Tokyo Street Style 2022: Harajuku Fashion and Trends to Shop

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What is considered fashionable is often reduced to pleasing France AND Ital; Chanel and Gucci. After all, the global fashion capitals, called the “Big Four”, include Paris, Milan, London and New York. However, the trends extend far beyond European and Eurocentric standards. Think Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo. These vibrant cities are the base for fashion trends and subcultures. In fact, Tokyo is so rich with pop culture and style that Gwen Stefani called her backup dancers the “Harajuku Girls” (*cue “Rich Girls”*), and you can find hints of Harajuku fashion at “the weird aesthetic girl” made mainstream by the Hadid sisters.

You might not realize the number of big names that hail from Japan and have made cosmic contributions to fashion around the globe. Rei Kawakubo and Junya Watanabe, the two pioneers behind Like boysfeatured beautiful unconventional designs that transformed the models into standing sculptures gliding down the runway. Kansai Yamamoto Designed some of David Bowie’s eye-catching eccentric costumes, and went on to dress Lady Gaga and Elton John. All athletes will know Nigo, the creator of A bathing monkey (BAPE) and of Kenzo new artistic director. Of course, Issey Miyake, the avant-garde designer whose clothes broke barriers and shook the fashion world to think outside the box. These are just a few of the big ticket names, though there are countless others. They all pushed the envelope in terms of innovation and defined fashion in ways you’d be forced to find in other spaces.

These high-profile designers have left indelible marks on the fashion world, and while their work isn’t always more accessible to the masses, you’ll still discover unparalleled and inspired fashion on the streets of Japan. Style is entirely subjective, but what is not up for debate is the city’s unique flair.

“Even in a small area like Harajuku, the number of types of styles you come across is truly endless. Most importantly, and what I think most people overseas know Harajuku for, is the Lolita fashion,” he explains. Erika Kifune, a Tokyo-based creator who interviews pedestrians about their outfits. His Kawaii (Japanese for “cute”) style dates back to the 1980s and is best described as a mix of fairy tale princesses and the Victorian era in Europe. Nowadays, they also have a gothic version of it, where the clothes are black.”

ABOUT Missouri, a content creator known for dressing in the Harajuku style, this aesthetic relies heavily on hair as well. “I have a lot of wigs. I try to choose wigs according to the clothes I wear that day.” Throw in vibrant clothes and accessories that make you look like a doll, as well as an attractive wig to match, and you’re ready to walk the streets of Tokyo.

While Harajuku plays an important role in Japanese street style, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. A handful of brands are having a moment in Tokyo right now. Kifune says buyers love them Christian Dior so much so that there are queues out the door in Ginza and Omotesando. “Dior’s popularity in Japan is about matching the Kawaii chic aesthetic that Japanese women aspire to,” she explains.

On the other end of the spectrum, Misuru says, “In Tokyo, everyone buys clothes SHEIN because it’s cheap and easy to get fashion items.”

dice, Dolls kill, Bershka, Produced by Foutch, Continental Grace AND Palais Mirror are some other personal favorite shopping destinations for both content creators.

From Dior to SHEIN, there are different ways to create an outfit, but to start, go with what’s on trend. “It really depends on the location,” says Kifune. “In the Harajuku and Shibuya areas, baggy pants and see-through tops are popular. On the other hand, if you walk around Ginza, you will see that there are a lot of women wearing long skirts in pastel colors and men wearing suits.” Generally, though, you’ll find black on black on the street, according to Kifune. “It is not only an easy color to style, but also represents the Japanese mind. As a culture, we like to blend in and be as minimalist as possible.”

Additionally, Misuru notes that Tokyo fashion is often inspired by K-pop, anime and Instagram. K-pop girl group black pink, in particular, has a huge impact on the way young women dress, according to Misuru. A simple Google search will show you amazing outfits and pop-punk finesse for their stage style, and baggy jeans, crop tops and luxury bags for their streetwear.

This is what’s currently in fashion, but what about where Tokyo street style is going? “Comfortable clothes like slacks and shirts are here to stay,” says Kifune. She believes that because of the pandemic, “People seem to now choose more comfort and functionality.” The content creator has also observed more deconstructed outfits and thinks they will continue to appear. In Misuru’s view, “The streets of Tokyo are now fashionable for the 90s. I feel like the trend is coming back in a slightly different way.”

Now that you have a good idea of Tokyo street style and how to incorporate it into your wardrobe, it’s time to shop. Below are 14 items that are in line with Japanese fashion trends that are influencing style around the world.

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