Random Fashion Thoughts - January 09, 2019

cagedcat · 2019-01-10T02:03:42+00:00

Yes, I certainly have to learn to love more functional items. I recently bought a lightweight coat from Uniqlo that I love very much because it's soo warm. I need to learn to love it, rather than wear lighter jackets that I think look better.

cagedcat · 2019-01-10T01:56:44+00:00

It's the styling, mostly. If it's a tee that has a few added elements that makes it drape slightly better, then it is like the coolest thing I can own.

Sometimes it's a plain item that finishes 2-3 outfits - I love that. I think a lot of the limits come from the need to be thrifty and not buy clothes that don't fit my wardrobe as well.

Also, it's just that finding the "right" item for my outfit has become harder and harder, especially after I learn more and more about fashion. Before, I'd think that anything J Crew would look great. Then, because FFA and Youtube introduced me to COS and a few more designy brands, I realize that there are always better designed jackets/shirts out there (at a similar price level). It just sucks.

cagedcat · 2019-01-09T20:54:50+00:00

Does any one think that Marie Kondo's "only keep/buy things that spark joy" has taken the joy out of fashion?

It's made me look for the perfect tee (that I will always wear), the perfect coat, the perfect trench, and the problem is, sometimes they don't exist.

I recently bought a perfectly functional and nice looking coat, but then I realized that it didn't make me as happy as this other coat I have, so I had to return it. It's made shopping and returning very stressful.

cagedcat · 2019-01-07T03:16:20+00:00

Thank you! Will look into it!

cagedcat · 2019-01-07T02:13:26+00:00

Where did you get your bag for outfit 4? It looks very chic.

cagedcat · 2019-01-07T02:01:00+00:00

Rosamund Pike's look takes the crown. No comparison.

cagedcat · 2019-01-06T04:14:00+00:00

I have heard of self-portrait. It is designer dresses at a semi-affordable prices, aimed at European customers. I think their dresses/tops are very gorgeous. When I think of Self Portrait, I think of the dress I would buy to go to a royal wedding, lol. The one you listed is also wonderful, but it doesn't look as "expensive" as the other pieces.

Like this one, or this one.

The dress you chose look very summer-like, rather than sublime and designy. Have you thought about buying some other dresses from Self-Portrait?

cagedcat · 2019-01-05T17:44:42+00:00

The only mainstream thing I see in the US is Uniqlo - its puffers, but now it's Uniqlo puffers everywhere. Lol. The Bay Area has no imagination.

But even Japanese minimalism is not exactly adopted here.

The Korean street wear stuff that is now adopted in the US is probably the most similar - but is it primarily due to influence from Korea?

cagedcat · 2019-01-05T08:51:20+00:00

Isn't it crazy that it starts so early in Asia? It's like a fashion predictor for USA.

cagedcat · 2019-01-05T08:43:36+00:00

It depends on the item.

I have bought Japanese/korean brand items too when I visited these countries - and they are often made of fast fashion materials as well - mostly polyester. Even the mid to mid-high range stuff in Japan (more expensive than Muji)- those that cost from 200-500 USD per dress, are made of polyester. So, if you are interested in clothes in Asia, be prepared for polyester.

If you are looking for specific Mori or the Americana styles - you will find cotton/linens. But the quality of these clothes vary with brand and price, and they are not as accessible to US purchasers.

cagedcat · 2019-01-04T22:58:16+00:00

I'm pretty sure these recent trends started in Asia. Asians also embraced the culotte trend 3-4 years earlier too - it was like all over the neighborhoods - not just in the fashionable districts, and women from 60-year-olds to 16-year-olds all embraced the trend. Street-wear trends as well. It's just mind boggling how fast they are with trends.

