This is very accurate. I live in Japan and all the Japanese men I know study hard the styles they’re into. For example, my boyfriend is very much into 30s Delta Blues music and fashion. He educated himself about that era's history, society and the lifestyle of the musicians. He buys books, documentaries, records, and even searched the fabrics and colors of that era. He is not in the fashion industry, he is a normal salary man with an interest in style. This is not a trend for him, he is adapting what he learned into his own everyday style.
Asians in general tend to dress well. Though the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans tends to take it a bit further. Must be Confucianism attitide or something
I live in a tropical country and it's so hard to be as adventurous with fashion as I should be because most of the time, the weather makes it super uncomfortable
Omg I feel this. I am always thinking of completely changing my wardrobe and then I leave the home and I realize I would die if I tried. Boxy loosy ill fitted shit is my life.
You can pull some really interesting fits in such an environment tbh, different crops of shirts and necklines, doing things that are large and super light and flowey or that are very tight to the body with lots of exposed skin or even asymmetrical garments with odd shapes and cutouts, different length shorts with different waistlines or design details, interesting hair colors/cuts and accessories accessories accessories. Even if you’re a dude you don’t have to stick to the standard mold of tee shirts and shorts cuz full length tees are often too hot for such a humid environment. You can push the envelope and show some skin or even wear “women’s” stuff for more unique silhouettes. While you may not get as much a chance to layer as those in colder climates you definitely got some room to play around with if you want. Check out designers like Dion Lee, Mowalola, Nensi Dojaka, Anne Demuelemeester, Rick Owens etc. If you have any local designers or other ones from very hot/tropical climates check them out too. Check out distressed and mesh garments from the punk/metal scene as well as ancient/indigenous clothing from tropical and hot environments from around the world too for inspo. They were wearing very interesting stuff that actually suited their environment more. Good luck on your fashion journey.
I remember the first time I visited Japan (been there twice, all over) and was blown away by their fashion styles, like in some neighborhoods i couldnt believe it, seemed like everybody was killin it, there was just this unique expression of style and although I love the style of some cities like NYC my hometown, Paris, Milan is off the chain with it,,,, theres always some.....i wont say rules but some conventions, specially in mens fashion. In Japan there is just this..hmm, fun element, like to give you an example, that first trip I remember this dude in the metro and guy was wearing some Japanese style loose pants, sick kicks, a white long sleeve T with classic suspenders on and.....a mfer top hat, like a Mr Planters long top hat. Now you might think that im describing a clown, a costume....ppfft, when i tell you this kid was demolishing it, u better believe it, the confidence and style and fun of it were undeniable. And thats just a tiny example. So many of em in that first trip.
100% agree with you. The hat game there is ridiculous! The variety of hats and types of people who rock it. Everyone there really puts themselves together.
This. Here in Europe people cheers me for my style/bravery to wear "whatever I want". Of course I wear whatever I want, why they don't do it? Lol (and I don't dress up in any special way, I just wear funny socks sometimes, or hats, some unusual item, but 90% of the outfit is plain casual garments).
@@ZurditaDinamita thats the thing, in Japan at first quick glance u might think people are playing dress up but then you really pay attention and nope they are crushing it and you sometimes see entire neighborhoods like that, everyone dressed to kill, fire combinations. It was even too much for this girlfriend of mine, this girl was dressed head to toe in Prada or YSL and she tought that she was dressed like a hillbilly lol.
I'll never forget wandering into a punk rock shop in Harajuku years ago. Unlike a lot of punk shops in the states that will have Green Day next to The Ramones, this place was strictly 70s aesthetic. What was even more jarring was the fact that, instead of being sneered at by the shopkeep who was dressed head to toe in leather and denim like he was in the Sex Pistols, the people who worked there were extremely nice and clearly knew their stuff. It was just so cool to be able to learn about that whole subculture without feeling like you're being judged for not being one of them.
That’s a generalization. I lived in Osaka for 6 years and a lot of people wear what’s trendy for UNQLO or other trendy shops. Those that like fashion will dive into and find the cool brands and develop their own personal style. Not everyone is a fashion nerd. I think Japanese people dress a lot nicer compared to Americans but from a style standpoint most people dress the same. The ones that branch out and wear bright colors or put together a sick look will stand out (which isn’t good in Japan) but it’s worth it for the look. I think that’s what the world love about Japanese fashion, the risk takers.
You could spend all day every day in Italy studying people and fashion. Especially Milan. Without a doubt the Italians got it going on. Even the police look dapper and tailored, it’s because they uniforms are tailored .
I'd say the reason behind this is that fashion designers dictate fashion in Japan which is how it should be. Unfortunately, in the West, it's the celebrities who have the most influence on what's considered fashionable.
That’s definitely a part of it and that’s because more respect is put on expertise and profession. A designer designs in Japan, and an entertainer entertains. Both have merit but their expertise is wildly different. The US has become a mess of creative directors who started as regular celebs who aren’t necessarily qualified to be even low level designers. This is why trends diverge so quickly and nobody really learns anything.
@@THECASUALco This is such a head ass statement I don't even know where to begin with the shit you said about US creative directors. If you really think that nobody learns in the US (lol) idk wtf that even means, I can guarantee you 90 percent of these so called well dressed Japanese dont even know about where most of their style Inspo comes from. A country that is 99% ethnically one race of people and has a history of not being friendly to foreigners and queer people doesn't even know that most of their youth are inspired by these said people. Without queer people and a lot of innovation of street style done by black Americans most of these Japanese ppl would even have their fucking modern day style. At least these celebs mostly (black) are reclaiming their seat in the culture and are not selling a gentrified version of their vision. Please stop with this high and might attitude it would be so easy to go through old commas des garçons shows and find how many influences Rei Kawakubo has taken from American culture in peticular and not once has she thanked them. At the end of the day its really simple why do you think all the Japanese's houses don't show in Tokyo fashion week if that is where this supposed insane culture of fashion is lmao I can tell you from working at one their inspiration is not Japan
I think that why Japanese dress so well comes down to the appreciation of their own culture and cultures across the globe which is only amplified by the meticulous societal standards of Japan. What you get is a pure form of expression that takes inspiration from just about everything, not just fashion. I always found that Japan takes such pride in everything they do that it becomes a form of 'art', a never ending pursuit for perfection.
Right. They care about Levi jeans more than Levi does lol. Their dedication to recreating pieces with historically precision and their dedication to quality is unmatched. While Levi continues to deteriorate in quality, you can find denim in Japan recreating specific models of vintage Levi jeans with pin point accuracy and attention to detail. And others who provide their own spin to the timeless piece. It’s why the world of high quality denim is pretty much dominated by Japan. With you know, just a small fraction of Italian designers.
@@noemigirace1456 did you notice how many AvPN certified pizza stores are in Japan. I was really surprised! Expecting good sushi but not good pizzerias!
there's a reason why so many hype sneakers in the western world stay on the shelves in Japan at retail prices. they subscribe to style and what works for them as a whole, not western hype over singular things.
I totally agree with you that they are incredible at taking something from another country, refining it and making it better than the original. I especially notice this with French pastries. A lot of Asian countries try to recreate French pastry but the Japanese seem especially great at it. They don’t take shortcuts or shy away from labor intensive work.
I heard lots of Japanese are obssessed with Paris. They even have a culture specific mental disorder for Japanese people who can't accept that Paris isn't what they expect it to be..So the French food thing makes sense. They really respect them
"Traditional" Americana is done better in Japan than the Americas that is the birth place of the style. Very interesting subject if you ever want to compare the two.
I think because most parts of their lives are uniformed - school and business attire, people use their free time to express themselves through clothing. I like that some people are willing to experiment with clothes and have their unique styles, especially men, compared to men in my country (T-shirts, jeans and sweatpants are the peak of fashion, god forbid accessories). At the same time, by speaking with many Japanese people - most of them buy basic things in shops like Uniqlo ...so it might depend on the city or area (I imagine most fashionable people on the streets of Tokyo)
I moved to Japan last year and already I can tell my style consciousness has made leaps and bounds. Whether you're in Hamura or Harajuku, every day is a fashion show and every time I walk off the train I feel like I'm hitting a runway. Whether the look is grunge, urban, hipster, prep, country, etc... the Japanese bring the heat. In the states, I would be ok throwing any ole thing on to go grab a bite with a friend-not anymore. I could just be running to the corner 7/11 to grab an egg sandwich and a CC Lemon, I find myself taking the time to make sure my fit is on point. If I didn't know it before, I have definitely learned from the Japanese, dressing well is not just a form of artistic expression-it's good manners. Loved the video and glad I found your page. Hopefully I will run into you in the streets of Tokyo! Till then, be well!
