Hello everyone! Recently, I've been tired of fashion trends and people's commentary on it. Every outfit I see online is either excessive and unwearable, or simple to the point of boredom. So I took a break from social media and started scouring for fresh outfit ideas. But my research led me not to the future of fashion, but the past. I stumbled across a link I had bookmarked years ago, which was the archive of FRUiTS Magazine. So instead of doomscrolling on my study breaks, I was picking apart these colorful scans and screenshotting my favorites to upload to Pinterest later. Today, I wanted to talk about 15 of my favorite winter/spring outfits and see if we can break them down into practical styling advice. Although Harajuku is known for it's loud and layered outfits, I was searching to find applicable inspiration, so these outfits will be on the simpler side. And since there were so many
(If you don't know what FRUiTS is, you should read this article by Sabukaru for context.)
Outfit 1: Don't shy away from pattern and texture
This outfit is a master class of texture and pattern. The star of the show is the skirt, which checks off "pattern" in the checklist of making a great outfit. But the wearer decides not to take the easy route and pair it with red or white. Instead, she wears a blue and pink top, whose colors are cemented with the pink neck scarf and blue fishnets. She grounds the look in a black cardigan, bringing the kitschy outfit into French-chic territory. The silver shoes add an extra bit of fun to the look.
Outfit 2: Or, stick to neutrals
I would not have guessed this photo was taken in the late 90s. The outfit is simple, but has an air of effortless cool that the other outfits do not. I attribute that to four aspects: the flats, the ripped jeans, the hat, and the scarf. The flats and ripped jeans subtly juxtapose each other. And the hat and scarf are both practical and stylish. They balance between cozy and mysterious, especially compared to the typical Harajuku attire, which is the exact opposite.
Outfit 3: Use watercolor hues to play with color
While the first outfit emphasized pattern and texture, this outfit is a perfect example of interesting color. The pants pair soft green, brown, red, and bright blue cohesively. The dull mauve-brown of the rest of the outfit is a unique and strong choice, as it matches the pants without being too on the nose. Overall, the look feels warm and comforting without being boring.
Outfit 4: Keep it messy
I'm going to be talking only about the outfit on the right, which is definitely going on my "to be recreated" list. What caught my eye about it was how well all the accessories worked together, despite looking haphazard. I think their messiness actually is what brings an otherwise simple look to the next level. The majority of the outfit is grayscale, and experiments with pattern and texture through the tights and matching tote. But the best part is the girl's messy hair and pink headband. Fashion today is so polished and put together. The rare messy moment (like brat summer) leans too far into party girl territory for everyday wear. But there is something so alluring about and "unfinished look" that feels much cooler than perfection. So, I urge you, be raw and unpolished! Embrace frizzy hair and smudged makeup and layered clothes. Fashion is more fun that way.
Outfit 5: Monochrome is the way to go
Everyone talks about monochrome, but no one really talks about how to make it look good, especially if you are going for a bolder color. We can take notes from this girl, who is wearing blue tights, a denim skirt, and the coolest jacket I've seen in a long time. The shade of blue is still dark, making the outfit more wearable. Tights are an affordable way to make an outfit look more intentional without much effort.
Outfit 6: Low-effort skirt over pants
If you flip through the pages of a FRUiTS Magazine issue, you'll find at least a dozen outfits that layer skirts over pants. I chose this outfit in particular for how minimalist it is. It's a standard all-black outfit, but the dark denim skirt brings it up a level. It still feels cool and cohesive. I've realized that while I gravitate towards practical clothing, I still want my outfits to be interesting. Simple layering like this is the way to go.
Outfit 7: Proportions change the look
This outfit reminded me so much of an outfit by raymonda.j on Instagram. I though we could compare both outfits to see how to bring an older outfit into a new age. Fit is the most efficient way to do this while keeping the integrity of the outfit. The proportions of the new outfit are more exaggerated, while the older outfit is "just right". Take the layered jackets, for example. The FRUiTS outfit has two slim jackets layered on top of each other. Raymonda's outfit consists of a shorter inner layer and a baggier outer layer. No style is better than the other, and I like to switch the proportions depending on the day.
Outfit 8: Fur, fur, fur!
Look at that gorgeous blue fur coat! That's pretty much all I have to say about this one.
Outfit 9: Denim jacket styling
Dare I say this is my favorite outfit of the post? I love denim jackets, and the styling of this one is immaculate. The focus is on texture, with the denim jacket, scarf, and reflective skirt. It's casual, but still very interesting to look at. The messy space buns are the cherry on top.
Outfit 10: Jump into color
I rarely see such bright colors in winter styling, which is such a shame. Candy colors pop so well against the dreary winter landscape. This specific look is channeling Bratz Wintertime Wonderland with the blue and brown color combination. I especially love the headscarf, which coordinates beautifully with the blue outfit. Looking at FRUiTS outfits is giving me so much inspiration for ways to style my own scarves.
Outfit 11: Choose the weird option
I remember watching a Laini Ozark video many moons ago and her saying something along the lines of "choose the weird option". She explained that most retailers have plenty of normal color options for an item (black, white, navy, etc.) and one weird option (like chartreuse). Choosing an unconventional color is a great way to add some personality and interest into your wardrobe. We can see that the girl on the right took this advice by accessorizing a basic neutral outfit with a rainbow scarf. Making an unexpected styling choice never gets old.
Outfit 12: Tastefully clash patterns
I'm not usually one for pattern mixing, but this look captured my eye. I love the preppy-weird look with the plaid and polka dots. Of course, the uniting factor are the colors red and black. Additionally, it's important to note that the polka dots are a lot larger than the plaid. Mixing sizes of prints is a great way to balance a chaotic outfit.
Outfit 12: Athleisure, but actually cool
If you're like me, then you're also bored to death by athleisure. I enjoy the concept, just not the execution. This outfit is a way to take matters into your own hands. This woman started off strong with layering a tee shirt over a tank to add some extra dimension. The top has a lot of interesting details, like the off-shoulder, grommets along the neckline, and cute graphic. She kept the rest of the outfit simple with cozy sweatpants and sneakers. What unites the outfit are the colors: light blue, pink, and cream. The small details in the top, bag, belt, and shoes just bring the entire look to the next level. It's a 10 in my book!
Outfit 12: When in doubt, keep it classy
My favorite outfit formula is a fur jacket, jeans, and heels. It feels so effortlessly cool in a way that's hard to achieve otherwise. And although I don't have the funds (or occasion) to purchase a fur jacket myself, I love looking at how other people style their jackets! This girl has a super modern look, especially with the red accents. It feels straight off of a Pinterest girl's outfit. What really adds character is the very top and very bottom of the look. Her messy hair and minimal makeup adds to this French chic look she has going on. On the other end, the fishnets and striped heels showcase the subtle alternative edge to the look.
Outfit 12: A blast from the past
And for the last look, I wanted to showcase this couple's outfits. Although I like the skirt over pants the guy has going on, the real showstopper is the girl's 1950s look. From the fur hat to the striped skirt, everything about it is perfection. So if you're feeling especially uninspired, take a look at what people were wearing 20, 50, or even 70 years ago! Chances are, you'll find something that really sticks.
That's the end of this post! It's crazy how it's been more than two years since I last posted. I shifted focus to my jewelry business, and then high school happened, and here I am! I'll make no promises when I'll post next. But anyways, I hope this helped someone, somewhere with their wardrobe crisis. If it did, make sure to leave a comment! Thanks for reading and I'll se you next time.
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Email: theextravagant33@gmail.com
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