*READ THIS* There's only audio in one ear - if you can, watch this video WITHOUT headphones (it will be much better). SORRY, this will be fixed for the next video. Thanks everyone for letting me know xx
Thank you. I was wondering what was going on. My earbuds have been buggy, but I noticed the music was still coming through both ears. It's only the voice audio that's bugged.
There's something very attractive about how Japanese can make an outfit look cool and fun and interesting and personal, while also being very modest, and showing neither skin nor shape. I was never able to pull off the same types of clothes, but I keep coming back to admire it
It's amazing to me how the vast majority of people wear these shapes and can make it look so cool. Definitely a huge inspo to me and something I'll also come back to admire :) Thank you so much for watching btw x
I used to have a similar problem because I felt those silhouettes never worked on me, then I realised that the key was to go for significantly larger size than you think you need. So even if I'd usually wear a medium coat, an XXL could give a good idea of how far that silhouette could go, and then choose a size in between for how exaggerated you want that shape to look
japanese fashion used to have a lot more bright loud clothing back in the early 2000's and you can still find traces of that in places like harajuku. the neutral trend has just sort of overtaken it as the dominant fashion because of how practical and everyday it is
@@shizukagozen777well uniqlo was super punchy and colorful during that time. Can confirm as someone who lived their at the time. Soooo, Uniqlo really just matches the demand I think.
One thing you didn’t mention (but kind of showed with the striped blouse) is the tailoring. Japanese clothes have that je ne sais quoi by using unique cuts or silhouettes you won’t find most places. It’s not exactly tailored to each individual but even “boring“ pieces usually have an interesting collar or unusual hems that make them stand out. It’s one thing I noticed over and over. Oh, and please don’t forget that Japanese tend to spend three times as much as other countries on their clothing, which is why they are so well dressed usually. Thanks for sharing this, it definitely gave me some inspiration for my own wardrobe although I’m not petite 😊
Wait, can you elaborate that more? About the spending three times on clothing?! Is it that willing to spend more on quality clothing or buying in bulks more?
@@Meimoons If you open any Japanese fashion magazine, you’ll see that the unusual shirts are usually around 100-130$ and everything else only goes up from there. It‘s considered normal to buy high-end over there, because everybody does it. From a Japanese mindset, everybody is middle-class or wants to belong to the middle class so I‘d guess that clothes and hobbies are the biggest expenses apart from rent. Going out for dinner is really cheap though and they have a huge second-hand market for everything - even fashion - so most stuff is not that used when it gets sold on. So no, they don’t buy bulk except Uniqlo which is their cheap, no-frills basics store. And even there, you can get your pants hemmed and shirts altered should you need it. Which doesn’t mean that they don’t overconsume on fashion just like the rest of us.
@@MeimoonsI think both. One thing I notice in Japan is that there aren't many fast fashion options. Of course there's Uniqlo, but last time I stepped foot in a Uniqlo (which is pretty long ago tbf), it wasn't exactly Target/Walmart cheap. A place could look pretty fast fashion but then a pair of slacks would set you back 80 dollars.
@@Meimoons I understand that as "they study style/fashion 3 times more". Japanese are very oriented to perfection, or at least to try your best, and fashion is not different. Fashion magazines are (mostly) just a thing for girls/trendy women here in western countries, but in Japan every social group has specific magazines for themselves. They *learn* to get stylish.
Prior to moving to Japan, I wore a lot of low cut tops, crop tops, denim cutoffs, and fitted jeans. Mind you, I was also in my mid 20s. But having lived in Japan for awhile now, my style has changed drastically. Maybe because I’m older now, but I find myself no longer going for more revealing clothes and find comfort and feel more stylish and feminine in higher necklines and longer lengths. I’m so inspired by how Japanese women dress in the summertime as well. Long airy dresses and tops without showing too much, and it feels so dainty and fairy-like.
I lived in Japan in the 90s and loved window shopping and people watching. Even during this time period, the camel, beige, white and pale pink were the dominant fashion colors for winter coats. To dress in light colors during a harsh season seems to heighten the sense of luxury and the idea of pure, clean clothing.
This is good to know! I’m visiting Japan for the first time soon and I’m from New York City where people wear black often. I was planning to bring a lot of black because I thought the cities would be similar in that way but I guess I’ll be opting for beige and lighter pinks instead!
The longline trend is so beautiful! All my skirts, desses and coats are at least past my mid-calf or sometimes maxi length, so happy to ser that other short women look awesome in them! Makes me less intimidated to wear mine ☺ as well as oversized silhouettes 😍
Living in Japan, I wasn't expecting how much I'd LOVE the style here. It's modest, but so fun, unique, and sleek all at once. So many neutral tones, but it looks SO GOOD. I wasn't expecting on going shopping here, but man, I love the clothing.
I know chatty videos aren't everyone's cup of tea, but long-form reflective and analytical content on fashion and personal style is my faaaavorite! That is to say, love this video and thank you for the time you took to put this together! Interestingly, when I was in Japan around 2017, I noticed a lot of cropped/midi silhouettes. Full pleated culottes and skirts were everywhere. Goes to show that even more conservative Japan has a trend cycle ;) But most of your other observations still held true.
I’m naturally inclined to this aesthetic! I didn’t even know it was Japanese. I just love that effortlessly comfortable and stylish look. Something practical but still interesting. Not too fussy or overworked.
I am 5’1” and 105 lbs. I love clothes like that but my American friends always ask me why I wear clothes that are so oversized and sloppy. They also said I dressed very young. I am 65 yo and still love to be fashionable because I love Japanese fashion. Japanese and Frenchwomen never stopped dressing up. Casual and classy.
Yes, long line is really popular here in Japan since last summer. I am over the moon because I am a long skirt girl!! Tonal dressing is also popular. No more than three different colours is a popular rule. I notice the difference immediately when I go back to OZ...so many colours!!! Functional wear and dressing for the climate is key. Heat tech is my go to every day, esp extra warm heat tech leggings under my skirts!!! You are very observant! I really enjoyed this!!! I think the audio was better! THANK YOU!