But does it get boring then when almost everybody looks cool? Thats what im afraid of.. But i guess the different styles really help to keep it versatile and interesting right? Must be so cool... In my city its soo mixed and you see alot really bad dressed people that think they dress good
@@switterbeet I think that is exactly what you wrote, the different style, is not like: this summer are cool white Nike and everybody go to buy white Nike.
I'm in my 60's, grew up with first generation Japanese and went to Japan when I was 19 and in the Navy. The magazines have always impressed me. Way back in the early 1980's I was in the San Francisco Kinokuniya store and bought the band Hiroshima's first album and have been a fan since then. Around the same time, there was a large magazine that was for young men starting their first office job. The book had photos of all kinds of stuff that were considered "must haves" for this audience with a little box to be checked off. It had the right kind of briefcase, the right kind of suit, shoes, ties, wallet, business card holder, just a who bunch of stuff. I asked the woman working there if they sold a lot of this magazine, she said they sold out each month and had to double the order. And this was in the US, imagine what the sales were in Japan.
This thing with the magazines is so true, when I went to Japan I bought *splurged* on a Japanese fashion magazine, and it is the absolute best “souvenir” I’ve ever bought. Despite of the language barrier, the quality of content in these fashion magazines is incredibly good. I still pull it out to admire and look at five years later, and the clothes and outfits are still very stylish despite the trend cycle. I love Japanese fashion, I still have so many memories of how stylish the everyday people were. ❤️
I think Japanese people are really detail-oriented when it comes to fashion, and won't skimp on the layers or accessories. However, I actually feel like the tendency to overdress means that sometimes clothes end up wearing them, rather than the other way around. The number of people who actually wear things with an eye for the overall silhouette are few in number.
I’ve been to Japan several times, and love it. One other thought: they give each other a lot of privacy and personal space, even in a crowded subway, for example, and, to me, this extends to giving the space to wear different styles. There is no actual physical space, but there is psychological space. Hard to put into words. This, together with the drive to do a good job and to benefit the group makes it such a special place, Great video, thanks!
I live in Orange County, CA where the fashion is sloppy and abysmal but I’ve sadly gotten used to it. My partner and I went to Japan a few yrs ago and we stayed at a nice hotel. We had arrived late at night. For our first day, we put on some casual clothes and headed down from our room. When we saw how EVERYONE was dressed, we quickly realized we needed to go back up to our room and put on nicer clothes. Even the woman cleaning the park was dressed better than we were originally. 😂 And I gotta say, a lot of the men are SO well groomed! They kind of put American men to shame in that department. That was a couple yrs before the pandemic though, not sure how things are now.
@@tulipsalinger1410 I think Americans are more into what is comfortable but they usually overdo it and slide into sloppiness. I find they don't much care for quality either - they would prefer to have more stuff that is cheaper than a few really well-made clothes that last.
@@MTMF.london I totally agree and thank you for responding! I am a secondhand vintage loving person myself. I am also older and of a different generation I grew up way before cell phones and social media so I guess I am old fashioned I love good quality over quantity and I do not use social media except pinterest. I also understand and care that fast fashion is horrible for the environment so buying secondhand is the way to go for me!
Eyy, OC checking in, we suck lol. I dated someone from Denton TX and even they were surprised at how "basic" everyone here looked. When the Texan is shit talking your fashion sense... yeah, I don't know what happened here. If I had to guess it would be the cookie cutter blandness of the area, it's all just suburbia with different roads.
PLEASE do more of these videos. I always wondered why the Japanese are so great at effortlessly pulling looks. Please could you share more practical tips on how us Westerners can learn from them. Ex brands, designers or magazines to explore. I find it difficult to get started especially if you don’t speak Japanese. Thank you!
Depends on what you're looking for? UNIQLO, Comme ca ism, Comme des Garcons, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Junya Watanabe, Michiko London(Koshino Michiko), Neighborhood, A Bathing Ape, UNDERCOVER, SOU-SOU, Angelic Pretty... What do you have in mind?
You don't necessarily have to go for designers or brands to look pulled together. Know what looks good on you rather than follow what is trendy at the moment. A lot of designer-fashion only look good on models (who are tall and thin and beautiful to start with) but not on ordinary folks. Not everyone can pull off the latest trends either. Be individualistic and try a few things that are a bit odd to make an outfit edgy but not try-too-hard.
I have Gothic Lolita Bible and frUits which is a series of snapshots of different fashion in Japan throughout the past 30 years. Really neat stuff. It was so experimental in the 90s. They mixed so many prints.
I was born and raised in a capital city of a small island country where most ppl took public transit or walked. Which means we see ppl as soon as we are outside. Dressing is a way to be polite, recognized, categorized (dress your profession), or to express individuality among a sea of ppl. Now I get in a car and never walk on streets when I am out. I can wear my PJs to grocery shop because there’s no sea of ppl in the store. Back in the days when I loved going to the malls on weekends, I dressed much more mindfully because malls were crowded with loads of ppl.
Great vid! I picked up most of my fashion sensibility from the 3 years that I lived in Japan. Now, back in the states I’ve had multiple people tell me that they didn’t think I was American because of the way I dress! I go back to Japan every other year and I always bring a large empty suitcase and completely reset my wardrobe based on what’s in style there. Fingers crossed that I can make it there in September!
Same! I've been mistaken as some kind of European multiple times since moving back from Japan. I used to be concerned about my fellow Americans telling me I dress too well for the occasion, but now it's my pride. I'm hoping to go back this October!
The rant about culture was absolutely phenomenal. You really couldn't have put it more accurately, the traits of japanese culture are the things that fascinate me the most because they seem so different compared to the west.
The way i felt so poorly dressed every time i walked through Tokyo streets, but especially when i entered to malls or clothes stores. I remember the first time i went to Shibuya 109, i was SHOCKED by how incredibly stylish women shopping there were, they actually looked out of a fashion magazine.
I used to work in the magazine department at Tower Records in Toronto , we got shipments of the fashion magazines from Tower Japan ! One thing that I always admired and believe is 100% superior to North America is the paper quality and even the shipping/packing material....those boxes were golden yellow and strong - not flimsy mid brown!
I like the way you've discussed this. The approach that you describe applies not just to fashion, but to almost everything, to any skill. I lived in Japan for a long time, and I finally came to this realization: yes, Japanese are humble, but it boils down to this--Japanese people feel like their country and everything about it is basically like a small town, which means that they love it and they appreciate it, but they honestly don't understand how an outsider could be interested or impressed by anything in that small town (which is their country and their culture). It's like they feel that you can't really understand or appreciate Japanese things unless you're Japanese yourself. And this IS true to a certain point, BUT....
Love your vids. Ive noticed another factor: Japan seems to focus on quality over quantity. I think it comes from living in a small, yet largely inhospitable country. When a society has a limited amount of resources, there's a strong need of making the most of what one has. You see this reflected in how kimono textiles are made and passed down through the generations to how stylish youths were obsessed with vintage hunting before it was cool in the West, which makes sense with how kids are taught how to recycle properly instead of buying trendy fast fashion to throw away before the next season. The collectivist society seems to effect this situation in two ways:1, shame culture encourages people to appear their very best, so it'd be frowned upon to run errands in PJs like we do in the U.S.; 2, when you're young and expected to fit in, it's very easy to desire to stand out. Seeking DC brands that don't fit mainstream looks and have mastered their own seems the way to go.
