[STREET SNAP] Awesome Personal Style via A-Kon 22 Con-Goers

Most who walk around A-Kon in interesting and colorful ensembles are cosplaying [dressing up as] characters from their favorite anime, movie or show. However, there are always a few who who incorporate the fashion from anime or the very streets of Tokyo into their own personal style.



 

 

[STREET STYLE] A Lock Of Her Hair

While she is completely adorable and has a cute+lovely style, her hair-braid earring peaked my interest. It's unusual, a bit creepy but I love it.

See more close-ups of her outfit at TokyoFashion.com, especially her shoes.

[STYLE SCRAPBOOK] Come On, Get Down With The Sickness

As I'm typing this, I'm coughing up my left lung at Barnes and Nobles.

The guy next to me actually looked up from his computer to make sure I wasn't dying and recommended lemon and honey. That's really sweet ... considering I should have a bio-hazard sign plastered to my forehead.

I've been chronically sick for more than a month now, with only a few days of rest in between. I spent the weekend indoors and only ventured out M-W for work. I'm really tempted to skip class and go home. Maybe if I cough enough, the teacher will get paranoid and send me home.

And that's what inspired today's scrapbook!

I really thought we were past flu season. I'm debating whether or not to buy a surgical mask at the local pharmacy to prevent anyone else from getting sinus headaches and chest pains and coughing instead of laughing. If I do, I'm totally taking out my little box of pyramid studs.

Then again, in my head, I like to pretend that the zombie virus begins with a cold virus that has mutated inside my body. So maybe I'll buy the mask after I get better to prevent any more sickness.





Pics via Japan Pulse, Disco Treats, Inventor Spot, Tokyo Fashion, Japanese Streets, and Trend Hunter.

[TOP 10 TUESDAY] Personal Style Tips I Learned from Japanese Street Fashion

10. Leggings can still be a Fashion Statement ~ They just can't be plain.

[GEEK OUT] Fashion Gives Us Backbones & Butt Bustles, Japan Gives Us Ruffles & Fallen Angels

Nicki Minaj recently did a photo shoot for XXL that featured her a la Marilyn Monroe. While I'm not a big fan of hers, I am a huge fan of that bracelet. It's all about size, or so I've heard! (LOL)

I looked around for a similar one and found a very affordable one at Torrid for $12 and an uber-cute one by Betsey on Bbay (love the bow). But the best one was at a random store called Silver Fever - it resembles Nicki's the most and won't break the bank.

If my GF hadn't already gotten me an anniversary present for this Saturday, I'd be hinting at this bracelet. (*__*)


As a big Gaga Geek (._.) I love to see how she's affected fashion overall. She's helped take the glitz and glam trends one step further but you can't deny the effect she's had on dark fashion either.

For example, remember the spine monsters on Bad Romance? Check out this Marly Gommans dress with ruffled spine detail. It's just one of those dark quirks that Gaga has brought to light. You can see the full photo shoot by Joost van Brug @ Trendhunter or on his website.


So is the butt bustle coming back? I snapped a girl at local fashion show back in February who was also sporting some butt ruffles. And anyone who caught Project Runway 2 weeks ago remembers Michael Kors going to town on Jay's ass-accentuating dress because no woman would want to look like she had a big butt or big hips. I personally love a little junk in the trunk.

Marko Mitanovski doesn't mind highlighting it. You can see pics from his deliciously dark collection at WithAsianStereotypes or watch the runway show show on his website. It's sure to tickle (maybe even lick and suck) your Gothic bone.



I this picture of ruffle socks over at TokyoFashion.com and I was overcome with nostalgia. I miss those ruffly, lacy socks my mom bought me when I was little!

We always got them when we went down to Mexico because you could buy a dozen pairs for like $2. Thus my sisters and I had quite a collection until fifth grade deemed them unfit.

The whole heels-with-sock thing is back so I'm wondering if ruffly socks with heels would be faux pas? Especially because I already have a pair with black lace and a little skull on the side.



Once upon a time, the great angel Alexiel rebelled against God because she was disgusted with corruption in Heaven... or so the story goes in the manga Angel Sanctuary. Artistically dark, it's one of my favorites for bondage-style outfits and twisted characters.

When I saw these black leather spats on my Reader, I automatically thought of Alexiel. She's got that white purity of an angel but all that black leather symbolizes her rebellion.

Made by Steampunk designers AudraJean in San Francisco, the spats are really high fashion and a unconventional alternative to thigh-high boots for anyone looking to be unconventional and maybe even start their own rebellion.

[STREET SNAP] You see all of these dolls, Decked in all their pretty garb...

I was in Carrolton yesterday taking Purikura for my friend/photographer's birthday. I love how the girls here are always dressed up. Most don't like their picture taken but I catch a few every nowandthen. These ladies were about to take some Purikura as well. =^__^=

[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.

[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!

The Man Behind the Afro

I had to share this coolness - his confidence. It's hard to rock an afro, yet he pulls it off so naturally. +5!

tokyofashion.com

Gayer Than Gay

I wanted to share this street fashion snap from Tokyo's Gay Pride Festival this past May. Tokyofashion.com covered a little bit of street style. Please pay attention to the overall gayness of her outfit. I'm stealing it for next year lol. (*__*) CUTE


So tell me where that finger's been.

[DAILY OUTFIT] Found My Grey-t Vest Challenge Twin!

This was my work outfit for Day 3 of my Grey-t Vest Challenge and reminds me of something an elementary school teacher would wear. My girlfriend poked fun at it.

I had a really shitty day at work with a guy making a shooting threat and me messing up a lease so last night was spent drinking and watching Eternal Sunshine on a Spotless Mind. Oh, my darling Clementine!

When I was on Japanese Streets yesterday, I found somebody else with a grey vest! He's not as cool as me... LOL he really is and I might steal this outfit as inspiration.