Anime, Games & Fashion

As a fashion blog, it's important to note trends and keep on top of popular opinion when it comes to trench coats, galaxy print and cuffed jeans. Sometimes, though, it's important to challenge what people think. Generally in gaming and anime culture, girls are categorised into two groups:

• Girls who are genuinely interested 
• Girls who aren't

Which is fine, this is a perfectly natural grouping. However, society has dictated that those in the first group cannot also be interested in fashion and maintaining a nice appearance. Those in the second group will sometimes enter the culture so that they can preen for the boys they are surrounding themselves with. Girls who make an effort can be placed in the second simply because they make an effort to look nice. 

I'd like to suggest that these hobbies and fashion aren't mutually exclusive. There'some pretty obvious ways they coincide. For example, cosplay. Dressing up is turned into an art form and how you present yourself is rather important. Fashion styles, such as lolita, have been inspired by anime.

My generic cosplay for Smash 2012

Part of the reason I think these stereotypes exist is because gaming/anime can take a lot of time. Attending anime marathons or LANs which can run for a few hours may seem like something to pull the tracky dacks out for however being comfortable doesn't mean looking bad, being dirty or being a slob. If I'm going to makesure to present myself when spending hours at university, why would it be any different when I'm hanging out with friends for a long gaming session? 

Are these stereotypes things that have influenced you? Do you think anime, gaming and fashion should always be separate interests? 

OOTD: Mint and Galaxy Print

They say the galaxy print is so last season - I for one am still in love with the print, but I think it's highly dependent on how out there and dramatic the actual galaxy print is. There's so much variety out there in terms on material, type of clothing item and it can make the whole trend in general look a little tacky and, especially now, a little outdated.

With this in mind, I threw together a quick outfit that I think is suitable for a lot of occasions and makes use of a more subtle galaxy print:

Romwe Skirt, SES Mint Cardigan, New Look Flats

This Thursday: No heat wavy hair!

My secret to foolproof wavy hair - plaits! I usually tie my hair into pigtails at night after I've washed my hair, and the results are amazing every time. Also helps that my hair is naturally a little wavy as well, but if your hair is straight a little spritz of your favourite hairspray should do the trick :)

Tidbit Tuesday: Fishtail Plait!

from youtube channel Zoella

Shoe Unboxing: Boohoo Cutout Boots

Yikes, I completely forgot to post something on Saturday! I guess it's time to start the week off with a shoe unboxing instead :)

I recently stumbled across a pair of lovely heeled ankle boots on boohoo.com, and 100% impulsively bought them. It was a couple of days before Chinese New Year (my parents have this kind of superstition that buying shoes in the new year period is bad fortune...anyone else?) so I thought why not! I'm going to do a bit of a shoe unboxing in this post, an initial review of the boots and also delve a little into my experience with boohoo.

OOTD: Fun & Frizzy

There's a constant war against frizzy hair, be it by the use of products or straighteners or some quick fix methods. My hair's naturally quite frizzy and while I do succumb to the pressure sometimes it seems a bit silly. This outfit was designed to work with the natural way my hair falls when it's out. 

This Thursday: Cats!

I've kind of been a little obsessed with all things cats lately....how cute is that skirt?! What are your furry friend obsessions?

cats cats cats cats cats..... by twoinsolitude featuring shirts & tops

Happy Thursday, you've nearly made it to the end of the week! Until next time,

Tidbit Tuesday: Steampunk Style

Steampunk Style by twoinsolitude 

Musings: Hair Styles & Length

I've been wearing my hair reasonably long recently as my sister would like me to wear it this way (because I'm going to be a bridesmaid at her wedding!). It's definitely been on my mind to get it cut either when the wedding has gone by or at the start of spring. Deciding on a style or even just a length is something I usually struggle with so I'm starting to think about it and gather ideas now.

Here's a quick look at some ways I've worn my hair:

When I was younger, I had much longer hair but I definitely prefer shorter styles. Sometimes I worry that perhaps I should be growing it out because it's meant to be more appealing - then I realise as long as I'm happy with how it looks, it's silly to worry. 

OOTD: Aviators, skinny jeans and sky-high heels

Happy Saturday everyone! It's the weekend, finally, and I threw together an outfit which I think is great for a house party or any generic casual night out:

This Thursday: Social Salsa

Salsa is so much fun! It's also great for really fun, flashy outfits. Do you like to dress up and dance?

Tidbit Tuesday: My recent manicures

Some quick photos of the manicures I've been rocking the past month - I'm getting better at maintaining them so they last longer!

