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Get the ‘Retro’ look!!

Everyone knows ‘Retro Girly’ is one of the biggest trends in Gal this Spring/Summer…

So how do you get the look? For those who don’t have access to gal brands or are thinking of trying out this kind of style for the first time (it’s not just for girly-girls or people in their teens!), it might seem difficult. Therefore I thought I would compile a list of the key items for this trend [image heavy]

  • Blouses – Airy, lace, chiffon, frills and pale colours.
Dazzlin’ & Rojita
  • High Waist Bottoms – tuck in tops/blouses
Ank Rouge

  • Small Polka Dots
Min Plume & Titty&Co
  • Apron & Denim Onepieces
Rojita & Dazzlin’
  • Collared Tops – onepieces & tops (cardigans too), plain and lace, with ribbons and accents

Miel Crishunant & Pinky Girls
  • Red Gingham Check – think pin-up girl style
Ank Rouge & BACKS

  • Flower Print – bright florals, great for an ‘otona’ retro look
Spiral Girl & Cecil McBee
  • Scarves – neck, head or on bags
Rose Fan Fan & Duras
  • Ribbon/thin belts – red being very popular
  • Small Socks – think; lace, frills, floral and ribbons, wear with pumps or boots

Pinky Girls & tutuanna
  • ‘Vintage’ style accessories & shoes – vintage-looking, brown & camel (colours) are big
MILSQUR, Liz Lisa & R&E

  • Marine styles can also be worked in, but be careful not to go ott.
  • Bell bottom jeans are also great for the ‘retro’ trend, although they tend to suit a more ‘adult’ style – but they can still work!
  • The Gal brands really representing ‘retro girly’ right now?! Liz Lisa, Rojita, Dazzlin’, Ank Rouge, Minir Dees, Titty & Co and Pinky Girls.

Source; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
bloomzy /

Spring Trends

It may feel like Summer is well on the way, but I thought I would talk about a few of the current Spring trends that have caught my eye. It’s also helpful to keep in mind that a lot of these will probably transition into Summer as well.
Wei Son in a variety of brands, inc. Moussy & Egoist
Momoko Ogihara in Murua
Spring this year has brought us trends such as; polka dots, chiffon, sheer, ‘retro’, ‘blogger’ and ‘spring marine’…
Pinky Girls
Tsubasa x GIRLS’ DOORS
GIRLS’ DOORS current collection and the collaboration that Tsubasa created with them is one of the best examples of the ‘Spring Marine’ trend right now. I also love how they’re combining polka dots and stripes – two big patterns this season. 

So why is this style so different from the other marine trends we’ve seen in previous seasons? 
This time it’s about mixing bright colours and patterns (namely polka dots and stripes) with feminine pieces such a chiffon or sheer blouse. The emphasis is more on a subtle Marine style, rather than the ‘look at me I’m a sailor’ coordinates some of the stores have brought out previously.
W♥C
Rojita 
Ank Rouge 
Liz Lisa
Shorts are of course a staple piece of any Spring/Summer wardrobe, but this season brands are mixing it up by bringing out shorts in different prints and styles – floral and polka dot being quite popular. Coordinate them with over-the-knee grey socks or short lace-trimmed socks for a girly vibe ♥
Another new trend that coordinates well with shorts this season is…
Egoist
Jeffrey Campbell
…nude boots, loafer pumps & chunky boots. 
It’s no lie that Jeffrey Campbell has been one of the biggest crazes worldwide recently. From hipsters to gals, the US to Japan, his shoes and replicas of them are popping up everywhere. It’s the chunky heels and raised fronts that Gal brands and models alike are loving so much about these shoes. His nude boots are the perfect accompaniment to a girly/retro coord this season (check out the pic of Wei Son), or try a black pair for an adult/’blogger’ style (check out the picture I posted above from Egoist). 

The reason I mentioned these is because they are all trends that I have seen available in Western stores right now. H&M are loving polka dots, Miss Selfridge has plenty of chiffon/sheer items and Topshop even have their own version of the classic JC nude boot – so it’s definitely something that Western gals can find and replicate easily. 
I’m planning on doing a bigger post about the current ‘blogger’ trend so keep an eye out!!

What do you think of this seasons trends?
Which ones are you hoping will stick through Summer too?

Update: Mitsu just made a post about JC Gal-replicas, which you can check out here.

bloomzy /

Liz Lisa Summer Collection Vol.1

Liz Lisa have released their Summer Collection Vol.1 catalogue, and the theme this year is… French Vacation. This transcends from their Spring ‘French Bohemian‘ collection nicely, no?

Those who know me are already aware that I love, love, love France – more so than Japan, but in a different way. Anyway I also love to vacation there, so this catalogue has me very excited!
This season we’re seeing plenty of denim, lace and florals (of course, it’s LL) all with a retro girly 70’s vibe.

please click images to enlarge

And to sweeten the deal, Liz Lisa will be offering novelties throughout April. These include: towels, beach bags, flip-flops, totes, pouches and more.

You can order items online, here.
As for the gals who can’t order online; The retro trend has made its way over to the highstreet in the UK and Europe (US gals, any confirmation?!) and I think we will be seeing plenty more of it during the Summer.
Shops to look in: New Look, Miss Selfridge, H&M, Mango, Zara and River Island – RI especially has a few pieces that look like they came straight out of the LL catalogue.

So keep your eyes peeled for duplicate items for creating that gorgeous, summery French Vacation coordinate. I know I will be!!

Source; 1

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Spring/Summer ’10 collections….

I’m afraid post’s may be scarce this upcoming week, as I have to write a 20min presentation…in Japanese. I’ll still try to update though, and I hope you guys will still continue to read 😀
Mitsu has been great lately, posting the Spring/Summer ’10 collections for stores such as; duras, gilfy, spiral girl, ma*rs, lip service and many more. Check out the links at the top of her blog.
Staying with this trend I though I’d take a look at some of the other well known Gal brands and see what they have come up with.
Ji.Maxx
Floral, frills and denim seem to be the key looks in their 2010 Spring/Summer collection.
I wasn’t particularly impressed with anything I saw on the website, to be honest it all seemed a little LIZLISA-esque. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, it just seems like they’re going off course from what has made them popular in the past and instead taken the safe route. Here’s hoping they will bring out something a little more like the Ji.Maxx I know and love.
JSG
JSG are obviously avoiding the floral, cowgirl trend which was to be expected.
Instead they’re sticking with their usual logo tee’s, and over the top style. I’m not usually a fan of JSG as their clothing seems to be a little too bright – although the new items seem to be slightly less ‘funky’ than their usual stuff.
Between the two JSG is actually my favourite, which I found surprising. They’re new Spring/Summer items are fun, sexy and casual. I’m not a massive fan of the whole frills & floral look of Ji.Maxx, but even so I do love to see Gal’s carrying it off well – it really is the epitome of femininity.
Do you think Ji.Maxx carries off the Spring/Summer trend well?! Or do you prefer something a little less frilly, like JSG?!
Source; 1, 2