Refinement over innovation. They do both but also have a history that recognizes the value of high craftsmanship. They recognize what is good design and materials from other sources and can spin them in their own aesthetic language, improving it along the way, making it into their own. Western culture does the same but it is not viewed as “copying” - Italians got silk from China and patterns from the East, but contemporary culture doesn’t understand historical context and assume the East copies the West - we just evolve from each other. Wax cloth was inspired from Indonesian designs. Picasso was influenced from African art, Van Gough from the Japanese. Aesthetic sensibility is a language that doesn’t speak in just one direction…
Luckily for me, NYC has a plethora of Japanese bookstores. I always pop in and flip thru the pages. Tourists especially love it when the magazines come with a tote bag or special giveaway
I used to be a baggy hoodie, graphic tee and jeans kinda gal. Never gave much thought to my clothes. Then I took a trip to Japan, looked around and thought, "Wow, I dress like shit." Now I'm one of those insufferable thrifters with a snazzy style and an eye for quality. And I don't want to shame the jeans and hoodie crowd, it's a style I still sometimes rock, but damn do people treat me better when I wear the nice clothes.
Do you have any recommendations for female Japanese fashion tutorials like the male ones you showed in the video? I'd love to see some outfit formulas!
I've been enjoying more Japanese entertainment these days and i have the same impression. Their fashion style are impeccable, both traditional and modern. And i especially love their urban fashion style
I remember, in college for a paper in a writing class I did a lot of research related to Japanese societal expectations concerning the workplace, and I came across a really cool article about Japan's refinement of denim jeans in the 70s. The article really emphasized the same thing you're saying here, that Japan has perfected what other countries have created, which lead me to tie the idea of 拘り into the paper. By the way it is really cool you majored in Japanese in college. I am currently working towards a global studies major and have been learning Japanese for a couple years. This is the first video of yours that I have seen, and I am liking the feel!
I find it uplifting, fun, energizing and amazing to watch well dressed people everday. And i dont see is about showing off or being wealthy like maybe in korea it is. I find japanese fashion style is an expression of self more than anything which is great.
It’s not only fashion, but Japanese people read up and study A LOT when it comes to interest in general. If you wanna know how to be more sociable, there are books on that; if you specifically want to learn business talk, there’s books on that, and of course, there are thousands of cookbooks, fashion books and how-to artbooks. The western is sadly losing the tangible feel of books in bookstores, but idt Japan will ever get rid of their bookstores with the amount of information it supplies.
I recently went back to Japan, not only as a tourist doing site seeing, but also because I have relatives there. I haven’t been back since Covid lockdown and it’s been about three years since I’ve last visited so I was super eager to amp up my travel wardrobe. And I ended up managing to find pieces that worked with the weather and occasion. Long, wide pants are still trending there so I made sure to bring that with me and it became a staple for most of my outfits. For once I felt like I was wearing REAL clothes.
this was an excellent video that really gets into the headspace of the fashion in japan. they're definitely way more earnest about how they develop their individual style, it is truly a reflection of a person. i've spent some time there and like others, my style was impacted. i would say the biggest thing i noticed is an emphasis on strong basics. this results in a warddrobe with strong mix & match potential. this gives off an effortless feeling of cohesion no matter what someone's style is. people look polished whether in casual or formal wear. in a way, the japanese have long had a sustainable approach to fashion/daily wear. the business of having ONE top that works with ONE bottom isn't a thing, that's waste. second hand clothing shops are more thoughtfully curated and less trendy, too. i definitely figured out my 'style' while there - khakis, stripes, lots of mustard and burgundy. i cut a lot of clothes i just didn't need or i was getting very limited wear out of. being more intentional with less actually made me feel like i had more lol.
I lived there 3 years and still travel. That is the greatest lesson I learned from the Japanese: curating my own tastes! I’ve been doing for years and still do. I learn more about the things I like because the Japanese have another perspective on it I may not see, and often do! I’m lucky in that way, and I always remember it. That’s why I found your channel.
I already said this in a reply but I’m going to say it again. Sadly here in America I feel like men are clowned for dressing up or grooming themselves. It just really discourages men who want to look good but are made fun of by other men because it’s not “manly” or they’re considered “try hard”.
Just stumbled on this video. I’ve actually admired Japanese sense of fashion and the question in question :) was actually on my mind. Thanks a lot for a very interesting dive into why they are this good at dressing.
I’m an old man. Decades ago I studied karate. Now, I’m just studying the tea ceremony. The point you made about a Japanese person’s attention to detail is the most important one. I’m sure you have studied Wabi Sabi. I believe it is the idea that there is beauty in imperfection. I wear boxer shorts, tee shirts, sweats, watch caps, and slides most of the time but I attend to the cleaning and care of these. I believe I can wear my clothes better when I take care of them. One other thing is the accessories, I usually wear a Seiko Samurai. This is not an expensive watch, but it is accurate and reliable. I am enjoying your videos. Thank you for your good work.
Great video and spot on. I've been to Japan (primarily Tokyo) 10+ times and the style never ceases to impress. Refinement vs innovation is key, with the exception of the trio of Yohji, Comme des Garcon and Issey. Their innovation in fashion rocked the world.
I got stopped in the street yesterday by a couple who used to live and Japan and they asked me if I did to. Guess it was a good-ass compliment judging by the video.
I love get into Japanese fashion like techware ninja stuff. At moment going back old school 2005 cross hatch stripey t shirts or jumpers and jeans folding brims/tips of caps.
I’ve had a theory about that for a while. I feel like countries where kids have a wear a uniform to school dress with a vengeance once they can wear what they want. In japan they wear a uniform from kindergarten through high school. Then when they start working they wear a « uniform »/formal wear all over again. They only have these handful of years where they can wear what the hell they want and go to town. *That’s* when they have fun and express their creativity through style. The sense of community also is strong from enrolling in « clubs » so some either create their own style or follow the style of the community they adhere to (Lolita, Gyaru etc). Lastly, wearing a uniform, being presentable, formal, ironing your clothes, tucking in your shirt, giving out a good image is so ingrained that they follow the mantra and stay « presentable » and well dressed throughout their lives. That’s my personal interpretation. Obviously there are other factors but I really think the school uniform is a key element to their sense of fashion.
This is incredibly insightful and a great observation because believe it or not it’s true. In Japan being presentable is akin to having good manners. It lets the world know “I’m ready”. The reason school uniforms are worn was to prevent one student from feeling inferior or superior to another student. In Japan “we are all Japanese” is important due to that collectivist society mentioned in the video. The lack of expression has certainly translated into not just fashion but otaku culture as well. Young Japanese in particular put their all into many of their hobbies becoming incredibly adept at whatever they choose. This, as you insightfully predicted, has led to a more daring effort in fashion and style.
As someone who live in a country that forced all schools to wear uniform, I don't really think so, I would say you're correct about being presentable but only when they go to a more populated area like a city or a district center where their appearance stumble many people. It doesn't really encourage fashion, since "presentable" here is subjective. Where I live, as long you don't wear your pijama, it's count as presentable (if it's distance is like 3-4 house or still in the same street as home, people wouldn't mind wearing a pijama). There are some who might try to go more wild in fashion like using colourful combination once they start to go to college where there is no uniform, or adding accesories, but more likely to stop after a while because it stands out.. and people sees those who try to be fashionable as something weird or try-hard too much, so unless they're in creative industry, most people just wear t-shirt and jeans, and maybe an earthy tone jacket to add (which honestly I initially thought would've been the same case in Japan since they are known as homogenous but turns out they're very fashionable). Very rare to see anyone try to use accesories like hats or necklace or bracelets(unless it's a wristband for men) or eyeglasess (unless you've problem with eyes, or you're going to a beach). It's a different case in city tho. In city, there is bigger western influence and more "globalism"(?), so city-people are more open to out-of-ordinary clothes, and they are also more likely to get fashion inspired from outside like Korean fashion, but usually only affect younger people who are exposed to internet, and people from rich family and english speaking (because rich people have more opportunity to interact and consume medias from foreign country while others just consume local media when internet hasn't been this developed). Tho that doesn't mean there are no people who are into fashion. There are a growing number of local fashion brands, but still pretty unpopular, unless you really search for it, and those still likely in big city like the capital city of one country. You know there is a trend where people record themselves walking to show their outfits? Those who wear fashionable outfit would always get similar comment of "I would get laughed at or get stares weirdly if I try this here".
