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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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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Linen Love / Fall Refresh 03

Linen is one of my favorite fabrics. Did you know that linen is also really sustainable? If you own anything in linen in cream/beige or natural grey, then chances are it hasm't been dyed and is 100% biodegradable. Not only is it amazing and breathable in the summer, but it also moves so elegantly whether it's in a form of a dress, skirt, or even trousers. Although linen clothing is generally thought of as summer essentials, they're actually perfect for all year round, making them the best for fall transition outfits.

If you've been following me since last April, I picked up this linen skirt to pair with a Zimmermann top and several other travel outfits from there on. Asides from all the photo ops, I generally love just wearing this linen skirt with a simple tee.

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Actually, I'm cheating a little with this outfit as I've already worn something similar to this before, but a sweater and bag swap, and this skirt becomes brand new.

Sweater: Acne Studios
Skirt: Black Crane
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Loewe Puzzle Bag

Photo by Shun S.

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Another Navy / Fall Refresh 02

It’s been quite a rollercoaster of temperamental struggles getting dressed for ‘fall’ these past few days. More so than any other years that I’ve experienced fall in New York so far.

So, despite the 78-degree weather this past weekend, I threw on a few things that I haven’t gotten the chance to wear since last fall/early spring as a continuation of my ‘fall refresh’ series.

It’s safe to say that nothing is more versatile than some really chunky knits. See how I wore this one last April 2016.

Dress: & Other Stories (similar)
Cardigan: Oak + Fort (similar)
Shoes: Aldo (similar)
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini

Photos by Ying C.

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Cycle / Fall Refresh 01

With this idea in my head for quite some time now, a series like this one I'm about to share with you is long overdue. I'm calling this my 'Fall Refresh' series, but really, it's more of a recycling set of posts on how I'm restyling some of my favorite pieces again for this fall.

In the recent months, I've been spending more time reading up on sustainable fashion and reflecting a lot on the differences between sustainability in the various methods that have been advocated with the fashion industry. For me, 100% sustainability is just not realistic or possible at the moment, and it has been something that was really hard to come to terms with. However, I've also figured out that while I can't commit to sustainability fully, I can at least contribute.

One of the ways in which I can support sustainability is by choosing more quality clothing and buying less to avoid getting caught up in fast fashion and creating extra waste when it comes to garments and clothing. Quality clothing is quite subjective and can mean a variety of different things to different people - but for me, quality clothing depends on two factors. One, how much wear I can get out of it and two, how timeless is the piece.

If you caught my #OOTD 101 post earlier this year, you're already familiar with how this works. You'll also know that I've been working really hard at this for the past few years. It's simple. I invest in really quality pieces or pieces that I really like and make sure that I'm able to wear them often to fulfill either or both of the standards in 'quality' clothing that I've set for myself.

For the fall season, I couldn't think of a better piece to kick off this series than with a knit that I got through a collaboration with a sustainable fashion brand, Gudrun & Gudrun. I thought it would be a good starting point, as this was a sweater that I wore at the beginning of this year while I was visiting Kyoto in the cold.

When it comes to sweaters, it can be quite tempting to have as many as possible. I totally get it. They're soft, cozy and comfortable. But for me, I've learned over the years, that no matter how many sweaters I own, there are just a few that I tend to wear over and over again. Keeping this in mind, I'm constantly turning myself away from another black or grey sweaters, and even camel as of late. The trick is to find a really unique one so that it stays fresh and does not collide with trends and easily go out of style. Most importantly, go for a sweater that you just feel good wearing and one that you wouldn't mind wearing over pants, skirts, and any kinds of denim.

I'm a sucker for monochromatic creams and beige when it comes to knitwear in the colder months, so this look is pretty much my first outfit, but for a warmer fall day.

The whole point of this series is basically to show you something that the fashion industry really doesn't highlight on because it could possibly hurt the business aspect of fashion. There aren't many fashion 'bloggers' out there, that I've seen, happily flaunting something that they wore more than once. But I think personal style is different. There are already so many walking mannequins out there that instead of trying to get the latest designer items or the trendiest pieces, it's more important to add value to the money you spend and the time you invest into fashion if you care even just a little.

You can catch this sweater I'm wearing here in a previous post from Kyoto earlier January this year.

Knit: GUÐRUN & GUÐRUN
Skirt: Aritzia
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Givenchy

Photos by Christina L.

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