JAPAN|FASHION
So. You think you can handle it?
If you’ve ever wandered through the neon-lit wonderland of Tokyo’s Harajuku district, you’ve probably asked yourself, "Am I underdressed for this?" The answer is yes. Always yes. In fact, unless you’re decked out in a rainbow-hued combination of what can only be described as ‘grandma’s attic meets intergalactic pop star,’ you’ve already lost the fashion game here.
Japanese pop fashion, or J-Fashion as the cool kids call it (and by "cool kids," I mean people significantly younger than me), is a thrilling, slightly terrifying world of layers, textures, and an unwavering commitment to looking as if you’ve fallen directly out of an anime. But what makes it so fascinating is its total disregard for any fashion rulebook you’ve ever heard of. Forget Coco Chanel’s "take one thing off before you leave the house" – in Harajuku, they’re more likely to tell you to add three things, a plushie, and possibly a tiara.
Take Lolita fashion, for example. Despite the unfortunate name association, this style is less "provocative novel," and more "Victorian doll went to a tea party with Alice in Wonderland and ate way too many cupcakes." Puffed sleeves, petticoats, and enough lace to confuse a doily – it’s a whole subculture where adults dress like adorable porcelain dolls with a fondness for pastries. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but if you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Jane Austen’s wardrobe collided with Tokyo street style, here’s your answer.
And just when you think you’ve wrapped your head around Lolita, along comes Gyaru, a fashion movement that seems to ask, "What if Barbie grew up in a tanning salon?" Gyaru girls are unapologetically extra, with towering hair, eyelashes that could swat a fly from across the room, and tans that suggest they summer on the surface of the sun. It’s a style that’s all about maximalism, and, if nothing else, it’s a refreshing antidote to minimalism’s monochrome stranglehold on the rest of the world.
But let’s not forget the Decora tribe, who believe that "more is more" is less a fashion principle and more a way of life. These enthusiasts of chaos-in-clothing essentially attach every accessory they own to themselves before leaving the house. Hair clips, keychains, necklaces, stickers—if it sparkles, jingles, or comes in pastel, it’s going on. Decora fashion feels like the result of a kid let loose in a candy store and then raiding a craft store for good measure. It's loud, it's proud, and it’s absolutely impossible to look away from, much like a glitter-covered car crash.
Japanese pop fashion isn’t just about clothes—it’s a full-blown expression of self, unbothered by the constrictions of what’s considered "normal" anywhere else. It’s equal parts art, rebellion, and perhaps a touch of insanity (in the best possible way). The beauty of J-Fashion is that it exists without the slightest concern for what anyone outside of Japan thinks, and in doing so, has captured the imagination of fashionistas worldwide.
That being said we know you’re probably not gonna go full influencer on us and we’re glad. Leave the appropriation to other publication readers. Now if you’re looking for something that is still very Japanrific but you could still get away with your youngest group of friends late night at Zebulon 5, then we highly suggest you check out these two powerhouses of city fashion:
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These guys are next level looks with right now vibes. Let’s peep our man Yuthanan … anything this guy does I want to do. I wanna drive a Range Rover. I wanna hang out at a library. Ok, maybe I don’t wanna ride a camel with a suitcase but would I do it for a picture if I was wearing that outfit? Yes, yes I would. Yuthanan not only rocks city boy Japan fashion, but he’s got a keen eye for design and housewares, so his feed is literally a threat to anyone’s bank account.
Next Ryo, for those thirsty for a more casual, authentic city boy look. Ryo’s fashion sense is the stuff Anime dreams are made of. It’s casual but buttoned up. Super lax and flowing but extremely polished. It is all the beautiful contradiction that is Japanese culture in a wearable form. I mean look at this cat hanging around the city, he doesn’t even know someone is taking a picture of him … or … does he?
So yeah, Japan is good eats, it’s beautiful, and it’s wonderfully different from wherever the hell you are. It’s fashion is on a different level and worth a look. If you’re wanting to get in the game before hopping the flight then check out DAIWA, Nonnotte, and Our Legacy for starts and remember, if it feels wrong it’s probably very right.