Silly Little Outfits To Boost Serotonin For Sad Office Days Vol.7
Babe wake up. The Japan holiday edition just dropped.
Before the Black Friday madness popped off, Joel and I spent two weeks in Japan on a critical mission - to eat our body weight in sashimi, sink several highballs, and indulge in second-hand shopping.
After one of the hottest summers on record, Mount Fuji had been without snow for longer than ever before, so we experienced a warmer-than-expected autumn with crisp days of bright blue skies and just enough rain in the evening to feel like you were in Blade Runner but not have a night out ruined.
So, most of what I bought and wore was very winter-coded - not helping with my eternal struggle of having nothing to wear in the 30-plus-degree Melbourne summer that awaited our return. Still, I managed to add some stellar pieces to my winter rotation, so when the weather changes in March, it's all over for you lot.
Let’s break down my purchases from this trip. Also, could this be the post I finally hard launch Joel? Wait and see.
Before we get into the juicy bits, just a wee note that like garbage, this Substack is free. However, if you’re into my stuff and would like to help fuel my brain, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Thank you everyone for your support - sending all my lovely subscribers big Strawberry Kisses (that’s an early-noughties Aussie reference - iykyk) x
Everything I bought in Japan
We split our time between Osaka and Tokyo, and, as always, I tried to stick to buying secondhand first. While I felt truly like a kid in a candy store amongst the amazing pre-loved fashion, there was so much Americana vintage, which isn’t really my aesthetic. It is very Joel though, so he actually ended up buying way more stuff. He can start his own Substack though. This is all about me.
First, I want to introduce you to the MVP of the trip. I’ve been dreaming about a fawn-printed coat since Carven FW13. I stumbled across this gorgeous chocolate brown hairy coat with doe-like markings in the Harajuku Second Street. While I had my heart set on a lighter color for a deer print, the stunning poppy print cupro lining and pockets within pockets made me certain I couldn’t leave Tokyo without her.
Here’s what else came home with me:
Smelly Earrings - Lol, great name for a brand. I’d left my favorite silver earrings at a friend’s house before the trip so I picked up these little blobby ones without realizing they were clip-ons. Still cute.
Public Tokyo Bustier - This brand was so incredibly cool that I could have bought one of everything. This frayed grey zip-up bustier should help satisfy my jonesing for deconstructed tailoring in and out of the office.
Gu x Rokh 2-piece Checked Coat - An absoloute steal from the pre-Black Friday sales. I love how it can be disassembled and worn as a dress or a cropped jacket. A very welcome update to an old checkered coat from Bershka that’s been in my closet since 2017, which I’ve since resold on Depop.
Junko Shimada Windbreaker - One of my “in” predictions for 2025, I jumped on the windbreaker bandwagon totally by circumstance. We were out in Tokyo and it was T-shirt weather until it started raining, so I fished this out of a second-hand store in Shibuya.
Salomon XT-4 OG Sneakers - I had been wearing my choc banana Chupa Chup SL72s on the plane, and my feet had swollen up, making the sheer amount of walking a struggle. The only other shoes I packed for the trip were my Tabi boots so I made an impulse purchase at Salomon. As I’m not a hypebae and I spend my days looking at what’s happening in the Northern Hemisphere, I didn’t realize these had become the official sneaker of Melbourne’s North right under my nose. Great, I’m a walking stereotype. At least they’re comfy.
Urban Research Balloon Maxi Skirt - While I usually try and avoid buying into anything too trend-driven, this skirt has been a savior upon my return to Melbourne. I’ve been practically living in it with the linen multi-wear Alpha 60 top from Vol. 6 (aka the Cum Tree edition) as an easy, chuck-on summer outfit that still feels put together.
Tabi Socks - As previously mentioned, I’ve had my Tabis since 2020. However, because I am certified lazy, I never bothered to get the proper socks and just split regular ones between my toes (look, it does the job). Anyway, on this trip, I finally realized there was no excuse for this behavior, so I stocked up on multiple colors.
Uniqlo Cashmere Sweaters - Pre-Black Friday sales = time to update my knitwear.
Marni Coat - A lush second-hand find from Rag Tag, this wool coat with a removable lambswool collar is from Marni’s FW13 range. I saw it on the first day in Tokyo and thought I’d wait and see how I felt at the end of the trip. At 300 AUD, it was more of an investment piece, and my suitcase was rapidly filling up. The fashion gods were good, I went back on the last day and it was still there.
My Teeth Are Okay Are Yours? Cap - I found this hat at Flamingo Vintage in Shimokitazawa and couldn’t stop laughing. I’ve had all sorts of trouble with my teeth (fun fact - I have five veneers after some adult ones in the front only half grew back once the milkies fell out) so I bought this for my teenage self as a fuck you to anyone who ever commented on my stupid teeth.
Cateriam Cat Cafe Key Chain - If you read The Commodification of Charming Clutter, you would have seen my plans to find a little black cat trinket of sorts to represent the live one I’ve got home. Well, I got this key ring from a cat café to hang off my bag so it’s like I always have Jettie with me.
HeRIN.CYE Cocoon Jeans - I’m sure you’re aware of the barrel-leg jean takeover. As a lover of blown-out silhouettes, I’ve been curious to see how these look on me and after trying on a few styles found this indigo style from HeRIN.CYE worked the best.
