Flat Laura's Tokyo Edit
Our top three Flat Laura-approved looks have come home to the U.S., though I realize actual Laura reserves the right to veto for my own good when we put it all together on this side of the world. We’ve discussed it thoroughly, and so here I'll share.
Sheer Socks with Sandals
Preferably ankle-length, transparent nylon or rayon, in pastels and patterns. I was initially put off by the idea of exposed heels and toes in socks…inside sandals! The idea seemed to break some fundamental fashion law. But then I became intrigued, and now enamored. I’m crushing this look, hard. These cuties pair equally well with a skirt of any length, or cropped pants. They also look great with my new floral Doc Martens or even my Hokka sneakers—so versatile, so adorable.
Loose Crop Tops
Though there’s no shortage of revealing kawaii (‘ultra cuteness’) babydoll or punk styles, another trend is simple lines, boxy forms that obscure the figure, yet still somehow flatter. It isn’t uncommon to see long button downs under a shorter crop, all over big pants or a flowy skirt, no doubt the natural derivation of Yohji Yamamoto’s iconic female looks. Though the long-layered look is amazingly fresh in its minimalism, that style wasn’t quite for me. In order to bring it home, so to speak, I chose a wide crop from the gurokowa (hipster for, ‘goth-but-still-cute’) shop in Harajuku called Drug Honey. I picked something floral (in spirit, until you look closer) with wide arms and Mandarin styling around the collar. I’m wearing it with just about everything.
The hip model wearing my new top.
Photo Credit: Drug Honey on Twitter
Ultra-Wide Legs, Huge Cuffs
The biggest shift for me was away from the jegging (skinny legging-jeans), my default springtime look. And though we’re starting to see the boyfriend jean in the US, Tokyo street style reflects a wholehearted adoption of the wide leg (think 12” or more), in both denim and lighter spring fabrics. The look runs the gamut from destroyed vintage Levi’s, to high-end Japanese denim, to a high-waisted rayon or linen blend.
(Side note: To my credit, I can proudly say as far as vintage Levi’s go, as a child of the Grunge era, I’ve got them in spades for this season. Some from as far back as high school. And while I can’t always fit into them, this year the stars have aligned. Around Harajuku, I’ve been wearing the line I call the ‘bro-friend,’ instead of the 'boyfriend,’ because the jeans I took with me actually belonged to Laura’s brother when we were in college. Occasionally, he’ll ask for them back, but it will never happen.)
Again, I can’t fathom how the vertically challenged youngsters pull off this look, while, at the same height, I’m struggling not to look like a clown down on her luck. It appears the waist to wide-leg ratio is something they’ve worked out that is somatically impossible for me to reproduce. The key for an adult non-Asian mom type, it seems, is to pair the wide leg with a fitted tee, and an oversized jacket or bomber, as appropriate to the occasion. I also tried the new blouse above with my destroyed bro-friends and it looked great, too.
For the record, Flat Laura did not fully authorize this last look. I went rogue for it, and I may be sorry one day.
Putting it all together. From bottom to top: Felt Birkenstock clogs (my son's), sheer socks, and the absolutely vintage bro-friend Levi's with a super-wide cuff. Finished off with a Gucci belt and oversized floral satin Etro blazer, and viola! Edge plus lux = mature street style. Maybe.
“Pro Tip: You know your Shoperone has your back when she says, “It looks cool on you...but maybe better on them.””
Side by side, Tokyo street style dampened (and glampened) for the 'mature' audience.
