My 2023 fashion review

· Fashion

This is the time for my fashion review (or shopping review) of my year 2023. It’s the 4th year I’ve been doing this exercise, listing everything I’ve bought (and received as gifts) in terms of clothing and accessories/jewelry during the past year. This allows me to assess my consumption but also to shop with mindfulness (as I note each purchase on my phone as it happens). Let’s see what 2023 brought into my wardrobe!

 

13 NEW ADDITIONS in 2023: 8 PURCHASES and 5 GIFTS

In comparison with previous years (2022: 9 acquisitions including 5 purchases, 2021: 13 acquisitions including 7 purchases, 2020: 8 acquisitions including 3 purchases), I remain consistent in my consumption, which remains fairly stable and reasonable. That said, I can’t claim that my 2023 acquisitions are 100% essential: there’s utility, comfort, unexpected favorites, but also a bit of disappointment in some things.

I will now describe these new additions in detail, starting with my purchases and finishing the list with the gifts received.

 


CONVERSE LEATHER SNEAKERS

Sneakers Chuck Taylor All Star Leather ox CONVERSE

 

Purchase date : May 2023

Why I bought them : To replace my old leather Converse, worn throughout all seasons for 10 loyal years, which were starting to wear and detach in several places (I still keep the old ones for concerts, festivals, on muddy and dusty grounds).

My daily use :I wear them year-round as leather Converse, in my opinion, are life! No worries about cleaning the canvas (I even have white leather ones); I can wear them like classic sneakers without fearing the weather.

However, I’m somewhat disappointed with the quality of my new Converse, as the lining at the heel is already tearing after only 8 months of use. The finishing quality is not the same as my 2013 pair, which is a shame. We’ll see how they hold up over time! Useful replacement acquisition but with mixed enthusiasm.

 

2 UNIQLO BUMBAGS

Bumbags  UNIQLO

 

Dates of purchases : May 2023 (black one) and July 2023 (off white)

Why I bought them : For convenience when attending concerts (bumbags are life too!) and to have a large storage capacity in a small volume. I initially fell for the black model but later realized it would be nice to have a lighter one to match other outfits.

My daily use :These bumbags are magical—so much so that you see them everywhere, on everyone, but it doesn’t bother me because it has a fairly generic design. I find it easier and more often to wear in spring/summer than in winter, but for me, it’s an absolutely ideal accessory to keep my hands free during a concert or a stroll (without pulling on the shoulder!).

 

JAPANESE PYJAMAS

Pyjamas jinbei like bought at KIMONOYA PARIS (11 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe PARIS 4)

 

Date of purchase: September 2023

Why I bought them: I wanted to buy a quality pyjama, preferably in the style of “Jinbei (甚平).” Usually, Jinbei pants are quite short, which didn’t really appeal to me. I discovered that there were Jinbei with long pants at the KIMONOYA store in Paris. They are not cheap, but they are made in Japan. I liked the simple (even austere) design of this one.

My daily use : I’m satisfied with the “ryokan” at-home feeling that transports me to Japan when I wear my pyjama. The fabric is quite thick, so it might be a bit warm in hot weather, but for winter and mid-season, it’s entirely appropriate (I might need to find a kind of Japanese indoor coat to complete the set).

 

2 VINTAGE LEVI’S JEANS

Vintage jeans 501 LEVI’S (bought at Chloé’s NUMÉRO DEUX)

 

Date of purchase : October 2023

Why I bought them : Inspired by my colleagues Anne, Deedee and Géraldine finding their ideal jeans through Chloé from Numéro Deux, I wanted to try the experience since I’ve never been fully satisfied with a pair of jeans. Knowing that Chloé manages to find vintage Levi’s jeans and then has them altered to fit perfectly, I took the plunge, like any regular customer, and was not disappointed.

My daily use : I wear both of my jeans (one black and one blue) all the time; they have a loose and comfortable fit. I no longer need to own many different jeans: these fulfill all my expectations—vintage and high quality, what more could I ask for! (I might consider getting a white pair in the future since my current one from Uniqlo is starting to wear out.)

 

MADONNA CELEBRATION TOUR TEESHIRT

Teeshirt Like A Virgin The Celebration Tour MADONNA

 

Date of purchase: November 2023

Why I bought it : A completely unexpected purchase, driven by the excitement of experiencing the 2 best concerts of my year (or even my life!) during Madonna’s Celebration Tour. I wanted to keep a memento by choosing this reissue of the 1985 Like a Virgin tour T-shirt (with a nod to the retrospective event, printed on the back).

