Light and Lacey

     Today was a sunny and breezy day, thankfully warm and dry rather than hot and humid. It was the perfect chance to wear the lace tunic (or "dress" as Forever 21 deems it) I finally scored after months of hoping that it or the earlier blouse version would find its way onto the Tokyo shelves. It was surprisingly easy to get in and out of... no tightness or pulling even though the lace itself is not really stretchy at all. It's really comfortable and not scratchy, and it's a versatile piece that manages to be both dressy and casual at the same time. I'm even considering wearing it under a tight-waisted skirt as a blouse!

Lace tunic (F21), jeans/jeggings (Zara), accessories (mayglobe and Rope Picnic Japan)

Detail of the lace

"I'd Rather be in Paris" bangle that I found at Rope Picnic here in Tokyo, though it seems to be sold on random online boutiques back in the States as well

     
     The attached slip is a bit annoying, though, the straps sometimes twist and pull awkwardly, but it's just a minor quibble. I may just detach it, actually. And despite it being from F21, it boasts the dreaded "Do Not Wash" label, which I'm debating whether or not to heed. I'm sure if I put the tunic in a protective mesh laundry bag and use a delicates cycle, it will be fine. But since it's such a hard-won piece, I'm a bit hesitant and may just send it to the dry cleaners. If anyone out there has this tunic/blouse, any advice would be most welcome!

Lemon Drop

     Despite the fact that Monday was actually on the cool side and was more cloudy than clear, I decided to wear a very "spring" outfit. I wore my lace skirt that, until now, I had only worn with thick, opaque tights. This time I went bare-legged (well, I wore nude hose, but close enough) and donned my rarely-worn lemon yellow cardigan. I quite liked this outfit, and I really liked the fact that my hair decided to have about double its normal volume. Ever since I started blow drying my hair upside down and using an awesome awapuhi volumizing condition my hair has had a lot more lift, but yesterday was insane. A little more height and it would've crossed the border into Texas hair! Probably was a combination of high humidity and the fact that I'm long overdue for a straight perm/cut, but I'm glad it was more voluminous than frizzy.

Crochet lace skirt (pour la frime Japan). frill neck undershirt (F21), yellow cardi (Japan). accessories (mayglobe Japan)

     Today I  was at home all day, which was lucky for me because we had one hell of a downpour in the middle of the afternoon. Super dark clouds, thunder, pounding rain, the whole deal. Pretty rare for Tokyo; I felt as if I was back in Singapore for a few hours! Of course that means that tomorrow might be muggy, sunny, and hot... I do hope I'm wrong!

Dainty Doily

     When I first started this blog a few months ago, I listed a little ModCloth cardigan on my Wish Lists page. It was pretty expensive for ModCloth, about $60, but I loved it so much I had to have it. Today was the first time I actually wore it (I actually kind of forgot about it) and I have to say, I'm pretty pleased. It's a very short/cropped cardigan, so I don't think I'd ever wear it without a high-waisted pencil skirt, and I wish the sleeves were a bit longer or puffed, but the crochet lace/accordion-pleat ruffle more than makes up for any tiny defects!

Cardigan of Her Dreams (ModCloth), cream turtleneck top (Lowry's Farm Japan), grey pencil skirt (H&M),
accessories (mayglobe Japan)

Afternoon Delight

     Back in the day (not really sure when "the day" actually was, but whatevs) there used to be a clear line between day and evening dress, especially for women. In recent decades, however, that line has been steadily erased, and we now wear most items whenever we feel like it. The color black, for example, used to be reserved for post-work hours, as were open-toed shoes and statement jewellery.
     One of the most recent fashion elements to cross the great divide from night to day is the use of sequins. Sequins (also known as spangles, or, if very large, paillettes) started showing up in daytime wear only a few years ago, and while it's still better to leave that sequined body-con mini dress for a cocktail lounge (or a stripper pole), a few shimmering discs of light-catching plastic can literally brighten your day.
     Yesterday I wore my first fully sequined item of clothing, a little camisole I got ages ago on sale at Forever 21. I liked the bright (but not too deep) coppery color, which reminded me of a fresh new penny, and the sheer non-sequined neckline which made it possible for me to wear my favorite sparkly necklace without looking too over-the-top glittery. Daytime sequins are not really popular in Tokyo yet, but the occasional admiring and interested glances I got from some young women makes me think that it would be warmly embraced here.

Copper sequin top (F21), white cropped cardigan and grey pencil skirt (H&M), cut-glass necklace (mayglobe Japan)

Closeup of the sequins. I wore the cardi unbuttoned at times, but it was a bit too cold for that in the office.

     It was my first time wearing a truly sequined garment, and I quite liked it. I checked out a few shops for similar items, and it seems that J. Crew is the main purveyor of daytime-friendly glimmer:

  
     I especially like the merino-striped sweater on the left. I recently spied it on the ever-stylish Kimmie, and boy, do I want it! It recently went on sale, too, but I still can't justify its (reduced) price of nearly $90. Must...be...strong...

