As comfy and adorable as oversized sweaters are, sometimes you might want a classier look that accentuates your natural lines and contours. Enter ribbed sweaters! Elegant enough to wear on its own and simple enough to pair with any outfit, the ribbed sweater is a great wardrobe staple for those occasions that call for something a little more formal.

Here on pixiv, drawings of characters wearing ribbed sweaters sometimes get tagged #たてセタ (tateseta, lit. “vertical ribbed sweater”). Do you own a vertical ribbed sweater? If not, the illustrations of these characters just might convince you to add one to your wardrobe!

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During this time of the year, there’s one dangerously tempting household item designed to interrupt your focus and kill productivity, no matter how determined you might be about your work or studies. That’s right: we’re talking about the kotatsu, the Japanese floor table complete with a thick blanket and heater! Those who have fallen for its charm know how difficult it is to leave once you’re in it, and many have even dozed off while sitting at a kotatsu. With how warm and cozy it is, it’s no wonder so many people love—and fear!—this traditional winter comfort.

Have you ever experienced the warmth of a kotatsu? If not, come live vicariously through these characters as they spend the coziest of winter days tucked under theirs!

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Whether it’s a simple pour-over coffee, steamy latte, or lavish sugary beverage, coffee shop drinks have a way of warming you to your very core. Perhaps it has to do with the cafe’s ambiance or the seasonal drinks and decor that heighten your anticipation as you wait for your order. Or maybe it has to do with the simple fact that they’re made by someone else, and we all know how nice it feels to have someone make food or a drink for you!

Do you prefer to enjoy your drink at the cafe, take it with you on the go, or sip it slowly at a park while watching the world go by?

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Sleek, focused, and ever so stylish, billiards is one of those sports that can make you the star of the night at any bar or pool hall. While veterans are on a whole nother level and can send multiple balls scattering into pockets with a single shot, billiards is also easy enough that beginners can try their hand at it fairly casually. The satisfaction when you manage to hit a ball successfully can make you feel like you’re—pardon the pun—ballin’, and if you don’t, you can just say, “Welp, that’s my cue to leave.”

Enjoy the sleek moves of the characters below as they cue up their shot!

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As expressive as a person’s eyes can be, sometimes the most emotive portraits are the ones where you can’t see the character’s face at all. What thoughts are going through their heads? Are they wearing a frown or smile on their face, or could there be a tear rolling down their cheek? We can only guess, but that’s what makes these works of art all the more compelling.

What sort of situation do you think these characters might be in?

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By now, most of us are familiar with selfies, regardless of age or location. While it might be difficult to figure out which angles highlight your features the best at first, once you get the hang of it, selfies can be a great form of self-expression! Not only do selfies serve as snapshots of our lives, but they’re also a way for the world to see us as we want to be seen. Whenever you snap a selfie, you’re basically making the statement, “I’m here, and this is who I am.” For many, that can be a beautiful way to reclaim themselves.

Check out these illustrations of characters who’ve mastered the art of the selfie!

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When life gives you buns, make burgers! Often hailed as the “quintessential junk food,” hamburgers are a delight for any occasion. Whether you’re plant-based or a meat-lover through and through, as long as a burger has these three components—hearty patties, fluffy but sturdy buns, and a little bit of tang—you’re bound to be in for a grill-y good time!

Get ready to sink your teeth into these decadent, mouthwatering illustrations! And be warned: you may find your stomach growling by the end or be overcome with a sudden craving for burgers!

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If there’s one thing that signals the arrival of fall in Japan, it’s the smell of kinmokusei flowers! Kinmokusei, otherwise known as fragrant olive flowers or sweet osmanthus, are considered one of Japan’s three most distinctly scented flowers, alongside daphnes (jincho-ge) in early spring and the common gardenia (kuchinashi) in early summer. With their signature star-like petals and sweet and heady fragrance, these orange-yellow blossoms dance in the wind, carrying the scent of autumn with them everywhere. You can almost hear the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot and smell the crisp autumnal air through these illustrations, don’t you think?

What scents remind you of autumn the most?

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If you plan on being out and about all day, a handbag isn’t going to cut it—you’ll want something that allows you to be hands-free while doing all your pre-planned or spontaneous activities. Enter shoulder bags and crossbody bags! These bags are the perfect marriage of style and function and can perfectly complement a polished dressy look or a casual T-shirt and jeans outfit. Besides the essentials like your phone, keys, and wallet, you can even use your shoulder bag to carry your favorite plushie with you—how cute would that look?!

Do you prefer shoulder bags, backpacks, or no bags at all?

