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Metropolis Japan
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metropolis Japan
Tokyo's 'Magical Girl' Fashion Trend
Every year, a new microtrend floods our feeds— blokette , angelcore , balletcore and whatever '-core' . Blink, and it's gone. Meanwhile, in Japan, globally recognized fashion subcultures like gyaru , lolita and jirai-kei are more long-standing community-based microgenres. Somewhat of a crossover between these fashion paradigms—at least, that's how I see it—Magical Girl is 2025's latest aesthetic buzzword, but it might be more than just that. Inspired by the kitschy but whimsical manga and anime genre, with pastels, plastic charms and metallic sparkle, the look is everywhere, from K-pop stages to runway campaigns. While the world calls it a trend, in Japan, it was never just a phase. After all, Sailor Moon didn't fade—she transformed. Magazines like Nylon have been quick to report on the rise of 'magical girl' aesthetics in fashion, but what exactly is it? Magical Girl (direct translation of mahou shoujo ), is a genre of Japanese anime and manga where ordinary girls transform—often dramatically—into powerful, magical versions of themselves. The genre first took off in the 1960s with shows like Himitsu no Akko-chan and Sally the Witch, but reached international fame in the '90s with Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura and PreCure (No one asked, but Sailor Moon was my favorite haha). The Magical Girl genre is closer to tokusatsu than European fairy tales. Unlike classic fantasy with witches or princesses, the stories were more quotidian, cutesy and comedic. Later, shows like The Powerpuff Girls and Winx Club followed the blueprint, turning it into a global phenomenon. Want to know how the genre evolved—and why it matters so much for gender expression? Beyond the young girls who unironically wore anime-themed outfits, microgenres like yume kawaii , fairy-kei , decora , majo-kei (witch girl), jirai-kei and lolita substyles like sailor lolita or cyber lolita have long incorporated magic girl elements. But in the early to mid-2000s, mahou shoujo-kei (sometimes called mahou-kei ) emerged as a style that took direct inspiration from the anime genre itself. Recently, international brands have started leaning into that same transformation fantasy. Jimmy Choo released a Sailor Moon collection in 2023. Designers like Simone Rocha and Sandy Liang have been channeling coquette anime-girl energy into everyday looks. A major turning point came when Gentle Monster launched a collection featuring bejeweled magical girl eyewear with Y2K vibes. Member Rei especially captured attention, sparking calls from fans for the return of unironically cutesy concepts in K-pop. Courtesy of @LOKTINBEAR via X (April 6, 2025) Yunjin, Gaeul and Rei from IVE performing 'Magic Girl', Courtesy of @YEPinyourheart via X (April 13, 2025) But no one channels the magical girl vibe quite like K-pop. Recently, IVE went viral after covering Orange Caramel's anime-inspired track Magic Girl ( Mabeop Sonyeo / Mahou Shoujo ) with cutesy lolita-inspired outfits with a wand. IVE's Rei in concept photo for 'Switch' Courtesy of Starship Entertainment, @IVEstarship via X IVE's Leeseo in concept photo for 'Switch' Courtesy of Starship Entertainment, @IVEstarship via X IVE's Rei in concept photo for 'Switch' Courtesy of Starship Entertainment, @IVEstarship via X IVE's Leeseo in concept photo for 'Switch' Courtesy of Starship Entertainment, @IVEstarship via X Before the cover, their second Korean-language EP Switch already had magical girl elements. The concept photos featured fantastical, metallic looks—Magical Girl meets fashion editorial, much like Gentle Monster's campaign. The title track 'Accendio' tells a story of the members battling over a magical wand, with dark, mysterious magical girl aesthetics. And with the long-standing popularity of K-pop and Korean youth culture in Japan, it's no surprise that these influences are now inspiring the streets of Tokyo. Tokyo's deeply rooted subculture fashion scene, combined with the reimported international magical girl microtrend, has made 2025 feel like a full-blown renaissance of magical girl fashion. We've seen all the pieces come together to build 2025's big magical girl renaissance—but how can you actually take part in it? What brands should you look out for and who's leading this aesthetic today? Thankfully, Tokyo is the capital of this look—and if you're in Japan, you're in good hands. At the forefront is MIKIOSAKABE. Quintessentially Harajuku: a surreal, yume-kawaii take on femininity that feels both romantic and modern, avant-garde but pastel dreamy streetwear. Jenny Fax, MIKIOSAKABE's