@@lizlawley6680 yes, that's what Uniqlo call it here in Japan and it is stamped on the 'thermal' stuff. It is probably a trade mark. I looked on the Australian site for Uniqlo and they call it that too..HEATTECH. They have extra warm and ultra warm which claims it is 1.5 times warmer and 2.5 times warmer. Very toasty if you are in a cold climate.
You hit it right on the nail with those neutral colors… those exact beiges and pinks are what I love in Japanese fashion, but I find it so, so hard to find it anywhere else! Everything here is just light grey and navy… now I know I’ll have to check out more Japanese stores to see if I can find my dream neutrals!
This! These styles work so well because they’re very small/thin. a lot of these styles would make a curvier person look frumpy. They’re still very nice for those who can wear them though
So so true.. as a curvy petite, this doesn't always work for me, but I keep trying to find a way to bring them in. Also, most of these clothes don't work for tropical climates. A majority of style channels still are dedicated to colder climate styles.
I was looking for this comment. Japan is pretty homogenous and many of them have strong vertical lines in their body. I suspect that there is an easily accessible cultural knowledge on what looks good and drapes well on their body. I think there’s some similarities in lines and tailoring between even their traditional clothing and modern clothing. So they’re exposed pretty early on to whats flattering on them and as adults, the majority focus on and differentiating and refining their style thru detailing like fabric choices, and accessories. Of course there are really cool subcultures that subvert this, but because they have that early template, the “rules” they break come across as methodical. Also when clothing companies lean into these lines, straight off the hanger, clothing probably looks flattering for the majority of people. And I suspect that their sizing might be much more standardized then the mess in the US, making styling and flattering fashion a low bar of entry. I feel like after writing this, I’ve realized why dressing well is just so difficult to do for a lot of people in the US.
If you have curve but wanna try the Japanese long-line aesthetics, give Uniqlo U a line. I'm pretty heavy (size 8-10 US, DD cup, 5'4"), and I love how Uniqlo U designs accommodate my curves generously, while draping smooths the line really well. Another line that comes to mind is Hana Tajima, but she stops collab with Uniqlo. She does Dress on Pants extremely elegantly.
Everyone has curves - skinny, awerage, or fat. No one is shape of rectangle. I'd say that skinny ladies are often more curvy than a plus size - I am on a lower BMI end, but I have sick hips to waist ratio.
this video is so validating - especially because i find myself gravitating towards more oversized looks in terms of my personal style and standing at a 4'11 stature, the two don't go hand in hand but when you pointed out that a lot of japanese fashion involves oversized clothing even on petite/shorter heights, i felt so seen :') im definitely taking notes from this video
It seems the tailoring details is really key to the japanese look. I used to wonder why some outfits look 'meh', and others so cool. As someone said, they do spend more to buy elevated items. Still, I cant wear these fabrics, or some of the silhouettes in my tropical climate, but colors, tailoring details could definitely be borrowed. And definitely, a looser fit is a great option in the heat 🙂
Over the years I saved a lot of Japanese street style photos. I am also 5’3” and love the often tonal and muted palette in Japan. I still buy items that remind me what I saw on the photos today.
Thanks for sharing! I love Japanese fashion~ I personally love the oversized style. It’s definitely easier to do in the colder months though. Which is why I hate summer LOL. Some people think petite people can’t wear oversized top and bottom, but I say who cares! Everyone should wear whatever makes them comfortable 🥰
I know!! I don't like summer fashion very much and get soo excited when cool whether comes around :) I think petite people look great in oversized pieces and you're absolutely right x
Great detailed observations of Japan's streetwear! There are so many beautiful things to see and experience in Japan, and their fashion-sense is among them. Their layering techniques, to me, is an art!
For your color observations, I’ve found that Express normally has a lot of good neutral tan and pink basics! They always have a sort of trendy section that changes each month, but their year round basics keep to the softer pink based neutrals. :D
I returned from Japan yesterday, hot, hot summer weather! Although the season was different from what you experienced, the styles are so much the same. I love how you explain how the oversize works so well on small frames. I noticed this too, but couldn't figure out why it was working. The Japanese have such beautiful, understated style. I love all the layering and sometimes unexpected textures. Great video, thanks!
I just came back from Japan. It was the beginning of autumn. I love their style and I couldn't figure out what it was. I had a hard time shopping because I wasn't sure how to incorporate the clothes into my current wardrobe. Next time I'll apply the things you talked about. Great video!
i’m very short/petite and i have a short torso, i’ve always looked at western fashion which is meant for taller girls than me on average and i feel like I should have been looking at japanese fashion this whole time
I couldn't agree more re: a nylon bag! I had been searching forever for a thrifted leather tote for work with no luck, and then last week, I came across a black nylon Kipling tote with both shoulder and cross body straps and nice features like sturdy zippers and a key loop. It was only $3! I've used it every day since. It's funny, because I remember seeing Kipling shops while living in Taiwan and Hong Kong, but never in Canada. They're great bags!
Yes to nylon bags!!! Love the lightweight, affordable, durable fabric and colorful options. No animals killed and easy to store with no worry about creases & scratches like leather bags. Nylon bags are my go-to!
Long flowing dresses are the 2024 spring/summer looks in the area where I live. As you stated, the low-contrast look works for both tall and short women even for the warmer seasons. ❤️
The Japanese’s taste is so similar to ours in the Scandinavian countries, both men and women. It’s so fun to watch :) off topic but your hair is very nice
Thank you for this breakdown! It's incredibly helpful. I've always found such Japanese styling to be striking, effortless looking, and cool. Plus, it does contrast so much to the style rules I absorbed for petites like myself. I'm going to reference your video more as I incorporate some of these style elements I've always appreciated.
Such an interesting and insightful video! I think a good portion of why all the clothing works is simply because Japanese clothing caters to the most common proportions. Good fit and proportion make everything look intentional and chic.
Oh wow this is wonderful! I’m going to Japan this summer with my daughter and I’m also fascinated with Japanese style as a petite. Thanks for your overall takes.
i've been dressing like this occasionally ever since i went to tokyo this year! i think i have the exact same skirt on the left on 3:16. I need to buy more of it. i love the silhouettes and lengths they have. for me they are perfect for busy days when i just really don't want to think about my figure. i think the key to avoiding the frumpy look with outfits like these is in the details- i find that a lot of people tokyo who dress like this will either have a really dressy shoe or comfy but cool looking sneaker - definitely not basic but definitely not super flashy, a good in-between. or they'll wear like a hip graphic tee or a beautiful understated luxury bag.