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“Are they girl friends or are they girlfriends?” is one of the age-long questions that seems to have no easy answer. While conveying or decoding subtle relationship dynamics in drawings can be tricky at times, studying each element can make the whole experience more fun and immersive. Hand placements, age, and the focus of the characters’ gazes can all serve as clues to the nature of their relationship, as well as the setting of the illustration. Of course, not every relationship is strictly platonic, familial, or romantic, and that ambiguity can sometimes add to the story’s depth and intrigue.

If you’re looking for more inspiration on how to draw two people together, perhaps this feature can inspire you!

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With hair as dark as the night and eyes as red as rubies, characters with black hair and crimson eyes have an undeniably distinct allure. Like smoldering embers, these black-haired, scarlet-eyed beauties give you the impression that they have a hidden passion or fury simmering beneath their calm and mysterious exterior. At the same time, they also appear rather sweet in gothic Lolita outfits, don’t you think?

Did any of these characters captivate you with their enigmatic, haunting beauty?

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Whether it’s lying sprawled out on their side propped up on their elbow or curled up into a fetal position, characters lying down on their side give off a relaxed vibe and a hint of vulnerability. While some might consider this the ultimate position to sleep in, others may find it perfect for contemplation; sometimes, it's just a great way to see things from a different angle.

Which position do you find the most comfortable to catch some zzzs: sleeping on your side, back, or stomach?

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Green eyes are often said to be the rarest eye color; make it emerald, and the chances of finding someone with that eye color drop even more! It’s no wonder we find characters with emerald or jade green eyes fascinating, and their enchanting gazes can make us think of precious jewels nestled in a locket or treasure chest. Best of all is when their eyes shine—the effect can be completely spellbinding!

Have you ever met a person with any of these eye colors?

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Whether it’s sweeping their bangs out of the way, tucking a loose strand behind their ear, or tying their hair into a ponytail, seeing someone touching their hair can feel oddly intimate. Perhaps it’s because it feels like we’re witnessing a private moment, and if that person has long hair, getting a glimpse of their exposed nape can make them seem briefly vulnerable. For artists, having a character touch their hair is a great way to make them feel more alive!

Enjoy the following illustrations, where the characters brush off their negativity!

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Who says jumper skirts are only for schoolgirls? This versatile garment has an adorably retro feel to it and is perfect for layering, especially as the months get colder. Pair it with T-shirts or tank tops in the warmer months, then layer it over long-sleeve tops and sweaters once the weather gets chilly. And there you have it: the perfect all-year-round wardrobe staple!

From plain and chic to sweet and frilly, enjoy these jumper skirts in all their fashionable glory!

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Jeans, bras, clingy tops, begone! Once you’re in the comfort of your own home, the last thing you want to do is be stuck in tight or fussy clothing, no matter how cute they might be. So ditch the uncomfortable clothes, step into your favorite loose-fitting loungewear, and get ready to unwind with a nice warm beverage and a cozy show!

Do you have a favorite outfit you enjoy wearing at home?

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One of the most common ways artists make their characters look unique is through their eyes. In Japan, sanpaku (三白, lit. “three whites”) eyes are where the white of the eyes are visible on both sides, either above or below the iris. Characters with these eyes often have a striking appearance, and when your gaze meets theirs, it can feel as if they’re looking right into your soul.

Did any of these girls’ gazes have you rooted to the spot?

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Anyone who has watched enough anime or spent enough time on the internet will be familiar with cat-like smiles, often represented by this emote :3 or this emote (`・ω・´). Characters with this type of mouth tend to be portrayed as playful, coy, or relaxed, much like our adorable feline friends. While some may paw-ssibly have ulterior meow-tives, it’s hard not to be taken in by their charm!

We hope you enjoy today’s feature, which includes a cat-isfying number of purr-ty smiles!

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Vibrant as a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and radiant as the sun, it’s almost impossible not to be drawn to orange hair when you see it. Characters rocking this hair color tend to have personalities that are just as bright and energetic as their hair, if not more. While these carrot tops can sometimes get a little too feisty, it’s hard to resist their charismatic charm for long!

Do you see your favorite orange-haired character below? Keep scrolling to find out!

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Picture this: you’re hosting a small, intimate dinner party with friends. You’ve sent the invitations, finalized the menu and prepped the food, and your house is as clean as it can be. All that’s left now is to bust out your finest silverware for this special occasion! No gathering is complete without some trusty knives, forks, and spoons, which can really make or break the mood, depending on how casual or formal the event is. So polish that cutlery, set the table, and may the conversation flow freely all night!

From basic to tastefully designed, these cutlery illustrations will surely make you look forward to your next luncheon or afternoon tea!

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