Newbie questions

[dacrow]

I'm a new lurker here, been reading through tons and tons of threads. I DID use the Search button and read dozens of threads but couldn't find answers. I live in CA, USA and I'm in high school which means:

1) Can't get anything Japanese/from Japan.

2 )Can't get anything from New York.

3) Can't afford stuff that's too much ($200 and below per item max, though maybe some exceptions. Preferably much cheaper.)

4)Because of paranoid parents, can't buy stuff off say, the supermarket section on this forum. However can buy on online stores that ship to the U.S.

This being said, being only a soph. in high school Ive decided I want to fix my style up. I apologize in advance for being so stupid about all this stuff. As a high schooler in Southern Cal. I'm really ignorant as to international shopping, etc. (over here, in my age group, most "fashion" involves either skate companies or abercrombie, etc. and as far as places to find clothes, it's limited at the maximum to places like nordstrom. HOWEVER, I can order stuff online). So, here are my questions:

1. Currently I've just been wearing 7 for all mankind jeans and AA stuff, which I guess isn't too bad for high school. But I would like to fix it up a little, and I really like the style that people in Japan are wearing. (the tight, black/white stuff,sometimes plaid/stripes. Like I said I'm a noob so I don't even know what to call that. Oh, and I'm a tall really thin Asian guy so I think it would work.) So, any basic suggestions to get this style where I live? I've looked through many many places and can't seem to get anywhere.

2. I looked through all the plain t-shirt threads and researched all of the companies, but unfortunately they were all either stores in NY (UNIQLO, etc. I can't go there, like I said) or were Japanese/in Japan (loopwheeler, etc. which I will be going to in like a year, but on an every day basis cannot). So: What would be the best L/S plain t shirts, and S/S v-neck plain t-shirts one can get either online in the U.S., or in Southern California? right now, it seems that AA is the only kind I can find that are decent, since the slim fit is pretty good. Quality is so-so.

3. Cardigans: Since AA is so close to me I may just end up getting one there, but obviously this isn't the kind that's made for lasting a really long time. Where can I get a good, really slim one? (again, with what I have access to)

4. As far as denim goes, over here I have absolutely no access to samurai denim, sugarcane, etc. I've been doing 7forallmankind bootcut, but this doesn't fit too well into the style I mentioned. Nonetheless, I would like to keep wearing that but also incorporate something else. So: What would be some good quality slim-fit black denim? (maybe white as well.)

5. Lastly, I'm really having a hard time finding those high top black shoes that you see in Harajuku and stuff. The kind with skinny jeans, that have buckles/straps. I DID read the 9 page thread on them but as I'm only in high school I can't find any good ones for around $150 or less. Another issue is that even if I did get the $250 ones, I can't find somewhere to buy them here.

Sorry for the many questions, I haven't really put any real effort into fashion until recently, and after spending hours looking through this board and all over the internet I only have even more questions. Think of it as starting a style from absolutely nothing. I know what I want but I just can't seem to find it.

Moneywise, I'll be working this summer, but only at 8 bucks an hour. My goal is to be able to have my style working by september. I'm not looking for too much- for example, 3 pairs of jeans, 3 L/S tees, 3 S/S v necks, 2 pairs of shoes and 2 cardigans would keep me happy for a really long time if they worked well.

Any help is appreciated. no flaming please, I did my homework.

[mike lowrey]

heres a topic about developing your style, it also has links to some further reading. that topic is mostly about picking up your influences, which seems like something you've atleast partly done. anyway, a few thoughts on your questions:

1. check the store lists on the superfuture main site. depending on which city you live in, you should be able to find some places. for online stores, check the sticky thread on top of the supershopper forum.

2, 3. for simple basic stuff AA is not bad, they're t-shirts are a nice slim cut and are also available in a lot of colors. their cardigans are not the best ones imo, cheap quality is more visible in them. Club Monaco has very good cardigans, or atleast used to have. they also have some pretty nice basics like sweaters etc.

4. APC is a really popular denim brand especially for people that are just getting into raw denim. but it all depends on what exact fit you're going for? check superdenim for topics on slim fit denim and you should find a few threads atleast. there are stores in the US that sell japanese denim also online, for example Blue in Green in nyc and Self Edge in SF. many others sell other quality denim as well, like Context, Revolve, Active Endeavors + a bunch of others.

[Heartworm]

If you're on a tight budget (like me) I suggest you start shopping second hand stuff... I get 75% of my stuff second hand.

[datasupa]

not to advertise another forum on here, but styleforum has a superb 20% off all denim deal with denimbar, valid in perpetuity. see this link

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=25506

you can get APC NS or rescue for like $112. if you really want black and tight, i saw just from casual inspection a nudie slim jim black for $185 ($148 with coupon), nudie slim kim raw black for $154 ($123 with coupon), and also a cheap monday tight black for a piddling $65 (a laughable $52 with coupon).

i believe the code is style4um when you view cart

[dacrow]

Thanks a lot for the replies everyone, wasn't expecting them that fast.

mike lowrey: The APC does look very nice, I did find a few sites that sell them, though I admit I've never seen them in any store. I'm going to look into it more. I just realized I actually have a club monaco a few minutes away from where my parents work! So, I'll definitely look into that. Looked at their site and liked their stuff.

Oh, and what do you think of their basics? {t's and such}

I also read through the "developing style" thread. Similar position to the thread starter, but I kind of know what style I want, now I'm just having trouble finding the stuff.

Heartworm: Unfortunately it's really hard for me to get good secondhand stuff, though that probably is the smartest idea on a budget. my parents are pretty picky about me ordering online from individuals vs. companies, if that's what you mean.

datasupa: Looked at the denim bar, definitely has some stuff i'm looking for. Uhm.. I'm usually a little reluctant to ordering jeans online since the fit is different for different brands, and I've never tried APC on for example. However, cheap monday I can get my hands on locally since there's like 3 urbanoutfitters near me. Would you suggest this? or is it more of an alternative.

Replies were all really helpful, thanks. I'm gonna research all the links and stuff more in depth, but if anyone has any more help id appreciate it.

[mellowbonsai]

Jeans: Cheap Monday, H&M, Crate, make your own?

Shirts: Stick with AA, seems to be working out for you.

Shoes: if you can't find the ones you want, try other shoes. Expand your shoe pallete, see if you like dress shoes, converse, nike, etc.

And yeah, check the second hand stores. It's always hit or miss, but when you hit, you hit gold. Props for wanting to update your wardrobe early in the game and for having the balls to post this topic. Also, i get a lot of ideas by perusing the WAYWT threads, you'll see brands you never heard of, ways of putting outfits together, etc. Happy hunting.

EDIT: Urban sucks. You can get much more quality for just as much money elsewhere.