Long Lost Tokyo

 These photos are actually from late last year whilst I was still in Tokyo. My friend Yalei took them for me while we were out shopping in Harajuku on one of my last days, and then somehow with the madness of my last minute packing to come home I lost the SD card that these photos were on. That is until today. I am so happy to unerath them as they're such cute photos of a really fun outfit from a really fun day. I can't believe that it was nearly a year ago that I was over there, and that this year for the first time in a long time I'm not going over. 2016 has been a big year of change for me as you all probably know, but I am definitely making plans to head back to Tokyo in 2017, for now I have these photos to remember it by.

Outfit details
Dress Marimekko Tokyo (This dress was apparently exclusive for Japan)
Pink coat Tailor made in Hoi An Vietnam
Pastel pink tights We Love Colors plus size tights
Earrings Kitsu
Bangle Tsumori Chisato
Pink bag Uniqlo
Bag charm Monki
Pins old Gorman, similar from Creepy gals
Pink Brogues Topshop

 I was staying in a guesthouse with no iron, oh the creasey nightmares.

 I was trying out Igari makeup, which was and maybe still is the most popular makeup trend in Tokyo. Basically it is all about under eye blush. Forget contouring, try Igari! Created by top Japanese makeup artist Igari Shinobu, the original inspiration for the look was hangovers, this season it is gaijin baby (Caucasian baby) with even more blush! You see it everywhere, especially around Harajuku. It's meant to make you look youthful and doll like, what do you think? Personally on me I feel like it makes me look old and like I have some kind of rash. I think I'll leave it to the girls in their late teens and early twenties from now on haha.

Earrings Kitsu
Pins old Gorman, similar from Creepy gals

 I got my nails done at Beautik in Laforet in Harajuku. I think it's a really cute idea, just doing the ends, plus it can last a lot longer because it already looks grown out to begin with.

Flower bangle Tsumori Chisato | Pins old Gorman, similar from Creepy gals | Pink gift bow ring Tokyo's Tokyo at Omohara Tokyu Plaza | Pink flower ring Paris Kids Harajuku

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Daikanyama Punyus Kicks

 One of the first things I did when I got to Tokyo was hit up Punyus, which if you've been following my blog you'd know I am obsessed with. Punyus is basically Japan's only fashion forward plus size store. It's not really all that plus size though, it goes up to about an AU 20 which is a USA 16 depending on the item. They have four sizes - size 1 which is like an AU size 6-8, size 2 which is an AU 10-12, size 3 which is an AU 14-16 and size 4 which is like an AU 18-20 (for the equivalent in USA sizing just minus 2 from each, UK sizing is the same as AU). I picked up these wicked tartan culottes that I'd been eyeing off in their online store as well as the cute white shirt I'm wearing and a Narutomaki jumper which I've shared on instagram. Above the ankle culotte style pants are a huge trend over here in Tokyo right now for winter teamed with cute socks and flats. I'm not a big pants wearer but I couldn't resist giving these a try and I'm glad I did, I got stopped in the street for photos a few times in this outfit - follow my snapchat @fashionhayley to get a glimpse into my daily life here in Tokyo and maybe you'll see just how often that happens (If I manage to remember to snapchat it haha) I guess I stand out with my pink hair and bright clothes?

Outfit details
Pink leather jacket Gorman
White shirt Punyus with DIY iron on patches from vintage stores around Tokyo
Red tartan culottes Punyus
Watermelon socks Gorman 
Pink Brogues Topshop
Backpack Fjallraven Kanken

 This shirt was actually just a plain white shirt from Punyus. The cut is really nice, it has these puffy sleeves I love but didn't photograph for you. Anyway I felt it was just too plain for me so I collected a few iron on patches from vintage stores in Koenji and had a little DIY session in the morning before meeting my friends for lunch in Daikanyama. It made me 10 minutes late but was oh so worth it don't you think?

 My flower ring and heart ring are from Paris Kids, a store in Harajuku where all jewellery and accessories are Y324. Well guess what? They now have an online store that delivers worldwide!

My Fjallraven Kanken backpack is still coming in handy this trip. They seem to be popular around Tokyo too, I'm always spotting them.

