The World's a Stage

So I decided today to try a more whimsical outfit (versatility etc). I’ve used the same shoes and the same colors as the last one.

The shirt is from Putomayo, a Japanese lolita/punk brand. The text references the Wizard of Oz, although I think the decor looks more Alice in Wonderland-ish. I also have this hilariously adorable and sort of macabre hoodie from them that you’ll probably see at some point.

The puffy skirt, a favorite of mine, is from a random store in the basement of Kichijoji station, where I spent a lot of my time my first summer in Tokyo. It’s very versatile, and I like how it makes my waist look smaller because of its volume. The one problem with the skirt is that the ties that hold it in that puffy shape often come undone, and fixing them in public is sort of awkward.

The hat that I’m wearing has been called by friends my Mario hat and my communist hat, among other things. I happen to think it’s really cute and helps, along with my shoes and giant cherry earrings, add a bit of color to the very monochrome outfit. I got it in Paris when I was on my crazy backpacking trip in March. The cherries were a gift from Jasmine during our last round of Secret Stereotype (er, don’t ask). They were a gag gift and are a bit heavy, but I’ve actually worn them a bunch since then.

Also, I got a haircut recently! My hair’s wet because I’d just come out of the shower, but here you go:

Every time my hair gets to about chin length, I start dithering over whether or not I want to grow it out or cut it all off again. Inevitably, I’ll be walking somewhere or have a couple hours free, and I’ll almost impulse decide that I want it gone. This time I went to the John Brody Salon in the Castro and asked them to cut my hair like Kate Lanphear.

I was a bit worried that it wouldn’t turn out as well, since my face isn’t as thin as hers is, but I think it turned out pretty well. Hopefully I’ll be as stylish as she is one day.

So I’ve been reflecting on my personal style lately, and on top of it being really monochrome, I’ve been thinking that it’s a bit … juvenile. It’s often cute, punky, a little weird, but not really elegant. So this outfit is an attempt to mix it up a bit while still keeping my own style.

I really like the tux shirt+vest combination. It appeases my occasional cross-dressing tendencies but is still fitted and stylish, unlike my cargo shorts. I really like men’s formal wear – I own a tux jacket with tails, and I hope to get a men’s kimono one day.

I really like how bright the skirt is – it adds a lot of color so that my outfit isn’t monochrome like with the pants suit pants I would usually wear, contrasts well against the tights, and (mostly) matches my shoes. I haven’t worn it a lot because I feel like the red can sometimes be a bit difficult to match with things. Too much red in an outfit can be a bit blinding, and this skirt in particular is also a bit darker than the cherry red that most of my other things are. The skirt’s shape is also different from what I usually wear – I like a-line skirts because they better disguise the lump of fat around my stomach.

The tights are the Wolford Hero tights, which Audi introduced to me. I debated with myself about buying them for a while – they’re quite a bit more expensive than any other tights I own. When I saw they were on sale, I snapped them up, and I’m so glad that I did. The stripping really emphasizes the shape of my calves, which I think are one of my best features. Also I love the way they feel with the skirt brushing against them. I may have been converted to buying pricier tights.

I got my shoes at Fluevog (sensing a pattern?) a month after I moved to SF, and they were my first non-black/brown shoes. I’ve worn them a lot since getting them, and I always feel more fashionable when I do thanks to the bright color. I also like how the shape makes them a bit whimsical and playful – sort of Dorothy in Oz and sort of Japanese schoolgirl-ish. Hopefully they don’t take away from the more adult/elegant look that I’m trying for.

Sorry the photo quality’s a bit poor – we snapped this picture while running out the door this morning and in between searching for Erik’s shoe (which he still hasn’t found). The corner you see is in the living room of my new place, which is currently a barren wasteland. Besides the trash can and the pile of boxes left from moving, all that is in the room is my futon from Tokyo folded up on the floor. We’ve been using it as temporary seating while watching Arrested Development on Erik’s laptop. Hopefully we’ll get some real chairs or even a couch soon …