When I first moved to Tokyo ( Im from Geneva ) I was amazed by the outfits that the people wore. One particular style caught my eye..it's an overall with a baggy, balloning pants that almost looks like a knickerbocker pants. So very stylish. Later on I learned that those pants are called Tobi pants, and it's actually a working wear for the construction workers !!
it is not often that I find such a nice youtuber. usually I have to scroll to a half of the video to get to the point, (if there is one even :)), but this guy has a good construction of the story he tells, has humor and rhythm of telling. on the subject, I think that Japanese traditional crafts give a clue - they are highly aesthetic and refined, free from anything extra, often modern in its simplicity. also, education there emphasis art for young age. so they simply develop superior taste in general. also, they play with western clothing without references we have and that gives them kind of unforced freedom that results in creative combinations that seem much more effortless than what even western designers and stylists put together.
This is such and enlighting video! And, I'm not gonna lie, knowing that magazine culture is still a thing somewhere in the world warms the heart of the 14 year old me who dreamed of become a fashion/culture journalist for a published magazine. 😍 I really loved your tip about the men's fashion instagram account. Is there anything like it for women's fashion?
Heyyyy I took an Airbnb fashion tour with you when I was in Tokyo some years ago. Was wondering how you were doing through the pandemic too so good to know you’re well!!
first a question: where you got that amazing sweatshirt/pullover from? 2nd: those videos are amazing. they help me explain to other what I find so interesting about japanese fashion and culture when I get asked by others. amazing stuff
I also really like Popeye magazine. They have been very consistent with the style for the last 10 years and their late 80s-early 90s stuff was awesome.
Très bien analysé. I'd also add that meticulousness in fashion has been part of Japanese heritage for centuries - not just the past 50 years. You can see it in the variety and fastidiousness of traditional costumes and ceremonies. Sloppiness is not an option in Japan.
yes, japaneses magazine are the coolest, :D i never had one in my power jaja, but i remember sites that uploaded photos of ,goth lolita, cutie, zipper, etc. good times, before instagram.
We're from Seattle and never fashionable. In our last Japan visit this summer, after hunting for some military surplus cloths in Ueno Ameya Yokocho (Ame-Yoko) under JR railroad, we saw a store with genuine In-N-Out burger T-shirts (We used to live in LA). Since we don't frequent CA to buy them anymore, we inquired the store clerk, and he showed us maybe a dozen types of In-N-Out T-shirts, all CATALOGED by what they called "MODEL YEAR", e.g., "This is MY2018, in such and such color, it's quite cool, don't you think?" Our eye balls almost fell out and thanked the clerk before leaving. All we wanted was some beachy T-shirt for my son as a souvenir, as he was running out of clean ones ...
Fashion can be a cultural unifier with how deeply rooted in societal reflections it is. Personally I love that there's open fashion advice out there! I remember picking up a manga where a girl helped a guy dress fashionably and it was well explained and very reasonable. Anyone else also find watching J-street fashion oddly cathartic?
@@chrismejia2836 No I would have named it if I did. It'll come to me in the future but I'm sure some google seaches with keywords will pop it up. If I remember I'll reply
No experience with Japan's culture personally but I can totally relate to their dedication to studying the styles they love. I'm a hardcore goth/alt that was pretty much closeted about my style because it's just considered "odd" and "whack" in western society. I've since stopped caring about what I like and learning my style wholeheartedly and honestly? I'm getting so much info from Japanese alt fashion
Honestly, as someone who lives in a rainy climate. I would love to see what Japan’s street style is during the more extreme weather’s. I think it really limit us when we only focus on the Fairweather style. Because life isn’t always sunny day and for some of us those are rare
The difference between Japan and other countries creating trends right now is that Japan is able to maintain a sense of individuality. Kpop has influenced many trends but it feels too put together almost to a point of looking uncomfortable, Japan's culture makes it more palatable because of its lack of restriction and the ability to incorporate trends with their own personality instead of just wearing a preset style.
I relate to how they study fashion, looking at past influences from xxl to source, down to Rolling Stones and punk magazine. I find that better since you can make your shit more organically then following what people tell you
For your gaming reference you left out the Wii. They were also trying to innovate with that and it worked. I also kind of consider the Switch to be an example too.
Old tech new way of playing. It still stands that Japan like to take existing things and improve upon it. Motion controls were already around and Nintendo improved upon it. Wii U was an attempt to make mobile and console gaming synchronized. Problem was they started this on the home console side. The Switch started from the mobile gaming side which Nintendo has always be good at. Switch isn’t innovation it’s simply existing tech made better.
This was very enlightening to me but I must say that while study and dedication are strong factors the cultural acceptance is where the true strength lies here. In the United States these brave fashion choices would ostracize the majority of people here including those in the entertainment industry who have more free reign to be individuals. Lack of information or direction is not the problem, acceptance is. Unless you want to lead a life of constant conflict every time you leave your house these beautiful fashion choices just aren’t an option.
I have heard the Japanese are very into design such as wanting everyday products to be well-designed and wanting packaging to be very appealing. I don't know if the Japanese dress better than say Americans. It might just be that Americans made this video and when they visited Japan they noticed appearances more than when they were in America because they're already used to America so kinda take it for granted. Believe the Japanese are in general thinner than most countries so that would help them look better in clothes.
Easy answer. Know your place, can easily translate to know yourself, including how you appear and look. When you become visibly scraggy (a sign self neglect), your Japanese friend is likely to remind you with concern. Unless you're visibly intentionally scraggy as a style, which can also be done elegantly.
This is very accurate. I live in Japan and all the Japanese men I know study hard the styles they’re into. For example, my boyfriend is very much into 30s Delta Blues music and fashion. He educated himself about that era's history, society and the lifestyle of the musicians. He buys books, documentaries, records, and even searched the fabrics and colors of that era. He is not in the fashion industry, he is a normal salary man with an interest in style. This is not a trend for him, he is adapting what he learned into his own everyday style.
Sounds like I can learn something from him
So autism is common there?
@@pagethreemodel no
Asians in general tend to dress well. Though the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans tends to take it a bit further. Must be Confucianism attitide or something
@@pagethreemodel no. but comments like yours makes me think stupid people are pretty abundant.
I live in a tropical country and it's so hard to be as adventurous with fashion as I should be because most of the time, the weather makes it super uncomfortable
This I felt
as a japanese living in a tropical country, i wear as little clothes as possible. :D. to hell with good fashion
Omg I feel this. I am always thinking of completely changing my wardrobe and then I leave the home and I realize I would die if I tried. Boxy loosy ill fitted shit is my life.
Ditto
You can pull some really interesting fits in such an environment tbh, different crops of shirts and necklines, doing things that are large and super light and flowey or that are very tight to the body with lots of exposed skin or even asymmetrical garments with odd shapes and cutouts, different length shorts with different waistlines or design details, interesting hair colors/cuts and accessories accessories accessories. Even if you’re a dude you don’t have to stick to the standard mold of tee shirts and shorts cuz full length tees are often too hot for such a humid environment. You can push the envelope and show some skin or even wear “women’s” stuff for more unique silhouettes. While you may not get as much a chance to layer as those in colder climates you definitely got some room to play around with if you want. Check out designers like Dion Lee, Mowalola, Nensi Dojaka, Anne Demuelemeester, Rick Owens etc. If you have any local designers or other ones from very hot/tropical climates check them out too. Check out distressed and mesh garments from the punk/metal scene as well as ancient/indigenous clothing from tropical and hot environments from around the world too for inspo. They were wearing very interesting stuff that actually suited their environment more. Good luck on your fashion journey.
I remember the first time I visited Japan (been there twice, all over) and was blown away by their fashion styles, like in some neighborhoods i couldnt believe it, seemed like everybody was killin it, there was just this unique expression of style and although I love the style of some cities like NYC my hometown, Paris, Milan is off the chain with it,,,, theres always some.....i wont say rules but some conventions, specially in mens fashion. In Japan there is just this..hmm, fun element, like to give you an example, that first trip I remember this dude in the metro and guy was wearing some Japanese style loose pants, sick kicks, a white long sleeve T with classic suspenders on and.....a mfer top hat, like a Mr Planters long top hat. Now you might think that im describing a clown, a costume....ppfft, when i tell you this kid was demolishing it, u better believe it, the confidence and style and fun of it were undeniable. And thats just a tiny example. So many of em in that first trip.