I thought my ear buds are broken. 😅 Love this video, i’ve been a fan of japanese fashion, I’ve been so insecured with my skin and japanese fashion really helps me to dress well. 🥰
Interesting fashion overview! The outfits are cocooning, comforting and protective looking. I wonder if there is a sociological reason for it - not just weather.
Japanese people like to imitate other Japanese people because standing out from the group is frowned upon over there. Only few people really have the 🥜 to actually be original.
Hi Helen, thanks for this lovely video, really interesting and enjoyable! I'm very obsessed with the Japanese style, I love Yamamoto kind of shapes and I found myself to have a very specific taste for sartorial and deconstructed mixed together ❤️
Love this video! You're very observant and I love how non-stereotypical the style lessons are. By the way I almost always use loudspeakers so I don't notice anything wrong with the audio, your voice sounds a lot clearer and more stable though.
I love longline coats and own one myself - only con is when I'm walking fast and it gets difficult to walk with the wind resistance, haha. Love these observations, thanks for sharing with us!
This video took the thoughts right out of my eyes from just 24 hrs since i arrive here in osaka. Exaaactly my observations. And as a 5"8 140lbs "XL Asian girl" i will definitely be remixing using these japanese dressing aesthetics. Puffer jackets x long skirt is especially mind boggling
I wanted to get a very long wool coat this winter, but even though they’re supposedly trending, I couldn’t actually find one to buy. When it’s really cold, the longer and fuller the coat, the better. (Especially as I wear mostly skirts and dresses). I’m short, too, and I think ankle-length items work very well on me, especially in a dress with one color or pattern from top to bottom, they give a long, continuous line.
I actually bought that cream mermaid skirt when I went to Japan last month and I love it, but maybe not for the same reasons you mentioned haha. It’s so crazy to me that the photo you showed and the women I saw wearing the skirt around Japan it looks really elongated and straight, but for me it REALLY emphasizes my hips and butt 😂 but I am someone who prefers long skirts (fitted or not) in general over minis so I love that aspect of Japanese style so much. I’m short but looking taller wasn’t even something I considered!
I absolutely love maxi skirts! In my daily life it’s unfortunately not very practical because I need to ride my bike (and if the skirt is too long it could go somewhere in the wheel and… nah i dont want to think further xD)
oh man i desperately wish i could pull off this style! the comfiness speaks to me. i love baggy clothes, but i don't think i can pull them off since i'm chubby and therefore oversized clothes just make me look larger lmao.
I love Japanese fashion and style, I don't like showing skin (at least on my upper body) so I like that Japanese styles are modest and cute. But the only problem is that my body doesn't fit the style, I'm very tall for Asian standards, and I'm not slim at all. If I tried to wear things like this I'd look very weird, but I think the style is so cute! It's a love hate relationship, I wish I could do something about this...
Best video ever, I grew up in Brazil and in São Paulo we have the highest Japanese population outside of Japan check out bairro Liberdade, the Japanese and the Korean are the elite of the country, so classy, driven and hardworking, we Brazilians have the ultimate respect for Japanese people and culture, I love the East, I joke that I was born a western as punishment! I cried reading memories of a geisha, and rooted for Saiuri the whole time, I am so happy for you Helen, best wishes for my beautiful now American home in Louisiana
hi helen, do you do observations on men’s clothing as well? i’d love to see my boyfriend upgrades his wardrobes lol 😂 i need some practical-generally suitable for all kind of occasion for men (from women’s point of view). thank you helen, love your way of simplifying fashion into words!
Nice video! Long puffer jackets are also the dominant winter style of this year in European German speaking countries. They are truly ubiquitous, and often paired with quite chunky leather boots. A cool Berlin look ;)
I find it amazing how japanese woman can be practical, comfortable and stylish at the same time! I love that they care less for this you should be tall, hourglass figure and whatever else.
I love visiting Japan. We went in December to Osaka. I thought it was hilarious that you took a pilot pen shop photo because that’s also what I did 😂😂. Best pens ever! The fashion is awesome. I went vintage shopping and got a denim long line jacket love.
If there's anything I took from observing the Japanese exchange students at my school, is that a well-fitting long skirt saves all. They even make jean maxi skirts look cool. I never touched skirts until I learned how the maxi with a high waist is super flattering for us *under* 5'3. I started adopting high contrast and texture mixes too because of this. The canvas sneaker and long baggy untucked tops were unusual for me too at the time, but above all it just looked comfortable and cute. It was definitely different from us, especially when skinny jeans, leggings, and frilly Coachella tanks still had a chokehold on American fashion. Tucked slim tops work for me better as someone without a slim body type. Next dream is that long coat for petites 🤩
What fabrics are mostly used in Japan? Do they use quality natural fibers, or are synthetics dominating clothing there as in the rest of the world? The nice men’s blazer looks like wool and the woven pattern is called herringbone (chevrons alternating directions). My objection to fleece is the synthetics used to make most of it. I did find a 100% organic cotton fleece hoodie, though, love it. I really enjoyed this video, thanks, dear Helen.
@@phackdaphish but you know, acetate is not the same group of fabric like polyester or polyamide. At least in my native language we have three different groups of fabrics: natural (cotton, wool, leather, silk, linen), synthetic (polyester, polyamide, nylon) and artificial (direct translation). The last group is made of cellulose, not petrol oil, so it is breathable and quite eco-friendly. This group consists of viscose, modal, lyocell (tencel) and rayon. These are great for hot weather!
I love your observations on japanese style! I see all these things in the style of japanese women I follow on Insta, but never really took the time to disect it. About the audio: besides the one-ear problem I think it does sound claearer.
When I was there I noticed the same. Loved the color options there that look good for Asian skin tones. Both color and style are more feminine and conservative. They tend to wear pieces with good materials and interesting textures. Most ladies wear their make up so well too. Since I’m not that young and am big chested I didn’t think the oversized would look good on me. I like your style too, Helen. It’s not overly matcha-matchy. I always thought shoes and purse need to match but you don’t do that and they look great!
