I might have possibly jinxed the warm winter thing... because when I was taking these photos, I was freezing. Anyone else here just gets super cold and feet while the rest of their body stays relatively warm? I mean, it could be because I was pretty much wrapped in a cashmere blanket of a coat, but yeah.
It's been a while since I got to try out some self-timering out. Being back in Tokyo just somehow puts me back in my comfort zone. That said, this is an outfit that you'll probably see me wear 3x a week if you somehow ran into me M-F. How does one go wrong with turtlenecks tucked into some loose fitting jeans that are perfect for another layer of tights under?
In any case, if you're looking to stock up on some winter essentials, I can't tell you any other place than Uniqlo and Shopbop.
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 Gavrielsimilar)
Camel Sweater: Aritzia (similar here)
Pants: AGOLDE
Shoes: Similar leather flats
Bag: Mon-Purse
Photo by Hardy T.
Olive Coat: Mute by JL (Mansur Gavrielsimilar)
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 Studiosblack 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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?).
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.