My daily use : Since I bought it in late autumn, I can’t say I wear it every day in these winter temperatures, but I know I’ll use it with pleasure at festivals/concerts or even this summer with a casual look. I actually find the T-shirt’s quality quite good compared to the usual concert T-shirts sold.

 

BLUNDSTONE BOOTS

Boots Classic Chelsea 558 BLUNDSTONE

 

Date of purchase : December 2023

Why I bought them : I mentioned here that I was looking for rain boots due to the predominantly humid Parisian weather. My quest has not stopped since: I tried many models, but none were convincing enough for me (cute but uncomfortable Hunter ankle boots—should I mention that my feet are very picky about comfort, especially with age, okay Aigle boots but the logo too visible(=same for Hunter)… until I saw these Blundstone boots on an Italian tourist in December. I asked her about the model she was wearing and where she bought them: Lucky me ! She acquired them the day before at a store in Les Halles (Sagone, 21 rue Mondétour, PARIS 1). So, I went to try them on (= this is what we call real-life influence! hehe) and adopted them!

My daily use : I walked the streets of London non-stop with them, in the rain and in Paris too. These boots are made of water-resistant leather, allowing better breathability than rubber while maintaining good waterproofing. I later saw that there are even more waterproof models of Blundstone boots (with a blue tag), but I am satisfied with these in terms of comfort, waterproofing, and the versatile design. I will keep you posted on their durability over the years.

 

ATELIER PARTICULIER BELT

Suede belt ATELIER PARTICULIER

 

Gift date : March 2023 (Late Christmas gift from my friend Lionel)

My daily use : I wouldn’t have thought to invest in a beige-colored belt, but it seems that my friend Lionel has a stylistic flair and anticipates my desires! This belt is simply perfect for elevating a simple outfit and giving it a touch of chic. I’ve worn it on multiple occasions with different outfits. A very good find!

 

2 ELOÏSE FIORENTINO EARRINGS

ORIGINE and MARÉES earrings ELOÏSE FIORENTINO

 

Date of gift : June 2023 from the creator

My daily use : I own several pairs from the creator for several years and love them. This year, I was fortunate to receive 2 new pairs: large, delicate golden hoops, and this more imposing model. Elegance, simplicity, and refinement: definite values for me.

 

DUNST BLAZER

Blazer unisexe “Button heavy wool jacket beige herringbone » DUNST

 

 

Date of gift : November 2023 by Dunst

My daily use : I had the chance to be invited to discover this South Korean brand during an evening in a Parisian pop-up store. I was greatly impressed by the lookbook silhouettes and style, especially this unisex beige-gray blazer. It’s warm, the composition is decent (50% wool), and its cut allows me to update my boyish looks a bit. I’ll keep you updated on its quality over time.

 

DUNST GREEN SWEATER

Green sweater DUNST

 

Dateof gift : November 2023 by Dunst

My daily use : I thought the green color would add some spice to my looks (I don’t own a green sweater, knowing that this color can harmonize wonderfully with camel, beige).

A slight disappointment when I took a closer look at the composition of this sweater since it contains only 5% cashmere and 27% wool—far too little for a sweater called “essential cashmere”! I haven’t worn it much yet, but I have some doubts about its longevity. I didn’t pay enough attention to dissect the composition, so I’m much less convinced by this item than the blazer. It goes to show that, within the same brand, one must stay vigilant… but to be continued!

 

TO SUM UP

Even if this fashion review turns out to be quite satisfactory for me, I was disappointed by a few acquisitions due to lack of vigilance (Dunst sweater) or a decline in the level of attention to finishing details (Converse). Despite shopping consciously and accepting only gifts that please me (in terms of “influencer” gifts), one sometimes has to face missteps! It will teach me to be even more vigilant in the future.

In any case, I believe I can wear everything that entered my wardrobe in 2023 frequently. The question remains whether the quality will endure! Looking ahead, I don’t really have clothing/accessories left on my ideal wardrobe wish-list and am content with what I already own, so I’m crossing my fingers to maintain more or less the same body size and tastes over the years.

The “shoes” category might become challenging for me, as some ankle boots or slightly more “dressy” shoes in my possession become uncomfortable (thank you, hallux valgus): I might need to update my shoes in the future. But otherwise, unless there’s a great love-at-first-sight moment, I don’t plan to invest in other clothing.