I will never stop loving these old season watermelon socks from Gorman! They look so cute paired with my pink brogues and red tartan pants - my new obsession is red and pink together.

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Tokyo Swan Boat

Ahh Japan I love you and your love of all things kawaii. Where else will you see Hello Kitty road work signage? Or a super cute alien bunny rabbit called Pipo-kun as the mascot for the police? Or hot pink swan boats? I found first discovered these swan boats on my first trip to Tokyo back in 2003 (back before the internet was useful so I really did just stumble upon them with no help from google) and I've loved them ever since. There are lots of swan boat locations throughout Japan but these are my personal favourites located in Ueno park. I knew that's where I was heading that day so I wore a cute pink outfit to match, getting squeals of "kawaii" from Japanese people passing in other boats made it all worthwhile, lol. Whilst in Hoi An Vietnam last month I had the local tailors make me this cute pink coat. I had wanted a more pastel pink colour but this was the closest that they had available and I'm kinda happy it's a bright pink now - it stands out more. Hoi An is famous for it's tailor made clothes, if you're going to Vietnam I'd really recommend visiting Hoi An and getting something made and staying in the town as it's honestly one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

Outfit details
Pink coat Tailor made in Hoi An Vietnam
Flower dress Super Lovers
Pastel pink tights We Love Colors plus size tights
Flower hair clip A girl in the street in Tokyo
Black and clear backpack Jelly Bunny in Malaysia
Pins Gorman
Pink Brogues Topshop

Kiss kiss

Flower bangle Tsumori Chisato | Pins Gorman | Pink gift bow ring Tokyo's Tokyo at Omohara Tokyu Plaza | Pink flower ring Paris Kids Harajuku

I bought this bag during my one night stop over in Kuala Lumpur on my way over to Tokyo from Vietnam. After nearly a month of virtually no shopping in Vietnam as our days were filled with beaches or exploring temples, discovering I had booked a capsule hotel located within a shopping mall in KL was quite the pleasant surprise. It sounds sad but I almost cried when I saw this cute bag in the store window. I guess I missed shopping? But guys the bag is amazing - it has sequins inside the clear pocket part that MOVE AROUND! So yeah my tears were justified - it's a thing of beauty lol.

Black and clear backpack Jelly Bunny in Malaysia

I bought this dress on my first shopping day in Harajuku at the Super Lovers store in LaForet, it was just too cute to pass up. Every time I wear it I get Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Girls stuck in my head.

Flower dress Super Lovers

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Tokyo Shopping Haul Video!

I know I've been promising this for a while - I bought so much and the video ended up being so long. In the end I decided to publish the video anyway because it really is full of some of my most favourite ever buys from Tokyo. Somehow I fit in a lot of shopping in just 11 days in Tokyo. From Punyus to Tsumori Chisato and all my usual Tokyo cheap places this is one epic haul! Enjoy xoxo

UFO Catcher

This dress is another piece I allowed myself to buy just before I went away. Usually I ban all shopping before a big overseas trip in order to save money, but I really wanted to have some cool new threads to wear in Tokyo AND I was turning the big 3.0 so I thought heck I kinda deserve me some new shit. It may seem like all I ever have is new clothes, which I guess is true being a fashion blogger and all, but the truth of it is my wardrobe is actually very small and considered. People have been surprised by how small it actually is. I live by the rule one thing in means one thing out (which is why I'm always having garage sales) but I also prefer to spend more per piece to buy quality or interesting unique design over quantity. Being a size 16 or plus size does make this a little harder which also reduces how much I own because if half the shit I liked would fit my fat arse then I'd own it all and more often than not it doesn't so I don't buy anything for months at a time. That's why I love this custom made dress by recent UK fashion graduate Jade Clark. Made to my measurements to fit me I just love it and it really didn't cost much at all for a custom made piece at $120 including shipping!!! You need to follow Jade's instagram to see her latest designs that she can custom make for you, there's a few new things I have my eye on. 