Left photo using: OPI's Suzi and the Lifeguard as base, and Modelsprefer Pink Champagne
Right photo using: Modelsprefer (not sure of the name of the aqua colour), and Ring a Boy

OOTD: Engineering Chic

This is just a really casual outfit thrown together for going to uni. Enclosed shoes for lab access, long sleeves to protect from mozzies/cold and some ripped jeans to add some style. It's pretty simple but keeps me comfy while still letting me feel 'chic'.

It's definitely an outfit that is designed for practicality however I don't think it's a case of practicality first, style second. Some people think it should be 50/50. Personally, I think that because I love what I'm doing dressing for my degrees quirks helps imbue my outfits with personality.

Ombre, Balayage and Dip-Dye: I coloured my hair!

In mid-January I walked into a salon and coloured my hair for the first time. I had been dreaming of the day for so long, and had been growing my hair for the past 2 years in preparation for the big day. I don't exactly recall who it was I saw that inspired this sudden yet lingering urge to colour my hair. What I had dreamed of, was a dip-dye.
 

But the terms are not always clear. Dip dye, ombre, balayage. And google images isn't the best at differentiating them either. After being confused for a long time between whether I wanted ombre or dip dye, I settled on dip dye. It looked a lot easier to maintain and I figure if I don't like it anymore I can just get a pair of scissors and hack away.

A quick fyi: here are some photos I gathered on the internet which will hopefully differentiate the terms:

This Thursday: My Wishlist

Want to contribute? Let us know what are your wardrobe staples?

Tidbit Tuesday: What I made for Valentine's Day!

This is quite possibly the corniest, sappiest, cheesiest thing I have done, ever. But my boyfriend loved it so I thought I'd share :) I hope you enjoyed!

xx Yvonne

P.S. Did you get your craft on for Valentines? What do you use for inspiration?

So...who are we?

Hi everyone! We are Kelly and Yvonne, and we're super excited to start this blog together and share them with you :) as a way to kick things off we thought it would be fun to each come up with four questions for each other and ask them kind of interview style, so you can get to know us a little better. So let's get started!

 

Kelly on the left, Yvonne on the right!

Introducing Kelly: Yvonne asks the hard-hitting questions

Who/what inspires you the most?

It might be a bit silly but pretty things. Putting together an outfit to showcase one particular item makes me happy and so I'd say that's what inspires me about fashion. The act of creation.

In terms of people, the only person I can really think of is Yvonne who encouraged me to take an interest. I don't really follow celebrities or anything like that so I don't have an answer along those lines.

If you had to pick one pair of shoes to wear for the rest of your life, what would they be?

I did consider a sensible but pretty pair of black flats but it would have to be flat ankle boots because I need to have enclosed shoes for a lot of the things I want to do.

When it comes to buying clothing, do you think being frugal and cheap are the same thing?

No, I think 'cheap' is a style. It's reminiscent of gaudy baubles and flashy, fake attire whereas being frugal is simply managing your money so that you can buy pieces that allow you to show your style without going outside your means.

Why did you decide to take part in this blog?

I think I decided to take part because I'm doing a male-orientated degree, engineering, and sometimes that means losing sight of interests like fashion. They can result in some ribbing from the boys when you gush over bags or shoes but it's important to me that people realise you can be both - an engineering student AND happy with how you look. Dressing well makes me feel good, I want people to see that.

Introducing Yvonne: Kelly asks some philosophical (yet stylish) questions

Who inspires your sense of fashion most?

I get my inspiration from a lot of things, but if I had to stick to WHO inspires me, it would most definitely have to be other bloggers, and youtubers. Some particular ones that come to mind include Jenn from clothesencounters, Claire from heyclaire, Connie from kisforkani and Lua from le-happy.

What do you think the defining elements of your style are?
I think my style is very eclectic, and extremely dependent on mood. I don't think there would be a true label for my overall style, although lately I have been moving towards a more laid-back rocker look. Think denim, collars, a little bit of leather and studs.

If you could purchase one complete outfit, regardless of cost, what would it be?
This is a tricky one. There isn't exactly one true 'complete' outfit I can think of. I have lots of individual items in my head, if that counts? :P I would love to own a Burberry coat, or a Prada bag. They're timeless and classic to me and scream effortless and chic.

What is your favourite landscape view? Do you think this reflects your clothing choices?
My favourite landscape view....I have to pick ONE?! :P I enjoy photography a lot so this makes it a hard question to answer. I love going to outlook posts along the coast. Trekking up a hill, and finally reaching the viewing area with the wind in your face and the vast swelling ocean before you. It gives me a lot of perspective in life and for a moment I feel so incredibly small. I think it reflects my clothing choices in that it reminds me how mortal I am, and therefore how little I should care about what others may think. Dress for yourself, and make yourself happy.

Whelp, that's all folks! We hope you enjoyed reading and can't wait to get started regularly posting! Happy reading and we'll see you next time!