From the land of mystical kimonos to being known for schoolgirls wearing school uniforms, Japanese trends and styles in fashion have undergone an immense evolution. The fashion scene in Japan has been greatly influenced by the vigor and imagination of its youth that has adopted an eclectic mix of current trends and traditional styles along with an interesting amalgam of local and overseas styles that create a distinctive Japanese identity. The flashy trends of this year, Japanese fashion style 2009, can be seen in the trendiest of Japanese cities, Osaka and Tokyo.
Japanese Fashion Style 2009
Japanese fashion style 2009 is very much affected by the global recession. Retailers decry the sharp decline in their sales, as they are still in a continuous face-off with foreign brands, which are more adaptive to trends and are financially well-backed. With foreign brands, this refers not only to European and American brands but also to the more affordable Chinese brands. With the competition that Chinese clothes provide, Japanese fashion depends on the energy of its youth to carry its grand reputation. Most Japanese believe though that the USA is the main source of the latest fashion trends, with their country coming only in second. Footwear, particularly for men will still lean towards US brands, while women prefer the more stylish European brands. Not all news in Japanese fashion style 2009 is on the bad side though. Japanese trends in the fashion staple denim jeans has still be favorable toward the local brands, including companies such as Uniqlo reporting increased sales.
Over the years, Japanese fashion has been recognized due to fashion subcultures originating from the streets of Tokyo that have permeated into mainstream consciousness. Fashion observers all around the world have recognized Japanese street fashion as innovative, trendy, and highly adaptive to the demands of today’s youth and their need for individuality and self-expression. Nowadays, young people from different cities in Japan have joined the race in creating their own sub-cultures in dressing. Some range from outlandish mix of fairy tale lace outfits with gothic make up, while some trends lean towards having an exaggeratedly tanned complexion. Still, others have gone to the extreme such as the Shokotan look, a part of the Cosplay (costume play) trend where one covers his or her hair (as like a cap) with live beetles. Now that’s extreme!
Japanese Fashion Trends
Now, it would be worthy to note where trends in Japan come from. Although as mentioned earlier, more and more towns have been interested in including their own touch to Japanese fashion style 2009, Tokyo is still the capital of fashion in the country.
The centers of style in the city are the following:
- Harajuku, a district in Tokyo known as one of its centers of fashion. The popularity of this district grew internationally as international singer Gwen Stefani claimed that she got a lot of fashion inspiration from Harajuku. She even named her back-up dancers Harajuku Girls.
- The Ginza district has had a long history as a shopping capital.
- Odaiba is a street fashion shopping hotspot.
- Shinjuku offers spectacular nightlife aside from being a fashion destination.
- Roppongi is the high-end center, with branded boutiques, perfect for those who want to spend a lot.
- Lastly, the Shibuya district is where you can find the most out-of-this-world trends. The most outrageous street wear trends have their birthplace in Shibuya.
