[DAILY OUTFIT] Sad Eyes

Only Happy When It Rains ... Only Happy When It's Complicated

Today was a dreary gray in Dallas. The unwelcomed rain made the 36 degree weather even more unpleasant. The fashion world may be saying, "SPRING! SPRING!" but Dallas is still groaning "WINTER... WEARY WINTER..." You can tell by the lack of color on the streets. Even in black, however, these ladies stand out in a sea of gray, proving the importance in construction and presentation.

[STREEET SNAP] My Coffee Break Included An Awesome Dress & Belt Combo

Caught her on my way to coffee at work Friday.

Street Snap 2009 Recap

Looking back at a good year...
Hoping for a better one...

[STREET SNAP] Runway Monday Guest Gallery

Some of the best dressed from Runway Monday featuring Lindsay Weatherread's Origami for the Body. Click pictures to enlarge.

[STREET SNAP] Lolitas and Lace and Wigs, Oh My! Feminine Cuteness is Not a Crutch

While I was at the Ikkicon anime convention in Austin, I had the pleasure of sharing my business booth with three Sweet Lolis (short for Lolitas). Their pastel cake colors and poofed out petticoats made them look like they had just stepped out of Sofia Coppola's Marie-Antoinette. It's fitting considering that it was this era that gave the inspiration for the Lolita look that began in Japan decades ago.

It wasn't until the last decade, however, that the style became popular in the United States. I was doing Gothic Lolita in 2003 and even I felt late to party. I think it took so long to reach us because the style is such a deviant from what American media has taught us.

In contrast to the girls we see in music videos, the Lolita (Gothic or Sweet) allure is not rooted in blatant sexuality but in cuteness, mystery and elegance. The world of the Lolitas pulls from childhood fantasy - ribbons and bows adorn prints of sweets and pretty things; dark colors and gothic themes still look innocent and childish; and each girl looks like a storybook princess.

Despite the Book that gave them their name, Lolitas are not sexy, nor are they meant to be. A Lolita is feminine without the shackles of feminine expectations.



During the convention, we went out (into the real world) to get some food. There were women walking around in slinky New Years outfits looking appalled as human cupcakes walked past them. Is it so wrong for 20 year old girls to want to look cute instead of hot?

"I can't breathe anymore," said the Sweet Lolita next to me. Her corset was finally wearing her down after five hours at the convention.

That's one of the things the sexual revolution took from us in terms of fashion but these girls willingly put them back on. It's part of the look, part of the fantasy. It has nothing to do with liberation, restrictions or the masculine gaze. That's one of the things I love about Lolitas: they do not dress up to be eye candy - the shoes, corsets, make-up and hair is for themselves, their own personal aesthetic.

"Her skirt is too short." She pointed at one Lolita who was showing to much leg. "Not cute at all." The skirt, however, was only about two inches longer than the miniskirts at the mall. I should know - I was wearing one.



Thanks to Moral-Extremist for the Photos!

[GET THE LOOK] The Manga Counter Culture

More and more, it seems that the heroines from manga (Japanese word for comic) have inspired the fashion world. Vogue Nippon sure thought so in their spread: The Manga Counter Culture.

I think the influence comes because the girls in manga (comics) and anime (cartoons) can take on any role and be anything - a superhero, a badass, or a sweet and innocent school girl.

We've seen their images on clothing here in the US. The trend spiked for a while and then returned to a steady flow. Unlike Japan, where anime girls are used to advertise almost anything.

But more than just the images, a lot of fashion can be drawn from the elaborate battle outfits and cute costumes of the anime girl. Vogue Nippon (Japan) pointed this out in a spread they did at the closing of 2009. They used three of the prevalent manga girl character types to style modern women outside of manga pages.


The schoolgirl has always been what people think of of when they hear the word ANIME - and normally it carries perverted undertones. But the schoolgirl in Vogue Nippon is not sexual; her style is cute and preppy. In Japan, teenage schoolgirls are the main drivers of style and culture.


Anime also features powerful heroines who overcome many obstacles and save the day. Sometimes the heroine looks cute doing it, sometimes she looks strong and dangerous. This heroine wears dark colors to portray some darkness in her life, the one that pushes her to fight, much like the modern woman.

If you want to be the Powerful Heroine, try something black and studded and feel free to show some skin, especially cleavage. Skintight is a must when in comes to fighting bad guys in space or monsters from other worlds.


The romantic heroine is lesser known in the West but has been growing in popularity through Shoujo Manga (basically girly comics that mirror teen dramas). She's a dainty lady, as girly as can be, and normally requires rescuing. She usually gets on my nerves with that.

I do, however, like her style. She has a taste for luxury so feel free to pile on the roses, pearls, ribbons and bows and don't skimp on the lace. Think of a modern Marie-Antoinette with her court if you take this Manga Sweetheart as your inspiration.

[OOTD] Ouch! Princess Skirt

[GEEK OUT] Fashion Progresses Full Steam Ahead

So the theme for this year's Ikkicon IV was Steampunk - a genre set in an era where steam power is still widely used but with elements of sci-fi and fantasy - think Wild Wild West and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. And with every genre comes its fashions.

Because Steampunk is set in the time of the steam engine and the Industrial era, a lot of the fashion associated with it comes from the Victorian, early 1900's era. It's capes, cravats, and ruffles mixed with gears, brass goggles, and some leather cuffs. The end product really looks like something out of a sci-fi movie but at an anime convention, it's right at home.



The most notable detail of Steampunk is the addition of industrial technology to the clothing itself. If you think about where fashion is going, a lot of our clothing is technology-ready in the some way - there are jackets made with Bluetooth and mp3 players in mind.

Also, looking at this past Fall 2009, metal and chains adorned everything from shirts to boots to the side of our legs. Even if Steampunk seems alien and weird, its influence cannot be missed.

Victoria's Secret 2009 Show

If you're interested in the Steampunk style, the best place to find items is on Etsy. You can also watch the video below for the Steampunk atmosphere and check out the Steampunk Tribune blog.

[STREET SNAP] Anime Love & Style In Austin, TX

These were taken at Ikkikon this past New Years weekend. I love how anime fans take inspiration from Japanese street fashion. America, pay attention!





Thanks to Moral-Extremist for the Photos!