JP: Boots + Trends

++ Good News!! I've become a new contributor to Pink Chocolate Break's blog, so I will have several posts featured on their blog each month ^^ "Pink Chocolate Break is a personal lifestyle blog that offers you a daily dose of fashion, beauty, life wisdom and chocolate" You can most definitely stay entertained for a long time with the huge variety of things in the blog !

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Wow it's already  2012 and you know what that means... SALE!!! Yess, life's good.

Anyways, if you're planning on buying some boots right now, why not take it from the trends in Japan?

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First off:

The Docs. The Platform Sneakers.

These ones below are made in the UK and designed with the Japanese retailer Beams + they're another popular choice in Japan.

No, you don't have to buy Docs (they are really quite pricey!) Opt for platform sneakers or if you happen to find shoes similar to Docs for cheaper... then you're good!

The Desert Boot

These boots are good for people who have wider feet. Oxfords, desert boots, and anything slim and pointed make your feet slimmer and classier-looking ^^

+

I'm quite obsessed with these shoes at the moment and only just bought myself a pair last week!

Though, I couldn't find as awesome-looking ones as the one above^, I'm still very satisfied with my pair.

Now, if your style isn't so much like this, go for the heeled or wedged boots,

like this one below:

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Next ones have already been popular for awhile, but i'm not talking about plain ones...

The Oxfords

[[Notice the one of the left are desert boots!]]

GET THESE!

No, oxfords don't have to be black and white, or even solid brown or tan.

Opt for the neat designs, half canvas fabric/half leather, or anything different.

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Then, we have these (which are also pretty popular)..

The Penny Loafers

[[ Majority of people wear loafers like the left two^. But, the right^ shoe is also a great choice]]

But, yet again! Opt for the ones with the neat design, fabric instead of leather, suede instead of leather, pretty designs, interesting colors.

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The Laced Ankle Boots

I couldn't find a picture but non-laced boots are also popular, but probably harder to find out of Japan!

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To conclude, don't be scared off by the masculine-look. You can alter your outfit in so many ways, so many different styles, that these shoes are oftentimes accenting your outfit in the way you want them to~ if that makes sense..!

Anyways, hope this helped you on what type of boots to buy, now that stores are having huge sales!

Good Luck~!

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Read this post on Pink Chocolate Break

Tidbit: Japan + The Fake Collar Fashion

Quick Tidbit!

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The "Fake Collar" fashion started in Japan and has been flooding the search engines in Taiwan websites and blogs. Here's what I mean by a fake collar:

Just add this onto just about anything you wear, whether it be:

+ A rock band t-shirt

+ A dress

+ A tanktop (some people wear the collar with just bare skin on the background)

+ + +

It's usually worn as a girly Japanese style, but it can equally be worn on rock band tshirts to give the rocker-look a bit of a 'fashionista' approach (ah i hate that word fashionista but i'm short of word-choice)

Anyhow, this collar can be altered: add studs or mini spikes onto it if you'd like~

These actually aren't hard to make, but you can just buy one from Etsy or Ebay, or other places I know not of!

... Good Luck!

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Tidbits: Japan + USA + Europe: The Long Cardigan

Another quick tidbit~

The Long Cardigan

I was looking on Forever 21 for the new arrivals and this long cardigan has been the trend this winter

Further, I was flipping through Japanese magazines and this was also a common appearance on the pages!

I'm definitely going to get myself one!

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Japan: how to wear SKIRTS

The weather's getting colder and the sweaters are appearing, but! skirts of all lengths are still being worn-- in Japan :)

First is the slightly-above-the-knee skirt that are usually puffy or ruffly and sometimes worn high-waisted

Combinations with these skirts:

• skirt + rock/band tshirts + baggy knit cardigan OR baggy denim shirt
• skirt + cut-off T's OR long-sleeved cut-off shirts
• skirt + baggy crewneck sweater

common shoes would be booties (thick-heeled!) + ankle socks

Another very common one is the maxi skirt 
Combinations:

• skirt + tucked-in tshirt OR blouse
• skirt + tan/creme/etc colored flowy tank (cut-off is even better) + matching flowy vest in brown
• skirt + baggy sweater
• skirt + cut-off shirt (long or short-sleeved)

common shoes are booties (thick heeled!)

 - - -

Short skirts, especially  pencil skirts, are also worn and in-style (you see this a lot in S. Korea too~) You can wear them with rock/band tshirts (trending!) or cut-off shirts or tucked-in shirts or baggy tshirts ...

