With the lifestyle of American students as one of the role models, POPEYE and other magazines appear to emphasize the American way of life. In the mid-1980s, youth and change came to the fore again, with counterculture at the essence of the style, just as trends in the first half of the 1980s contradicted those of the second half of the 1970s. This starts with the rise of DC (DC stands for “designer” and “character”), the first fashion trend to originate from Japan rather than relying on imitations of foreign fashion. The main leaders of this trend are the later shinjinrui generation, which is trying to distance itself from the traditional generation that led it in the second half of the 1970s. From that moment on, a number of new cultural influences, such as bodikon, Italian casual and hip hop style, are imported, marketed and consumed by young people. Traditional and historically significant clothing is still worn in Japan, although it has been relegated to formal occasions such as weddings, graduation ceremonies, etc.
American Vogue of April 1983 labeled the two as “avant-garde designers,” which eventually led them to their success and popularity. By the early 20th century, Western dress had become a symbol of social dignity and progressiveness; However, Kimono was still considered fashionable, with the two clothing styles essentially growing parallel to each other over time. With Western clothing considered streetwear and a more formal representation of fashionable clothing, most Japanese wore the comfortable kimono at home and out of the public eye. Inspired by the trousers worn at the Chinese imperial court during the Sui and Tang dynasties, hakama (袴) was in many ways a precursor to the kimono we know today. Hakamas come in two types, indivisible andon bakama, which is a bit like a long pleated skirt, and split umanori, which translates to hakama for horseback riding, and resembles baggy pants.
Kimono is also labeled as the national costume of Japan and is available in many different types and accessories. Before World War II, most people in Japan wore kimonos and other traditional garments every day, but today they are only seen at special occasions such as festivals, ceremonies and weddings or in historic cities such as Kyoto. There are different Japanse winkel types of traditional Japanese dress depending on one’s occupations, gender, and age or occasions. In this article, we introduce traditional Japanese clothing and accessories. Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo are Japanese fashion designers who share the same taste in design and style, their work is often considered difficult to distinguish by the public.
After the Meiji Restoration, the Empire of Japan was restored, consolidating the political system under the emperor. The country emerged as a modern, industrialized and powerful nation, which now gained influence from the West. Government officials and their wives were required to wear Western clothing at work and on formal occasions; The emperor himself cut his hair short and grew his mustache. Going back to Harajuku and its influence on Japanese street fashion, it all comes down to Harajuku, a neighborhood of Tokyo. Many generations of young people have walked through the narrow streets of Harajuku. It is the neighborhood that has stood up and finished with thousands of different original styles of streetwear.
The Japanese are often known for their traditional art and their ability to turn simplicity into creative designs. In traditional clothing, specific techniques such as metal application, silk embroidery and paste resistance are used and followed. The type of fabric used to produce the clothing was often indicative of a person’s social class, as the wealthy could afford clothes made with higher quality fabrics. Sewing techniques and color fusion also distinguished the realms from ordinary people, as those with more power tended to wear ornate and bright clothing.
A ‘supermix’ fashion is created, which combines three main aspects of street fashion: street style, gyaru style and konsaba style. The result is a ‘sweet’ style that is both kawaii and quite fashionable, characterized by the desire to enjoy the same trend as everyone else. A shift occurs after the great earthquake in Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011, as people place more importance on finding a way of life that is unique to them and rethinking what is important to them.
Due to its mass availability, most Japanese wear Western-style clothing in their daily lives, and kimonos are mainly worn for festivals and special events. As a result, most young women in Japan cannot put on the kimono themselves. Many older women offer classes to teach these young women how to wear traditional clothing.
Women also flirted with using the haori as a statement-style piece, a movement led by geisha in the 1800s. Now, finally, let’s take a look at the amazing street fashion trends in Japan that have taken the country by storm. These street-style looks were on display with the people who attended Tokyo Fashion Week. These trends are circulating among people of all ages, from teens and young adults to middle-aged men and women. They are a mix of summer and winter styles, so there is an inspiration for every occasion and every season.