Outfit details

Gingham dress Jade Clark custom piece via her instagram 

Rainbow plastic bag bag Vintage Comme des Garçons from Rag Tag Harajuku

Flower bangle Cats Tsumori Chisato

Cloud Socks Princess Highway

Pink clear jelly sandals Rubi Shoes

Cherry earrings Bubbles Mart Shibuya 109

Lipstick Limecrime Pink Velvet from Lady Petrova

Sad face because I didn't win the kawaii lamb plushie in the UFO catcher .·´¯`(>▂<)´¯`·.

Tokyo is the land of amazing clip-on earrings! Every cute jewellery store has a wall of regular earrings and then the same range in clip-ons which is unheard of here in Oz. Whilst my clothing wardrobe may be small my jewellery collection is out of control and has something like nine drawers devoted to it plus various wall hangings and hooks. And yes most of it is plastic! I generally prefer to buy and support local jewellery designers but in Tokyo I allow myself some cheap fun because well it is cheap and fun! The Cats Tsumori Chisato flower bangler was one of my 30th birthday pressies from Henry and I adore it. I'm thinking about doing another Tokyo Haul video like last year because I got so much good stuff on this trip!

Flower bangle Cats Tsumori Chisato

Cherry earrings Bubbles Mart Shibuya 109

Lipstick Limecrime Pink Velvet from Lady Petrova

Talking about good stuff I bought it Tokyo, how amazing is this vintage Comme des Garçons bag I bought at Rag Tag in Harajuku? I was really lucky to be the first of my friends to see it because everyone was mad jealous at my score.

Rainbow plastic bag bag Vintage Comme des Garçons from Rag Tag Harajuku

Cloud Socks Princess Highway

Pink clear jelly sandals Rubi Shoes

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White Out

I wore this outfit to go to the Tokyo Design Festa at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba. Tokyo Big Sight is kinda a futuristic place so I wanted to look kinda futuristic myself. I think I achieved this no? Or at least wearing head to toe white just seems very futuristic to me because obviously in the future stains are a thing of the past thanks to advanced fabric technology...or something. Anyway, I bought the skirt with the jumper arms just before I left for Tokyo from a local Melbourne label called Verner. Headed up by Ingird Verner who used to be the V in my favourite old Melbourne label TV (The T being Monica Tywanek) the new label brings that playful punch that I miss ever so much from TV. The kawaii laundry powder motif reminds me of the now iconic Simpsons episode where Homer finds his likeness the star of a Japanese dish washing powder commercial as 'Mr Sparkle', but maybe that's just me? I really like that the jumper arms are actually functional and the skirt can be worn both as a jumper or a skirt. It's that playful punch that I love in fashion.

Outfit details
Grind print top Monki Harajuku
Jumper arms skirt Verner
White sunglasses Tsumori Chisato from Pet Shop Girls
Pom pom earrings Bubbles Harajuku
Necklace Lactose Intoler-Art
Faux fur bangle Bubbles Harajuku
White backpack Spinns Harajuku
Silver Tabi socks Avantgarde Harajuku
White flatforms Jeffrey Campbell

I've been a long time fan and supporter of Brandon from Lactose Intoler-Art's work, first blogging his Japanese street style inspired drawings back in 2008. He's come a long way since then, moving to Tokyo himself, getting stockists of his jewellery and soon to be launched clothing range and collaborating with a Singapore based designer on a collection that walked the runway at Seoul fashion week!!! I actually will be blogging a home/studio visit I did with him whilst in Tokyo, plus a little video we filmed really soon (I promise Brandon!!!). I love this necklace he gave me so much and felt it was fitting to wear it to Tokyo Design Festa.

Necklace Lactose Intoler-Art

This backpack ended up being a total bust. I wore it one day with a pink dress and somehow the pink transferred onto the bag. I thought it must have been the dress so I replaced the bag for the same one and then sadly the same thing happened again - I wore it with a green dress and the bag turned green. The bag was only $20 and there was no point in trying to return or exchange it - often there are no return or exchange polices at stores in Japan, plus explaining it would've been a nightmare. So $40 down the drain and no bag to show for it. Oh well, it just goes to show you that buying cheap shit just ain't going to last you.