And here are just a few pictures of how these skirts are worn~

pleated skirt that's high-waisted with a
  rock/band tshirt tucked in
 + Chanel-inspired bag + block-colored heels

Another popular type of skirt is the
see-through ones with the shorts underneath

... more to come for Japan's Autumn 2011 trends !

Taiwan+Japan: beautiful, pure, free, and clean

Ahh this style reminds me of laundry and Italy (what?) and happy times
And i'm pretty sure any girl who wears this will look as pure, free, clean, and beautiful as her clothes! (I came to the incredulous conclusion that a girl's outfit that's put well and is different will really catch the eyes of some specific or many guys) But another thing to add.. it kind of seems that this look may be a little too mature for some girls because when I see it, I see of girl in college and older wearing this type of fashion.. but if you can pull it off, then awesome!

 The long long skirt- it's becoming popular! And it's soo classy~ (I guess it's starting to replace the maxi dress trend?)

Yay for beautiful white dress that's feels so free and clean. Oh and a statement (bold color) jewelry piece like the one shes wearing ^ can really change your outfit (and this will be needed if the whole white and plain feeling just doesn't satisfy your needs)


Now for the next photos, I guess they aren't as free and stuff like that as the ones above but nonetheless, they're good looks that still look refreshing and classy!

 I was hesitant of putting this in the previous post of 'cutesy' fashion because it just wasn't cute enough with the whole waist and hip defining clothing pieces above

 I actually really like her hairbow! In fact, this is also another trend in Japan- the bunny ear hairbow. Anyway, her denim dress is yet another trend!! So I'd like to say that this girl ^ is the ultimate definition of hipster. 

So was I wrong? Her outfit is still as classy and beautiful as hell! Especially her wide-brimmed hat (ooh those types of hats change your outfit sooo much; please go buy one now!)


So if you're not comfortable with the super long dress or skirt, then no fear! Wear something like the last few pictures ^ such as the loose flowy material these girls are sporting. Oh and don't forget that hat because it alters your style quite a bit!

Japan: The "Cutesy" look

So no doubt, these are the looks that you will most definitely see in Japan and also in Taiwan (I saw so many shops selling these types of clothing, but it just didn't work with my tall frame hahaha) Anyways, I'll briefly define the term "cutesy" look that i don't think exists until now because idk who would wanna use this word -_-

• The "Cutesy" look: consists of ruffles, pink, laces, flowy material, layers, ruffles and ruffles and cute doll-inspired fashion. Makes you look like a porcelain doll.

Yay! and now we have that clear, here are a few looks:

 (ohoo this is not as cutesy as the next one will be. this one is actually normal for me lol)

 actually this isn't that bad. but the flower necklace (i made these with the flower weeds when i was in elementary school :D) and the picnic-y bag and massive girly hairbow, it's a bit too much for me -_- but that's just me and i'm not hatin! Like I said, it just doesn't fit me -.-

 Princess sleeves but not really cuz the ones above aren't as puffy. But definitely princess-y at the bust area with the elasticy part right below the chest. But anyways, this look is pretty simple, if paired with jean shorts and a bag with a pop of color

 I actually really like this outfit! The dress is simple enough and not super ruffly, plus the hat makes it really cute and laid back.

 Hm this reminds me of Sunday morning tea parties and happy rich people hehe but it's a pretty look and the bag she's wearing makes it less "rich snobby" looking. Actually it makes it look really wearable!

 Am i criticizing too much? lol I'm not, I would wear a majority of these outfits, just not with the accessories but that's probably because of where I live...(cultural thing)

 I love this outfit! It's super simple and the ruffles and creases are in the right places.

 This one actually kind of reminds me of my previous trends post on Tribal prints and vintage-y looks. But it looks 'cutesy' enough to be included in this post

Another thing that seemed to go along with the whole ruffles and cute look was the off the shoulders loose tops (off both the shoulders, might i add) and this one above is the plainest of the plainest. I'd say what you'll see in stores a lot more ruffly which is perfectly fine, just as long as it looks great on you (downside is that a lot of the stores on the streets don't let you try them on.. so it's hard to tell :( )

And so that is the cute look: hundreds of little flowers on the shirt/dress is a plus. If you don't live in Japan or Taiwan, and you live in California for example and you're insecure of wearing it.. well you could 1. whatever, don't care. 2. the most accessories i'd pair with the dress/shirt would be a bulky wooden bangle (little to no design. i know there's one at Forever 21)! 