sister brand, led by Shueh Jen-Fang, takes that energy even girlier. grounds grounds Sakabe also runs grounds, a legendary shoe label known for its futuristic bubble-soled sneakers. They're chunky, sculptural, and look like something a magical girl would wear to fly. Another pioneer—and a personal favorite of mine—tanakadaisuke leans theatrical and romantic. Less toycore, more European classicism, the brand draws from Baroque and Rococo aesthetics filtered through the lens of Tokyo street fashion. Expect ornate embroidery, sculptural silhouettes and oversized bows. The mood can shift from princess to militaristic, fairytale to mysterious—but it's always dramatic, fantastical and utterly committed to its vision. On the more experimental side is Pays des Fées, a long-standing Tokyo indie label known for constantly reinventing itself. Each season feels like a new crossover episode—magical girl meets Japanese horror, Belle Époque cirque, conceptual mode and so on. Foundry Mews, born in London but now based in Japan, takes a more artsy and minimal Japandi approach. Their shoes feel like essential, everyday footwear for a magical girl. S.F Sukoshi Fushigi 2025 Spring/Summer Collection Photo courtesy of the brand. S.F Sukoshi Fushigi 2025 Autumn/Winter Collection Photo courtesy of the brand. S.F Sukoshi Fushigi 2025 Spring/Summer Collection Photo courtesy of the brand. S.F Sukoshi Fushigi 2025 Autumn/Winter Collection Photo courtesy of the brand. A newer brand, S.F Sukoshi Fushigi, takes a more experimental approach—think gyaru meets magical girl, embracing asymmetry, deconstruction and punk elements. Founded by Fantasista Sakurada, the pieces are sexy yet innocent, mysterious yet pastel—still within the realm of kawaii. You'll also find pieces that align with the magical girl revival at curated boutiques like SHEEP—or just wander around Laforet Harajuku, a compact mall specialized in subculture-driven fashion. For a more affordable entry point, axes femme is a familiar name in shopping malls across Japan. Romantic and maximalist yet wearable, its collections feature lace blouses, corseted dresses and long skirts. Loved by students and subculture fashion fans alike, it's often the casual or everyday way into the vintage magical girl aesthetic. (L) Yuhei's costume design for musical artist YUKKYUN (C) Yuhei's costume design for musical artist YUKKYUN (R) Yuhei's costume design for musical artist YUKKYUN Costume design by Yuhei Provided by Yuhei (@sgmsgmsgm) Yuhei's work for underwear brand GX3 Provided by Yuhei (@sgmsgmsgm) If you're looking for inspiration, look no further than YUHEI—a costume designer active in Tokyo's queer scene. His designs and styling are the epitome of magical girl aesthetics: campy and editorial. The magical girl aesthetic isn't just about fashion—it extends into beauty, nostalgia and online culture. Credit: JILL STUART Beauty Credit: JILL STUART Beauty Jill Stuart Beauty, a J-beauty brand inspired by the coquette American label of the same name, has long been a favorite for packaging that looks like a jeweled tiara. Their products wouldn't look out of place in a transformation scene. Anna Sui Cosmetics, another American fashion brand with a Japanese-owned makeup line, leans darker and more mysterious—think Black Moon Clan from Sailor Moon (IYKYK). Its rose compact mirror was a staple in many Japanese girls' bags through the 2000s. Now discontinued, Ladurée's short-lived makeup line—yes, from the French macaron shop—offered a fairytale version of the magical girl vibe. If Jill Stuart was crystal and silver, Ladurée was gold and rococo. It was especially beloved by the lolita subgenres for its soft, vintage fantasy. Courtesy of Flower Knows Courtesy of Flower Knows While Ladurée Les Merveilleuses is gone, C-beauty brands have stepped in to fill the void. Flower Knows, in particular, ticks every magical girl box with incredible detail. But it's not just for show; the brand is regularly praised in Japan's beauty scene for its innovative formulas and quality that go beyond aesthetics. Not just fashion and beauty—the magical girl renaissance has even reached the aisles of Japanese supermarkets. Let me explain. One reason magical girl style has recently resurfaced beyond its usual subculture circles is the rise of Heisei Joji—literally, 'girls of the Heisei era (1989–2019).' It's an internet buzzword loosely tied to the broader Y2K revival, but Heisei Joji leans more into the toy-like aesthetic of the late '90s and early 2000s—especially the pastel plastic goods once made for elementary school girls. Sebon Star by Kabaya Foods Corporation Magical stick toys at SPINNS , nostalgic wands sold for young adults At the center of it all? Sebon Star—a long-selling chocolate