Topshop Part Deux

     Continuing my renewed love affair with Topshop, I decided to go ahead and wear the other piece I had bought along with the billowy blouse from my last post. It was a) a cardigan b) greyish-oatmeal c) featured a peachy coral floral print. Love. And I happened to find a layering tank that was the perfect color to go with it.

Floral print cardigan and peach tank-top (Topshop), wool skirt (H&M), accessories (mayglobe Japan)     

     I really loved this outfit, the skirt was a great base for the cardigan. The only small annoyance was the fact that the cardigan's material was partially angora, which meant that little strands of wool would waft free from time to time. No big deal, but inhaling one of those threads and choking on it mid-sentence, while my eyes watered over? Not fun. But I guess we all suffer for fashion, right?

Billowy in Ginza

     Today was the last of the string of Golden Week holidays here in Japan, and tomorrow it's back to work I go. Normally I spend my Sundays (well, Wednesdays) or any public holidays embowered in my apartment to revel in a day of total sloth-asides and to avoid the hordes of people that descend on every cafe, train station, and shop in the Tokyo area on any given weekend or holiday. But since I already had a day of sloth yesterday, and because the road crews had once again started jack-hammering away at our street, I decided to head out to do a bit of shopping.

     Normally I go shopping in Shinjuku, the most downtown of all of Tokyo's downtowns, home to department store flagships, the metropolitan government offices, my own workplace, and the world's busiest train station. It's convenient and every shop that I frequent has at least one branch there. But though it's easy to shop in Shinjuku, it's not that enjoyable or relaxing. It's near work, it's full of stressed out people running every which way, and it's home to a large population of bums and, well, weirdos. So instead I decided to head a bit further afield to Ginza which, while also crowded, is a much more pleasant place to shop. The streets are much wider and the (mostly rich) people there don't tend to stare rudely at you or try to practice their junior high Engrish on you. Furthermore, the shops in Ginza usually have much better and newer inventory; the Zara there is small, but always has the latest collection, and the H&M there is the best in Tokyo.

East Shinjuku (photo not mine), not yet that crowded

Ginza, at normal crowd level (photo not mine). Look, trees! A VERY rare sight in Tokyo.

    I didn't get anything that exciting, mostly some undershirts and a plain white cardigan for layering, though I did get a very nice leather cosmetics pouch and a red silk dress/top at Zara (which was  bizarrely only $30). I saw this dress/top that I absolutely LOVED at Forever21; it was very non-F21, the print was large and only consisted of 3 colors...more Zara than F21. The problem? The top of the dress was very roomy, but the bottom was super tapered and tight, which caused the lining to bunch up like crazy around the midsection. Shame. Here's a pic of it from F21's US site:

Yeah, it does NOT fit like that in real life. According to the site, the model is 5'10" and wearing a small. If by small they mean a medium that has had the back seam ripped open, then sure!

     Despite the crushing defeat, I was still in a very good mood, enjoying the nice but not too warm weather and my awesome outfit of the day. I wore my go-to Zara skinnies/jeggings, my gray suede sandals, and this fantastic medallion-print blouse from Topshop:

Yes, I took a photo of myself in the fitting room at Zara. 

     It's rare for me to wear something this billowy. I usually wear clothes that are much more body-conscious (but still rather covered up, no spaghetti straps for me, thanks) because, well, I like my body very much. Yeah, I know, we women are not supposed to say that, but whatever, my parents gave me great self-esteem LOL. But I saw this blouse on the "Last Chance to Buy" rack at Topshop two weeks ago and I just needed it. Its base is a soft peachy-salmon, which is probably my favorite clothing color after grey, and the medallion print is just awesome. And while the top is indeed loose and billowy, it still shows the lines of the body enough to avoid the pregnancy effect. 

Close-up of the print

     It was also a sentimental purchase for me, because Topshop always reminds me of the year I spent living in London whilst doing my MA. I lived very close to Oxford Circus and I'd always meet my friends at the iconic Topshop before we headed off to a ridiculously overpriced movie at Leicester Square or a ridiculously cheap meal in Chinatown. Of course, the teeny-tiny Tokyo branch is a far cry from the massive UK stores, but still, I'm glad that I can visit a little piece of London whenever I feel like it.

Farewell to Chunky Knits

     I can no longer deny it, cool weather is officially over here in Tokyo. It's actually warmer than usual for May, which does not bode well for summer... so this week we have been washing and folding away some of our heavier clothing, though of course we'll have to keep some warmer clothes on hand until the June for the random cold days that pepper a Tokyo spring.
     One of those freak days occurred this past weekend; it wasn't even overcast, but it was definitely not spring weather. Not cold enough to wear a coat, but I wore a turtleneck undershirt and a thick, oversized sweater and I didn't sweat a drop. The next day it was much warmer and if I had worn that outfit I would've fainted from heatstroke the moment I stepped out the door. I have a feeling I won't be able to wear such a heavy sweater again, at least not until winter!
     So, adieu, chunky knits! You have served me well.

Blush/white oversized sweater (H&M),  grey turtleneck undershirt (Lowry's Farm Japan), khaki pants (Zara) 

I love the design on the chest/shoulders; it's actually angora wool (unlike the rest of the sweater)