100% agree with you. The hat game there is ridiculous! The variety of hats and types of people who rock it. Everyone there really puts themselves together.
This. Here in Europe people cheers me for my style/bravery to wear "whatever I want". Of course I wear whatever I want, why they don't do it? Lol (and I don't dress up in any special way, I just wear funny socks sometimes, or hats, some unusual item, but 90% of the outfit is plain casual garments).
@@ZurditaDinamita thats the thing, in Japan at first quick glance u might think people are playing dress up but then you really pay attention and nope they are crushing it and you sometimes see entire neighborhoods like that, everyone dressed to kill, fire combinations. It was even too much for this girlfriend of mine, this girl was dressed head to toe in Prada or YSL and she tought that she was dressed like a hillbilly lol.
It’s impossible to beat the Italians for style and class. Even their police and military uniforms are tatlored and styles
I'll never forget wandering into a punk rock shop in Harajuku years ago. Unlike a lot of punk shops in the states that will have Green Day next to The Ramones, this place was strictly 70s aesthetic. What was even more jarring was the fact that, instead of being sneered at by the shopkeep who was dressed head to toe in leather and denim like he was in the Sex Pistols, the people who worked there were extremely nice and clearly knew their stuff. It was just so cool to be able to learn about that whole subculture without feeling like you're being judged for not being one of them.
The Japanese do not just consume what's trendy, they study it as well. Know what you wear.
That’s a generalization. I lived in Osaka for 6 years and a lot of people wear what’s trendy for UNQLO or other trendy shops. Those that like fashion will dive into and find the cool brands and develop their own personal style. Not everyone is a fashion nerd. I think Japanese people dress a lot nicer compared to Americans but from a style standpoint most people dress the same. The ones that branch out and wear bright colors or put together a sick look will stand out (which isn’t good in Japan) but it’s worth it for the look. I think that’s what the world love about Japanese fashion, the risk takers.
@@Taylormade09 There's a lot of cringy generalizations in this comment section from people who've never stepped foot in Japan.
You could spend all day every day in Italy studying people and fashion. Especially Milan. Without a doubt the Italians got it going on. Even the police look dapper and tailored, it’s because they uniforms are tailored .
I'd say the reason behind this is that fashion designers dictate fashion in Japan which is how it should be. Unfortunately, in the West, it's the celebrities who have the most influence on what's considered fashionable.
That’s definitely a part of it and that’s because more respect is put on expertise and profession. A designer designs in Japan, and an entertainer entertains. Both have merit but their expertise is wildly different.
The US has become a mess of creative directors who started as regular celebs who aren’t necessarily qualified to be even low level designers. This is why trends diverge so quickly and nobody really learns anything.
@@THECASUALco This is such a head ass statement I don't even know where to begin with the shit you said about US creative directors. If you really think that nobody learns in the US (lol) idk wtf that even means, I can guarantee you 90 percent of these so called well dressed Japanese dont even know about where most of their style Inspo comes from. A country that is 99% ethnically one race of people and has a history of not being friendly to foreigners and queer people doesn't even know that most of their youth are inspired by these said people. Without queer people and a lot of innovation of street style done by black Americans most of these Japanese ppl would even have their fucking modern day style. At least these celebs mostly (black) are reclaiming their seat in the culture and are not selling a gentrified version of their vision. Please stop with this high and might attitude it would be so easy to go through old commas des garçons shows and find how many influences Rei Kawakubo has taken from American culture in peticular and not once has she thanked them. At the end of the day its really simple why do you think all the Japanese's houses don't show in Tokyo fashion week if that is where this supposed insane culture of fashion is lmao I can tell you from working at one their inspiration is not Japan
And alot there think they ball or create something cool when its actually just trash and temporary
@@THECASUALco In germany every gaming youtuber has made their "fashion" brand its like a trend nowadays.. hate it
I think that why Japanese dress so well comes down to the appreciation of their own culture and cultures across the globe which is only amplified by the meticulous societal standards of Japan. What you get is a pure form of expression that takes inspiration from just about everything, not just fashion. I always found that Japan takes such pride in everything they do that it becomes a form of 'art', a never ending pursuit for perfection.
Right. They care about Levi jeans more than Levi does lol. Their dedication to recreating pieces with historically precision and their dedication to quality is unmatched. While Levi continues to deteriorate in quality, you can find denim in Japan recreating specific models of vintage Levi jeans with pin point accuracy and attention to detail. And others who provide their own spin to the timeless piece. It’s why the world of high quality denim is pretty much dominated by Japan. With you know, just a small fraction of Italian designers.
@@joelman1989 Agreed. Japanese denim is a great example of a normal subject done to the highest of standards, an artisanal process turned into art.
@@joelman1989 another Italian person over here?
Germany had that sense once a ago. But our nation will fade and dissapear. Cultur and the values once made germany big.
@@noemigirace1456 did you notice how many AvPN certified pizza stores are in Japan. I was really surprised! Expecting good sushi but not good pizzerias!
there's a reason why so many hype sneakers in the western world stay on the shelves in Japan at retail prices. they subscribe to style and what works for them as a whole, not western hype over singular things.
I totally agree with you that they are incredible at taking something from another country, refining it and making it better than the original. I especially notice this with French pastries. A lot of Asian countries try to recreate French pastry but the Japanese seem especially great at it. They don’t take shortcuts or shy away from labor intensive work.
I heard lots of Japanese are obssessed with Paris. They even have a culture specific mental disorder for Japanese people who can't accept that Paris isn't what they expect it to be..So the French food thing makes sense. They really respect them
"Traditional" Americana is done better in Japan than the Americas that is the birth place of the style. Very interesting subject if you ever want to compare the two.
I think because most parts of their lives are uniformed - school and business attire, people use their free time to express themselves through clothing. I like that some people are willing to experiment with clothes and have their unique styles, especially men, compared to men in my country (T-shirts, jeans and sweatpants are the peak of fashion, god forbid accessories). At the same time, by speaking with many Japanese people - most of them buy basic things in shops like Uniqlo ...so it might depend on the city or area (I imagine most fashionable people on the streets of Tokyo)
I agree with that
I moved to Japan last year and already I can tell my style consciousness has made leaps and bounds. Whether you're in Hamura or Harajuku, every day is a fashion show and every time I walk off the train I feel like I'm hitting a runway. Whether the look is grunge, urban, hipster, prep, country, etc... the Japanese bring the heat. In the states, I would be ok throwing any ole thing on to go grab a bite with a friend-not anymore. I could just be running to the corner 7/11 to grab an egg sandwich and a CC Lemon, I find myself taking the time to make sure my fit is on point. If I didn't know it before, I have definitely learned from the Japanese, dressing well is not just a form of artistic expression-it's good manners. Loved the video and glad I found your page. Hopefully I will run into you in the streets of Tokyo! Till then, be well!
Be well Thirteen. If you're out there, I'll be there. See you soon!
But does it get boring then when almost everybody looks cool? Thats what im afraid of.. But i guess the different styles really help to keep it versatile and interesting right?
Must be so cool... In my city its soo mixed and you see alot really bad dressed people that think they dress good
@@switterbeet I think that is exactly what you wrote, the different style, is not like: this summer are cool white Nike and everybody go to buy white Nike.
Can somebody share me women's fashion magazine page like the hayama men's fashion?!
I'm in my 60's, grew up with first generation Japanese and went to Japan when I was 19 and in the Navy. The magazines have always impressed me. Way back in the early 1980's I was in the San Francisco Kinokuniya store and bought the band Hiroshima's first album and have been a fan since then. Around the same time, there was a large magazine that was for young men starting their first office job. The book had photos of all kinds of stuff that were considered "must haves" for this audience with a little box to be checked off. It had the right kind of briefcase, the right kind of suit, shoes, ties, wallet, business card holder, just a who bunch of stuff. I asked the woman working there if they sold a lot of this magazine, she said they sold out each month and had to double the order. And this was in the US, imagine what the sales were in Japan.
