More Japan Fashion - Streets of Tokyo

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I finally am getting a chance to get my photos together of the street style I spotted in Tokyo.  Like I had mentioned, the fashion and styles in Japan are quite different from us in the western hemisphere- cute, daring, eclectic.  The looks are distinct but with a broad range, from Harajuku doll to traditional geisha to goth girl.  Some styles are quite obvious and some just show hints of inspiration from within their culture.  Seeing all of the trends that fill the streets on the other side of the world is so inspiring, and also a reminder to me of how small we are.  This is just another one of the many reasons I love traveling.  For the times when we get caught in the hectic schedule that life becomes, stressed about daily worries, for when we start to forget the bigger picture.  When I travel, I am reminded that my activities back home in my world, as important as they are to me, are not the center of the universe.  Traveling always gives me a refreshing and welcome change in perspective that we all need every now and then.

Do you travel? If so, what is your favorite part about it?  If not, how else can I convince you to? 

 

 

 

Vacation Look 3 + Colors of the Old City

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Romper - Topshop (similar here)//Belt - H&M//Sandals - Sam Edelman

Kyoto is the old city of Japan.  As soon as you arrive here, you immediately feel the sense of peace and calm that envelopes this city.  The centuries of history that are embedded in these grounds are palpable.  It is a place where you can get in touch with old Japan, and all of its forests and temples.  The surroundings narrate visual stories of a strong culture, rich with colorful art and beautifully crafted materials, and I wanted to share some of its beauty with you.
 

This romper is one of my old favorites, not only because of it's versatility, but also because I remember exactly when I bought it- the day Topshop came to the US and opened right here in NYC.  For that reason it's got a special place in my heart.  It's an easy piece to throw on for travel, and can be worn throughout the summer to city rooftop parties or more casual barbecues.  I'll usually belt it, which is necessary with a piece that's both loose-fitting and all print, in order to break things up and keep from looking frumpy.  

Do you have an old favorite that you like to wear all summer?

Tough Chic

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Top - American Apparel//Skirt - Priory of Ten//Shoes - Michael Kors

A good leather skirt can make you feel tough and sexy all at the same time.  This Priory of Ten skirt has a slim & sexy fit but the flattering midi length keeps it from feeling overly provocative.  And I love that it has a slit in the back to allow for free movement.  Skirts and dresses that are so fitted that they limit your movement can be one of the most uncomfortable things in a women's wardrobe experience.  
The AA tri-blend tanks is a basic piece that I keep in constant rotation.  It goes with everything, and is the perfect casual top to balance out a leather skirt - because let's be honest, that skirt is demanding attention that is not intended to be shared with anything other than an easy fitting top.
The shoes were a score from a Scoop sale, and a great find! The thick middle strap has some stretch so the shoes are much more comfortable than they look.  Such a great trick.

By the way, the skirt is not available yet on the Priory of Ten site, but you can get it from the CreamStyle app.  Just click on my look, and you'll see it there, along with many of my other outfits.  You can also check out lots of other blogger looks there.

Stay cool, friends.

 

Not-So-Mellow Yellow

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Dress - Alexander Wang//Bag - H&M

I wish I had more time in Osaka.  It's the largest shopping mecca I've even seen in my life.  It's always fascinating and humbling when you think you've seen quite a bit, and then you experience something entirely new and different in this world that blows you away.  In Osaka there are outdoor markets, underground shops, multiple malls connected to the markets, and entire districts dedicated to shopping of all categories.  In between, there are tons of food stalls and eateries.  High end, low end, trendy boutiques, electronics- the amount of shopping is literally endless.  Take whatever you are imagining and multiply it by 50, then add 100.

Among some of the trends in Japan, cute hair accessories are quite popular.  One girly shop after another is filled with headbands, headscarves and lots of bows and frilly adornments.  I couldn't resist this adorable lemon pattern, which I plan to be wearing frequently this summer to brighten any outfit, such as this simple travel look.  The jersey dress is easy to throw-on-and-go, and also makes for quick changing when I'm trying on new threads to take back home with me.

I found this bright yellow wall while wandering the streets, and had to take advantage of it, especially with the lemons on my head.  Who said yellow had to be mellow?

Welcome to Japan

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Konnichiwa, from Japan! I have been traveling around the land of the rising sun for my very first time, and this place is just magical.  It's another world in so many ways, it's hard to find a place to begin.  Why not start with the street style?  As soon as I arrived here, I could see the colorful, light, and animated character in everything- their environment, their personalities, and especially the way they dress.  The biggest compliment you can get is for someone to tell you that you are "kawaii".  The word means "cute", and cute is big in Japan.  Basically they substitute the word for everything that we would describe as "cool", "awesome", or "beautiful".  Check out some of my first shots of Japan street style below.  These photos are from Kyoto, the old city, where people are a bit more conservative and traditional, wearing many pale neutrals and flat shoes and wedges, but still cute, or "kawaii".

Top - H&M//Shorts - Rag&bone//Sneakers - Converse
Tote - Lowry's Farm

I tend to keep my travel style basic, as I am always doing tons of walking, especially when I am going out to sites in a place like an old city.  The sheer tank helps me stay cool in this hot and humid climate.  And sneakers are an obvious choice for me to prepare for climbing many temple steps and walking many streets.  Though I often see girls in heels at the sites; I don't know how they do it.

The tote was a gift-with-purchase from a popular clothing store here in Japan.  More on that later.

Another thing I love about this place is the abundance of beautiful and exotic looking flowers everywhere, lining the streets, outside small shops, even on busy roads where you wouldn't expect it.  Some are intoxicatingly fragrant and just add to the senses which cumulatively are almost overwhelming to take in all at once.  Yet they complete the experience and bring to you the happy peacefulness that is Japan.

More to come.  Stay tuned!