that comes with a toy accessory, kind of like a Japanese Kinder Surprise. But the prize was always plastic jewelry: geometric gems, celestial motifs, princessy pendants. For kids watching Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura or PreCure, opening a Sebon Star felt like a mini transformation moment. Now, with the aesthetic back in the spotlight, a wave of grown-ups are buying them again—nostalgia is a powerful thing. What makes magical girl fashion so special is how it blurs lines—between irony and sincerity, costume and everyday wear, softness and strength. It lets people indulge in the fantasy of anime femininity both ironically and unironically. Where the coquette trend drew backlash for reviving outdated gender roles, magical girl style doesn't erase feminine signifiers in pursuit of neutrality. It reframes them as powerful—especially within queer fashion spaces, where dressing 'like a girl' can mean something entirely new. Gender studies scholars like Jennifer Prough, Mary Grigsby and Samantha Close have highlighted the uniqueness of the Japanese magical girl genre as a model where characters gain agency without abandoning hyper-feminine kawaii signifiers associated with shojo manga and anime. Unlike iconic Wonder Woman, which as an effort of inclusion, positioned female heroes within traditionally masculine aesthetic and ideological frameworks of power. Magical girl narratives carved out an alternative space, where transformation and glittering accessories became sources of strength. And magical girl fashion today isn't just for girls. Like crop tops or low-rise jeans reclaimed under the Y2K umbrella, the aesthetic has become a shared language across genders—something that was far less common in the actual early 2000s. As Kawaii Monster Girls (the brightly dressed staff of Harajuku's now-closed Kawaii Monster Cafe) once said, 'being a girl is a state of mind.' In 2025, that feels especially true. Curious to dive deeper into Tokyo's cutest subcultures? Discover more kawaii stories here: 'Ruby-chan! Hai! Nani ga suki?' Trend Explained: What It Means and Where It's From Celebrate Hello Kitty's 50th Birthday Based in Japan: RinRin Doll
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Zayn Malik Surprises Fans with New Lifestyle Collection Inspired by His 'Quiet Love' of Cooking
Zayn Malik is inviting fans into his kitchen. On May 30 the singer, 32, announced his first lifestyle collection, called "Scoville Season," which offers oven mitts, aprons, tea towels, T-shirts and sweatshirts inspired by his love of cooking. "I spend a time of time in my kitchen cooking. Scoville Season is a natural extension of that and it gives me an opportunity to share part of my culinary experience with my fans," he tells PEOPLE in a statement. "I get to bring some of my favorite everyday items to life for others to use and I'm excited about it." Malik has showcased his cooking chops over the years on social media and previously revealed his go-to dish on an episode of Hot Ones. "Signature dish... I guess that's the thing I cook the most, so I actually cook this thing called tandoori chicken quite a lot," he told host Sean Evans. "If I was to make a meal, probably spaghetti bolognese: spaghetti, minced meat... tomato, garlic. "You can use carrots sometimes... and I'm getting pretty good at sneaking vegetables in there for my daughter," he added of Khai, his 4-year-old child with ex Gigi Hadid. As he released his latest album, Room Under the Stairs, last year, Malik opened up about drawing from his low-key life in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. "I was pretty much on my farm having a glass of whiskey and listening to a bit of [Chris] Stapleton by the fire with my dog, playing guitar," he told Nylon of writing the body of work. Read the original article on People
Time Business News
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time Business News
3D Printing for Automotive Parts
The automotive industry is undergoing a revolutionary shift as manufacturers adopt 3D printing for automotive parts to reduce weight, optimize performance, and streamline production. From rapid prototyping of concept components to on-demand manufacturing of specialized parts, additive manufacturing offers unique advantages. At XCMachining, our automotive 3D printing services deliver parts that meet the stringent quality, safety, and durability requirements of automakers and aftermarket suppliers alike. One primary use of 3D printing for automotive parts is prototyping. Engineers can validate designs such as dashboard components, air intake ducts, or brake lever ergonomic shapes in hours rather than weeks. Our Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers produce