Edward Merrin: Japanese Street, Japan's Leading Fashion

Unlike most established forms of fashion, Japanese chic is in its own level in the fashion world. Japanese fashion consists of a blend of both traditional and modern styles. Most of the conventional Japanese fashion styles evolved into what is known as street fashion today. However, the remains of traditional Japanese fashion are still existent. Some women in the large cities of Japan can still be seen wearing the traditional garments. Nevertheless, Japanese fashion has always been dictated by the duality of old vs. new and tradition vs. contemporary.

For the traditional form of fashion in Japan, the Kimono is what is generally worn since it is perhaps the most conventional of all the garments. The Kimono is a full-length article of clothing that was once worn mainly by women, men, and children as the conventional outfit. Today, it is mostly women that dress themselves in a Kimono. The traditional garment is shaped like the letter T, and it is a straight-lined robe that descends all the way to the ankles. The Kimono has collars and broad, full-length sleeves. Kimonos are usually wrapped around the body from the left side over the right and then held in place by an obi— a wide belt that is usually tied from the back. To compliment the Kimono, the traditional footwear known as “geta,” is worn along with split-toe socks known as, "tabi.”

Although the tradition of wearing the Kimono is often carried out by women the article of clothing is still worn by certain groups of people, and in certain situations. Some of the people that wear the Kimono, or a variation of it are: unmarried women (who wear a style of Kimono known as the furisode), older women, professional sumo wrestlers (who wear a style of Kimono known as the yukata), and sometimes men during weddings, tea rituals, and other special occasions.

As for the modern fashion of Japan, most of it is derived from not only their traditional styles, but also Western society. In the middle of the 19th century, Japan had started conforming and following Western styles, slowly abandoning the Kimono and other traditional garments. Then over the years, it would evolve into what the world sees Japanese fashion today— designer/ avant-garde couture, and street fashion.

Part of Japanese fashion emulating Western style is their version of couture and high-end fashion. In Japan, the high-end fashion and couture are derived from traditional and modern schools of thought. Designers and Japanese artists, would not only try to be like their Western influences, but also merge their cultures/ subcultures and Japan's traditions to give birth to unique perspectives on clothing. The result, Japanese fashion created its own form of haute couture. Some of these forms of fashion are haute couture bridal gowns and clothing that appear in Industrial Neo-Realism and Futuristic a manner on the runway.

From high-end fashion and haute couture, Japanese fashion would later dabble with another form of fashion form the west— streetwear fashion. Unlike streetwear fashion in the Unite States, Japanese street fashion literally refers to where the individual wearing the outfit is from, and where he/ she “custom-made” their clothing. Through these acts of customizing outfits, the Japanese adopted a blend of modern and traditional Japanese and Western styles of clothing. Presently there are many styles of dresses in Japan that compliment various subcultures. These various styles for each subculture are created from a mix of both local and foreign labels. Some of these styles have been noted for their uniqueness and avant-garde take just the way haute couture pieces are noted upon their design and inception.

In recent years, Japanese Street fashion has somewhat merged with the hip-hop culture. And just like American street fashion, Japanese streetwear has also become the leading trend in Japan’s mainstream fashion industry. Japanese followers of this fashion have been known to imitate their favorite rap stars’ appearance— all the way from the over-sized clothes they wear to darkening their skin color through tanning. Just like streetwear serving as a means of anti-establishment in the United States, street fashion in Japan has the youth convinced that tanning or being darker serves as an act of expression beyond their conventional Japanese look. The concept of darkening ones skin and wearing the same brands and dressing the same style as their favorite hip-hop star has become a growing subculture.