Note: I wrote an article for this business’s site focusing on Japanese Fashion styles and trends. Please refer to the link for more info on this business and recently written works.
The fashion industry is fast pace and ultra-creative. Every fashionista knows their fashion capitals: New York, Paris, Milan, Miami, and of course Japan! The fashion in japan is out of this world. They have everything. Japanese fashion subcultures have been revered and copied ever since the 1980s. This listing should give you an overview of the latest and most up-to-date of all Japanese fashion trends.
1: DECORA
This trend was spawned by the magazine FRUits and made popular by their first cover girl Aki Kobayashi. Dressing Decora style means wearing lots of plastic barrettes, plastic toys both handmade and bought, and comfortable shoes preferably in neon pink. Neon Pink seems to be the dominant color, and dressing with layers of frilly white fabric combined with decorative cute accents (hence the name Decora) is the go-to styling method for this trend. Cutesy purses in the form of animal plushies is also recommended. Currently, decorative pins on buttons with cartoon characters are popular with this trend as well.
2: Lolita
This trend has got to be the most long-lasting and versatile of them all. Dressing in Lolita means in a nutshell, looking like a baby doll. Bonnets, parasols, baby doll dresses with frills, leggings, aprons, rocking horse shoes, and ultra girly feminine patterns of fruits, desserts, teddy bears, and just anything sweet. There is also Gothic Lolita; where the color palette is mainly black and white with dark makeup. Punk Lolita uses a lot of plaids and bobby pins along with chains and ruffles. Wa Lolita incorporates classic Japanese accents like the Kimono and sandals with socks. Magazines like Gothic and Lolita Bible have styling methods and even stores where you can purchase these looks.
3: Mori Kei (Nature or Forest girl)
This trend is inspired by the forest Nymph in the fairytale books. Dressing in Mori Kei means wearing lots of lightweight billowing fabric, lace, loose fitting clothing, ear muffs, gloves, and sweaters. Of course, the summer looks are airier. Accessories for the Mori girl include leather bracelets, leather bags, faux flowers, leather shoes, straw accessories, and anything nature related. The color palette for this trend is neutral tones such as green, brown, white, camel, and berry. Magazines such as Spoon have great examples of this trend and stores where you can buy fitting attire.
4: Dolly Kei
The Dolly Kei trend resembles vintage and antique dolls of old world Europe. The icon for this trend is Hitome Nomura; she is said to have created the look. Dolly Kei is also inspired by the Victorian collectible dolls and the “old days of yore”. Textiles such as brocade, velvet, faux fur, tapestry, lace, and cotton are usually what the clothing is made of for this style. Dolly Kei is actually accessorized with broaches, curtain tassels, chain watches, crosses, whole dolls, or just doll parts. Shoes for this look come in the form of boots (laced up or buckled) or simple black platforms. The overall look can seem either vintage and cute or creepy. Stores, where you can purchase items for this look, are Antique stores and Thrift stores.