And you? How have you analyzed your fashion review for the year 2023? (English translation by Quiterie)

HAPPY 2024 !

· Art, Illustration

And here’s the start-of-year tradition I’ve been happy to perpetuate for 6 years now: My New Year’s wishes and the sending of greetings cards!

The year 2023 turned out to be an emotional rollercoaster for me, but was nonetheless rich in lessons and happy moments. I don’t know what 2024 has in store for me, but I’m ready for it!

 

MAY 2024 BE SWEET AND SPARKLING !

In these complicated times, it’s become a little tricky to wish each other a happy new year in a carefree and light-hearted way, but let’s persevere… We need it!

I therefore wish you continued vitality, which is essential to the success of all your endeavours. May this year shine with its good times, and succeed in brightening up the darkest ones.

Health, love and enchantment in everyday life: that’s what I want to wish you from the bottom of my heart.

 

MY 2024 GREETING CARD(S)

This year, I’ve designed 4 different greeting cards. Each one represents a mood and trend for 2024.

I wanted to give them a little retro look in the style of US posters and logos, featuring my alter ego Tokyobibi inside of course! So, what’s on your mind? In a relaxed, sporty, festive or gourmet mood for 2024? I hope you’ll enjoy them!

 

A SIGNED CARD FOR YOU

Like every year, the principle is simple to try to receive one signed by me in your mailbox. You have to::

  • Leave me a comment below
  • Tell me if you prefer to receive a “Cosy &nice”, “Savoury & sweet”, “Crazy & sparkling” ou “Sporty & healthy” card
  • Tell me about your wishes for 2024 (I’ve been told it helps your wishes come true ;-))
  • You have until SUNDAY JANUARY 7TH to do so !

I’llchoose 20 people to whom I will send my wishes by mail. Thank you for being here after almost 17 years and participating … And once again, Merry & happy 2024 to you! (English translation by Quiterie)

 

January 14th EDIT : Thank you all for your messages, your wishes and your enthusiasm for this traditional contest! I’m touched by your words and your loyalty. Here are the 20 people to whom I’ll be sending my greetings (=watch out for your mailbox and spam so I can get your postal addresses ) Well done and thank you! <3

 

Ana ( Commentaire du1er janvier à 12h05)
Rachel Smialy (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 12h09)
Claire (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 12h18)
Dorothée Brondes (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 12h38)
Anne-Marie (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 12h46)
Karène L. (commentaire du 1er janvier à 13h06)
Camille (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 13h14)
Melodie (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 13h15)
TINOU (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 13h30)
Aurélie (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 13h43)
Marion (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 14h03)
Marie (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 14h25)
Anacris (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 15h47)
Chachouliliris (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 17h23)
Waffo (Commentaire du 1er janvier à 17h43)
Mathilde (Commentaire du 2 janvier à 9h32)
Catherine B (Commentaire du 2 janvier à 12h17)
Morgane (Commentaire du 2 janvier à 14h01)
Elizec (Commentaire du 3 janvier à 23h45)
Laurelas (Commentaire du 4 janvier à 19h40)

The books I read in 2022

· Art, Culture

After my fashion shopping review of 2022, in another theme, I thought it would be interesting to list the books I read in 2022.

Even if I consider that opinions/feelings can differ from one person to another (as for the cinema) and that my opinion is far from being universal, it might give you some reading inspirations.

 

REDISCOVER THE PLEASURE OF READING

For the past 2 years, I’ve been reading progressively and I notice that I take more and more pleasure in it, as I always had trouble concentrating.

Since my schooling (during which I used to read more by obligation), I started to enjoy reading again with easy to read Japanese novels (by Ogawa Ito for example) by reading every day at breakfast about twenty pages.

Then, as time went by, I learned to concentrate more and I can now read much longer and almost at any time of the day (except in the evening at bedtime because I fall asleep quickly after 2 pages, whether it is captivating or not). In the end, I read 24 books last year.

The idea is not to read as many books as possible and make a performance out of it. I am simply happy to have opened a door that I was closing with the excuse of lack of time or lack of attention. I realize that when you can find themes that you like, reading becomes more natural and diligent. And for the lack of time, it is ultimately a question of priority (reading allows me to get away from the screens, which is not bad).

