I just want to put this out there: I suck at dressing for the summer. Or rather, I just can't seem to master wearing as little as possible over layering everything I own to make an outfit that weighs just as much as me. Don't get me wrong, I hate the cold, and I'm a natural-born summer baby, but dressing for anything above 90 degrees Fahrenheit aside from a straight-up swimsuit just doesn't even make sense to me.

As you know by now, I'm in Tokyo for another sweltering summer (not that NYC's summer is any less extreme) but being here definitely makes me feel a bit more aware of what I'm wearing and how modest I have to dress. That said, somehow I still find myself in full-length high-waisted denim to cover my midriff from showing thanks to this floral crop top. To further prove my point of how much 'idgaf' about summer dressing, I didn't even bother to shop for summer sandals this year, hence the usual pair of sneakers and my baby blue Loewe.

Fashion talks aside, I'm turning 26 in a day or two and this year more so than ever, I feel more at peace with myself than any other year. As a Leo, one just can't help but approach their birthdays with lots of celebrations and festivities. But for as long as I've been away from New York, some of those mandatory social activities to cue being another year older have been so relieving to not fulfill. I'm looking forward to a quiet dinner with the boyfriend, and a 3 hour long Facetime call with my mom who, (knowing that I'm not home), will still be excited to show me the flower arrangement she has out for me to wish me another happy birthday.

Top: Verge Girl
Pants: Agolde
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Loewe Puzzle Bag

Photo by Shun S.

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Chanel's Favorite Camellia

I'm not sure how long it's been since I last had a full style post on the blog but I hope that this one caught you pleasantly surprised. I recently had the chance of coming back to NYC for a quick two weeks for some industry/work related things. Being away from NYC, meant being away from my core closet so it was nice to have a chance to review clothing I haven't touched in over a year and make some adjustments to it.

For the most part, I've always considered my NYC uniform as being more monochromatic and this white on white look couldn't have been more of testimony for that. Transparently, I have been working with &OtherStories for the past couple of years and was stoked when I saw their latest sustainable capsule that included these linen blends and eco-conscious pieces. By now you're probably already familiar with my efforts in pushing towards a more ethical/sustainable approach to fashion and my latest interview with Dialogue really made me want to solidify that from here on out. Hence, another reason why I was eager to share this look and talk about it.

Along with this look is also a pre-owned Chanel bag that I got a chance to borrow from Rebag while I'm stateside. I've always been hesitant towards buying pre-owned designer things knowing well that it's also another great way of practicing sustainability because I honestly didn't feel that it would be as great of a purchase as having something brand new, and prettily wrapped up.

Maybe being in Tokyo for the past year has really had a great effect on me, but I'm now such a sucker for more novelty pieces and things that are one of a kind. How I thought I would feel, versus how I really felt when I received this velvet camellia Chanel in the mail was such a juxtaposing feeling. Despite being so bold and colorful, I actually feel like it's such a character piece to add to any of my outfits that I've been wearing for the past week or so since having it. This bag is going right back to the team when I leave for Tokyo so feel free to snatch it up!

Top: &Otherstories
Pants: &Otherstories
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Chanel Camellia Compartment Flap Bag Velvet/Leather via Rebag
Accessories: Monica Vinader Diamond Signature Bangle

Photo by Ying C.

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A Little Cold

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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