Tokyo Kawaii Life order 42 - The Bordeaux Haul - Liz Lisa pleats puff OP, cut cardigan, check browsing top & check skirt

This season's mission is to get my hands on all the bordeaux within reason lol. I mean, if you're going to go for it, might as well go all the way right? I do really like the color and how much it really feels like a representation of autumn. We don't get changing colors/leaves here so I have to make up for it with clothes lol. The items in this order were part of two different set price deals (cardigan + OP and top + bottom), but I was mostly focused on getting the color rather than creating a cohesive set.

Pleats puff OP in bordeaux (162-6018-0)
プリーツパフワンピース

I wasn't immediately sold on this dress based on the promoted photos, but I had a feeling it would be a similar shape to the pleats OP I purchased last autumn in beige which I ended up completely loving. Based on that and just because it came in bordeaux, I decided to just give it a try. I also just really enjoy anything with an off shoulder option. There's no zipper but the waistline is elastic and very stretchy. There's some extra room at the bust and a bit more length than some other Liz Lisa dresses. This could easily fit a US size M imo but also has decent potential on a US size XS/S because of the elastic waist fitting to the body.
with Flag J pumps -

with Liz Lisa glitter pumps, Liz Lisa bijou necklace and Liz Lisa x Yui Kanno collab ribbon barrette + Liz Lisa 3D flower cut cardigan + off brand rosette pouch -

[^ Liz Lisa リズコーデリンピック outfit ^]

with Liz Lisa OTK boots (folded down) + Liz Lisa momonga cardigan + Michael Kors purse -

Well I definitely made the right decision to purchase this lmao. I totally love it! The fit is great, and I actually enjoy the shape better when the sleeves are on shoulder and the design doesn't look so forced. I have some variable lighting in these photos, but the color of the dress irl is very true to a "wine red" and it definitely has a red base (versus purple or brown). I think it would be great on its own but it also pairs really well with a number of different outer pieces.

Cut/cropped cardigan in bordeaux (162-2003-0)
カットカーディガン

This cardigan is supposed to be part of a set with the OP, but the colors don't match well at all so I didn't even bother, and that's not how I intended to wear them anyway. However, it does stand well as a piece on its own and due to the amount of detailing on it, could even be a statement piece in an outfit. There's sheer panels around the neckline and ruffles just above the bust, on the sleeves and at the hem. There's also two lace trimmed front pockets and the buttons are small bows (with snap backs) and large pearls (functional buttons). I was a bit surprised to find that the color is much darker than I anticipated - in certain light, it almost seems brown but in other light, it really appears more like a "plum". Either way, it still fulfills the "autumn" look that I was hoping to achieve so I'm not wholly disappointed.

with Liz Lisa faux 2-piece OP and Liz Lisa heart suede pumps -

with Liz Lisa sailor blouse, Liz Lisa (pom pom) pumps and Liz Lisa x My Melody 6th collab sweets bow barrette + Liz Lisa round tulip bag -

The fit of the cardigan is actually quite nice. The sleeves are a decent length and aren't too baggy. When the buttons are all fastened, it actually is a nice shape on my body and stops at just the right place. I really don't have enough bordeaux-ish accessories to match with these pieces (yet!) so I thought I'd try it with a deeper pink, but I don't think it worked out how I thought it would. I s2g that it didn't have such a hard contrast when I was looking in the mirror but it definitely photographed more obnoxiously lol.

Autumn fair special set top + bottoms

I didn't pair the OP + cardigan together due to the color clash but this top and skirt set are definitely meant to be cohesive! I was immediately drawn to the neckline which is really similar to the margaret cherry OP with the bow detail in the back. I saw this as another chance to get my hands on something bordeaux from Liz Lisa this season and I didn't want to miss it! Similar to the cardigan, these pieces are definitely more on the plum side with more of a purple base than red. The material is actually much lighter than I expected it to be which is great!
with Liz Lisa 3D flower pumps and Liz Lisa x Yui Kanno collab rose barrette + Samantha Thavasa purse -

[^ Liz Lisa リズコーデリンピック outfit ^]

I was a bit nervous about the fit with the two items together because to maintain the silhouette correctly, the skirt needs to sit just right. Thankfully, that wasn't a problem! I really love these two pieces together and this really does make such a cute, girly autumn look.

Check browsing top in bordeaux (162-1012-0)
チェックブラウジングトップス

The top on its own is definitely a cropped length! It isn't a piece that can be tucked into a skirt or pants and it really needs the waistline of the bottoms to meet the bottom hem of the top. The buttons down the front are fully functional which makes it a lot easier to put on or take off and there isn't a lot of stretch in the body of the material but there is some elastic in the hem and around the sleeves.
with Charlotte Russe tulle skirt, Flag J pumps and Liz Lisa pom pom earrings -

with Liz Lisa (boa bustier) OP, Liz Lisa ankle boots, Liz Lisa wide brim fedora + Liz Lisa OP cup Team C bag -

I immediately knew I would want to wear this top with a long tulle skirt, but I had a really difficult time pairing it with something else! I honestly almost gave up because none of my neutral bottoms (white, cream, denim) had the right waistline or shape to match up with this. The boa bustier from the second OP is actually a similar shape to this top so I decided to swap them out and it was surprisingly OK lol. It's not the best situation with the scoop neckline of the top part of the dress sticking out, but all things considered, I'd say it's pretty reasonable.

Check skirt in bordeaux (162-4008-0)
チェックスカート

This skirt was the item I was most worried about in terms of fit. But fortunately, I was worried for nothing! The waist actually fits very snugly due to the wide elastic in the back of the waistband and keeps the skirt in place. There's a gold zipper in the back of the skirt but no hook and eye.
with Liz Lisa x My Melody 6th collab blouse and Liz Lisa 2-strap ribbon pumps -

with Liz Lisa lace sleeveless blouse, Liz Lisa flower cage wedge sandals and Liz Lisa x Yui Kanno collab ribbon barrette + Liz Lisa cut cardigan -

Although the OP and the cardigan don't match well, the check set up and the cardigan are actually more along the same color story and they pair reasonably well although there's a minor difference due to the materials. I'm really happy with the fit of the skirt and even if I don't see myself wearing it a lot without the matching top, I think it will be a good, simple option to pair with a neutral top when I need something quick and easy!

I'll admit that this order didn't actually turn out exactly as I had anticipated with 3/4 items being a much deeper plum color than I had thought, but I'm still really happy with everything and don't regret for even half a second getting 4 bordeaux items at once. I'm definitely looking forward to welcoming more of autumn (and more bordeaux?) with open arms! ♡