That was a really interesting video, Helen, particularly as I watch a number for Japanese and Korean channels and am always drawn to their style. One thing I noticed that is also different: they "break the rules" by wearing an oversized and long skirt or dress with a long and oversized top. Also, I've decided that much as I'm drawn to their style, it ultimately is not for me. One reason the big, willowy dresses work for them is that (unlike me) they are often extremely small chested. So that same dress on me, would "project" out rather than flowing around the body, making me look bigger than I am. What I CAN emulate is their love of natural fabrics such as linen, which is perfect for the hot summers here in NC. Thanks for creating this video for someone like me, who loves the Japanese aesthetic so much.
I'm 😊enjoying the examples. A fan of Asian drama 😊 love the clothes but always thought I was too old or short, 5'3". Feeling more that there are possibilities to try. Thank y you
The colours you find available where you live is relative to your distance from the equator. After breaking down the sun reflects very differently off the same colours in different geographic locations. Bright colours can cause temporary blindness/traffic accidents in the wrong places. But generally no matter where you live, unless you’re doing the monochrome vibe strong colour makes everything look cheap. Neutrals hide a multitude of sins. And this usually includes navy/denim, sometimes considered a “neutral.” But if you’ve never done so, I recommend you visit an aviary/flower shop/botanical garden/aquarium sometime. There’s no such thing as a “fake” colour.
I have such a difficult time with style and fashion- those ‘genes’went to my sister 😂 since starting a professional job though I’ve been wanting to look more stylish, I think Japanese style is the way to go❤ thanks for this video
I still have most of the clothes I got from Japan in 2018 as they are just really comfortable and pretty durable as well! Can’t wait to go back in 2025.
Love the video. I can completely agree with most points mentioned and I'm personally going through a style change too after my month long trip to Japan. Another thing to add, for the bags, single shoulders are usually preferred because of how hot it gets during the summer and single straps usually mean less contact on body to prevent sweating, unlike a backpack.
Something else to add is that they rarely accentuate the waist. Maybe it's along the line of the "long line style", but it's very interesting given the fact that it's so engrained in me to do that. I find it hard to not tuck in a sweater when I have a long jacket and long pants on too. But they wear it so well!
The idea is Japanese sizing. The clothes FIT them. I went to Japan and bought only Japanese brands and realised that their long dresses fitted me perfectly. Unlike Western brands that are made for large Caucasian women, Japanese brands are made for petites. Even if they are oversized, they are fitted to our size. Since then I have decided to buy mainly Japanese clothing brands because they really do ‘spark joy’
This is such a good and perceptive analysis, and it points out many of the reasons why I'm drawn to Japanese fashion! Thanks so much! You got a new subscriber :)
Hey! Helen I really really really obsessed with your style so so so much and what a beautiful style you have you are my inspiration and I wish you reach 70K Subscribers very very soon!☺️💕💫
Estive no Japão no outono do ano passado e fiquei apaixonada pelo estilo delas. Além de tudo o que você falou, também percebi o uso de chapéus e bonés pra complementar o look e se proteger do sol. Ótimo vídeo, beijos do Brasil 😘
I loved the video. About the audio, maybe it was because I was using headphones but the voice recording and the background music where in different sides (voice was on my left and music was on my right) and that made it a bit hard to focus on your narration. Also, great explanations about the why the styles work, I often wonder why some outfits I chose work and why some other do not and keeping this tips in mind will help me know how to avoid making my "basic" or "neutral" outfits looking boring.
Love this breakdown and inspiration! Definitely noting some of these tips. So cool to hear how you like the Tibi pants, I’m super interested in their brand but hesitant to drop the money so far
*READ THIS* There's only audio in one ear - if you can, watch this video WITHOUT headphones (it will be much better). SORRY, this will be fixed for the next video. Thanks everyone for letting me know xx
I should probably check the comments box before I started to watch 😅 I thought something wrong with my AirPods 😂
Late to the game, but you can fix this by turning on “Mono audio” so that the same audio plays in both ears.
Thank you. I was wondering what was going on. My earbuds have been buggy, but I noticed the music was still coming through both ears. It's only the voice audio that's bugged.
same hahaha @@snezhanamyers9985
video of the style notes you made is so good that audio didnt even bother me
There's something very attractive about how Japanese can make an outfit look cool and fun and interesting and personal, while also being very modest, and showing neither skin nor shape. I was never able to pull off the same types of clothes, but I keep coming back to admire it
It's amazing to me how the vast majority of people wear these shapes and can make it look so cool. Definitely a huge inspo to me and something I'll also come back to admire :) Thank you so much for watching btw x
Agree, they make it so artistic with a touch of punk vibe, it's hard to explain
I used to have a similar problem because I felt those silhouettes never worked on me, then I realised that the key was to go for significantly larger size than you think you need. So even if I'd usually wear a medium coat, an XXL could give a good idea of how far that silhouette could go, and then choose a size in between for how exaggerated you want that shape to look
@@slowonNurburgringyeah punk but classic!
japanese fashion used to have a lot more bright loud clothing back in the early 2000's and you can still find traces of that in places like harajuku. the neutral trend has just sort of overtaken it as the dominant fashion because of how practical and everyday it is
Yeah, it's like everyone dresses at Uniqlo, so boring...
@@shizukagozen777well uniqlo was super punchy and colorful during that time. Can confirm as someone who lived their at the time. Soooo, Uniqlo really just matches the demand I think.
@@shizukagozen777everyone became an OL and lead boring quiet life to avoid the scoldings of the elder community
@@shizukagozen777 trends exist everywhere, it will go away soon.
@@Shrilaraune
Really ? All I can remember are the basic cuts with basic colors. 🤷♀️
One thing you didn’t mention (but kind of showed with the striped blouse) is the tailoring. Japanese clothes have that je ne sais quoi by using unique cuts or silhouettes you won’t find most places.
It’s not exactly tailored to each individual but even “boring“ pieces usually have an interesting collar or unusual hems that make them stand out. It’s one thing I noticed over and over.
Oh, and please don’t forget that Japanese tend to spend three times as much as other countries on their clothing, which is why they are so well dressed usually.
