Upon first arriving I knew immediately that I would stand out.
1. I am blonde.
2. I am smiley.
3. I am at least a foot taller than everyone.
4. I wear shorts, colorful clothing and short sleeves.
While I have never fancied myself a 'fashionista' - I do think that I have some decorum of taste when it comes to clothes. Except maybe for that large turtle neck sweater that I interviewed for a job in back in '91. But never-the-less, I have decided that I am either getting old, or that my taste has COMPLETELY gone out the window.
I have come to find that there are really three options for women's clothing here:
1. The business suit. A universal look. Mostly black or grey.
2. The casual, I don't work but if the sun rays touch me anywhere on my body I'll disintegrate look.
3. The I am hip, I am in fashion, I look like a hooker look.
*let me state here that while I am sure none of these beautiful girls are hookers...it is a look found commonly in trashy parts of US cities and towns.
I would like to comment on #s 2 and 3.
#2 The casual look - It contains anything from jeans, slacks, sweat pants, etc., combined with any manner of shirt. Usually long sleeve...even in the summer months when the temps reach the 100s. If the shirt happens to be short sleeve or a 3/4 sleeve then there is always the accompanying arm gloves. Yes, from hand to above the elbow. Also contained in this look is the ever present hat. It could consist of anything from a baseball hat (usually the younger, more hip girls), to what I can only describe as a floppy grandpa's fishing hat, all the way to the big wide-brimmed visor. Now when I say wide-brimmed...I am mean WIDE BRIMMED. They put us Americans to shame on the visor! Shoes for this look are most commonly a sensible type of flat. Either a tennis shoe or something resembling a ballet slipper. Occasionally you'll see a high-heel shoe thrown in for good measure. (but that's all in #3) And most times all this under an umbrella.
#3 The hip look - This my friends is the most baffling to me. The longer I am here I come to find this look has no age limit, unfortunately. This is the most popular look here right now. In my neighborhood which is mostly expat families and the very wealthy Japanese families - this look often eludes us. But one short bus or train ride and wa-la...it is everywhere!
Starting from the top: a hip shirt (usually cute, I must admit) that sometimes contains writing or ruffles or some form of entertainment ( with translation totally out of whack) along with jewelry of each persons discerning taste. Cinched by a big-ass belt. They are back in style here. I don't know about the States, but if they are - they'll be gone before I get back! There are two options for the bottom half of the outfit - The skirt or the shorts.
The skirt is usually very short and does not match the top. In the winter months pants, well leggings, are worn under the short skirt.
The shorts seem normal enough to me...blue jean, khaki, whatever. These too have leggings under them in the winter months.
Both looks are accompanied by either high heels, and I mean HIGH heels or boots. If boots - it is not unlikely that they will have thigh high leggings on too. (see photo)
I read somewhere that during the Sex & the City series and the Movie(s) - they came here to find fashion ideas. If so - Carrie Bradshaw's sometimes questionable wardrobe now makes perfect sense!
To me it looks more like Madonna from the 80s. But what do I know. I only went as Madonna, circa 1988, for Halloween one year back in the '90s..
While none of this fashion is REALLY strange, I guess there are a few things that make me wonder every time I see someone wear them:
Bike Gloves. They are somehow attached to the bicycle handle bars, no finger slots, and when you put your hands in them the sun cannot get to any part of your hand. I guess in case you forgot your elbow gloves!
Sunglasses. No one here wears them unless you ride a motorcycle. They are for OLD PEOPLE I was told by a young Japanese woman.
High Heels, Skirts & riding a bicycle. I never thought it possible, but you can wear high heels while riding a bicycle. I see it done everyday and actually done with the skill of Lance Armstrong cutting in and out of pedestrian traffic.
The aforementioned short skirts...do not hinder the riding of a bicycle. I must say - I have yet to see one skirt fly up in the wind or one 'flash' as they whiz by. It takes skills I believe. My step sons (and husband) can attest to this phenomenon. They are all three extremely disappointed.
and last but certainly not least, riding a bicycle with an umbrella. This is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. It rains a lot here in June and part of July and everyone has an umbrella. They all ride their bicycles daily while carrying an open umbrella (along with bags, groceries, kids, dogs, whatever they are needing to transport via bicycle). Now I know riding a bike with an umbrella doesn't sound hard and it certainly doesn't look hard...but if you have never tried it, then by all means - the next time it rains, grab your bike and your trusty umbrella and give it a try!
I did it, but I looked like one of the Three Stooges wobbling back & forth, side-to-side. I know I scared the other people casually going about their rainy day routines. Hell, I scared myself! Needless to say I came home drenched, terrified and totally in awe.
These days when I have to go out in the rain on my bike...I just wear my rain suit.
till next time~
DD
No comments:
Post a Comment