Chokers: Back on Trend

Image credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wir0jTrf2sY

Cartoon portrayal of Mathilda from Leon: The Professional 

Worn zealously by many, was a hot item in the 90's and has made a comeback. Yes, the choker. Thankfully for me, chokers are everywhere to be found and come in an array of colours and designs. Chokers are definitely a staple part of my 'fashion diet' if you will. My neck feels empty when I'm not wearing one, which seriously emphasises how much I actually wear them. My addiction to this item of jewelry first began when I attended a Expo in Central London. With various items being sold, my attention became fixated on one particular stool selling jewelry where the style was something I didn't think I'd typically go for. However, I bought it and till this day, it has to be my favourite choker. I'll be going through a few of the chokers I own, and yes I have nicknames for them all.

1. 'Golden Goddess' 

Being the first choker I purchased, it makes perfect sense to mention it first. This choker drew my attention, firstly due to the golden colour, which I believe compliments my skin tone quite well. Secondly, I loved the interweaving of colour throughout the middle of the choker, thirdly, though this was after I bought it, I received large amounts of compliments about this beauty, therefore I knew I'd made the right choice. The design 'Golden Goddess' sports also drew me in. Its elegant nature allows for it to be paired with everyday and evening clothing. But, it is a shame that I cannot remember the name of the shop I bought it from, since I would love to purchase more of their items. 

2. 'Moonchild' 

I received this as a birthday present from a friend who obviously knows what's up! Its super cute, dainty and is made using a soft material, minimising the worry of irritation that most people have of chokers. I really like the galaxy print on this item; it's colourful, and the pendant in the middle, I was told, came in various other shapes. This was bought for me by a friend, from Spinns; the Japanese store that I seem to be referencing endlessly!

3. 'Excellently Elizabethan'  

This reminds me so much of old English embellishments on clothing for the upper class during the Elizabethan period. I again received this as a birthday gift, and like 'Moonchild' it's just too cute. It is slightly larger than many of the chokers I own, but is still a dainty piece made with a mix of lace and small pearls. I find that this choker goes well with tops that have a v-shaped neck line, a decolletage neck line, an off the shoulder neckline; in other words, a neck line that reveals the greater area of the neck. Since the pendant is large, a lower neck line helps to bring to attention its cuteness. 

4. 'Timely 90's'

This has to be the most worn style of choker in the high street. The OG of chokers. Its simplicity allows other jewelry worn around the neck to aid it, without looking clumsy or having an air of 'too much-ness'. Its tattooed look varies in colour, which probably aids its popularity and can be purchased everywhere from ASOS to Camden. This is definitely the choker I wear most often as black and white go with everything I own.

5. 'Pretty in Print'

   

I remember buying this choker on a whim whilst on my study abroad programme (Spinns). I saw it and thought "I hardly own items with patterns on them, so I'm totally buying this!!" So here we are. It's a choker that I have probably found the hardest to sport; since I have probably mentioned, I'm not a pattern fanatic, though I would love to be one. Its bold pattern is juxtaposed with the delicate weaving of said pattern. Its material is soft and sits quite comfortably on the neck. The neutral colours again allow ease in pairing with other items of clothing and it reminds me a lot of African print which I can't help but love the look of.

Chokers, like most other 90's trends; mum jeans, jelly shoes etc. are making it big again. The recycling of fashion trends allows us to see the beauty in items from the past all over again. So this is definitely one trend I am all on board for.

Carla Creary xo  

Ya Girl Flew To Japan: Haul

Yep. So I went back.
Its soon, but I just I had to.
Ya girl had fun though!

Haiku over, it was like a force consisting of amazing food, clothes and fantastic beauty products that was pulling me to go. While out there, I had my fill of delicious/ 美味しい(tasty) foods, bought some new clothes, visited some owls in a cute cafe, and met up with some friends.
But since this is a fashion blog, I'm gonna go ahead and share some of my buys in my first haul post! ~

Clothing:

1. I find it hard to go anywhere and not buy a single item of clothing, so why would I change with this trip! 
   First, is this used jumper/sweater from Spinns (I spent most of my money in this shop). I was really looking for a pretty number that was cute, but also pink. I absolutely love pink but I don't own a piece of clothing in the colour. It immediately caught my eye and I had to have it. Its kinda worn which I love, and is still in pretty good condition for being used! A little bit of Minnie and Micky Mouse in your wardrobe is a nice touch too.
   
   
2. Long coats are kind of all the rage right now in Tokyo, with girls sporting colours all over the colour scale. But I found one, hidden in the back of Spinns calling my name. A green number that actually goes with a lot I already own. It comes up about knee length, thin but great for layering and I'm all about that, It comes with a beauty of an inside pocket along with three other handy little item holders.
   
   
   
3. I really wanted a simple t-shirt, but I ended up finding a blood red long sleeve top that I really like. The arms are baggy enough for it to give the feel of a jumper, but its thinner so still just feels like a top? With a cute pocket attached to the left breast, its simple yet cute. Oh yeah, its from Spinns.
   
   
   
4. Another jumper! Since I live in England I mostly wear jumpers. I'm super invested in them. This is again a green cutie, with the material at the waist side cut horizontally, which means easy tucking for the front (I always tuck in jumpers, to show my high waisted jeans). with a v neck line its really nice parring this jumper with delicate jewelry.
   
   
   
   

Skin Products:

1. A store that I found in Japan whilst there for study abroad which is actually Korean called Too Cool For School, has me hooked. I usually get their concealer but this time, I found out that they have a highlighter that comes with their concealer, so that's what I bought. Their packaging is also too cute for words, making buying their product so lovely.
   
   
   
   
   
2. As I mentioned previously, I met up with a few friends whilst there and one of my beautiful friends gave me a Welcome Back present! Super cute Japanese animal face masks. they are so adorable, I haven't even opened them yet!! (So i can't report on results) but It was technically what I received when I was there.
   
   

Bag:

1. Because I got to shopping happy like always, I ended up having to buy an extra bag to put all of the stuff I bought (souvenirs, clothing etc.). I got a rucksack from Wego, another one of my cherished Japanese high street stores, that is black, quite spacious and above all goes with so much of what I wear to university. The straps are also wide, which is lovely cause back pain isn't! It is such a nice bag for university and it fits all my books and other crap that I bring to school with me. I love it.
   
   
   
   
   

And that's what I bought! Japan was a blast as usual and I hope to find myself basking in its greatness very soon!

Carla Creary xo