This thing with the magazines is so true, when I went to Japan I bought *splurged* on a Japanese fashion magazine, and it is the absolute best “souvenir” I’ve ever bought. Despite of the language barrier, the quality of content in these fashion magazines is incredibly good. I still pull it out to admire and look at five years later, and the clothes and outfits are still very stylish despite the trend cycle. I love Japanese fashion, I still have so many memories of how stylish the everyday people were. ❤️
I feel like people in Japan really FIT into their style!
Americans mostly (not always) just follow trends and it looks "artificial" and not geniune
I think Japanese people are really detail-oriented when it comes to fashion, and won't skimp on the layers or accessories. However, I actually feel like the tendency to overdress means that sometimes clothes end up wearing them, rather than the other way around. The number of people who actually wear things with an eye for the overall silhouette are few
in number.
I’ve been to Japan several times, and love it. One other thought: they give each other a lot of privacy and personal space, even in a crowded subway, for example, and, to me, this extends to giving the space to wear different styles. There is no actual physical space, but there is psychological space. Hard to put into words. This, together with the drive to do a good job and to benefit the group makes it such a special place, Great video, thanks!
I live in Orange County, CA where the fashion is sloppy and abysmal but I’ve sadly gotten used to it. My partner and I went to Japan a few yrs ago and we stayed at a nice hotel. We had arrived late at night. For our first day, we put on some casual clothes and headed down from our room. When we saw how EVERYONE was dressed, we quickly realized we needed to go back up to our room and put on nicer clothes. Even the woman cleaning the park was dressed better than we were originally. 😂
And I gotta say, a lot of the men are SO well groomed! They kind of put American men to shame in that department. That was a couple yrs before the pandemic though, not sure how things are now.
I've heard this said (I'm an American too), "When American men travel overseas, they dress like they're about to mow the lawn." LOL.
I live in San Diego Ca. sloppy is a thing here as well LOL!
@@tulipsalinger1410 I think Americans are more into what is comfortable but they usually overdo it and slide into sloppiness. I find they don't much care for quality either - they would prefer to have more stuff that is cheaper than a few really well-made clothes that last.
@@MTMF.london I totally agree and thank you for responding! I am a secondhand vintage loving person myself. I am also older and of a different generation I grew up way before cell phones and social media so I guess I am old fashioned I love good quality over quantity and I do not use social media except pinterest. I also understand and care that fast fashion is horrible for the environment so buying secondhand is the way to go for me!
Eyy, OC checking in, we suck lol. I dated someone from Denton TX and even they were surprised at how "basic" everyone here looked. When the Texan is shit talking your fashion sense... yeah, I don't know what happened here. If I had to guess it would be the cookie cutter blandness of the area, it's all just suburbia with different roads.
PLEASE do more of these videos. I always wondered why the Japanese are so great at effortlessly pulling looks. Please could you share more practical tips on how us Westerners can learn from them. Ex brands, designers or magazines to explore. I find it difficult to get started especially if you don’t speak Japanese. Thank you!
Got it!
Depends on what you're looking for? UNIQLO, Comme ca ism, Comme des Garcons, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Junya Watanabe, Michiko London(Koshino Michiko), Neighborhood, A Bathing Ape, UNDERCOVER, SOU-SOU, Angelic Pretty... What do you have in mind?
@@THECASUALco If you do end up making this video, can you touch on women's fashion as well? :D
Found @ hayama.mensfashion incredible and would use some of those outfits😂. However, is there a female version of it?
You don't necessarily have to go for designers or brands to look pulled together. Know what looks good on you rather than follow what is trendy at the moment. A lot of designer-fashion only look good on models (who are tall and thin and beautiful to start with) but not on ordinary folks. Not everyone can pull off the latest trends either. Be individualistic and try a few things that are a bit odd to make an outfit edgy but not try-too-hard.
I have Gothic Lolita Bible and frUits which is a series of snapshots of different fashion in Japan throughout the past 30 years. Really neat stuff. It was so experimental in the 90s. They mixed so many prints.
I was born and raised in a capital city of a small island country where most ppl took public transit or walked. Which means we see ppl as soon as we are outside. Dressing is a way to be polite, recognized, categorized (dress your profession), or to express individuality among a sea of ppl. Now I get in a car and never walk on streets when I am out. I can wear my PJs to grocery shop because there’s no sea of ppl in the store. Back in the days when I loved going to the malls on weekends, I dressed much more mindfully because malls were crowded with loads of ppl.
Great vid! I picked up most of my fashion sensibility from the 3 years that I lived in Japan. Now, back in the states I’ve had multiple people tell me that they didn’t think I was American because of the way I dress! I go back to Japan every other year and I always bring a large empty suitcase and completely reset my wardrobe based on what’s in style there. Fingers crossed that I can make it there in September!
Same! I've been mistaken as some kind of European multiple times since moving back from Japan. I used to be concerned about my fellow Americans telling me I dress too well for the occasion, but now it's my pride. I'm hoping to go back this October!
The rant about culture was absolutely phenomenal. You really couldn't have put it more accurately, the traits of japanese culture are the things that fascinate me the most because they seem so different compared to the west.
The way i felt so poorly dressed every time i walked through Tokyo streets, but especially when i entered to malls or clothes stores. I remember the first time i went to Shibuya 109, i was SHOCKED by how incredibly stylish women shopping there were, they actually looked out of a fashion magazine.
I used to work in the magazine department at Tower Records in Toronto , we got shipments of the fashion magazines from Tower Japan ! One thing that I always admired and believe is 100% superior to North America is the paper quality and even the shipping/packing material....those boxes were golden yellow and strong - not flimsy mid brown!
I like the way you've discussed this. The approach that you describe applies not just to fashion, but to almost everything, to any skill. I lived in Japan for a long time, and I finally came to this realization: yes, Japanese are humble, but it boils down to this--Japanese people feel like their country and everything about it is basically like a small town, which means that they love it and they appreciate it, but they honestly don't understand how an outsider could be interested or impressed by anything in that small town (which is their country and their culture). It's like they feel that you can't really understand or appreciate Japanese things unless you're Japanese yourself. And this IS true to a certain point, BUT....
Love your vids. Ive noticed another factor: Japan seems to focus on quality over quantity. I think it comes from living in a small, yet largely inhospitable country. When a society has a limited amount of resources, there's a strong need of making the most of what one has. You see this reflected in how kimono textiles are made and passed down through the generations to how stylish youths were obsessed with vintage hunting before it was cool in the West, which makes sense with how kids are taught how to recycle properly instead of buying trendy fast fashion to throw away before the next season. The collectivist society seems to effect this situation in two ways:1, shame culture encourages people to appear their very best, so it'd be frowned upon to run errands in PJs like we do in the U.S.; 2, when you're young and expected to fit in, it's very easy to desire to stand out. Seeking DC brands that don't fit mainstream looks and have mastered their own seems the way to go.
Refinement over innovation. They do both but also have a history that recognizes the value of high craftsmanship. They recognize what is good design and materials from other sources and can spin them in their own aesthetic language, improving it along the way, making it into their own. Western culture does the same but it is not viewed as “copying” - Italians got silk from China and patterns from the East, but contemporary culture doesn’t understand historical context and assume the East copies the West - we just evolve from each other. Wax cloth was inspired from Indonesian designs. Picasso was influenced from African art, Van Gough from the Japanese. Aesthetic sensibility is a language that doesn’t speak in just one direction…
👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Luckily for me, NYC has a plethora of Japanese bookstores. I always pop in and flip thru the pages.
Tourists especially love it when the magazines come with a tote bag or special giveaway
I used to be a baggy hoodie, graphic tee and jeans kinda gal. Never gave much thought to my clothes. Then I took a trip to Japan, looked around and thought, "Wow, I dress like shit."
Now I'm one of those insufferable thrifters with a snazzy style and an eye for quality. And I don't want to shame the jeans and hoodie crowd, it's a style I still sometimes rock, but damn do people treat me better when I wear the nice clothes.
