Anime-inspired looks with for-fans nods to the classic series.
Creative costumes are a hallmark of the magical girl anime genre, and while Japanese fashion brand Axes Femme may not be able to provide you with a sparkly transformation sequence, they are ready to give fans a new line ofCardcaptor Sakura apparel items.
These aren’t full-blown cosplay items that recreate Sakura’s in-anime outfits with 1:1 fidelity, though. Instead, they’re playfully stylish creations that incorporate the visual motifs and iconography of the series in ways that can still be used in non-magical settings too, with separate tops and bottoms that allow you to put together an entire outfit or mix an item in with your preexisting non-Cardcaptor wardrobe.
Starting things off is theCardcaptor Sakura Cardigan, which comes in not just four colors, butfour character themes. Pictured above is the pinkSakura Kinomoto version, and while all four designs feature frog-clasp closures and lacy accents on the sleeves, only Sakura’s has an embroidered crest of cherry blossom petals, feathers, and stars surrounded by rhinestones.
Alternatively, the lavender Tomoyo cardigan’s crest has musical notes and sakura petals. A compass is the crest for the minty green Syaoran design, and the snowflakes found on the back of the Clow and Sakura books represent Yue on the white cardigan.
The same character-inspired color schemes are utilized for Axes Femme’s Cardcaptor Sakuraberets, although the Syaroan version is a less minty shade of green.
Aside from the different colors, the designs for the berets are identical, with each featuringembroidered wings, a tassel, and a Kero-chan charm.
Options are a little more limited for the skirts, which have a flowing sequence ofembroidered Clow, Sakura, and Clear Cards amidst suns, moons, and cherry blossoms.
The two-tone design, though, means that each of the three designs gives you a double-dose of colors to coordinate with.
If it’s not chilly enough to use a cardigan, there are alternate top options with a pair of blouses.
The high collar features an asymmetrical pattern with the sun on one side and the moon on the other. Also, look closely and you’ll see that the lace trim on the cuffs has little Kero-chans in it!
Speaking of collars, you might have noticed that the photo of the pink cardigan up above features one that’s especially elaborate. This is actually a separate item.
Though the floral/feathery flares are always white, the attachable collar comes in two color schemes for the ribbon and embroidered wings and Sakura Card emblem.
Finally, rounding out the collection is a trio of stoles, combining the card motif of the skirts with the lace trim of the blouses/skirt hems.
Prices range from 4,400 yen (US$28) for the beret to 5,500 yen for the collar and stole, 7,700 yen for the blouse and cardigan, and 9,900 yen for the skirt. The entire lineup is available through the Axes Femme online shop here.
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