The 11 Japanese Street Clothing Products I Can’t Live Without

Japanese street clothing has risen to prominence in the fashion world because of its bold, flamboyant style. The different styles that emerged in the 60s, 70s and 80s are a mixture of both Western influences and contrasting styles within Japan itself.

Visual kei, for example, uses striking makeup and costumes influenced by glam rock or cult party culture. Other notable styles include Kogal, Kawaii, and Gothic Lolita.

Neighborhood

One of the best places to shop for trendy and affordable Japanese street fashion is the neighborhood of Shibuya. This area is home to a variety of boutiques that cater to a younger crowd. In addition, the district is also known for its unique architecture and design.

It’s also worth noting that the aesthetic of Japanese streetwear leans towards a baggy and loose fit. Therefore, when you’re looking to style an outfit, it is important to choose a pair of pants that are loose and comfortable. In terms of styling, a vintage American-inspired shirt paired with loose trousers is a safe choice.

Harajuku is where the roots of quintessential Japanese streetwear began. This neighborhood is renowned for its eccentric fashion trends, which are heavily influenced by various subcultures and fashion movements. For example, a popular look in Harajuku is the Kawaii style, which is characterised by ruffled and pastel-colored clothing. In the ’80s, this trend gained momentum as young people welcomed styles from other cultures with open arms.

UNDERCOVER

Jun Takahashi’s Undercover was the first OG Japanese streetwear brand to break out into the mainstream. A punk-inspired label designed to disrupt, it straddled the line between high fashion and streetwear long before Virgil Abloh. Taking inspiration from the Kaiju monster movies of Japan, this oversized t-shirt sees a giant beast laying waste to Tokyo.

Harajuku is the undisputed heart of the Japanese streetwear scene, and there are plenty of shops to visit, from the kawaii-influenced boutiques of Takeshita Dori to the vintage-inspired 6% DokiDoki. For a more girly style, head to Shibuya, where you can find brands like Liz Lisa and WEGO.

Alternatively, check out the boutiques and shops in Omotesando, where you’ll find labels like BAPE and Supreme. And if you want to see what the streetwear elite are wearing, head over to Dover Street Market, which was founded by Rei Kawakubo and brings in both established and new brands from all over the world.

WACKO MARIA

Infused with an eclectic mix of influences, WACKO MARIA is a brand that takes the risk of looking outlandishly cool. Their signature styles are often embroidered with Virgin Mary iconography and other religious imagery, adding to the overall feel of the brand.

The label is co-founded by a couple of ex-professional soccer players, Messrs Keiji Ishizuka and Atsuhiko Mori, who started their brand out of their very own bar, Rock Steady. The duo quickly realised that music was a common passion amongst their customers, as was fashion.

Taking this concept further, the pair launched their label with the idea of marrying together these two passions, hence the name of the brand WACKO MARIA, meaning ‘Wacky Maria’. Look out for pieces influenced by music, drinking and film through a range of signature styling across cardigans, coaches jackets and army shirts. WACKO MARIA’s alter ego, Guilty Parties, also showcases these motifs in a more flamboyant manner with Hawaiian prints and tiger striped coats.

BAPE

Founded in 1993, A Bathing Ape (aka BAPE) is one of the most famous Japanese streetwear brands. Its iconic camouflage print, shark hoodies, and cute BABY MILO have been loved by fashionistas worldwide. The brand also collaborates with a lot of other famous brands, including Hello Kitty, Marvel, and Pepsi.

Jun Takahashi’s UNDERCOVER takes a grunge and punk approach to clothing. Elongated hems, unfinished seams, and unconventional sizes are stylistic details in every collection. UNDERCOVER straddled the line between streetwear and high fashion long before Virgil Abloh rose to prominence.

In the ’90s, Harajuku’s original subcultures were no longer in full force, and the youth scene was welcoming styles from other cultures with open arms. The demand was so high that boutiques popped up all over the city, selling new and second-hand clothing with curated details. This is where the concept of kawaii-inspired dressing originated.