A dear friend in Japan sent me a package of goodies, including a very interesting top:
It’s a tank top sort of thing with elasticized armholes and waist. The material is–wait for it–windbreaker nylon. I am not sure exactly how I am supposed to wear it. I know it’s a shirt because the customs declaration form indicated “t-shirt,” and it was the only apparel-like item in the package. Yeah, many of you are probably thinking, “Don’t wear it, you freak!” I have to confess, though, that I rather like it (and I should probably also confess that I am not particularly fashionable. I would say my style is more elderly Chinese tourist, complete with socks with skirts and the like). Anyway, does anyone know the proper way to wear this top?
*Some people have had problems leaving comments. If you experience these issues, please e-mail me, and I will whine to my brother in hopes he can rectify the situation.
Trying to fix Mariko’s screwup.
Mariko, I love that you modeled it with a shirt underneath, you fashionista, you!
HEY EVERYONE, OPEN COMMENT SEASON. I FIXED MARIKO’S SCREWUP.
Oh, and is that a dentist’s smock?
I have an top just like that, but it’s made out of cotton. Same elastic sleeves, etc. I only wear a bra under, not a whole nother top under it. 😉
I wear mine with cute patterned skirts. Though yours is made out of windbreaker material, and that’s what throws me a bit. But if they mix that material in with other materials, we can too! I think the trick is to figure out which other material skirts and pants it will go well with.
I was in Tokyo last month and that seems like the kind of thing that is usually worn over something else like a fitted camisole or something. Though I bet you could wear it on its own too. Actually, what I noticed in Tokyo was that just about anything that could be layered, was even if it wasn’t meant to be.
Personally, I’d wear it with jeans, but I bet it would be cute with the right skirts or over a slip dress or something.
yeah i think it would be a totally cute summer top without a fucking buttondown blouse underneath it, you big goofball. pair it with one of your new skirts and go!
There’s one VERY fashionable lady in my office from China that wears stuff like that and she looks great in whatever wild concoction she comes up with. I’d say wear it with a long sleeve t-shirts with some cinched-up pedal pushers (??) and sandals.
Could it be to wear in cold weather as a wind breaker under another coat?
I agree with chi-zu; it’s all about the layers.
I’d go with a plain somewhat fitted t-shirt underneath. Throw on a cute patterned skirt or jeans (wonderful, versitile jeans!) and you’re good to go baby.
No suggestion re: the top, but “eldery Chinese tourist style,” ahahahaha!
Maybe you could wear it as an apron? Or, if you ever go get your hair cut, you could wear the top to the salon, making sure you wear something over it while in transit. Or recycle it? Use it to make another raincoat for Deedle?
Windbreaker material??? My first thought was that it could be some fashionable running top, but I may be wrong. I think it’s meant for layering, like what everyone else thinks!
Um, I’d fill it up with styrofoam peanuts and tell people I’m a big blue schmoo.
Seriously, the best accessory for this top is attitude. As long as you can pretend you look fierce, people will believe it. And by next month, we’ll be wearing elasticized windbreaker t-shirts up here in Seattle! I want mine in matcha green.
If its windbreaker material looks like a biking top or running top?
Hey there,
I’m thinking you should pair it with a short sleeved t-shirt underneath, and then those long pair of shorts or a pair of cropped jeans. Key is layering.
first thougth: burn it!
second thought: with some embellishment this would be absolutely wearable with a short sleeved, fitted shirt underneath or alone, along with cropped jeans… like capri jeans f. ex.
but… doesn
LOL, no idea how to wear that. It reminds me of the throwaway scrubs they made my husband wear during my two c-sections.
Windbreaker material, huh? At first glance, it kind of looked like those blue paper bib things that they make you wear at the dentist! I’m afraid I have no clue as to how to wear it! Good luck!
Melissa
Mariko, I’m not so sure about wearing it over that shirt. Is that even comfortable? I think either wearing it over a tank top or t-shirt or just solo would be better. Maybe with one of those cute skirts you’ve been making?
Take a look at this Japanese street fashion site:
http://www.japanesestreets.com/
The only conclusion one could come to after seeing those pictures is that it was meant to be layered. Having said that, I’m not so sure you’d want to use it how it was “intended” in the US. And, certainly not if your personal style could be described as “elderly Chinese tourist”. That may be a shock to your system. Maybe a tight-fitting t-shirt under it would be fine (and not tone on tone, perhaps – something like a dark color underneath might work well).
Incidentally, can you imagine the number of loads of laundry that must get washed by the people in those pictures??
It is funny, I actually saw someone in a Chinese Music store wearing one in white today. She just wore it like a tank top. She kindof pulled the shoulders down just a tad so the elastic was just over the widest point of the shoulder. She had the elastic waist setting up above her natural waist and then had it folded over. She was wearing very low rise plack short cargo pants out of the same material with a Channel multi strand of pearl and gold belt and very very high strappy black sandals.
It was pretty cute and very trendy.
aren’t you suppose to wear that jogging with those underpant lookin’ jogging panty thingies????
Maybe it’s just the thing to wear while boating to ward off a slight chill? Or sky-diving apparel???
Oh, I love your description of elderly Chinese tourist! I don’t know exactly how to describe what I do wear. I only know that I see alot of what I won’t wear, so it is hard to shop for myself, haha! I love how you and your insane brother bug/help each other!
Rule #1: Wear it like you mean it.
My students wear that top! A lot–very fashionable amomgst 20-something Japanese women. They tend to layer about 3 shirts, usually all sleeveless and all in contrasting colors and patterns, and then maybe two skirts, or pants or jeans and a skirt over it, some big beady necklaces, pointy-toed mules, and the requisite Louis Vuitton bag hanging off the elbow! Voila, Japanese university student!