Jul 18, 2010 | Fashion
I’m sure you’re all just dying to know, right??!;-)
The top twelve trends that I’ve noticed out and about in Tokyo, mostly in the Shibuya and Harajuku areas:
1. Boater Hats
The summer sun is fierce once the rainy season ends in mid-July, and many girls add hats to their ensembles just to ward off its rays. The shape this year? The cute retro-style straw boater, often worn akilter on the head.
2. Scarves as Headgear
Sweet and 70’s-ish, scarves as headgear have made a major comeback. Many scarves are also sold with flexible wire in them so you can stand the ends up like pseudo- rabbit ears, kind of a more ladylike version of that crazy Louis Vuitton-fueled trend that looks unfortunately dubious even on 16-year-olds.
3. Flowered Maxi-Rompers
It almost sounds as if those three words strung together will cause a worldwide cataclysm, but yes, tiny flower prints (think of the good ole days of 90210 the ORIGINAL) paired with flowing, full-length jumpsuit shapes are all over the place. There are also flowered dresses and blouses in similar patterns, and jumpsuits in more subdued hues (I have to admit I finally caved in and picked myself up one in black) to be found all over the place – it’s just these particular reincarnation of that 70’s staple seem to be everywhere.
4. Basket Bags
Going along with the neo-hippie-bohemian-flower-child-vibe is the wicker handbag, in all varieties of shapes, sizes, and sporting all sorts of accoutrements, be it silk flowers, cascading streams of pompons and lace, or chic leather and hardware.
from beauty-box.jp – tons of recent Japanese hairstyles there if you want to check it out!
5. Shoulder-Length Bob with Thick Bangs
This trend has been going strong for about a year, and it definitely lends a childlike innocence to those who wear it. Now that summer’s here apparently the “new NEW” thing to do is create a small side part in the thick bangs.
6. Leather and Suede Gladiator-Style Sandals
But softer and more feminine than last year’s tough chic version, in brown and taupe and gray and black, with understated studding, fringe, or ankle-wraps.
7. Gel Nails
Now with acrylic nail sculpture a thing of the past, everybody whose anybody is doing gels. And not just CALgels! I got mine done with a state-of-the-art technique that does not use UV light to harden the gel, but instead uses LED light – and it lasts up to 4 weeks! (I chose not to have my nails lengthened by building up the gel layers, which I was originally planning on doing. If the gels extend beyond your natural nails they only have about a 2-3 week staying power.) Right now lame (lah-meh) glitter powder mixed in with the gel and applied to the tips of the nails, in multiple layers, is really popular, and it looks fabulous even as your nails grow out. The shine, glitter, and gloss of my nails is unending!
8. Cropped T-Shirts
Everything’s coming up mini here – with many girls opting to wear their shrunken-length, loose-fit tees atop maxi dresses and the aforementioned flowered jumpsuits.
9. Striped Maxi Dresses
Stripes are so big this year – and dresses in as many ways as you can fathom to make over the striped maxi dress are everywhere.
10. Lace Vests
Bohemian and feminine, these vests I’ve spotted on everyone from teenagers to sophisticated 40-somethings lunching at swanky eateries in the Ebisu district. They’re a soft and lightweight cover-up during the hottest months here.
11. Braided Hair Headbands
Many are soft and flexible braids of fake hair with an elastic at the back; some also on top of a rigid headband. Adds a sweet flower child aesthetic to every ensemble.
12. Mickey Mouse T-Shirts
Following in the steps of L.A. brands Fred Segal and Joyrich, many Japanese brands have also collaborated with the animated icon to print t-shirts. Since we were going to Disneyland, I planned to buy one there…until I was put off by the crowds and the prices and ended up buying one that was even better than those sold at Disneyland for a mere ¥1500 ($16) from UniQLO (above).
And of course, black leggings under everything from shorts to dresses to miniskirts, arm-covers to ward off the persistent UV rays, earrings with clear nylon posts for sensitive ears (a common complaint here), false eyelashes, high heels worn everywhere (even Disneyland- eek!!), and frilly bloomers under tunics on the younger crowd are all still going strong.
xoxox
Carly
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Jun 27, 2010 | Fashion
Hi katarina-thank you for your kind words. I will be adding one final tutorial tonight and then be taking a break from Threadbanger since I’ll be on vacation. I’ll still be doing tutorials for my own blog in the meantime, though!
Thanks so much for reading:-)
xoxox
Carly
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May 26, 2010 | Fashion
Whatever you do, there will always be detractors from it.
Whatever you say, there will always be disagreements with it.
More often than not, positive reinforcement comes less often than negativity.
Do not let that bring you down. (May times, you are your most vicious critic!)
Though you may not always hear it, there will be people who appreciate what you say.
Though you may not always know it, there will be someone who benefits from what you do.
Do not give up. Do not let self-doubt lead you to believe no one cares. Do not believe your writing, posting, sharing falls on deaf ears.
They do not. You are a contributor. You are valued. It is the journey that many share, each and every day.
To all those whose blogs I read but have never commented on, to all those whose thoughts I benefit from, whose words remain with me, whose art inspires me. To all those whom I have never expressed my gratitude.
Thank you.
xoxxo
Carly
all images via ffffound! except last img from here
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May 13, 2010 | Fashion
(Spiegel Signature Two-Way Stretch Ruffle Collar Jacket, QoJelly draped convertible chiffon top, oxidized jigsaw puzzle necklace from Japan, unknown crepe convertible skirt I got at Sears (!), DIY sheer black pantyhose, Forever 21 wedge heel booties, Forever 21 rhinestone bracelet, unknown skull-studded white leather bag I got in Honolulu, Forever 21 hammered silver armor ring, Cartier & Tiffany wedding rings)
The weather’s warming up here, Spring is giving way to Summer, but mornings are still nippy and prone to showers. I’m loving layers and lightweight tights at the moment (perhaps also wanting some physical protection from continuous employment rejection? Ack, who knows.).
