Well actually, I am neither a baseball fan nor a bad girl, and yet I did pick up one of these trendy embroidered baseball jackets early last year. This style of jacket, called a sukajan, has an interesting and multicultural history. The sukajan was born out of the US occupation of Japan post WWII, where American GI's had souvenir jackets styled after baseball jackets made and embroidered to take home with them. So seeing as the sukajan is therefore technically a mid-century vintage style, I felt I could get away with having one in my usually more vintage wardrobe despite their current trendy popularity.
Sukajans were also associated with rebellious youths and Yakuza in Japan at one time, so I suppose I am playing the rebel wearing this outfit. I paired the jacket with my black sateen pencil skirt, black back-seam fishnets, shining patent leather pumps, and big Blade Runner hair. This silk blouse is such a favorite of mine, but wearing it always reminds me of how I foolishly didn't pick up the two other colors it came in when I had the chance. It's from Banana Republic, from back when I worked there several years ago. Why didn't I get the white one then! I'll just have to make a pattern after it someday so I can have this perfect (summer, it's got short sleeves) blouse in every color. If only I was half as cool as this ensemble could perhaps suggest, but I'm a total square ;)
I hope you all have had a great start to your week! I am crazy tired this evening since I haven't been sleeping much these past many days as I have been staying up late writing! But when writing is such fun, and ideas are suddenly forthcoming, who could possibly bother sleeping instead?
Jacket: Forever 21 (ick I know, my apologies) Blouse: Banana Republic Skirt: Made by me Fishnets: TJ Maxx Shoes: Bait Footwear Clutch, Earrings, & Bracelet: Vintage |
That's a completely different look for you but you still look fantastic. And the history of the embroidered jackets is fascinating; I had no idea it had been a midcentury trend.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mim! I always wanted to be "edgy" when I was a teen, so I suppose this is the vintage version of that desire ;)
DeleteSo sassy! I love it. I saw an embroidered bomber jacket in a charity shop recently and very nearly bought it. Wish I had now!
ReplyDeleteThank you Porcelina! I'd love to have a real vintage sukajan someday, but they are too collectible now for my price range ;)
DeleteSuch a different look for you but I love, love, love it - not for every day perhaps, but once in a while. You have pulled it off perfectly - your hair is terrific and the sunglasses and fishnets are both a must to make it work so well. Kx
ReplyDeleteThank you! I need to wear my hair like this more often, it's very weather proof!
DeleteGirl. GIRL. You look so freaking cool! I'm in love with this entire look, from the jacket to the pumps to that amazing hair. You are killing it.
ReplyDeleteThank youuuuuu! <3
DeleteIt's great to see you in such a different look, not that I don't love your usual style! You certainly look badass in this and it immediately make me think of the Rockabilly subculture in Japan, especially with the hair. You'd fit in perfectly! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Cate! <3
DeleteWow Bianca! This outfit and your hair is perfection~ You need to be an actress~ why can't they cast more original women like you in film today? Please do some "how to style __________" vlogs. For instance, I just bought a fab navy pinstripe blazer. How to style it vintage?
ReplyDeleteThank you Ingrid! Sadly I am a terrible actress, I tried that in high school and quickly learned to stick to costuming ;) I've never styled a navy pinstripe blazer before myself, but I'd probably pair it with a matching solid navy pencil skirt if I could find one, or another color like grey or dark tan. Perhaps try searching 1940's pinstripe jacket on Pinterest and see if there are any good inspiration images to be found, I get most of my styling inspiration from pinterest and other vintage gals on instagram!
DeleteThat jacket BTW is a total example of things we can find today, and style it with a vintage twist! Love that! Your entire look is amazing!!!! Your hair is beyond fab~ You have talent girl~ You'd be my friend if you lived in CA~ and we could have tea~ lol
ReplyDeleteWhile I personally have never sought out one of these jackets, I do love their unique history that you touched on.
ReplyDeleteI was also thinking about how Rachel your hair was, and then you went and said it! Haha!
You're not alone in buying something from Forever 21 every so often. One of my favorite skirts if from them, and I keep seeing a better quality one, but fear they are out of vogue now! *cries*
xoxo
-Janey
I am enjoying my hair being the perfect length for this style right now ;) Though I feel like a sukajan/baseball jacket isn't the most flattering on my shape, nor does it really fit in with most of my closet, the cool factor one me over! Oh impulse buys at the mall...opps!
DeleteGreat photos, I particularly like the last one. This is a really super look, it suits you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kate-Em! I am wearing this hairstyle all the time now, it makes me feel strong and you can't beat that really <3
DeleteI loved learning the history of these jackets! I'm not a sports fan or really a sports jacket person, either, but this look FAB on you. And your hairstyle is so goooood!
ReplyDeletexo
Kristina
eyreeffect.com
Thank you Kristina! I'm no sports fan either, I detest most sports! Though figure skating is nice if that counts ;)
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