Japanese street fashion is a fashion genre that encompasses several subcultures of alternative fashion. It usually involves taking an ordinary piece of clothing, such as a shirt, and altering it by adding personalized components, such as metal studs or fur trim. Often, these fashions are also heavily deconstructed, sometimes by ripping or shredding.
Japanese street fashion leans toward fashions that are of the gothic and steam punk genres, and is primarily embraced by teens. It began as a fashion subculture in the late 1990s, and by 2008, Japanese street fashion had impacted the worldwide fashion scene.
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What is Japanese street fashion called?
One of the earliest and most common types of Japanese street fashion is called “Gothic Lolita,” or “Gothic Lolly.” It is believed to be influenced by anime characters such as Sailor Moon, and typically consists of dresses that emulate the frilly short frocks worn by little girls during the 1950s.
The dresses often include dark touches of gothic, such as dark fabrics and white lace trimmings. The dresses are often worn with ripped stockings, pinafore aprons, and full tulle crinolines or petticoats. Gothic Lolita later evolved into full gathered skirts with crinolines, which are commonly worn with striped tops and stockings.
Deconstruction is also a big component of Japanese street fashion. Deconstructing a fashion usually means one of two things: ripping or tearing the fashion in some way, or taking different components of fashion and putting them together in an unusual way. A deconstructed fashion might include a pair of ripped and shredded jeans worn with a top made out of several pieces of different sweaters sewn together.
Another type of deconstruction would include pants with one leg normal length, and the other leg cut off to be the length of a pair of shorts. The possible ways to deconstruct a particular fashion are as limitless as the imagination of the individual wearer or designer.
Gangura is a “glitterati” type of Japanese street fashion that usually consists of platform heels or boots, often in gold or silver, worn with very short miniskirts. It is also characterized by very specific makeup. Girls who wear gangura type clothing usually wear very pale makeup on their faces and very dark lipstick and eye shadow.
Extremely long, doll-like fake eyelashes are also a part of the overall look. It is believed to be heavily influenced by early punk rockers from the 1980s.
The 10 Most Popular Japanese Street Fashion Trends
Japanese street fashion invites people to mix and match: the new and the vintage, bright and dark colours, and secondhand finds and luxury pieces. It’s not so much about what you wear, but how you wear it.
The Classic Hip Belt Bag
Whether you refer to this bag as a hip belt bag, fanny pack, bum bag, or banana bag, there’s no denying it’s hella convenient to use. Practical, chic, and hands-free, the hip belt bag has made an explosive comeback! Despite being criticised as unfashionable, mogul brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Gucci think otherwise. They’ve all started selling and marketing hip belt bags as incredible high-end fashion pieces.
Bold & Bright
There’s no such thing as clashing colours in Tokyo street fashion. Dare to stand out from the crowd by strutting in all seven of your favourite colours! Japanese photographer Shoichi Aoki is known for featuring crazy colourful outfits in his magazine Fruits. He’s taken thousands of photos on the streets of Japan, mainly in Harajuku district, to capture individuals’ unique and bold styles.
Obsessed With Oversized
Skip tailoring that suit and opt for a larger size instead! Oversized clothing is trendy in Japan for its dramatic and heavy silhouette. Whether you’re wearing a hoodie, dress, suit, or pants, the general rule of thumb is bigger is always better. In Shibuya City, Pulp 417 Édifice is one of the go-to brands for all things oversized.
Proud In Plaid
What goes with your plaid jumpsuit? Your plaid coat, of course. This pattern is often associated with 90s grunge and school uniform skirts, but Japan has changed that – you can never wear too much plaid in Tokyo!
Stylish Sneakers
Forget about matching your shoes to your belt, the answer is always sneakers! Since the 90s, Western brands like Nike, New Balance, Converse, and Adidas have become widely popular in Japanese street fashion. The fad has stayed strong over the years, now with local brands like Flower Mountain, BAPE, and Asics creating their own sneakers.
Live, Love, Layers
Layering is a great way to add dimension and depth to any outfit. It encourages people to mix patterns and textures for a more playful yet sophisticated look. Japan is a country that experiences some pretty cold winters, making it important to layer up to stay warm. Thankfully, this trend allows them to do just that, without sacrificing style.
Dare To Wear Denim
Denim is a timeless fabric that can look both casual and edgy, depending on how you style it. From trousers to dresses, denim anything is trendy as heck in Japan right now! Fun fact: 90% of jeans’ zippers are manufactured by the Japanese company Yoshida Kōgyō Kabushikigaisha in Tokyo.
More Mori Kei
Loose fabrics, knitted cardigans, and soft colours – Mori Kei is perfect for the free-spirited nature lover! It takes on the colour scheme of fall with its neutral browns, whites, and creams for a very earthy look. The creator of Mori, Choco, authored a book that serves as a guide for those interested in adopting this whimsical style.
Modern And Monochromatic
There’s something very sleek about wearing a solid colour from head to toe. This all-white ensemble is a great example of an outfit that looks sharp, contemporary, and incredibly eye-catching. You can also experiment with different textures of the same hue for added detail to your look.
Genderless Kei
Genderless Kei is rejecting the idea that you need to dress according to your gender. This subculture is the epitome of what it means to promote free self-expression and encourage fearless experimentation in the world of fashion!
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