In this article, I will try to classify my read books by categories. There is a thin line between “favorite” and “good reading moment” but the idea is to mark a small difference in appreciation among my list.

If you have read some of these books, please let me know your feedbacks in the comments: I’m always curious to read common or divergent opinions on books, like a movie debrief.

 

MY FAVORITES

These are books that made me feel a lot of emotions and that I was looking forward to reading every day. I may read them again in the future.

LE JARDIN ARC-EN-CIEL by OGAWA ITO
Maybe my favorite book of the Japanese author Ogawa Ito. An ode to tolerance, love and the sweetness of life in a cocoon atmosphere, following the life of this homoparental family told in turn by each of its members.

THE TRAVELLING CAT CHRONICLES by HIRO ARIKAWA
I didn’t really know what to expect when I read this novel which involves a cat in the narration. This cat tells his daily life and his life as an adopted stray cat. As the reading goes on, we get attached to the characters. Without revealing too much, this story will certainly touch your heart, because of the sincerity of the relationships described and its sensitivity.

PACHINKO by MIN JIN LEE
I had already talked about it in an instagram post if you want to read a more detailed review. I really enjoyed this Korean family saga that takes place over several generations in Korea and Japan. I even preferred the novel over the series (which approaches the story in a different order) even though the latter is still of high quality.

 

MY GOOD READING MOMENTS

STRANGE WEATHER IN TOKYO by HIROMI KAWAKAMI
I have read the novel as well as the comic book illustrated by Jirō Taniguchi. I also told my opinion on this instagram post.

LE GOÛTER DU LION by ITO OGAWA
The last novel of Ogawa Ito translated in French, again I had a good time reading it. This time, the end of life is approached with an incredible serenity, in a paradisiacal Japanese island. My full review can be read here.

THE MEMORY POLICE by YÔKO OGAWA
A novel about an imaginary island where objects disappear little by little while fading from the memories of its inhabitants. Secret police, clandestine refugees are present in this metaphor of totalitarian regimes which sometimes becomes oppressive but gives food for thought. This story will obviously be adapted into a feature film soon and I understand why. While reading, I had the impression of being embarked in a movie.

LE POIDS DES SECRETS (TSUBAKI, HAMAGURI, TSUBAME, WASURENAGUSA, HOTARU) by AKI SHIMAZAKI
This pentalogy includes 5 novels to read in a row: Tsubaki, Hamaguchi, Tsubame, Wasurenagusa, Hotaru. The first one, Tsubaki sets the basis of this tormented family story and the 4 others describe a narrative point of view of 4 other characters, allowing to discover new secrets. Even if the sequence of the 5 works is sometimes redundant, I still enjoyed reading these books that reveal the underbelly of a Japanese family during the 2nd World War, while highlighting the social pressure and intolerance that can result from it.

A ZOO IN WINTER by JIRŌ TANIGUCHI
Another comic book that was in my library and that I never took the time to read. Always a good time to read a work of Jirō Taniguchi. Here, it is an almost autobiographical story about the beginnings of a young mangaka.

THE MIRACLES OF THE NAMIYA STORE by KEIGO HIGASHINO
I liked the fantastic side of this story on the background of time travel and stories cleverly interwoven. A very pleasant reading.

CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN by SAYAKA MURATA
A short and easy to read novel about Keiko, a 36 years old Japanese woman with an atypical personality, working in a konbini (local supermarket). This book questions society’s expectations, our uniqueness and what can bring us our own happiness.

L’ÂGE BÊTE by GÉRALDINE DORMOY
An honest and unfiltered look at adolescence, this period full of doubts but also of discoveries and carefree spirit. Géraldine tells her story by illustrating it with musical, advertising and cultural references of the time (90’s) while confronting it with her adult point of view and that of her relatives.

LES ENFANTS SONT ROIS by DELPHINE DE VIGAN
I was surprised by the “suspenseful” turn of this book that allows us to reflect on our presence on social networks and those of our children. It is sometimes annoying or even chilling, but the story is well-paced and will allow some introspection for Instagram addicts and will convince the uninitiated to stay away from it.

CHARLOTTE PERRIAND UNE ARCHITECTE FRANÇAISE AU JAPON by CHARLES BERBERIAN
A comic book to know the Japanese part of the life of the architect Charlotte Perriand. The story is quite short but it makes you want to know more about her life, her work and the interview with her daughter is very interesting and inspiring.