White backpack Spinns Harajuku

These silver tabi socks were bought on my last trip to Tokyo from Avantgarde in Harajuku. I don't wear them nearly enough, I do love myself some tabi socks.

Silver Tabi socks Avantgarde Harajuku
White flatforms Jeffrey Campbell

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Punyus Pink Core

Long time no blog! This was the longest break I've taken in 7 years of blogging. I don't know if you've noticed but I've not really been blogging as often as I once did. Perhaps it's the 7 year itch? I've not been feeling as inspired to blog of late even though I've continued to take photos at events and of my outfits. So much of it is good content that I do really want to share with you but I've just not been able to get the words down and write. Bloggers block, is that a thing? Regardless of all that I am currently back in Tokyo, only 6 months on from my last trip here. If I could keep returning every 6 months then I would definitely be a very happy girl. Especially now that an AMAZING plus size store has opened up in Shibuya 109!!! Shopping for clothes in Tokyo has always been difficult for those above a size 8, even my skinny friends find it difficult as most shops only have one size, yep that's right, one size! So it is very exciting that Punyus, headed by famous Japanese comedian Naomi Watanabe who is famous for her Beyonce spoof performances. Punyus was my very first stop once we landed in Tokyo and I bought the above Strawberry print top and skirt that I had lusted after as soon as I saw them in the newly launched online store.

Outfit details

Strawberry tee Punyus

Strawberry skirt Punyus

White sunglasses Tsumori Chisato from Pet Shop Girls

Pink pom pom earrings Chip The Teacup

Unicorn necklace Giza by Mademoiselle Yulia from GR8 LaForet

Pink bangle Keep Resin

Strawberry socks Punyus

Nike roshe sneakers JD Sports

Pink fur backpack Bubbles Harajuku

What is most interesting about Punyus is that the store starts at skinny sizes and ends at plus sizes. So both straight sized customers and plus size shop and work there which is AMAZING. Why does plus size have to be separate? This is proof that it doesn't. The lookbook also shows Naomi Watanabe rocking the designs next to a straight sized model showing just how awesome both plus sized and straight sized girls can look in the clothes. I've seen just as many cool Harajuku skinny fashion kids carrying Punyus shopping bags or wearing the designs as I've seen cool fat babes wearing it too. The flagship store is at Shibuya 109 (B2 floor) and the line is also carried at parent company We-Go's many stores across the country. The line is only three to four sizes depending on the item. As I said Japan is used to one size fits all sizing so four sizes is a big deal. It starts at size 1 which is an Aus 6-8, size 2 is an Aus 10-12, size 3 is an Aus 14-16 and size 4 is an Aus 18-20. So no it's not incredibly plus sized but I guess the demand for that isn't just isn't there. I do see cute fat girls all the time and I've always wondered where the bloody hell they shopped for clothes in Japan and now thanks to Punyus I know where they will be shopping from now on. It's an exciting time for plus size fashion in Japan as there is also a recently launched plus size fashion magazine called La Farfa. Yes a whole magazine dedicated to plus size fashion in print! I bought a copy of the latest issue and can't wait to share some of the features with you soon.

Kawaii Koenji times.

White sunglasses Tsumori Chisato from Pet Shop Girls

Pink pom pom earrings Chip The Teacup

Unicorn necklace Giza by Mademoiselle Yulia from GR8 LaForet

Pink bangle Keep Resin

I still love this backpack with elastic straps I bought on my last trip to Tokyo. Henry has a very funny video of it bouncing away thanks to the elastic straps on his instagram, much watch!!!

Pink fur backpack Bubbles Harajuku

JD Sports in the UK sent me this awesome pair of pink Nike printed roshe sneakers to review (although they call them trainers over in the UK). They're so bloody comfy and go perfectly with my 'pink core' outfit, which is my version of norm core. Norm core is all about wearing plain muted pieces like turtle necks, denim jeans and teaming the look with sneakers, it's a look that is all over Melbourne right now. Well I could never tone it down like that, it's just not me. But I can take elements of the trend like turtle necks (the Punyus tee has a turtle neck) and sneakers but make them pink, loud and bold which is much more me. Pink core forever!

