• Home
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Outfits
  • About
  • Press
  • Work With Us
Fashion Pulse Daily
The hearbeat of fashion

Subscribe

  • Via RSS
  • Via Email
wordpress com stats plugin

tokyu hands department store

April 21, 2016

10 Things I Learned About Japanese Fashion & Beauty

by Julia DiNardo

rappongi hills mall
[The mall is a modern architectural and aesthetic marvel; Roppongi Hills pictured above]

Looking back at only a month ago, I still can’t believe that I was in…JAPAN! It truly was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life, and the way that I view its culture, and in a larger scale, the world, is forever changed. There’s so much I’d like to share from my trip, and short of saying “you really just need to check it out for yourself,” I’m going to zero in on the fashion and beauty aspects that struck me most profoundly during my 16-day visit.

Here’s 10 of my observations, when it came to fashion and beauty in Japan, during March of 2016:

image from a geisha performance kyoto
[From a Geisha performance in Kyoto during the spring festival]

The kimono is still often worn – and it’s stunning

I thought that on a rare instance I might see some ladies wearing kimonos while in Japan, but on the contrary – I saw dozens upon dozens of women wearing them, particularly at Jotaro Saito’s fashion show. Until seeing so many, and close up, I began to train my eye for the small details and nuances that shifted from one to another, picking up on which ones might be of higher quality and more costly. It was graduation week while we were there (in Japan, it occurs in later March), and as a result, we saw young men decked out in suits, and women dressed in kimonos, as their attire for this formal occasion. I really wish there was a US equivalent to this kind of traditional dress, and my appreciation for it grew ten fold after our visit. In historic districts in cities like Kyoto, you can even rent one for the day, and pay a la carte for accompanying services like hair and makeup.

As a side note, tabi boots still have a place in Japanese culture; the split-toe look was definitely spotted by rickshaw drivers (or runners, rather) in the historic districts, and occasionally on hip Japanese in eccentric prints and colors (see some by my new favorite brand, Sou Sou Kyoto), but we saw the most often on…construction workers!

dickies in japan
[One of many unexpected American brands spotted in Japan]

Odd, Sporty 90s brands are back in popularity

It’s true that classic Americana — Levi’s, work wear, and all things generally found on Huckberry.com are majorly trending in Japan, however I saw an amusing addition- 90s sportswear brands that have fallen out of popularity here, such as Starter, Champion, Dickies, and Fila, have revamped and re-branded themselves into top tier street wear looks once again. Very curious indeed was this discovery, but it seems like cross-culturally, this tends to happen with brands. It really brings the whole concept of fashion context and relevance under scrutiny…
Continue reading…

TwitterFacebookPinterestInstagramYouTubeRSS
FashionPulseDaily
is all about shopping smarter via a very carefully curated selection of items reviewed & featured from the fashion & beauty worlds. Founder Julia DiNardo flexes her expert muscles to bring readers the best insider knowledge & exciting news, with a dedicated focus on accessories.

Subscribe via Email

Categories

Archives

Instagram

Shopbop.com

Fast Free Shipping Worldwide

  • SHOP SOCKS
  • SHOP BOOTIES
  • SHOP TOTE

Fast Free Shipping Worldwide

SHOP SOCKS

  • HS

    HS Optic Socks

< >

SHOP BOOTIES

  • Isabel Marant

    Isabel Marant Dacken Booties

  • Aquazzura

    heart Aquazzura Zen 105 Booties

  • Ash

    See More Ash

< >

SHOP TOTE

  • Mismo

    M/S Flair Tote by Mismo

  • Herschel Supply Co.

    Herschel Supply Co. Barnes Tote

  • Herschel Supply Co.

    Bamfield Tote by Herschel Supply Co.

  • A.P.C.

    A.P.C. Axel Tote Bag

  • WANT Les Essentiels

    WANT Les Essentiels Aberdeen Structured Tote

  • WANT Les Essentiels

    WANT Les Essentiels Hartsfield Nylon Weekende...

< >

Shop High Waist Flare Pants, Black Turtleneck Sweaters, No Heel Wedges, Grey Leggings and more. Get this widget.

Click Here to View Fashion Pulse Daily's Privacy Policy Info
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

POPSUGAR Select Beauty Founding Member

POPSUGAR Select Fashion Founding Member

FashionPulseDaily © 2021 All Rights Reserved. Design + Development by Elembee