Why We're Obsessed With Japanese Fashion
Part I: My Tokyo street style report.
In an era defined by algorithmic trends, the street style in Tokyo offers a refreshing contrast. “You’ll rarely find Japanese women out in leggings or sweatpants,” a friend told me over lunch in Ginza. “Even if we’re coming from the gym, we’ll change before stepping out,” she added.
Having spent 11 days in Tokyo, I think it’s safe to say Japanese people take pride in how they show up on a daily basis. It’s a philosophy of mindfulness that extends to the clothes they wear.
What Is Japanese Style Today?
A rich amalgam of the old and the new.
The Pull of Tradition
The country’s isolation from the rest of the world during the Edo period (1603 to 1867) has allowed for the preservation of traditional dress like the kimono and military-inspired school uniform. And I’ve enjoyed watching the kimono-clad women going about their days on their Tabi platforms and the students walking to school in single files, dressed in high-neck blazers (for the boys) and plaid skirts (for the girls). I also noticed a fair amount of specialty shops give new life to kimonos by repurposing their parts into long-sleeve shirts and dresses. That dance with the past and present manifests in all aspects of Japanese culture.