Do you have any recommendations for female Japanese fashion tutorials like the male ones you showed in the video? I'd love to see some outfit formulas!
instagram.com/kobackfashion
For the past year I’ve studied my personal style because I wanted my style to improve without too much outside influence… it worked for me.
I've been enjoying more Japanese entertainment these days and i have the same impression. Their fashion style are impeccable, both traditional and modern. And i especially love their urban fashion style
I never thought this video would be so in depth and knowledge when i clicked on it.
Love the video! Would live to see more like this.
I remember, in college for a paper in a writing class I did a lot of research related to Japanese societal expectations concerning the workplace, and I came across a really cool article about Japan's refinement of denim jeans in the 70s. The article really emphasized the same thing you're saying here, that Japan has perfected what other countries have created, which lead me to tie the idea of 拘り into the paper.
By the way it is really cool you majored in Japanese in college. I am currently working towards a global studies major and have been learning Japanese for a couple years. This is the first video of yours that I have seen, and I am liking the feel!
CONGRATULATIONS You GOT ANOTHER PERSON INTO JAPANESE FASHION 🙌
I find it uplifting, fun, energizing and amazing to watch well dressed people everday. And i dont see is about showing off or being wealthy like maybe in korea it is. I find japanese fashion style is an expression of self more than anything which is great.
That b roll street style complements tge explanation so well. Great work Reggie and team
It’s not only fashion, but Japanese people read up and study A LOT when it comes to interest in general. If you wanna know how to be more sociable, there are books on that; if you specifically want to learn business talk, there’s books on that, and of course, there are thousands of cookbooks, fashion books and how-to artbooks. The western is sadly losing the tangible feel of books in bookstores, but idt Japan will ever get rid of their bookstores with the amount of information it supplies.
Yes, this! A lot of info is going digital in Japan too, but they love their illustrated tomes.
I LOVE THE WAY YOU TALK TO DA AUDIENCE….YALL NEED AN AWARD FAM BAM BLESS UP N DONT STOP YA DA TRUTH🎊🎉🏆
excelllent video ! one of your best so far mate
Great analyses, I allways have loved Japanese Street Fashion, from the 80's on upwards.
You’re wonderful. Love the smart and insightful, critical commentary.
I've been wondering the same question since 2009 lol. I remember frequently downloading jp magazine scans from tumblr cuz the inspos are endless
Jeezus!! Can't wait for more of the street series.
I recently went back to Japan, not only as a tourist doing site seeing, but also because I have relatives there. I haven’t been back since Covid lockdown and it’s been about three years since I’ve last visited so I was super eager to amp up my travel wardrobe. And I ended up managing to find pieces that worked with the weather and occasion. Long, wide pants are still trending there so I made sure to bring that with me and it became a staple for most of my outfits. For once I felt like I was wearing REAL clothes.
this was an excellent video that really gets into the headspace of the fashion in japan. they're definitely way more earnest about how they develop their individual style, it is truly a reflection of a person.
i've spent some time there and like others, my style was impacted. i would say the biggest thing i noticed is an emphasis on strong basics. this results in a warddrobe with strong mix & match potential. this gives off an effortless feeling of cohesion no matter what someone's style is. people look polished whether in casual or formal wear.
in a way, the japanese have long had a sustainable approach to fashion/daily wear. the business of having ONE top that works with ONE bottom isn't a thing, that's waste. second hand clothing shops are more thoughtfully curated and less trendy, too.
i definitely figured out my 'style' while there - khakis, stripes, lots of mustard and burgundy. i cut a lot of clothes i just didn't need or i was getting very limited wear out of. being more intentional with less actually made me feel like i had more lol.
Whoa so truee,, I always loves buying the Japanese catalogue magazine just to see their cute coordinations!
so interesting and informative I very much enjoyed this! thank you!
Amazing information my friend, thank you
I lived there 3 years and still travel. That is the greatest lesson I learned from the Japanese: curating my own tastes! I’ve been doing for years and still do. I learn more about the things I like because the Japanese have another perspective on it I may not see, and often do! I’m lucky in that way, and I always remember it. That’s why I found your channel.
Its not only japanese but also chinese that dress fkn well. I just love their aesthetics so much they really ball
I already said this in a reply but I’m going to say it again. Sadly here in America I feel like men are clowned for dressing up or grooming themselves. It just really discourages men who want to look good but are made fun of by other men because it’s not “manly” or they’re considered “try hard”.
Just stumbled on this video. I’ve actually admired Japanese sense of fashion and the question in question :) was actually on my mind. Thanks a lot for a very interesting dive into why they are this good at dressing.
I love hayama it’s such a fun account.
Also thanks Reggie. Great content.
I’m an old man. Decades ago I studied karate.
Now, I’m just studying the tea ceremony. The point you made about a Japanese person’s attention to detail is the most important one.
I’m sure you have studied Wabi Sabi. I believe it is the idea that there is beauty in imperfection.
I wear boxer shorts, tee shirts, sweats, watch caps, and slides most of the time but I attend to the cleaning and care of these. I believe I can wear my clothes better when I take care of them. One other thing is the accessories, I usually wear a Seiko Samurai. This is not an expensive watch, but it is accurate and reliable.
I am enjoying your videos. Thank you for your good work.
Great video and spot on. I've been to Japan (primarily Tokyo) 10+ times and the style never ceases to impress. Refinement vs innovation is key, with the exception of the trio of Yohji, Comme des Garcon and Issey. Their innovation in fashion rocked the world.
I got stopped in the street yesterday by a couple who used to live and Japan and they asked me if I did to. Guess it was a good-ass compliment judging by the video.
I had the great fortune to find your channel - subscribed. You're awesome at what you do!
RUclips recommended this and for once, the algorithm actually is spot on. I loved this! Newly suscribed :)
Great vid. 👌🏾
very well studied analysis. Thanks !
Amazing video. Everything you said was on point. Subbed.
I love get into Japanese fashion like techware ninja stuff.
At moment going back old school 2005 cross hatch stripey t shirts or jumpers and jeans folding brims/tips of caps.
I’ve had a theory about that for a while. I feel like countries where kids have a wear a uniform to school dress with a vengeance once they can wear what they want.
In japan they wear a uniform from kindergarten through high school. Then when they start working they wear a « uniform »/formal wear all over again. They only have these handful of years where they can wear what the hell they want and go to town. *That’s* when they have fun and express their creativity through style. The sense of community also is strong from enrolling in « clubs » so some either create their own style or follow the style of the community they adhere to (Lolita, Gyaru etc).
Lastly, wearing a uniform, being presentable, formal, ironing your clothes, tucking in your shirt, giving out a good image is so ingrained that they follow the mantra and stay « presentable » and well dressed throughout their lives.
That’s my personal interpretation. Obviously there are other factors but I really think the school uniform is a key element to their sense of fashion.
This is incredibly insightful and a great observation because believe it or not it’s true. In Japan being presentable is akin to having good manners. It lets the world know “I’m ready”.
The reason school uniforms are worn was to prevent one student from feeling inferior or superior to another student. In Japan “we are all Japanese” is important due to that collectivist society mentioned in the video.
The lack of expression has certainly translated into not just fashion but otaku culture as well. Young Japanese in particular put their all into many of their hobbies becoming incredibly adept at whatever they choose. This, as you insightfully predicted, has led to a more daring effort in fashion and style.
As someone who live in a country that forced all schools to wear uniform, I don't really think so, I would say you're correct about being presentable but only when they go to a more populated area like a city or a district center where their appearance stumble many people. It doesn't really encourage fashion, since "presentable" here is subjective. Where I live, as long you don't wear your pijama, it's count as presentable (if it's distance is like 3-4 house or still in the same street as home, people wouldn't mind wearing a pijama). There are some who might try to go more wild in fashion like using colourful combination once they start to go to college where there is no uniform, or adding accesories, but more likely to stop after a while because it stands out.. and people sees those who try to be fashionable as something weird or try-hard too much, so unless they're in creative industry, most people just wear t-shirt and jeans, and maybe an earthy tone jacket to add (which honestly I initially thought would've been the same case in Japan since they are known as homogenous but turns out they're very fashionable). Very rare to see anyone try to use accesories like hats or necklace or bracelets(unless it's a wristband for men) or eyeglasess (unless you've problem with eyes, or you're going to a beach). It's a different case in city tho. In city, there is bigger western influence and more "globalism"(?), so city-people are more open to out-of-ordinary clothes, and they are also more likely to get fashion inspired from outside like Korean fashion, but usually only affect younger people who are exposed to internet, and people from rich family and english speaking (because rich people have more opportunity to interact and consume medias from foreign country while others just consume local media when internet hasn't been this developed). Tho that doesn't mean there are no people who are into fashion. There are a growing number of local fashion brands, but still pretty unpopular, unless you really search for it, and those still likely in big city like the capital city of one country. You know there is a trend where people record themselves walking to show their outfits? Those who wear fashionable outfit would always get similar comment of "I would get laughed at or get stares weirdly if I try this here".