EN ATTENDANT BOJANGLES by OLIVIER BOURDEAULT : I had done a review of my reading, coupled with the viewing of the movie on this instagram post. I admit I preferred the movie to the novel, which I found disturbing at times, considering the narrator was a child. I had much more emotion with the movie and Virginie Efira’s masterful performance.

 


THE BOOKS THAT I LIKED MODERATELY

The following books were not unpleasant to read but they are stuck between “I liked” and “I didn’t like” so I put them in this category.

TOKYO VICE by JAKE ADELSTEIN : I wanted to read the story before diving into the TV series. The action in the book takes quite a while to set up, unlike the series. It’s more like the diary of a young American journalist in Japan describing his dealings with the police and the yakuza (Japanese mafia). The darker side of Japanese society is revealed in detail, which is still interesting, but I found that the reading was not very easy or fluid: Everything drags. I would prefer the series if I had to choose.

LA CONFIANCE EN SOI, UNE PHILOSOPHIE by CHARLES PEPIN
Lent to me by a friend who praised its merits, I read it more out of curiosity. Not that I consider myself to be very self-confident, but as I am not very familiar with personal development books, I was especially curious to read the advice given by Charles Pépin. Some inspiring and useful tips to put into practice, despite some repetitions (the book could have been summarized in a few pages) may help some of you to believe more in themselves.

TROP INTELLIGENT POUR ÊTRE HEUREUX : L’ADULTE SURDOUÉ by JEANNE SIAUD FACHIN
This book was recommended to me because my way of thinking (tree-like thinking) or of interacting with others may suggest an HPI type profile. Well, at the same time, it’s a bit of a trend at the moment: everyone discovers that they are HPI and/or hypersensitive when this is not necessarily the case. It’s like reading the descriptions of your astrological sign, there are bound to be characteristics in which you recognize yourself. But to be sure, you’d have to go to a psychologist (and that costs a certain amount of money: between 200 and 600€ apparently). I’m not sure that I want to invest this amount of money right now, especially since it doesn’t particularly handicap me in my personal or professional social relationships.

So to begin with, I wanted to look at this book, which focuses on the characteristics of the gifted adult. I recognized myself in most of the examples but did not find any practical advice (it often goes in circles). Even though I didn’t expect a revelation or that it would change my life (it’s not a substitute for a real HPI test), my reading ended up being half-hearted.

 

THE BOOKS I DIDN’T LIKE

Here are classified the books that I continued to read until the end but without real passion and sometimes with a certain boredom, even annoyance.

LA TRACE by RICHARD COLLASSE
An autobiography (obviously  a bit fictionalized) of the boss of Chanel in Japan. We follow his first steps in the land of the rising sun during his youth and his experiences as a Westerner discovering the East. I hated the condescending tone throughout the book. Add to that a somewhat homophobic remark at the beginning of the story and a romance that I didn’t believe in (in which the author brags rather unsubtly). In short, this novel made me roll my eyes, even if some geographical descriptions of Japan brought back memories.

TOUT LE BLEU DU CIEL by MELISSA DA COSTA
This best-selling book was given to me by a friend who was particularly touched by the story. The story is about a young man condemned by early onset Alzheimer’s, who decides to go on a road trip without telling his family, but by announcing that a stranger will also be part of the trip. I found the scenario absolutely predictable and expected, as well as the construction of the characters too much copied on a cliché “trend of the moment” as if the author had wanted to check the boxes of a bingo of well-being, good mood and good feelings. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel much emotion (even more so when I feel that someone wants to make me feel it at all costs) and I had the feeling that I was faced with a rather mawkish television summer saga.

CHANGER L’EAU DES FLEURS by VALÉRIE PERRIN
A bit of the same syndrome as the previous book in my opinion. I didn’t manage to get into this story of a cemetery janitor flayed by life at all. The character of Violette Toussaint and the overall story seemed to me to be too full of clichés: a lot of misfortunes, secondary characters too original and nice to be credible and good feelings forced. A few small hooks (a plot makes you want to unravel its mystery) but it wasn’t enough. This book kept me at a distance from the emotions.

 

PS : The pictures were taken at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (rue de Richelieu) a place I recommend for the beauty of its reading rooms (Salle ovale and Salle Labrouste) but also for the choice of books listed. It is also possible to visit the exhibitions of the museum part. (English translation by Quiterie)

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