Widely known for its eye-catching and distinctive fashion trends such as the Lolita and Decora styles, Japan is obviously no stranger to the ins and outs of the fashion world. But what is fashion like in Japan today?

With the advent of globalisation and the influence of other countries’ fads, tradition and modernity merge together to produce the unique fashion trends we observe in Japan today. These looks have not only made an impact around the world, but have also paved the way for redefining what fashion entails.

Read on to find out more about the top 5 trends in Japan that are sweeping the fashion industry off its feet (and maybe how to improve your fashion game as well 😉)!

1. Oversized Looks

First up, the oversized fit. This trend rejects the typical Western appeal of emphasising one’s figure and suits the more conservative society in Japan. It focuses on baggy clothes such as oversized coats, wide leg pants, flowy skirts, et cetera. This excess of fabric helps to create heavy and dramatic silhouettes, which also vary with fabric and texture, allowing for more variety in the fashion scene.

Photo credits: TokyoFashion.com

This trend has also given rise to more androgynous, gender neutral pieces, since attention is diverted away from the human body. Instead of emphasising the difference between genders, the point is to wear clothes that suit most body types and that are, most importantly, comfortable. Who’s to say that comfort and style can’t go hand in hand?

Photo credits: TokyoFashion.com

To avoid looking frumpy when wearing oversized clothes, I personally like looking out for pieces that contain a little structure, or even creating it myself! Cinching your waistline, or styling it with other long pieces, vertical lines or even heels can help to elongate your figure and give you a more streamlined look.

Photo credits: TokyoFashion.com

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2. Back to Business

Next, formal wear is starting to make an appearance in the fashion world again (hello to blazers, ties and matching suits 😍) but this time, with a twist. Combining it with more casual attire, such as sneakers, biker shorts or loud designs, creates new looks that are perfect for an entire day out, from attending business meetings to a night out with friends. No more outfit switching between day and night required!

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For instance, simply throwing on a blazer over your outfit gives it an instant boost that can transform your look from drab to fab. This gives more structure to casual wear and provides an additional layer of warmth for chilly days. It also allows for more options through mixing and matching the pieces you already have in your closet.

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To elevate your look, adding on accessories such as hats, sunglasses and jewellery can always help. Incorporating brighter colours into the outfit also gives you a more playful and confident image such that you can go about feeling ready to take on the day!

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To shop for blazers in Singapore, Love, Bonito and Bershka offer wide selections of designs for women while men can browse at Topman for their every need.

3. Bold and Beautiful

With more and more people daring to stand out from the ordinary, a new era of fashion has been born. Bold prints (checkers, stripes, animal prints, floral designs), flat saturated colours (neons, pastels, vibrant colours) and a multitude of textures (denim, wool, velvet, linen, tulle, etc) have made their way into the fashion industry, showcasing the youthful exuberance, success and abundance of the 21st century.

Photo credits: TokyoFashion.com

Fashion has always been a creative medium for finding and expressing oneself. As more people experiment with these eye-catching pieces, they reveal their unique personalities through their individual styles, being unapologetically themselves. The fun and playful nature of this trend highlights each person’s individuality through the way they wear and style their clothes.

Photo credits: TokyoFashion.com

Pairing the items with other solid colours (also known as colour blocking) or bold prints can be used to create a striking statement. A useful tip is to pair complementary colours together, like pink and green, or blue and orange, as this increases the contrast between the colours and makes them more vivid. Otherwise, combining the main piece with lighter, pastel colours can also allow it to take centrestage and shine through.

Photo credits: TokyoFashion.com

Injecting a little more colour into your wardrobe is always a good idea to boost your mood and channel more energy into life!

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Get your very own fix of bold prints and patterns by supporting our local homegrown businesses like Minor Miracles, a print and textile studio that creates one-of-a-kind pieces from flamboyant fabrics, and YeoMama Batik, a fashion label that combines traditional Asian textiles with contemporary designs.

4. Monochrome Chic

When in doubt, always go for a monochrome outfit. This is an easy way to put together an outfit quickly and it immediately gives off an effortless but well put-together vibe. Simple yet cohesive, it also makes for a dramatic and impressive look. While this takes the emphasis off colour, it allows for the blend of different fabrics and shapes to shine through, drawing attention to the lines and silhouettes you create with your pieces.

Photo credits: TokyoFashion.com

Since this look automatically removes any obvious horizontal lines on your figure, it gives you the illusion of appearing taller and slimmer as well. Looking sharp and expensive is now easier than ever.

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For a more fun and interesting look, add a small pop of colour to your monochrome outfit or switch things up by opting for brighter colours instead of the usual black, white or neutrals. The different shades within each colour complement one another perfectly; you no longer have to worry about whether your clothes match or not. 😜

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Simply stop by Source Collections or Uniqlo at any time to get your monochrome fits, as they offer many basic pieces in solid colours that you simply need as wardrobe staples.

5. The More, The Better

Another thing the Japanese are doing right is their constant experimentation with the boundaries of fashion. By thinking outside the box, more interesting and never-before-seen styles and silhouettes have emerged in the fashion scene through the repurposing of clothing, layering of pieces that traditionally do not go together and creative accessorising. 

Photo credits: TokyoFashion.com

These are just some of my favourite innovative looks spotted in Japan throughout recent years! While they are all different and vary greatly in style, they fundamentally highlight the idea that fashion is no longer about simply picking out a top and a bottom to wear, but rather about questioning the status quo and intentionally setting new standards for the rest of the world to see.

Photo credits: TokyoFashion.com

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Fashion is not only about following trends. Without someone to create them and set an example, we wouldn’t even have them in the first place! In order for the world of fashion to expand, it is important that we constantly experiment with our style and challenge our definition of what looks good. Who knows, you might just end up getting noticed on the streets one day and blow up as a trend-setter. But what matters most is just to be yourself and have fun with it! And don’t forget to remember us when the time comes 😉