Kon'nichiwa!
As you might know from my most recent notes and conspicuous Instagram activity, I just got back from Japan.
I read about someone describing their first trip to Japan as similar to doing acid.
I’ve never tried acid, but honestly, I can totally understand. A place like Japan shakes you deeply, inside and out, bringing you a new way of seeing things. Like any trip, I would say it changes you forever.
Needless to say how much I loved this country—I see why it is considered one of the most vibrant and culturally rich in the world and why it’s so deeply loved.
A lot of first times, adventures, realisations and divine moments for me during this incredible trip that I cannot wait to share with you in the coming weeks.
And while I am still experiencing the holiday blues, I took some time to collect all the receipts, cards, pictures and memories of (at least) my purchases.
Today, I wanted to start with a round up of my favourite vintage spots, as promised :)
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Japan has been incredibly inspiring for me on so many levels that I even got myself a pair of Crocs! Let me explain.
One thing I noticed in Japan is the strong American influence all around its cities. From its most popular convenience store, Seven Eleven (which popped up in 1969 and, as you guessed, is originally from America), to their snacks, the number of McDonald's restaurants, Starbucks, and, of course, their fashion. The majority of their vintage stock is, in fact, high-quality American menswear.
What I saw on Tokyo’s streets was an incredible blend of underground western streetwear and minimalism (and a lot of Simone Rocha’s embellished Crocs). Shapes and cuts were the real protagonists of the looks I saw, and the “personality” touch was given by unexpected pieces such as sporty shoes or ultra-pop accessories. When we traveled to Osaka, the style was different: vintage American pieces were the main characters. That late '80s, early '90s vibe was brought to light by the indistinguishable Japanese touch, which came in the form of colourful bandanas or vintage Yohji Yamamoto shirts.
Considering how transformative this journey has been for me, it was inevitable to see a shift and a new level of spontaneity reflected in my style.
What I would like to take away from Japanese immaculate taste is to just be more playful. With summer, I always wear more colours and lean towards streetwear, but after years of Scandinavian minimalistic style, I feel like we all feel: a bit bored.
I often forced myself to stick to one style of clothes to give myself a bit of consistency, but the reality is that you can wear something bold or street and still feel like yourself. I kept this in mind during my weeks in Japan and visited the most insane vintage shops I’ve ever seen. The quality of the items was impeccable, and they were all so well displayed and styled.
So, if you are planning to fly all the way to the Land of the Rising Sun, I've prepared for you a list of vintage gems you cannot miss. I will also include some of my finds to give you a little insight.
Shimokitazawa - Tokyo
This is Tokyo’s vintage district. Here, you can find anything from archival vintage to American Western. Whether it's used records or books, high-end vintage or cheap second-hand clothing, please book a full day and spend it in here. I promise you won’t be disappointed. My favourite shops are: Rose vintage if your style is more girly and if you like one-of-a-kind remake items, Flamingo if you want affordable American brands ranging from Ralph Lauren to Coach, Stussy and Levi’s, and finally, Big Time which is more cowboy-focused but will delight you with all the “imported goods” you might think of. In this district, you will also find little car boot sales here and there, which will give you the chance to buy from private sellers too.
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