If you're following me on Instagram, then you'll already know that I recently took a quick trip outside of Tokyo's center to a prefecture that's a little colder than where I am, Gunma. And quite frankly, to find a reason to dress appropriately for winter, just this once.

Living in New York and experiencing some of the worst winters of my entire life for the past 15 years or so, it just didn't feel quite right with the mild one that I've had in Tokyo last/this year. Upon landing in the middle of nowhere on a mountain full of fluffy patches of snow, my heart started to race as if I have always genuinely never been bothered by the cold. And of course, instead of taking really beautiful photos by them, my eyes automatically gravitated towards these big yellow tractor looking trucks meant for clearing snowy roads. For what it's worth, I thought that my purple puffer jacket looked pretty cool against them.

In my previous post, I mentioned trying to break in these platforms Dr. Marten for the past couple of weeks or so - and I'm so glad I did before I took them out to walk around this snowy place. I was pleasantly surprised by how sturdy they feel, and how warm they are too. Definitely, an investment for future winters to come (you can get them now on sale at Shopbop since the 'GOBIG19' sale have been extended until 3/4.)

Coat: Free People
Black Sweater: Similar here
Pants: AGOLDE
Shoes: Dr. Marten 'Jadon'
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

Photo by Shun S.

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No Grey Days

It's a little weird to say this, but can construction even be called an aesthetic? If so, I really think that it suits me. I think I've written something about this a while back, but it really does make me feel like I'm in my zone whenever I pass by an interesting scaffolding situation. At a glance, you might think that this was probably photoshopped to be Tiffany blue, but this is what the scene looked like when I stopped my boyfriend for a quick shot when I saw this site.

Without taking too long, I realized that this set up went perfectly with my shearling and neutral outfit and a pop of blue. I was recently sent these pair of 'Day Boots' from Everlane's new collection, and in love is quite an understatement. Between juggling breaking into my new Jadon platform Dr. Martens and thick socks, my feet were at ease to be snug in a warm, yet light pair of boots, for a quick change. Hence the title, 'No Grey Days'.

Coat: ASTR the Label via Shopbop (on sale)
Top: Everlane (c/o)
Pants: GRLFRND Denim
Shoes: Everlane (c/o)
Bag: Loewe Puzzle Bag (Stone Blue)

Photo by Shun S.

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Olive Green

I hope you guys aren’t sick of this olive green coat yet - because I sure am…NOT. I haven’t been able to shop for a while, or more honestly, been in the mood to shop. I don’t know about you guys, but clothes haven’t been all that interesting as of late. Everything is way too overpriced, mainstream trends are supersaturated. I feel like I should be giving in to low-rise skinny jeans now after seeing 20 articles about it this week. I don’t know. Maybe I just haven’t realized it until now, but fashion can be quite pushy on the making-a-sales-quick kind of end?

Someone recently asked me what my style is, or how did I find my style via Instagram, and I honestly didn’t even know what my answer to that would be. I don’t even know if anyone’s style is even distinct from anyone’s anymore like it was back in 2008.

So I simply left my answer at: "I guess my style is just wearing the same things over and over again in various ways".

Olive Green Coat: Mute by JL (similar Mansur Gavriel)
Speckled Sweater: Moon River
Pants: Uniqlo (similar)
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler

Self-portraits

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Navy on Navy

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.

Coat: Maison Margiela (similar)
Navy Turtleneck: Tularosa (similar camel/white option)
Pants: AGOLDE
Shoes: Acne Studios
Bag: Céline

Self-timered

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Olive Coat Two Ways

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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