Pulling Inspiration From Sailor Moon

Our late teens and early twenties are just about that age where we start to develop a sense of self. It’s when we start realizing what we really want to wear versus what we’re just wearing out of convenience. Somewhere around the age of 20, I started to realize that what truly makes me want to get up and get dressed in the mornings is wearing bright colors and patterns. I stopped looking for inspiration from stores like American Eagle or URBAN OUTFITTERS and started looking towards the media I enjoy.

In 2021, I started the Sailor Moon series from the beginning. To those unaware, Sailor Moon is a classic anime from the ‘90s that revolutionized the Magical Girl genre. Magical Girl anime are typically characterized by bright colors, cute outfits, and some sort of feminine uniform for the female heroes. Sailor Moon is a prime example of this, from the unique blonde buns on top of the heroine's head, to the iconic red and blue sailor-themed uniform she wears while fighting for justice.

While my style always had hints of ‘90s fashion, it wasn’t until I started rewatching Sailor Moon that my style really took shape and became a colorful combination of modern trends mixed with ‘90s pastel trends. I see myself a lot in the anime’s protagonist, Usagi Tsukino(AKA Sailor Moon). Our personalities’ are similar and that’s why I look up to the character a lot when it comes to my appearance. Like Usagi, I often put my hair up in space buns when the length of my hair allows me to do so and I can never pass up a frilly, pink dress.

Usagi Tsukino in a Pink Dress | Source: Vogue

Most of the inspiration I take from Usagi and her animated friends is subtle, but some is less so. Sailor Moon was the first anime I ever saw, at around the age of 4, and it had a huge impact on me. On my less fashionable days, when I don’t necessarily feel like spending 20 minutes on my makeup and picking out an uncomfortable outfit, I tend to wear graphic t-shirts and sneakers to pay homage to the show. My favorite pair of sneakers is my Vans x Sailor Moon collaboration slip-on Vans, made for the 30th Anniversary of the anime’s release. I saved up for them for a month and have been taking care of them in hopes that they will last me years to come.

My Sailor Moon Vans | Source: Kathryn Ksiazek