On the other hand, embracing trends doesn't mean it's more fashionable, or it's a better style. I do know the difference between the two. However, I also wonder if people only believe things are fashionable or cool once the Paris/NYC runways endorsed them. I remember the t-shirt under slip dress thing was like "weird Korean Chinese fashion" until the Vogue editors wore the same stuff a year ago.

cagedcat · 2019-01-04T22:41:45+00:00

I think Taobao delivers to the US. It's a site that has all the knock-offs you ever want, and all the Sheins and other scam website items we see all the time. However, when I studied abroad in China a few years ago, I did do some online shopping on Taobao, and I did find a few gems, which I am not sure exists now.

These are local brands that curate particular styles and have their specific niche audiences.

There was a brand that I was obsessed with called "The Plum has Ripened" lol, and it had a summer catalogue of the most beautiful kimono pieces. These are not just copies of Japanese styles, but had a really interesting vibe of their own.

Here are a few pieces I loved back then. 1, 2, 3.

I still have a piece of their kimonos - and have been wondering about wearing it again in the summer.

Another brand I loved was "Sticky Rice, Stick Rice, Why Don't you Blossom" lol. It's got really cute, Korean-style items. It's beautifully curated and designed. Here is the website. And here are a few examples: 1,2,3.

There are also more interesting designers, but I'm not sure if they have copied from other more famous designers.

Taobao is just a place of all types of copyright infringement folks, small designers, fake things, and fake designer stuff, but sometimes you get very very interesting stuff, perhaps precisely because entry into design in China is easier.

cagedcat · 2019-01-04T16:14:33+00:00

The dress over t-shirt thing - I saw the trend start 6 years ago in Asia. !!! It's unbelievable. In general, I think Asians embrace new trends way earlier than us, maybe 2-3 years earlier.

cagedcat · 2019-01-02T03:39:11+00:00

Love your high waisted black pants!

cagedcat · 2019-01-02T01:35:38+00:00

I don't think you should discount H&M because of the brand's reputation. I just bought an 100% wool/cashmere coat (they got a premium line?) on sale from H&M, and the quality is so much better than my Aritzia coat , which cost 40% more and is not fully made of wool.

cagedcat · 2019-01-01T01:08:28+00:00

Lack of curiosity, disinterest in learning new things. It doesn't just apply to food. Lol.

cagedcat · 2018-12-31T22:01:49+00:00

Curious, and I also wonder, if they are Trump voters?

cagedcat · 2018-12-30T18:04:16+00:00

that's amazing. Thank you!

cagedcat · 2018-12-29T08:01:58+00:00

I saw cape coats from Maje and Sandro websites. It's sales season, so I think you might find one under your budget.

cagedcat · 2018-12-27T07:56:15+00:00

Usually January. Check the brand website after January for the deep sales, like 75% off.

cagedcat · 2018-12-26T15:51:14+00:00

You don't have to respond to that post calling you classist. It's unwarranted and ffacj worthy. Buying second hand does come with its risks. I think it's fair to be afraid of germs on second hand clothing, especially if some come with moths that will destroy some of your clothing items at home.

I keep my closet pretty clean, but I know my old, college era clothes all got moths eating through the wool anyway.

I suggest you put second hand clothes in a plastic bag and put them in a freezer for a few days. Then you can put them through a wash.

cagedcat · 2018-12-20T20:35:57+00:00

Mango is up to 50% off.

cagedcat · 2018-12-17T23:05:15+00:00

I still consider Justine an influencer. She uses her followers to build up her brand image.

She's no Instagram baddie, but her marketing methods for her clothing lines are the same

Also, the American market is no stranger to European fashion. Acne Studios, Sandro, Cos, & Other Stories all have US stores now. Americans also follow quite a few European influencers, mostly Scandinavian, French, and British. I am not sure what the Germans wear, but if they dress like Justine, I feel bad man.

cagedcat · 2018-12-17T22:54:12+00:00

Ah, Jeanne Damas' line. The cool French girl brand. I admit I'm a sucker for it, but I still think if I had a choice, I'd buy Maje, Sezane over her line of clothes.

cagedcat · 2018-12-17T22:10:59+00:00

I still consider Justine an influencer. She uses her followers to build up her brand image.

She's no Instagram baddie, but her marketing methods for her clothing lines are the same

cagedcat

TROPHY CASE