Rei Shito: The Scoop – A Year Of Style

It’s important to take stock of things regularly and evaluate our goals on a continual basis, but there’s something about the start of a new year that lends itself to such inventory-taking in particular. As we set about evaluating our own fashion priorities and objectives for 2024, we asked Amex Essentials style sensei Rei Shito to do the same. Here is what she said.

On Rei’s Style Ethos…

“I can’t say that I have one specific guiding style principle, because I don’t really need one – I like to wear many different types of looks. I pick out my clothes according to how I’m feeling that day, or perhaps depending on the people I plan to meet that day. In terms of a style philosophy that ties my looks together, all I can say is: ‘Challenge yourself, and enjoy fashion.’

On Rei’s 2023 Looks…

“Some of my favourite outfits last year were the Monday look from my spring video and the Wednesday look from my fall video. My spring Monday look features sheer wide-leg trousers with appliqué detail, sophisticated gold loafers, a textured zebra-print bag, and a vintage army camouflage jacket layered under a silken Chinese-style jacket – I’m especially drawn to traditional Chinese style, and have a few such garments in my wardrobe.

“My autumn Wednesday look is more minimalist, a washed-out all-denim ensemble inspired by an outfit I captured in Paris. The shirt, which I bought second-hand at a flea market, has pretty bead detailing on the lapel. Paired with wide-leg trousers in the same light denim tone, plus pretty leopard-print flats, the effect looks expensive. It’s not what you wear, but how you wear it!

“When I look back at my outfits this year, I see such variety – it’s very multifaceted. Wearing a wide variety of looks like this helps me explore different ways of being, broadens my sense of style and makes fashion more fun.

On Rei’s 2024 Goals…

“I’m already quite happy with my personal style, but looking ahead to 2024, if there’s one challenging thing I want to attempt this year, it’s the Miu Miu shorts style. Miu Miu’s fall/winter 2023 show had models strutting around in delicate panty-like knits with matching cardigans. I had been wondering if this catwalk style would translate into everyday life, and in Paris in October, I actually saw someone sporting the look! It’s daring, but I want to try it this year.

“I can’t say that there’s any look I want to change or stop wearing in 2024 – I just want to keep experimenting with different styles every day. Keep challenging myself and keep enjoying fashion.”

About Rei Shito

Each month, Rei Shito identifies one defining look that she’s spotted on the street, whether at home in Japan or abroad on her latest trip to the world’s fashion hotspots, providing readers with a fresh, thought-provoking perspective on current trends. Rei is acclaimed as one of the planet’s most original and influential street style photographers and fashion bloggers, publishing her work on her blog Style from Tokyo, as well as several magazines in Japan and overseas, such as vogue.com. For more street style inspiration, follow Rei on Instagram and check out her videos on YouTube.
[Portrait Rei: Jun Tamura]