Strawberry socks Punyus
Nike roshe sneakers JD Sports

¥A¥ for ¥en!

 Sorry guys, I know I've been terrible at taking outfit photos while here in Tokyo. Travelling alone sans my usual outfit photographer, aka my husband, has made it difficult, as has my aversion to carrying around my heavy dslr. Seriously guys that thing is a bitch to carry and I'd much rather enjoy my days then break my back trying to document them. But at last I got some photos of one of my new favourite outfits I've been rocking in Tokyo, it's actually already been on my instagram and on Candy's customer street snap blog (which is pretty much the coolest shop in Tokyo by the way). The skirt I'm wearing is actually sold at Candy but I got it before I left Australia from ASOS. It's by UK label Bitching And Junkfood and I just couldn't pass up on getting some fun ¥en printed action to wear over in Tokyo.

It gets dark pretty early in Tokyo right now, around 4pm, so these photos were taken just as we were losing light - hence the moody lighting. Thankfully the local brothels have lots of neon lights to brighten up my photo. Yep - those cute pink signs and anime cartoon ads are for brothels - or as they're called in Japan 'Pink Salon'. They do differ from regular brothels though as they're just for oral sex - skirting the laws on prostitution. I'm actually staying above one right now. This is the 'real' Japan - the gritty dirty edge that most tourists don't discover. Not everything here is twee, kawaii or traditionally minimal - I would argue that the real Japan is mountains of plastic, bureaucracy for bureaucracy's sake and a whole lotta hentai (perversion).

Outfit details
Leather biker jacket Vintage Sole Fitzroy
Peplum top River Island via ASOS last year so now sold out (sorry guys)
¥en print skirt Bitching and Junkfood via ASOS
Lilac specs Bespecd Minsk
Pom pom earrings Gift from reader
Unicorn necklace Giza by Mademoiselle Yulia from GR8 Laforet Harajuku
Sarcasm badge Fashiondacci
Hologrpahic heels Windsor Smith (similar here)

The vending machine lighting really helped capture the details of my accessories. If you watched my Tokyo shopping haul video you would've seen my new unicorn necklace by Mademoiselle Yulia's brands Giza. As I said in my video, it was a no brainer purchase because hello - it's a bloody pink unicorn!!!

Pom pom earrings Gift from reader
Unicorn necklace Giza by Mademoiselle Yulia from GR8 Laforet Harajuku
Sarcasm badge Fashiondacci

I also spoke about my new faux fur backpack from Bubbles in Harajuku in that haul vid. I LOVE it so much, especially that the straps are elastic because it means the backpack bounces as you walk - it kinda just feels awesome cos it makes it feel kinda weightless. Also it kinda looks like my backpack is twerking as I walk, and that's a big global meme worthy trend right now so double yay! Oh and to make it even better the straps say 'Bubbles Saw The City' in that kinda hip hop elastic tracksuit way (?). You know what I mean? The 'Hate All People' badge is from Nadia in Harajuku - I love the juxtaposition of something that looks so cute, pink and girly with a message so off putting (but true, am I right?). The design was actually done by Manami-san who now works at Bubbles.

Faux fur backpack Bubbles Harajuku
Hate all people badge Nadia Harajuku
Hologrpahic heels Windsor Smith (similar here)

I met up with fellow Aussie Aaron who is currently living over here in Tokyo working as a model/dj and blogging over at his wicked blog A*POP. He hadn't been to Koenji before so I offered to show him around as it can be a little confusing on a first time visit, especially trying to find the Kitakore building (where he bought his cool new sneakers from ilil as seen in the shot above). As Aaron was taking my outfit photos a local who was carrying his own dslr offered to take our photo together for us, so we happily took him up on the offer. It's not unusual then to be asked if they can take your photo in Japan - it's a daily occurrence in Japan if you're a westerner with somewhat cool or cute style - or blonde hair. Well what happened next was certainly not normal, if anything it was a little hentai. He wanted us to 'kissu kissu' for his shot and wouldn't say what the photo was for. Of course we refused but thankfully we got these shots of us together before all that happened. Ahhh Japan I do love you so.

Kissu kissu xoxo

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