Clothing

Kyoto Laundry Service announces "Hello Call”, Japan's first coin-operated laundry voice information service. Got things to do and people to see? No problem, your machine will phone when it needs more detergent, more change or more repairs.

Looking for a great way to ensure all your picnics are solo affairs from here on out, then try these great Picnic pants that make eating easier and dating impossible.

Nerdy “types” out there will want to step into these keyboard  sandals, artfully imprinted to soothe the geek sole... er, soul. Even the skinniest 98-pound weakling will get a kick out of these cheap flip-flops as they're ideal for a trip to the beach - sand kicking by bullies optional but likely inevitable.

Stout men considering moving to China should be prepared some very direct critiques from the country's ad agencies. You may think you're just slightly overweight but that package of “Fat Guy Briefs” in your shopping cart dares to accuse otherwise by pulling no punches.

Radler Trail “Camp” shoes from Timberland Japan take portability to the next level. A built-in zipper running along the upper flange of the sole allows the shoes to be folded, zipped and hung by a carabiner clip when not being worn.

Show me the money? In modern China it's more like “show YOU the money”, and what better way to tell the world you're rich and successful than with the Louis Vuitton Belt Buckle Cell Phone?

Remember “Three Wolf Moon”, 2009's meme of the year and, as a result, Amazon.com store retailer The Mountain's biggest selling design EVAR? No? It seems China doesn't either, leaving the field of wolf-wear wide open for one enterprising online seller obliviously ensconced (along with their customers) behind China's Great Firewall.

Offices can be downright chilly in winter, especially for women. Thank goodness Japan's JTT Online Shop is offering these “Hedge Hot USB” powered foot warmers in the shape of cute boy & girl hedgehogs!

North Korea's “Dear Leader” may be gone but online retailers at China's Taobao Internet Mall are making sure he's not forgotten by flogging Kim Jong-Il t-shirts and hoodies. Lookin' sharp, comrade!

A rather “tasteful” fashion show at World Chocolate Wonderland in Shanghai, China, featured clothing and accessories made from delicately (and deliciously) carved & crafted chocolate.

Like the look of wearing shoes but prefer to leave those dirty soles in the vestibule? Try Kutsu Kutsushita “Shoe Socks”, snazzy socks from Japan designed to look like your usual socks & sneakers combo!

If you haven't been asked to join in any reindeer games, get your antlers to Japan where the Christmas costumes are unlike any those found anywhere else. Check out ten of Japan's oddest seasonal costumes and accessories, offered by the fine folks at Village Vanguard in the spirit of “St. Christmas”... whoever or whatever that is.

I see your snowshoes and I raise you: Ice Shoes! Actually these Magic Spiker winter soles stretch over almost any shoe, turning the most mundane loafers into ice-gripping, non-slipping, cold-weather warriors. Pretty slick, huh?

Is Katy Perry moonlighting for China's government or merely modeling a dress from designer Vivienne Westwood's Spring/Summer 2012 Gold Label collection? Maybe both: the Chinese calligraphy on her form-fitting AMA frock spells out “Green Economy”, a popular catchphrase oft-spouted by China's official media.

Marlon Brando may have been The Wild One but who says you can't be The Weird One? Certainly not Taiwan's Feng Yu Development Co., designers and manufacturers of the one and only Space Raincoat.

This finely detailed, handmade Guitar Backpack from Japan's Ito Manufacturing is based on Gibson's legendary Les Paul electric guitar but gives you more... like a soft, lined interior suitable for storing all your light favorite travel needs.

Apple makes sneakers? Who knew? Not I, not you, and definitely not Apple Inc., holders of the logo's copyright. Not that this matters to dozens of online shoe sellers in China who've slapped the tech giant's familiar fruit on their footwear.

These faux Chuck Taylor High-Tops have nothing to do with Converse or basketball, though their extraordinarily thick soles might trim a few inches off your layup.

A huge gray “Mao Suit” now on display in the Chinese city of Ningbo celebrates both the 1911 Revolution against China's creaky Qing Dynasty and revolutionary Father of the Nation, Dr. Sun Yat-sen.