fashion in modern Japan

I think that fashion is one of unique aspects of Japan. There are many kinds of styles for fashion in modern Japan. We call a style of fashion something-KEI(系). For example, there are B-kei; fashion for people love hip-hops, gal-kei; gorgeous style for girls, onei-kei; neat and clean style for girls and so on. I will focus on a Japanese girls in my class and on myself.

First, Yuna who is in Visual Anthropology class is visual- kei. Visual-kei is a style based on Japanese Rock bands. The characteristic of visual- kei is  loud make-up and hair style. In addition, some people has many pierced earrings not only on ears also face like Yuna. Here is a picture of her. I like her cute smile with many earrings. I like her fashion because it shows great individuality.

I think many girls in Japan are wearing very similar clothes that introduced in some fashion magazines. For example, the current fashion is a blue shirt. Every magazine introduces this and many girls are wearing it in same style. I have it too. I think I also don’t have uniqueness on fashion, because I usually refer to a fashion magazine and buy clothes which seem to be introduced on the magazine. Many Japanese girls have tendency like me, and it is reason why there are many girls in the same fashion like copies. I actually find a woman whose fashion looks really similar to me. Although she is a stranger, we look like wearing the matching clothes on purpose.

To say about my style, I am vivi-kei which is a style based on a fashion magazine called ViVi. It is basically gal-kei, but it contains many styles as cool style or sweet girlish style. I am probably cool-kei. the fashion magazine: ViVi

Thirdly, Kotoi is kind of natural style. Japanese sometimes call these girls mori-girl, it means girl who seems to be in the forest. They tend to wear loose clothes, flat shoes and put natural make-up and I think this tendency makes their atmospheres mellow. Of course, Kotoi is also mellow and I feel healing when I talk to her.

pics of mori girls












Today, I focus on just three styles of Japanese fashion, but there are much more unique styles in Japan. Style-Arena.jp This site would introduce other styles.