Thanks for sharing this, it definitely gave me some inspiration for my own wardrobe although I’m not petite 😊
""unusual hems that make regular things stand out" is an excellent definition of Japanese design, art, technology, cuisine etc.
Wait, can you elaborate that more? About the spending three times on clothing?! Is it that willing to spend more on quality clothing or buying in bulks more?
@@Meimoons If you open any Japanese fashion magazine, you’ll see that the unusual shirts are usually around 100-130$ and everything else only goes up from there.
It‘s considered normal to buy high-end over there, because everybody does it. From a Japanese mindset, everybody is middle-class or wants to belong to the middle class so I‘d guess that clothes and hobbies are the biggest expenses apart from rent. Going out for dinner is really cheap though and they have a huge second-hand market for everything - even fashion - so most stuff is not that used when it gets sold on.
So no, they don’t buy bulk except Uniqlo which is their cheap, no-frills basics store. And even there, you can get your pants hemmed and shirts altered should you need it. Which doesn’t mean that they don’t overconsume on fashion just like the rest of us.
@@MeimoonsI think both. One thing I notice in Japan is that there aren't many fast fashion options. Of course there's Uniqlo, but last time I stepped foot in a Uniqlo (which is pretty long ago tbf), it wasn't exactly Target/Walmart cheap. A place could look pretty fast fashion but then a pair of slacks would set you back 80 dollars.
@@Meimoons I understand that as "they study style/fashion 3 times more". Japanese are very oriented to perfection, or at least to try your best, and fashion is not different. Fashion magazines are (mostly) just a thing for girls/trendy women here in western countries, but in Japan every social group has specific magazines for themselves. They *learn* to get stylish.
Prior to moving to Japan, I wore a lot of low cut tops, crop tops, denim cutoffs, and fitted jeans. Mind you, I was also in my mid 20s. But having lived in Japan for awhile now, my style has changed drastically. Maybe because I’m older now, but I find myself no longer going for more revealing clothes and find comfort and feel more stylish and feminine in higher necklines and longer lengths. I’m so inspired by how Japanese women dress in the summertime as well. Long airy dresses and tops without showing too much, and it feels so dainty and fairy-like.
I lived in Japan in the 90s and loved window shopping and people watching. Even during this time period, the camel, beige, white and pale pink were the dominant fashion colors for winter coats. To dress in light colors during a harsh season seems to heighten the sense of luxury and the idea of pure, clean clothing.
This is good to know! I’m visiting Japan for the first time soon and I’m from New York City where people wear black often. I was planning to bring a lot of black because I thought the cities would be similar in that way but I guess I’ll be opting for beige and lighter pinks instead!
The longline trend is so beautiful! All my skirts, desses and coats are at least past my mid-calf or sometimes maxi length, so happy to ser that other short women look awesome in them! Makes me less intimidated to wear mine ☺ as well as oversized silhouettes 😍
As someone who currently lives in Japan, this is on-point! I love how you discussed about your observations on Japanese style.
Living in Japan, I wasn't expecting how much I'd LOVE the style here. It's modest, but so fun, unique, and sleek all at once. So many neutral tones, but it looks SO GOOD. I wasn't expecting on going shopping here, but man, I love the clothing.
I know chatty videos aren't everyone's cup of tea, but long-form reflective and analytical content on fashion and personal style is my faaaavorite! That is to say, love this video and thank you for the time you took to put this together!
Interestingly, when I was in Japan around 2017, I noticed a lot of cropped/midi silhouettes. Full pleated culottes and skirts were everywhere. Goes to show that even more conservative Japan has a trend cycle ;) But most of your other observations still held true.
I’m naturally inclined to this aesthetic! I didn’t even know it was Japanese. I just love that effortlessly comfortable and stylish look. Something practical but still interesting. Not too fussy or overworked.
I am 5’1” and 105 lbs. I love clothes like that but my American friends always ask me why I wear clothes that are so oversized and sloppy. They also said I dressed very young. I am 65 yo and still love to be fashionable because I love Japanese fashion. Japanese and Frenchwomen never stopped dressing up. Casual and classy.
I love everything about Japanese style. Lengths, colors, fabric, style... List is endless
これが日本のスタイルなのですね！私は毎日普通に着ているので、このように考察されてビックリしました。
ロングコート、マキシ丈のスカートは冬の定番です。
日本に来たら古着屋さんに行くのがオススメですよ😊
配信ありがとうございました❤
Yes, long line is really popular here in Japan since last summer. I am over the moon because I am a long skirt girl!! Tonal dressing is also popular. No more than three different colours is a popular rule. I notice the difference immediately when I go back to OZ...so many colours!!! Functional wear and dressing for the climate is key. Heat tech is my go to every day, esp extra warm heat tech leggings under my skirts!!! You are very observant! I really enjoyed this!!! I think the audio was better! THANK YOU!
Ohhh, HEAT TEC... OK, I know it as Thermal. Good stuff whichever way you describe it. 😏
@@lizlawley6680 yes, that's what Uniqlo call it here in Japan and it is stamped on the 'thermal' stuff. It is probably a trade mark. I looked on the Australian site for Uniqlo and they call it that too..HEATTECH. They have extra warm and ultra warm which claims it is 1.5 times warmer and 2.5 times warmer. Very toasty if you are in a cold climate.
You hit it right on the nail with those neutral colors… those exact beiges and pinks are what I love in Japanese fashion, but I find it so, so hard to find it anywhere else! Everything here is just light grey and navy… now I know I’ll have to check out more Japanese stores to see if I can find my dream neutrals!
Something not really touched on here is why a lot of these style tips work for petite heights is that most Japanese don't have curves.
This! These styles work so well because they’re very small/thin. a lot of these styles would make a curvier person look frumpy. They’re still very nice for those who can wear them though
So so true.. as a curvy petite, this doesn't always work for me, but I keep trying to find a way to bring them in. Also, most of these clothes don't work for tropical climates. A majority of style channels still are dedicated to colder climate styles.
I was looking for this comment. Japan is pretty homogenous and many of them have strong vertical lines in their body. I suspect that
there is an easily accessible cultural knowledge on what looks good and drapes well on their body.
