I certainly didn't think my new favourite bag would come from Jonker Street in Melaka, the unlikely place for people to hunt for current fashion trends. Trinkets and knickknacks, sure, but your latest favourite handbag?
Nu-uh, not on Jonker Street. And yet here is a locally handmade bag with little bubblegum, snacks and candy wrapper folded and wrapped around it for its exterior, no less, from a little unassuming stall, dangling from my arm.
By the way, do you guys know Gudetama? If you don't, Google it — or even better, look for its short clips on YouTube, it'll amuse you endlessly. Gudetama is a "lazy" egg character birthed in Japan who comes in many forms of uncooked and cooked eggs (it's the yolk, obviously) and it is so adorable that it has a large cult following, all over the world.
I fell hard for Gudetama in Japan and managed to acquire a bunch of its merchandise on my trips back and forth to Japan years ago including this sweater, a comic book (in Japanese, but easy enough to understand the illustrations), and even a handbag.
PS: You can also glimpse Gudetama in this InstaLiyana post, ahhh good ol' Tokyo times!
Coming back to my candy-wrapper bag: I actually thought people around me would hate its guts but it actually got complimented a lot, so perhaps I overestimated the kitschiness of this bag and underestimated its adorableness...
Nu-uh, not on Jonker Street. And yet here is a locally handmade bag with little bubblegum, snacks and candy wrapper folded and wrapped around it for its exterior, no less, from a little unassuming stall, dangling from my arm.
Initially I thought about pairing the quirky bag with an all-black outfit (I'm into monochromatic outfits now, FYI) but the yellow in the bag made me think of my mustard yellow scarf, and that made me think of my recently dug Gudetama sweater (dug from the depth of my own closet, that is).
I also added these champagne mules and my favourite matchy grey pinstriped blazer (correction: my ONLY pinstriped blazer, actually) to streamline the look a little bit more for my day out.
I also added these champagne mules and my favourite matchy grey pinstriped blazer (correction: my ONLY pinstriped blazer, actually) to streamline the look a little bit more for my day out.
By the way, do you guys know Gudetama? If you don't, Google it — or even better, look for its short clips on YouTube, it'll amuse you endlessly. Gudetama is a "lazy" egg character birthed in Japan who comes in many forms of uncooked and cooked eggs (it's the yolk, obviously) and it is so adorable that it has a large cult following, all over the world.
I fell hard for Gudetama in Japan and managed to acquire a bunch of its merchandise on my trips back and forth to Japan years ago including this sweater, a comic book (in Japanese, but easy enough to understand the illustrations), and even a handbag.
PS: You can also glimpse Gudetama in this InstaLiyana post, ahhh good ol' Tokyo times!
Coming back to my candy-wrapper bag: I actually thought people around me would hate its guts but it actually got complimented a lot, so perhaps I overestimated the kitschiness of this bag and underestimated its adorableness...
Wearing: Gudetama sweater from Tokyo | Bershka pinstriped blazer | Zara jeans | Wrapper bag from Jonker Street, Melaka | Mules from Haji Lane, Singapore
Your link to the older Tokyo post provided some wonderful photos of you and Shah together! You don't do couple photos all that often and I really love it when you do!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely treasure an unusual, quirky handbag Liyana. I've seen a lot of different items crafted from gum wrappers! They're so colorful and happy! In many cases they fall under what is termed " fair trade" status here in the U.S. and are offered in shops that carry a large inventory of imported specialty products. I admire your eclectic taste for unique, non- mainstream items especially in the accessories category. For someone as well traveled as you are, who sees so much fashion variety, I think they've become definitive of your "signature" styling preferences. You also love a "character" t-shirt and I love it when you combine these pieces with something conservative like a pinstripe blazer. I love your "mixed media" (?) look! Love, Jude
If it were entirely up to me, there would be more photos of Shah and I, but he much, MUCH prefers to be behind the camera than in front, so I take whatever I can get!
DeleteI don't usually get access to locally made items so it feels special when I do.
Well, I'm really glad there are people like you who appreciates my slightly eclectic taste in dressing - or else all this blogging business would be moot, wouldn't it, haha! I've seen your wonderful fun style, Judy, so to get your approval means a lot to me.
I do love cartoon characters fashion items, and sometimes I worry I'm too old for them, but then again you're always reassuring me there's no such thing as "too old" for anything. I do try to put an acceptably more "matured" spin on them, and so far it's working, I think!
The shops you mentioned sound like a great place to score some rare items. I love it when I find something unique but I'm really not as good as scouring for those finds, as I frequent regular high-street shop often. I'm now looking around for good local second-hand shops, which could be great substitutes.
I love the bag and love it even more that you found it in Jonker street. Super kitschy and fun. As always, urghhh you have a knack for picking the most amazing bags. I love the yellow scarf and how the colors from the bag go with the muted chic outfit. This is another outfit example with a blazer and girl, you made it oh so fashion-forward! About the lazy egg character, hahah, it made me laugh. I feel like a lazy egg these days especially with the continuous rain.
ReplyDeleteI constantly feel lazy so Gudetama is super relatable to me! You're right, it's been raining SO much, hasn't it? I welcome the cool that comes with it but then I remember all those people who need to walk back and forth to work or school and I feel awful, especially since so many people are catching the sniffles! I hope you're staying well out of the rain too Shanaz.
DeleteEven my MOM loves the bag! I am so pleased I bought it, I thought it would be more controversial for some reason!