robust thermoplastic prototypes that endure functional testing, vibration analysis, and fitment checks. This rapid iteration accelerates design cycles and ensures that final injection-molded tooling begins with a thoroughly validated concept. Beyond prototyping, 3D printing for automotive parts has expanded into low-volume production of functional components. Lightweight lattice structures for interior trim panels reduce vehicle weight, enhancing fuel efficiency without sacrificing structural integrity. Our Nylon 12 SLS prints are impact-resistant and suitable for interior applications, while carbon-fiber-reinforced composites offer higher stiffness and thermal resistance for under-the-hood components. For metal parts—such as custom brackets, heat exchangers, or exhaust manifolds—our DMLS machines produce fully dense aluminum or stainless-steel parts that meet automotive industry specifications. Another significant application of 3D printing for automotive parts is aftermarket and custom modifications. Enthusiasts often request unique body panels, grille enhancements, or custom emblems. Additive manufacturing allows for small runs of highly customized parts, often incorporating complex geometries or personalized branding. Whether you're enhancing aerodynamics, improving aesthetics, or simply standing out from the crowd, XCMachining's 3D printing expertise can bring your custom automotive visions to life. On-demand spare parts is also a growing trend. Legacy vehicles or low-volume models may have discontinued components that are expensive or impossible to source. With 3D printing for automotive parts, you can reverse-engineer obsolete brackets, clips, or sensor housings and print functional replacements. This minimizes vehicle downtime, reduces inventory costs, and supports sustainable repair practices by extending the service life of older vehicles. Quality assurance is especially critical for automotive applications. Every part undergoes nondestructive testing—X-ray CT scanning, ultrasonic inspection, or dye penetrant analysis—to detect internal flaws. We also perform mechanical testing (tensile, fatigue, and impact) to ensure parts meet automotive standards. Post-processing options—such as bead blasting, anodizing, or powder coating—enhance durability and corrosion resistance, preparing parts for demanding environments. In summary, 3D printing for automotive parts empowers automakers, suppliers, and enthusiasts to innovate faster, reduce costs, and offer bespoke solutions. XCMachining's comprehensive additive manufacturing capabilities—from prototyping to final-use metal parts—ensure that every automotive project meets performance and safety expectations. Contact us today to explore how our automotive 3D printing services can drive your next initiative forward. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Buzz Feed
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
30 Times Celebs Were Caught Breaking The Strict Met Gala Rules Red-Handed
Hot Topic 🔥 Full coverage and conversation on the Met Gala Here are 30 times celebs were caught breaking strict Met Gala rules: 1. In 2017, Rita Ora shared Snapchat pictures with Rami Malek and Dakota Johnson smoking in the bathroom. 2. Also in 2017, Marc Jacobs posted an Instagram picture of himself "smoking in the girls room" with Char Defrancesco, Courtney Love, and Frances Bean Cobain. 3. According to Nylon, Bella Hadid was caught smoking in the bathroom at the 2017 Met Gala as well. In fact, there were so many smokers that year that Dr. Mary T. Bassett, New York City's health commissioner, wrote the Met's senior vice president a letter. Per WWD, she wrote, "This spectacular event awes us all. We were dismayed to read reports that some celebrities chose smoking as their fashion accessory and flagrantly violated New York City's smoking admire and emulate the designers, models, actors, and other celebrities who attend the Met Gala. We thus are concerned about how images of these celebrities smoking — which were widely shared around the world via social media — will affect youth smoking rates." The Met acknowledged the violation and said they'd "take steps to ensure this does not happen again." 4. In 2019, Cole Sprouse was caught smoking in the bathroom in the background of Luka Sabbat's mirror selfie. 