I think there’s some similarities in lines and tailoring between even their traditional clothing and modern clothing. So they’re exposed pretty early on to whats flattering on them and as adults, the majority focus on and differentiating and refining their style thru detailing like fabric choices, and accessories. Of course there are really cool subcultures that subvert this, but because they have that early template, the “rules” they break come across as methodical.
Also when clothing companies lean into these lines, straight off the hanger, clothing probably looks flattering for the majority of people. And I suspect that their sizing might be much more standardized then the mess in the US, making styling and flattering fashion a low bar of entry.
I feel like after writing this, I’ve realized why dressing well is just so difficult to do for a lot of people in the US.
If you have curve but wanna try the Japanese long-line aesthetics, give Uniqlo U a line. I'm pretty heavy (size 8-10 US, DD cup, 5'4"), and I love how Uniqlo U designs accommodate my curves generously, while draping smooths the line really well. Another line that comes to mind is Hana Tajima, but she stops collab with Uniqlo. She does Dress on Pants extremely elegantly.
Everyone has curves - skinny, awerage, or fat. No one is shape of rectangle. I'd say that skinny ladies are often more curvy than a plus size - I am on a lower BMI end, but I have sick hips to waist ratio.
this video is so validating - especially because i find myself gravitating towards more oversized looks in terms of my personal style and standing at a 4'11 stature, the two don't go hand in hand but when you pointed out that a lot of japanese fashion involves oversized clothing even on petite/shorter heights, i felt so seen :') im definitely taking notes from this video
It seems the tailoring details is really key to the japanese look. I used to wonder why some outfits look 'meh', and others so cool. As someone said, they do spend more to buy elevated items. Still, I cant wear these fabrics, or some of the silhouettes in my tropical climate, but colors, tailoring details could definitely be borrowed. And definitely, a looser fit is a great option in the heat 🙂
Over the years I saved a lot of Japanese street style photos. I am also 5’3” and love the often tonal and muted palette in Japan. I still buy items that remind me what I saw on the photos today.
Japanese style is amazing and i've been admiring them for years. They carry the oversized, cool look so immaculately.
Loved this review. Have been a fan of Japanese fashion but found it hard to explain just what made it so lovely and effortlessly cool.
Thanks for sharing! I love Japanese fashion~ I personally love the oversized style. It’s definitely easier to do in the colder months though. Which is why I hate summer LOL.
Some people think petite people can’t wear oversized top and bottom, but I say who cares! Everyone should wear whatever makes them comfortable 🥰
I know!! I don't like summer fashion very much and get soo excited when cool whether comes around :) I think petite people look great in oversized pieces and you're absolutely right x
Great detailed observations of Japan's streetwear! There are so many beautiful things to see and experience in Japan, and their fashion-sense is among them. Their layering techniques, to me, is an art!
For your color observations, I’ve found that Express normally has a lot of good neutral tan and pink basics! They always have a sort of trendy section that changes each month, but their year round basics keep to the softer pink based neutrals. :D
I returned from Japan yesterday, hot, hot summer weather! Although the season was different from what you experienced, the styles are so much the same. I love how you explain how the oversize works so well on small frames. I noticed this too, but couldn't figure out why it was working. The Japanese have such beautiful, understated style. I love all the layering and sometimes unexpected textures. Great video, thanks!
I just came back from Japan. It was the beginning of autumn. I love their style and I couldn't figure out what it was. I had a hard time shopping because I wasn't sure how to incorporate the clothes into my current wardrobe. Next time I'll apply the things you talked about. Great video!
This is how I dress daily! The problems is most think Im frumpy but I look fabulous! 🎉🎉🎉
i’m very short/petite and i have a short torso, i’ve always looked at western fashion which is meant for taller girls than me on average and i feel like I should have been looking at japanese fashion this whole time
I couldn't agree more re: a nylon bag! I had been searching forever for a thrifted leather tote for work with no luck, and then last week, I came across a black nylon Kipling tote with both shoulder and cross body straps and nice features like sturdy zippers and a key loop. It was only $3! I've used it every day since. It's funny, because I remember seeing Kipling shops while living in Taiwan and Hong Kong, but never in Canada. They're great bags!
Yes to nylon bags!!! Love the lightweight, affordable, durable fabric and colorful options. No animals killed and easy to store with no worry about creases & scratches like leather bags. Nylon bags are my go-to!
Japanese fashion Style was hugely impact by their personality. Muted... introvert...moody colour..stressful society.. thats their inspiration board.
Thank for this! I am very much inspired by the elegant Japanese fashion. Will be using those tips!
Long flowing dresses are the 2024 spring/summer looks in the area where I live. As you stated, the low-contrast look works for both tall and short women even for the warmer seasons. ❤️
The Japanese’s taste is so similar to ours in the Scandinavian countries, both men and women. It’s so fun to watch :) off topic but your hair is very nice
Thank you for this breakdown! It's incredibly helpful. I've always found such Japanese styling to be striking, effortless looking, and cool. Plus, it does contrast so much to the style rules I absorbed for petites like myself. I'm going to reference your video more as I incorporate some of these style elements I've always appreciated.
Such an interesting and insightful video! I think a good portion of why all the clothing works is simply because Japanese clothing caters to the most common proportions. Good fit and proportion make everything look intentional and chic.
Oh wow this is wonderful! I’m going to Japan this summer with my daughter and I’m also fascinated with Japanese style as a petite. Thanks for your overall takes.
I love this type of video, very interesting to see fashion from other countries :)
Thank you for watching :) I'm always so nosy and love seeing what people wear. Japan in particular leaves me feeling so inspired
I love how respectful you are. New subscriber
No “you should wear this” “stop wears that”
I am so very super envious of the cardigan you are wearing in this video. love love love it!😍😍😍
Thank you for this video! I’ve been inspired to try out some different outfits from my existing clothes, in terms of layering and mixing textures!
Thanks Tanya! I hope you do, will do the same myself and recreate some looks too :)
Excellent video! I love people watching for various styles in Japan.
i've been dressing like this occasionally ever since i went to tokyo this year! i think i have the exact same skirt on the left on 3:16. I need to buy more of it. i love the silhouettes and lengths they have. for me they are perfect for busy days when i just really don't want to think about my figure. i think the key to avoiding the frumpy look with outfits like these is in the details- i find that a lot of people tokyo who dress like this will either have a really dressy shoe or comfy but cool looking sneaker - definitely not basic but definitely not super flashy, a good in-between. or they'll wear like a hip graphic tee or a beautiful understated luxury bag.