What I wore to yet another networking event on Saturday. Got tons of useful information and met lots of people, and have since been on a whirlwind personal quest to fix up my webpages(s) and get some professional-looking artistic presence out there on the WWW. (Can’t believe I was desperately trying to get Blogger to post my files via FTP to my webhost and wondering why all the FAQs and how-tos on doing this had screenshots of a screen that didn’t exist in the Blogger interface…and then finally found it I was trying to do this May 2: the day AFTER Blogger discontinued their FTP functionality. Hello, Blogger – what’s wrong with you???!!! And my current hosting svc. doesn’t allow domain CNAME editing – which is Blogger’s “quick fix” to the “we no use no stinkin’ ftps no more” standpoint – AND my webhost’s PHP Elefante scripts aren’t compatible with Blogger’s platform. Arrrrrrrrghhhhh. And to the jerk who bought www.ChicSteals.com a year ago and paid for the name registration up until 2011: better watch yo back. Remember the days when there was no such thing as the Internet? I don’t understand why it needs to be this complicated. Anyways.)
Just about all the pieces in this look are convertible – I just love multifunctionality!
I saw this ruffle-collar jacket on Spiegel.com, of all places – and fell on love. Upon receiving the size 6 I found it cut too generously in the body, so I moved the button further to nearto the side seam to make it fit tighter. The collar’s cool and chic in a Rick Owens-sort-of-looseness – it looks great as a piece in a work wardrobe but can do just as well in a casual sort of look, like here – it’s lightweight, so it works for warm weather too – and the best part is that it was only $49! (hmmm. technically its shape isn’t quite Rick Owens…the sleeve seams need to be set further in at the shoulders…or the sleeve needs to be thinner just below the sleeve cap…ohwell, yadowhatchacan.)
The top has two layers of chiffon – the bottom on two drawstrings so that you can customize the look and the fit – I bought it in Japan at LaForet Harajuku and just love it! The skirt is actually a little longer (I rolled it at the waist) and it has these ties on the inside to create that scrunched-up effect. Really cool – thanks Honolulu Sears Junior’s Section!! (Gosh – I had no idea how rumpled I was from the back until I saw these photos! I was sitting on it all day long which is why it looks sadly crumpled at the back…I think I started out the day okay…ohwell.)
I am very self-conscious about showing my bare legs…note to self: get back to running ASAP!!!…so I DIY’d these pantyhose for days when I don’t want to wear a thick opaque pair of tights (which would usually be my go-to solution for this). Just a cheap pair of sheer “black”-colored L’eggs with the feet chopped off – and it doesn’t look as dark and wintery, but still hides what I need it to.
Well, this week has just flown by. I have another DIY to contribute to another magazine that contacted me…better get that done pretty soon. And rehaul Chic Steals by mashing my super-minimal *non-existent* programming skills with my rudimentary web graphix skills and seeing what I come up with. You guys may see the layout to this site changing slowly over the next week or two – so don’t be shocked if it looks totally different or the layout is messed up (which is more than likely to occur …frickin’ CSS and Blogger skins. Can u tell I’m not a web person??)
Is it Friday yet???? Hope you guys are enjoying your week!
xoxox
Carly
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May 11, 2010 | Fashion, From You
I was asked the below questions on formspring.me and I thought I should consolidate them to answer:
do you think the style of zipper embelished accesories and clothing is still in?
is denim still in?
First of all, I think it’s hard to say “what’s in” in general since fashion is so diversified even within a single season, and even designers known for a certain “look” will send different pieces down the runway to appeal to a larger market. Plus, regionally, trends vary – and no matter where you are, there’s always going to be a girl who goes against the generalities and has her own signature unique style.
That being said, I believe both are “in”! (Any style, any way is my motto.) There was a lot less zipper-embellished clothing/accessories on the Spring/Sumer 2010 runways (with the notable exception of Ann Demuelemeester, whose zipper headpieces and scarves sent even the most zippered-out fashion editor into paroxysms). Zipper-edging? Sculptural zipper elements? Not so much anymore per se. But just because it wasn’t on the runways and has begun to desaturate the retail shelves doesn’t mean you should put all your zippered pieces away for good. The 80’s are still back with a vengeance, and a little zippery lends a hard edge to tiny-flowered dresses and short shorts. Maybe try a small accessory if you’re unsure? (I just spotted some rolled zipper rings at Target which might work well if you just want to dip your toes – er, fingers, into the trend.)
my own Zara display photo; D&G runway img from Style.com;
As for denim, according to the runways, retail, and catalogs – denim is HUGE for this summer. (Especially blue denim on blue denim – eeek!) Just look at Gap’s last ad campaign – the shelves of Zara – and the last D&G collection if you’re unsure. Now, whether it’s actually happening on the streets and on fashionable girls in the know….well, that’s another thing. I think if you wear denim-on-denim you’ll look exceptionally trendy and straight out of an editorial, though depending on the crowd you hang with you may get a few raised eyebrows. Want to look on-trend but not like an 80’s victim? Maybe stick with one piece of light blue denim (and not necessarily your jeans!) as a counterpoint to busy prints, bustiers, a loose tee, a chain cross-body bag, sorbet-colored pumps, or strappy flat sandals.
Hope that answers your questions!
xoxox
Carly
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