Same with my country except my country is more poor and tropical so people tend to be more minimalist compared to East Asiians
When I first moved to Tokyo ( Im from Geneva ) I was amazed by the outfits that the people wore. One particular style caught my eye..it's an overall with a baggy, balloning pants that almost looks like a knickerbocker pants. So very stylish.
Later on I learned that those pants are called Tobi pants, and it's actually a working wear for the construction workers !!
it is not often that I find such a nice youtuber. usually I have to scroll to a half of the video to get to the point, (if there is one even :)), but this guy has a good construction of the story he tells, has humor and rhythm of telling.
on the subject, I think that Japanese traditional crafts give a clue - they are highly aesthetic and refined, free from anything extra, often modern in its simplicity. also, education there emphasis art for young age. so they simply develop superior taste in general. also, they play with western clothing without references we have and that gives them kind of unforced freedom that results in creative combinations that seem much more effortless than what even western designers and stylists put together.
also, they just look younger, and are slimmer than we are, so clothes look better on them.
this video bangs. subbed
I follow Hayama Mens fashion too... their content are very helpful
This is such and enlighting video! And, I'm not gonna lie, knowing that magazine culture is still a thing somewhere in the world warms the heart of the 14 year old me who dreamed of become a fashion/culture journalist for a published magazine. 😍 I really loved your tip about the men's fashion instagram account. Is there anything like it for women's fashion?
Yes! It’s Kobackfashion on Instagram. I hope you enjoy it. More one womens fashion from Japan soon!
@@THECASUALco thank you so much for answering! I can't wait for the women's fashion content
Heyyyy I took an Airbnb fashion tour with you when I was in Tokyo some years ago. Was wondering how you were doing through the pandemic too so good to know you’re well!!
I love Japanese fashion! My first introduction to it was through FRUiTS Magazine about 20 years ago.
first a question: where you got that amazing sweatshirt/pullover from?
2nd: those videos are amazing. they help me explain to other what I find so interesting about japanese fashion and culture when I get asked by others. amazing stuff
Let’s just say the sweater is a “work in progress”.
@@THECASUALco I totally understand
The nigerian accent killed me. I liked it a lot. Great video!
- a nigerian
Japan's mens non-no magazine is the bomb lookbook. i die
what looked good 10 years ago, still looks good today, classic never dies.
I also really like Popeye magazine. They have been very consistent with the style for the last 10 years and their late 80s-early 90s stuff was awesome.
Très bien analysé. I'd also add that meticulousness in fashion has been part of Japanese heritage for centuries - not just the past 50 years. You can see it in the variety and fastidiousness of traditional costumes and ceremonies. Sloppiness is not an option in Japan.
yes, japaneses magazine are the coolest, :D i never had one in my power jaja, but i remember sites that uploaded photos of ,goth lolita, cutie, zipper, etc. good times, before instagram.
I look at a bunch of fashion photos on Pinterest and filter out what I love seeing most and look to fashion runways for inspiration for my own style.
We're from Seattle and never fashionable. In our last Japan visit this summer, after hunting for some military surplus cloths in Ueno Ameya Yokocho (Ame-Yoko) under JR railroad, we saw a store with genuine In-N-Out burger T-shirts (We used to live in LA). Since we don't frequent CA to buy them anymore, we inquired the store clerk, and he showed us maybe a dozen types of In-N-Out T-shirts, all CATALOGED by what they called "MODEL YEAR", e.g., "This is MY2018, in such and such color, it's quite cool, don't you think?" Our eye balls almost fell out and thanked the clerk before leaving. All we wanted was some beachy T-shirt for my son as a souvenir, as he was running out of clean ones ...
Fashion can be a cultural unifier with how deeply rooted in societal reflections it is. Personally I love that there's open fashion advice out there! I remember picking up a manga where a girl helped a guy dress fashionably and it was well explained and very reasonable. Anyone else also find watching J-street fashion oddly cathartic?
Interesting manga. By any chance do you remember the name for the manga? It seems interesting.
@@chrismejia2836 No I would have named it if I did. It'll come to me in the future but I'm sure some google seaches with keywords will pop it up. If I remember I'll reply
Context is gud, subscribed
Even back in 80s japan fashion game is on next level
No experience with Japan's culture personally but I can totally relate to their dedication to studying the styles they love. I'm a hardcore goth/alt that was pretty much closeted about my style because it's just considered "odd" and "whack" in western society. I've since stopped caring about what I like and learning my style wholeheartedly and honestly? I'm getting so much info from Japanese alt fashion
3:48 as a Nigerian, i have never felt so seen in my life 😭😭😭
Honestly, as someone who lives in a rainy climate. I would love to see what Japan’s street style is during the more extreme weather’s. I think it really limit us when we only focus on the Fairweather style. Because life isn’t always sunny day and for some of us those are rare
Great video. ID on the frames?
The difference between Japan and other countries creating trends right now is that Japan is able to maintain a sense of individuality. Kpop has influenced many trends but it feels too put together almost to a point of looking uncomfortable, Japan's culture makes it more palatable because of its lack of restriction and the ability to incorporate trends with their own personality instead of just wearing a preset style.
I relate to how they study fashion, looking at past influences from xxl to source, down to Rolling Stones and punk magazine. I find that better since you can make your shit more organically then following what people tell you
His "JEEZUS" though! lol
Cool video
Walk around Harajuku will humble you. The area looks like a fashion show.
For your gaming reference you left out the Wii. They were also trying to innovate with that and it worked. I also kind of consider the Switch to be an example too.
Old tech new way of playing. It still stands that Japan like to take existing things and improve upon it. Motion controls were already around and Nintendo improved upon it. Wii U was an attempt to make mobile and console gaming synchronized. Problem was they started this on the home console side. The Switch started from the mobile gaming side which Nintendo has always be good at. Switch isn’t innovation it’s simply existing tech made better.
An older vid but a really cool one.
I wish I had access to vintage clothing here where I live..
Damn Reggie, where'd you get that sweater? I've been looking for a good oversized slouchy knit sweater? Looks dope!!
i feel like one of these days i'm going to see a "reggie casual jeezuss compilation" in my recommended feed...
Do you perhaps have a link whereto shipping japanese fashion magazines to europe is cheap ? Im very interested in collecting them more :)
Good video. Excellent points. I thought you were going to list the Instagram account of that Japanese fashion influencer? Can't find it.
This was very enlightening to me but I must say that while study and dedication are strong factors the cultural acceptance is where the true strength lies here. In the United States these brave fashion choices would ostracize the majority of people here including those in the entertainment industry who have more free reign to be individuals. Lack of information or direction is not the problem, acceptance is. Unless you want to lead a life of constant conflict every time you leave your house these beautiful fashion choices just aren’t an option.
I have heard the Japanese are very into design such as wanting everyday products to be well-designed and wanting packaging to be very appealing.
I don't know if the Japanese dress better than say Americans. It might just be that Americans made this video and when they visited Japan they noticed appearances more than when they were in America because they're already used to America so kinda take it for granted.
Believe the Japanese are in general thinner than most countries so that would help them look better in clothes.
Easy answer.
Know your place,
can easily translate to know yourself,
including how you appear and look.
When you become visibly scraggy (a sign self neglect), your Japanese friend is likely to remind you with concern.
Unless you're visibly intentionally scraggy as a style, which can also be done elegantly.