5. In 2023, Doja Cat was caught vaping in the background of Emma Chamberlain's red carpet interview with Jennie Kim. 6. In 2021, Keke Palmer shared a sneaky picture of her disappointing dinner on her Instagram story. After the photo went viral, Chef Marcus Samuelsson, who was the Met Gala chef that year, told TMZ that the meal had been "delicious" and received "incredible" feedback. In a since-deleted tweet, Keke apologized, writing, "I just have different taste buds! I love this Chef, sorry to this man." 7. Similarly, in 2023, Pusha T sneakily posted an Instagram story from the dinner table, calling out Teyana Taylor for smuggling in Chick-fil-A. 8. And on her own Instagram story, Teyana Taylor posted a picture revealing that Pusha T had cleaned his plate. According to Vogue, they were served "chilled spring pea soup with baby vegetables, lemon crème fraîche, and truffle snow, followed by Ōra King salmon with vegetable nage, asparagus, pickled strawberries, and radish." 9. Chris Hemsworth told E! News that, at the 2024 Met Gala, he took "heaps of selfies." He said, "Selfies everywhere. A lot of selfies in my phone. Like, 'When did I take that? Let's delete that one.'" 10. In 2024, Lizzo filmed a TikTok with Uma Thurman and Stella McCartney in the Met bathroom. 11. In 2018, Cole Sprouse took his own pictures inside the Met Gala. The following year, he told GQ he didn't get told off, and he planned to bring his camera once again. He said, "I think much of your responsibility, as a young talent going to these parties, is finding ways to break the rules and sneak a cigarette at the table. Bring the flask." 12. Cardi B's Instagram followers got a close-up of her look in 2024. 13. In 2024, Ayo Edebiri shared an Instagram story selfiwe with Nicholas Galitzine, Kaia Gerber, Troye Sivan, and Rachel Sennott. 14. In 2015, Lenny Kravitz snapped a quick selfie with his ex-wife, Lisa Bonet, and their daughter, Zoë Kravitz. 15. In 2024, Karlie Kloss snuck a pair of red carpet selfies with Amanda Gorman and Imaan Hammam. 16. And Amanda Gorman got a picture with Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor. 17. In 2021, Troye Sivan shared an Instagram picture from the Met Gala urinal, captioning it, "[Rihanna] told [Tom Daley] to take this pic of me weeing 🥲." View this photo on Instagram Instagram: @troyesivan 18. In 2024, Venus and Serena Williams were caught snapping a quick sister selfie. Cindy Ord/MG24 / Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue 19. One of the most iconic ways celebs break Met Gala rules is the "forbidden" bathroom selfie. In 2023, Billie Eilish took a sneaky selfie with Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, and Halle Bailey and posted it on her Instagram story. Billie Eilish / Via Instagram: @billieeilish 20. In 2017, Kylie Jenner took a mega-viral bathroom selfie with a TON of her famous friends, including Ashton Sanders, Luka Sabbat, A$AP Rocky, Kendall Jenner, Paris Jackson, Kim Kardashian, Lily Aldridge, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Frank Ocean, Sophia Li, Slick Woods, and Brie Larson. You can see the photo on Kylie's Instagram here. J. Kempin / Getty Images 21. In 2016, Alexa Chung and Poppy Delevingne snapped a quick selfie in the crowded bathroom. View this photo on Instagram Instagram: @alexachung 22. 2019 was a big year for breaking the "no photos" rule. Then-couple Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez took a sneaky selfie together on his Instagram story. Alex Rodriguez / Via Instagram: @ 23. And they got one with Jimmy Fallon too. Alex Rodriguez / Via Instagram: @ 24. Spider-Man: Homecoming costars Laura Harrier and Zendaya snuck some silly selfies together, which Laura posted to her story. Laura Harrier / Via Instagram: @ 25. Riverdale costars Madelaine Petsch and Lili Reinhart posted a sneaky selfie on Madelaine's IG story. Madelaine Petsch / Via Instagram: @madelame 26. Serena Williams posted a forbidden bathroom selfie with Ciara to her story. Serena Williams / Via Instagram: @serenawilliams 27. Model Luka Sabbat broke the no selfies and no smoking rules. Luka Sabbat / Via Instagram: @lukasabbat 28. In 2023, Lil Nas X broke the "no selfies" rule about a million times with about a million different celebs, like Ke Huy Quan. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And Kim Kardashian. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And Billie Eilish. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And Conan Gray and Olivia Rodrigo. m — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And Cara Delevingne. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And Bad Bunny. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And Paris Hilton. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And Pete Davidson, Bianca Saunders, and Usher. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And Maluma and Anitta. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And Doja Cat. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And Jack Harlow. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And Naomi Campbell. