one, I regret not getting it any sooner.

Bag: Meli Melo 'Santina' in White

I received this Meli Melo 'Santina' bucket bag on a Thursday last week and immediately wished that the weekend would come already. I don't know about you but I'm one of those people that can't wait a second before wearing something new (I really can't understand those who has to wait for the right occasion to wear certain things)- so while it was still a weekday, I took this bag out for a spin in my most casual outfit. Judging from the look on my face while going through all of the pictures, I was stoked to finally have a white bag of my own.

Excitements aside, having a white bag was everything that I imagined and more. The bucket bag shape really helps to make the bag modern, yet still sleek and classic- perfect for dressing up, or down. I love that even while I'm wearing a majority of whites in this look, the bag is still able to stand out, making me look forward to pairing it with some upcoming neutral fall looks.

Sweater: COS (similar here)
Pants: Uniqlo
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Meli Melo 'Santina' in White (c/o)

Photo by Shun S.
This post was sponsored by Meli Melo, all opinions are my own.

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