Fwee Egg Fit Cushion Cover Powder - I was desperate to try all the amazing skincare and makeup on offer in Japan, though I had an unwelcome stowaway. My perioral dermatitis came back with a vengeance, which I am blaming on my doctor putting my back on the pill due to my dumb iron levels (which is also why she refused to give me doxycycline before the trip so I wasn’t feeling my best hottest self). I was banned from all makeup and new skincare, which was a bummer, though I just wanted one night to feel like myself. I bought this cute little foundation from the Korean brand Fwee, which was super light and non-irritable.
Calvin Klein Wool Sweater - Dug out of a thrift shop in Shibuya, perfect for any wannabee Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy outfit moments.
Speckled Hair Clip - I was originally on the hunt for a brooch after I dropped duck yakitori on my trench coat. I came across a little hairclip stall in Shinjuku and bought this tortoiseshell coloured one to hide the little greasy stain (which has since come out).
Renaissance Cupid Top - Also from a thrift store in Shibuya, I purchased this sheer top as I thought the soft blue would work well with my chocolate brown ARKET suit. The jury is still out, as the pill has made my boobs blow up to pornographic proportions (for me), so it's a bit tight to wear with a bra and is full-on nip-city without one.
Victoria Beckham Burgundy Skirt - Another great Rag Tag find, this leather skirt stops above the knee and I can’t wait for autumn to wear with my slouchy boots.
Fibe-Mini Drink - Not an article of clothing but the Konbini staple gets an honorable shout out because did anyone else have trouble doing poos in Japan?
Now, for a few items that went back on the rack
Miu Miu Coat - A lovely vintage find in Osaka but I was really in the market for something more oversized.
Dries Van Noten Hairy Bag - Ah yes, Muppetcore. Unfortunately out of my price range. Sadly, everything at Dover Street Market was.
Yves Saint Laurent Coat - Also out of my price range and would I dabble in orange?
Random Green Jacket - Last time I was in Japan ten years ago, I did this thing where I bought so much stuff that made sense at the time and to be worn in Tokyo (glitter sneakers were the worst offenders) only to find it sit idly in my closet. I feared this green coat would be one of those purchases so I left it. Please note: I would have styled it better than in this photo, I’m just gross and sweaty from walking all day.
I am also disappointed that I didn’t come back with a new bag, considering the Aussie dollar was, for once, an advantage. However, it would be a purchase just for the sake of it, as really I didn’t have my heart set on anything. Visiting second-hand store after second-hand store filled to the brim with Hermès and Chanel bags in a rainbow of colors was initially absolute eye porn, but by the end of the trip, I would be happy to never have to see another Birkin again.
I made note of some of the shops people were queuing for as a way to take the temperature of what’s hot in Tokyo. Miu Miu, Prada and Acne had street-long queues, which was no surprise. Ami Paris did a pop-up cafe in Harajuku that everyone and their dog flocked to. You couldn’t get into Polène if you tried. Despite the internet pissing on Virginie Viard, the line for most Chanel stores was massive. Meanwhile, Gucci and Balenciaga looked sad and empty.
This concludes the shopping portion of my Japan trip. Now some quick highlights:
Best cocktail - Juniper in Osaka. I’m not exaggerating when I say I had the greatest martini of my life there, even though I’m a vodka girl. Thank you
for the recommendation. Also, shoutout Bar Tram and Bar Trench in Ebisunishi.Best sushi - Sushi Ginza Onodera Tōryūmon. Michelin star restaurant made more affordable as you’re being served by trainee chefs.
Best onsen experience - In the hunt for tattoo-friendly onsens, we spent a night in Kinosaki, tottering around town in robes and slippers on a spa-crawl.
Oh yeah and cats.
What Else?
I’ve actually been so busy since coming back from Japan - nice weather in Melbourne and everyone wants to hang out and do stuff. Here’s what’s been going down:
Books - I left my Kindle on a train in Japan as we were trying to catch our flight home, so I’ve been re-reading an old favorite, Joan Didion’s The White Album. In perfect timing, my friend Katie opened up
, Melbourne’s coolest new independent bookstore, so I’m able to pick up some new reads.Cafés - After popping into Ramona Books, we went to Ophelia which is rapidly becoming the north’s new hotspot. Excellent coffee and upon Katie’s recommendation I had the bullhorn peppers which were out of this world.
Substack Reads - The incredibly gifted
of Yeehawt penned I Feel Prada in This Dentist's Office, a terrific piece discussing the history of Mrs P’s penchant for sickly greens and a surprisingly chic chartreuse radiation apron. of The Art Director voices the struggle all creatives deal with when trying to come up with new concepts in the amazing Why I Don’t Think I’ve Ever Had an Original Idea in My Life. Two must-read articles!Films - Gladiator 2. While it was not the wackadoo time-traveling saga Nick Cave once proposed, as far as sequels (gross) go, it was pretty inoffensive. Denzel was sublime. Pedro was great but underutilized. Paul was a bit wooden but he has such beautiful thighs that it can be overlooked. Plus, they put sharks in the Colosseum. 6/10.
Pub Hangs - Goldy’s in Collingwood to celebrate my pal Alyx’s engagement.
Gigs - Fat White Family. Brilliant fun. However, the atmosphere was fairly tame, which I chalked up to it being a Monday night. Joel said it's because Melbournians are too busy worrying about looking cool to enjoy themselves, which wasn’t lost on the band. Lias Saoudi scolded us, “Bristol. Portland. Melbourne. The fucking triangle of sadness.”
❤️❤️❤️ Thanks for the shout out, but now I have to close the shop and go straight to Japan.
Ophelia looks sooooo good!!
Also loved this lol
"Paul was a bit wooden but he has such beautiful thighs that it can be overlooked"