I thought my ear buds are broken. 😅 Love this video, i’ve been a fan of japanese fashion, I’ve been so insecured with my skin and japanese fashion really helps me to dress well. 🥰
Your explanation of making over sized work made so much sense. I always end up looking so boxy. Now I understand
Omg! Your analysis is so on point. I love it! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. 🥰
Interesting fashion overview! The outfits are cocooning, comforting and protective looking. I wonder if there is a sociological reason for it - not just weather.
Japanese people like to imitate other Japanese people because standing out from the group is frowned upon over there. Only few people really have the 🥜 to actually be original.
Hi Helen, thanks for this lovely video, really interesting and enjoyable! I'm very obsessed with the Japanese style, I love Yamamoto kind of shapes and I found myself to have a very specific taste for sartorial and deconstructed mixed together ❤️
Thank you so much for watching, I feel like I would love your style so much!
Love this video! You're very observant and I love how non-stereotypical the style lessons are. By the way I almost always use loudspeakers so I don't notice anything wrong with the audio, your voice sounds a lot clearer and more stable though.
Helen! I'm obsessed with this style of video- thanks for sharing
I love longline coats and own one myself - only con is when I'm walking fast and it gets difficult to walk with the wind resistance, haha. Love these observations, thanks for sharing with us!
Love this as im only 4 ft 10 and I love loose clothing and my friends say I should wear fitted clothing but I like Japan clothes.thank you for sharing
It’s very useful for me to dress up for upcoming trip to Japan. I really like this video. 👍🏻
This video took the thoughts right out of my eyes from just 24 hrs since i arrive here in osaka. Exaaactly my observations. And as a 5"8 140lbs "XL Asian girl" i will definitely be remixing using these japanese dressing aesthetics.
Puffer jackets x long skirt is especially mind boggling
I wanted to get a very long wool coat this winter, but even though they’re supposedly trending, I couldn’t actually find one to buy. When it’s really cold, the longer and fuller the coat, the better. (Especially as I wear mostly skirts and dresses). I’m short, too, and I think ankle-length items work very well on me, especially in a dress with one color or pattern from top to bottom, they give a long, continuous line.
Have you tried Poshmark. Lots of vintage long wool coats
I actually bought that cream mermaid skirt when I went to Japan last month and I love it, but maybe not for the same reasons you mentioned haha. It’s so crazy to me that the photo you showed and the women I saw wearing the skirt around Japan it looks really elongated and straight, but for me it REALLY emphasizes my hips and butt 😂 but I am someone who prefers long skirts (fitted or not) in general over minis so I love that aspect of Japanese style so much. I’m short but looking taller wasn’t even something I considered!
I really like your interpretation of layering. Looks great! Thanks for sharing your observations on Japanese trends. Cheers!
I absolutely love maxi skirts! In my daily life it’s unfortunately not very practical because I need to ride my bike (and if the skirt is too long it could go somewhere in the wheel and… nah i dont want to think further xD)
oh man i desperately wish i could pull off this style! the comfiness speaks to me. i love baggy clothes, but i don't think i can pull them off since i'm chubby and therefore oversized clothes just make me look larger lmao.
I love Japanese fashion and style, I don't like showing skin (at least on my upper body) so I like that Japanese styles are modest and cute. But the only problem is that my body doesn't fit the style, I'm very tall for Asian standards, and I'm not slim at all. If I tried to wear things like this I'd look very weird, but I think the style is so cute! It's a love hate relationship, I wish I could do something about this...
I mean I don’t see why. This looks like a bit like what models wear on runways and they’re extremely tall and they look very cool
@@lietalies8747They said they are not slim at all
Yes, you nailed it. I love Japanese style and I am petite too. Thanks for sharing your observations and tips.
This was fun to watch. Inspiring with Japanese style. It surely inspired me since I live in cold climate. I want to watch this again.
Best video ever, I grew up in Brazil and in São Paulo we have the highest Japanese population outside of Japan check out bairro Liberdade, the Japanese and the Korean are the elite of the country, so classy, driven and hardworking, we Brazilians have the ultimate respect for Japanese people and culture, I love the East, I joke that I was born a western as punishment! I cried reading memories of a geisha, and rooted for Saiuri the whole time, I am so happy for you Helen, best wishes for my beautiful now American home in Louisiana
hi helen, do you do observations on men’s clothing as well? i’d love to see my boyfriend upgrades his wardrobes lol 😂
i need some practical-generally suitable for all kind of occasion for men (from women’s point of view).
thank you helen, love your way of simplifying fashion into words!
Nice video! Long puffer jackets are also the dominant winter style of this year in European German speaking countries. They are truly ubiquitous, and often paired with quite chunky leather boots. A cool Berlin look ;)
I find it amazing how japanese woman can be practical, comfortable and stylish at the same time! I love that they care less for this you should be tall, hourglass figure and whatever else.
really amazing and very inspiring. Thank you for sharing this unique content
Absolutely my pleasure, thank you for watching :)) x
I have a wine colored one *yutulu* Tabby cat bag, I love this bag. I actually swapped two straps and put a chain on it and I'm obsessed with it
Insightful, well reasoned and your fits were clever and interesting. Happy to have discovered your channel
I love visiting Japan. We went in December to Osaka. I thought it was hilarious that you took a pilot pen shop photo because that’s also what I did 😂😂. Best pens ever! The fashion is awesome. I went vintage shopping and got a denim long line jacket love.
If there's anything I took from observing the Japanese exchange students at my school, is that a well-fitting long skirt saves all. They even make jean maxi skirts look cool. I never touched skirts until I learned how the maxi with a high waist is super flattering for us *under* 5'3. I started adopting high contrast and texture mixes too because of this. The canvas sneaker and long baggy untucked tops were unusual for me too at the time, but above all it just looked comfortable and cute. It was definitely different from us, especially when skinny jeans, leggings, and frilly Coachella tanks still had a chokehold on American fashion.