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX And he got a solo shot to show off the full 'fit. — ☆ (@LilNasX) May 2, 2023 Twitter: @LilNasX RULE: In The First Monday in May, Sylvana Durrett, Vogue's director of special projects, reportedly said that event staff "subtly monitor" guests to make sure they're chatting instead of being on their phones. She said, "Anna is sort of an old-school traditionalist. She likes a dinner party where people are actually speaking to each other. We aren't sitting over people's shoulders, but if it's an obvious thing, we might gently remind them." 29. As she shared on Instagram in 2023, Cardi B had her phone out — but for a super sweet reason! She FaceTimed her oldest daughter, Kulture, with Billie Eilish. Cardi B / Via RULE: While it's not necessarily a Met Gala-specific rule, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour shared a specific style rule in a 2019 "Go Ask Anna" video: "Don't wear all black. It seems too gloomy as if one's going to a funeral." 30. And finally, at the 2024 Met Gala, Anna Wintour broke her "no wearing black rule" by donning a long, black Loewe coat. Kevin Mazur/MG24 / Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Forbes
20-04-2025
- Forbes
How To Pack More For Your Next Trip, With The Same Amount Of Space
Travel Vacuum Bag Apparently many of you are planning on traveling this summer, according to expert reports I've read. But as you know, the process of travel has become a hassle. That's one of the reasons I always pack lightly. In fact, I try to cram everything for a trip into a simple backpack that I can tuck under the airplane seat in front of me. Can't even tell you how many times I've traveled the past five years where they announced at the gate that most people would need to check in their carry-on luggage as there was no overhead bin room left. It's been more often than not. It's no secret that airplanes have been full ever since the pandemic. Fewer flights obviously means more crowded planes, and more overhead bin space occupied. So to combat that, I have a suggestion. Now, I realize that a backpack is too small for most people to take on the road – unless it complements another bag. But if you can get by with taking the smallest piece of carry-on luggage possible, then you want to fill it with as much as you can. And that's where packing cubes come in handy. Several of my relatives swear by them. But the ones that really save a lot of weight require a vacuum that sucks all of the air out of a packing bag, once it's full of clothes. I used to see those vacuum bag systems advertised on late night TV, and wondered who would buy them. I mean, I get how people use them to pack for a trip – putting clothing into them, and then using a home vacuum hose to suck the air out of it. But what happens once you come home – when most people on vacation or work trips don't have access to a vacuum? Wouldn't their suitcase just be crammed with too many clothes that won't fit at that point? Well times have progressed. And while I'm guessing there are a lot of similar-style units out there, I just tried one from Ekster that's a bit advanced. The brand claims you can get 60 percent more storage space with its TravelPack Vacuum Bag that comes with a very small, powerful and portable USB-C-charged air pump that sucks the air out of it when you're done packing. The modular, durable anti-rip Nylon vacuum bag is carry-on sized and hold 15+ compressed clothing items to maximize space in your luggage – so it claims. It's also odor-proof and waterproof to keep your clothes clean and fresh. The bag zipper is airtight and anti-leak, as well. You just pack the pump – which takes up almost no space – and you're good to go. The pump, by the way, gets roughly 20 uses per charge. And each bag is 12 x 19 x 4 inches. I was able to fit about 12 garments into one. And in my case, I needed to pull tightly on the zipper to make sure it was air tight. Then I stuck the pump into the bag's built-in chamber and powered it up. Within about 10 or 15 seconds, all of the excess space disappeared. I'm not sure how much extra space it created but it definitely worked. I tucked it into my backpack and mentally noted how much extra space was there. Then – in the spirit of curiosity – I took all of the clothes out of the vacuum bag, rolled them up to eliminate wrinkles, and just stuffed them into my backpack as I normally do. And in my visual estimation, there was roughly the same amount of extra space as with the vacuum bag. Does the Ekster work? Yes. Does it really create extra space in your bag? I'm not convinced. But I do know that it will leave clothes looking a lot better and with fewer creases, once you get to your destination. And for some travelers, that may be enough to grab one before they hit the road.