Anyways, have a nice day =)

Taiwan+Japan: tribal prints + vintage

An Announcement......... This week will only be posts on Fashion Trends!!

Email me for suggestions and stuff you want to see! etrnlsunsblog (at) gmail.com

A lot of what's appearing on the Taiwan and Japan streets are girls wearing not only tribal prints but also braided hair bands with their long wavy brown hair. Along with that, they're wearing tan brown sandals and occasionally a wide-brimmed hat.

Ok this wouldn't be tribal prints but it's definitely vintage-y and this is really popular in Japan too. Some girls, instead of wearing tribal prints (bright colorful tribal prints popular in S. Korea), wear lacy flowy and deep vnecked tunics, shirts, and dresses-- like the girl above. And braided messy wavy hair

 Here's a vintage-y tribal inspired girl with the usual loos and layered brown dress (super easy to find when shopping in Taiwan!) and of course the braided headband. Wear it with some tan or nude lacey sandals and a satchel handbag and you're good to go

 This one shows straight up tribal prints- black and white

 Pretty and fun prints!.. in blue :) (+ her hat)

I guess this isn't tribal.. lol but i'm liking the vintagey look with the satchel bag, socks with oxfords, and simple patterned dress (and the sick shades! super vintagey :)


Also!.. I just started school this week (and this year will be crazy busy!) so i've scheduled a bunch of posts. But regardless of that, i'll still check up on the site and especially my email, so shoot me an email if you're feeling like it! Thanks =)

The Statement Piece: the Japan way

I don't know if it's just me, but all the little things that you wear are really what makes your outfit; I can't go anywhere without my Casio watch! (But I've been really wanting a bright yellow g-shock.. so expensive ;( ) Sometimes what you need to is a STATEMENT PIECE in your outfit (ex. for me it's my watch and Good Wood bracelet)

So anyway, here are some trends; all of which I like hehe

1. Baby-G's for the ladies! It isn't really just the Casio watches, but any watch that's either sleek or bulky, bright or plain (and some with those expensive silver ones). But anyway, Yess I love anything Casio/g-shock hahaha. I also noticed that lots of girls are now getting the bulky ones (more in S. Korea) whereas Baby-G's are popular in Japan. As for Taiwan, I'm not really sure but it seems it's a 50/50.

Ray-Ban Wayfarer glasses

2. "NERD" GLASSES. I noticed that these glasses make my face look smaller haha but my nose bigger -_- My friend wanted a pair but she doesn't need prescription glasses- her parents still wonder why she wants prescriptionless old fashion dork glasses hahaha, well of course because they look friken awesome :p 

3. MASSIVE hair clips: I think these are so sick hahaha and a lot funner than the usual small hair clips. I got me some at Forever 21 but they aren't as big as the one shown above (i'm so surprised they had it! haha but then again it's owned and founded by Korean people!) 

& that's it :) later! 

August trends in Japan! (The shoes and the bags)

This post will be on the shoes and accessories part

that are what every one is getting in Japan =)

1. The wide-rimmed big summer hats! White, tan, or brown are popular and more common colors (or try navy blue :).

2. The ankle socks with shoes, high heels, sandals, etc~ (Preferably thinner socks, not crew socks lol). I've seen a lot of Japanese girls wear socks that have ruffles (but that's a bit too much for me hehe ._.)

3. The Satchel bag. I loove these bags!! They're so vintage-y and simple. I'd prefer a brown leather-like one but that may just be me :)

And that's just a few! So subscribe to see more August trends in Japan! (Thanks hehe)

Go see my previous post on August trends in Japan: part 1 shirts and shorts

August trends in Japan! (part 1)

This month i'll post several separate posts on the latest fashion trends for the month of August with pictures in Japan~


So for this first post, here are some trends you might want to know:

American Apparel sleeveless crop button-up

1. Sleeveless collared shirt (the soft flowy kinds). Our it could have short sleeves~

2.Patterned shorts, preferably looser at the thighs, and doesn't have to be high-waisted like the above photo

Yesstyle.com shop// Tokyo fashion

3. Chino pants or cropped pants; any color really but tan is a good classic piece everyone should have!

See my next post! August trends in Japan: the shoes and the bags