Tucked slim tops work for me better as someone without a slim body type. Next dream is that long coat for petites 🤩
one of my favorite videos you've ever made. love how you broke down each tip so they're easy to apply
What fabrics are mostly used in Japan? Do they use quality natural fibers, or are synthetics dominating clothing there as in the rest of the world? The nice men’s blazer looks like wool and the woven pattern is called herringbone (chevrons alternating directions). My objection to fleece is the synthetics used to make most of it. I did find a 100% organic cotton fleece hoodie, though, love it. I really enjoyed this video, thanks, dear Helen.
No doubt they use synthetic. I bought an expensive sweater dress in Tokyo and it's acetate.
@@phackdaphish but you know, acetate is not the same group of fabric like polyester or polyamide. At least in my native language we have three different groups of fabrics: natural (cotton, wool, leather, silk, linen), synthetic (polyester, polyamide, nylon) and artificial (direct translation). The last group is made of cellulose, not petrol oil, so it is breathable and quite eco-friendly. This group consists of viscose, modal, lyocell (tencel) and rayon. These are great for hot weather!
I''m a fan of Japanese fashion and enjoyed your point of view.
I love your observations on japanese style! I see all these things in the style of japanese women I follow on Insta, but never really took the time to disect it. About the audio: besides the one-ear problem I think it does sound claearer.
Thank you for this video! It gave me some great inspiration. I appreciated that you showed your take on each trend.
When I was there I noticed the same. Loved the color options there that look good for Asian skin tones. Both color and style are more feminine and conservative. They tend to wear pieces with good materials and interesting textures. Most ladies wear their make up so well too. Since I’m not that young and am big chested I didn’t think the oversized would look good on me. I like your style too, Helen. It’s not overly matcha-matchy. I always thought shoes and purse need to match but you don’t do that and they look great!
I think long line adds an instant touch of style and coolness. I feel like short coats make a petite person look shorter.
I'm usually too busy and can't fully watch a video, but you have such a nice voice to play while I handle my chores/projects!
That was a really interesting video, Helen, particularly as I watch a number for Japanese and Korean channels and am always drawn to their style. One thing I noticed that is also different: they "break the rules" by wearing an oversized and long skirt or dress with a long and oversized top. Also, I've decided that much as I'm drawn to their style, it ultimately is not for me. One reason the big, willowy dresses work for them is that (unlike me) they are often extremely small chested. So that same dress on me, would "project" out rather than flowing around the body, making me look bigger than I am. What I CAN emulate is their love of natural fabrics such as linen, which is perfect for the hot summers here in NC. Thanks for creating this video for someone like me, who loves the Japanese aesthetic so much.
I love the dress over jeans look, both in the picture and on you 😊
Thanks Elisa :) It's a combo I think I'll like to recreate more often
Thanks for the inspo, defenetly enjoyed two too three ideas for myself!
I'm 😊enjoying the examples. A fan of Asian drama 😊 love the clothes but always thought I was too old or short, 5'3". Feeling more that there are possibilities to try. Thank y you
I bet the season influenced the color palettes you observed during your time there. I’d like to see what looks are popular in the spring and summer.
The colours you find available where you live is relative to your distance from the equator. After breaking down the sun reflects very differently off the same colours in different geographic locations. Bright colours can cause temporary blindness/traffic accidents in the wrong places. But generally no matter where you live, unless you’re doing the monochrome vibe strong colour makes everything look cheap. Neutrals hide a multitude of sins. And this usually includes navy/denim, sometimes considered a “neutral.”
But if you’ve never done so, I recommend you visit an aviary/flower shop/botanical garden/aquarium sometime. There’s no such thing as a “fake” colour.
I have such a difficult time with style and fashion- those ‘genes’went to my sister 😂 since starting a professional job though I’ve been wanting to look more stylish, I think Japanese style is the way to go❤ thanks for this video
I still have most of the clothes I got from Japan in 2018 as they are just really comfortable and pretty durable as well! Can’t wait to go back in 2025.
Love the video. I can completely agree with most points mentioned and I'm personally going through a style change too after my month long trip to Japan.
Another thing to add, for the bags, single shoulders are usually preferred because of how hot it gets during the summer and single straps usually mean less contact on body to prevent sweating, unlike a backpack.
I do shirt dresses on long trousers, button the dress to the waist of the jeans so as you move the split shows the jeans.
Something else to add is that they rarely accentuate the waist. Maybe it's along the line of the "long line style", but it's very interesting given the fact that it's so engrained in me to do that. I find it hard to not tuck in a sweater when I have a long jacket and long pants on too. But they wear it so well!
I love this video. I love the simple put together colors and style.
The idea is Japanese sizing. The clothes FIT them. I went to Japan and bought only Japanese brands and realised that their long dresses fitted me perfectly. Unlike Western brands that are made for large Caucasian women, Japanese brands are made for petites. Even if they are oversized, they are fitted to our size. Since then I have decided to buy mainly Japanese clothing brands because they really do ‘spark joy’
This is such a good and perceptive analysis, and it points out many of the reasons why I'm drawn to Japanese fashion! Thanks so much! You got a new subscriber :)
Hey! Helen I really really really obsessed with your style so so so much and what a beautiful style you have you are my inspiration and I wish you reach 70K Subscribers very very soon!☺️💕💫
Thank you so so much xx
This seems to be more in cooler weather. Do you have a video of tips for warmer weather Japanese fashion?
Estive no Japão no outono do ano passado e fiquei apaixonada pelo estilo delas. Além de tudo o que você falou, também percebi o uso de chapéus e bonés pra complementar o look e se proteger do sol. Ótimo vídeo, beijos do Brasil 😘
I loved the video. About the audio, maybe it was because I was using headphones but the voice recording and the background music where in different sides (voice was on my left and music was on my right) and that made it a bit hard to focus on your narration. Also, great explanations about the why the styles work, I often wonder why some outfits I chose work and why some other do not and keeping this tips in mind will help me know how to avoid making my "basic" or "neutral" outfits looking boring.
this video was extremely interesting! Thank you for sharing!
I'm so glad, thank you !! :) x
Love this breakdown and inspiration! Definitely noting some of these tips. So cool to hear how you like the Tibi pants, I’m super interested in their brand but hesitant to drop the money so far