Harajuku fashion has long been associated with loud, eccentric styles that express individuality and creativity. These unique looks have been well-documented in magazines like Shoichi Aoki’s Fruits and websites like Tokyo Fashion.
Harajuku style does not adhere to rigid rules and encompasses elements from different aesthetics such as lolita, gyaru, and visual kei. It celebrates youth and self-expression.
Sweet Lolita
Sweet Lolita fashion combines elements of both kawaii and classic fashion styles. Its hallmark look includes voluminous dresses with plenty of frills, lace, pastel colors, and cute motifs such as flowers, berries, and bows. Makeup and hairstyles often follow suit: pastel-colored hair color or using wigs when dyeing their natural locks is not possible are worn, as are headpieces like hats and mini wigs to match their dress; accessories worn include cute parasols with sweet lolita designs along with accessories bearing lovely lolita themes; accessories that feature desserts, berries or bows as well.
While gyaru fashion tends to be more sophisticated and mature, Lolita style tends to be more childish and eye-catching – even outside Japan! People of any nationality find the style irresistibly charming! Anyone who appreciates cuteness will quickly adopt Lolita fashion.
In this style, more is better, with clashing outfits being accepted as fashionable. Over-the-top accessories such as tiaras, madonna crowns, oversized necklaces, plastic rings, and bangle bracelets are standard. Deliberately overdone decorative headbands are often made of velvet or tulle that feature stickers or sequins covering them; other times, bells or chains may even add sound when worn around your neck! Decorative headbands also play an integral part in this look.
Girls wearing this style often dress to look like living dolls and are typically entirely innocent. They might color or bleach their hair, wear light tan makeup, and have lots of cute hair accessories like bows and pins in their locks; additionally, they might decorate their nails with pink polish and glitter polishes.
Gothic Lolita
Harajuku’s gothic Lolita fashion style is an expression of femininity, defined by pastel colors and bows. Additionally, clothing worn by these girls often bears adorable animal and flower motifs adorning it. Lace and velvet fabrics make up much of this style, which often pairs well with tea party accessories and Mary Jane shoes for tea parties or Mary Jane shoes when worn to tea parties or tea parties. Mixing different styles can produce unique looks; pair a Sweet Lolita dress with a Gothic corset and Visual Kei hairstyle, for example.
This style draws inspiration from Victorian-era fashion and the Gothic art movement, emphasizing mystery, pathos, and sublimity. But it is not associated with sexual promiscuity – instead, Japanese teenagers use this fashion movement to express their individuality and show off their personalities through fashion expression.
Lolitas often favor layers of outfits, and their most beloved style is usually that of classic Victorian clothing from years ago. This look exudes mature sophistication emphasizing ladylike elegance; bloomers are worn with dresses; lace is often used over ruffles; clothes typically consist of high-quality fabrics like cotton and wool and aren’t worn if secondhand or torn.
Lolita’s Gothic style can be distinguished by dark colors and an overall Gothic aesthetic, often featuring dark accessories. While similar to both gothic and punk music cultures, Gothic Lolita differs in that its musical influences don’t depend as heavily upon vintage elements present in punk styles – yet nonetheless, this trend continues to gain ground, particularly within the US.
Decora
The Decora style is an eclectic and vibrant fashion that emerged in Tokyo’s Harajuku district. It takes its name from the Japanese word for decoration, focusing on embellishing outfits with bright colors and accessories. There are no strict guidelines for this fashion movement; expression is vital, and Decora allows one to meet new people while showing off one’s individuality through clothing choices.
One of the defining characteristics of Decora fashion is its use of oversized accessories, including hair clips, bows, and jewelry. Giant makeup is also popular, and many Decora girls mimic the looks of their favorite characters when applying it. Decora also uses various patterns and colors like pastels and tie-dye; among these patterns and hues are pink, yellow, and green – as well as famous artists like Takashi Murakami, who has long inspired this style with his smiling flowers that become staples within it.
Decora Kei fashion requires selecting an ensemble of vibrant, patterned clothing. Layer on various accessories that clash in color and pattern without concern about whether your clothes match. Clashing colors and patterns are encouraged, and wearing cartoon character-inspired hats is acceptable! Remember to accessorize from head to toe; don’t forget the shoes! Try wearing heels with rounded toes for an authentic Decora look for added authenticity.
Decora-style clothing has quickly become trendy in the US, with stores like NUBIAN selling limited-time drops that change weekly. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu fame has even opened her merch store at Harajuku Mall to influence this trend.
Ganguro
Ganguro, an alternative Japanese fashion trend that first surfaced in the mid-1990s, can be described as an unconventional look defined by dark-skinned girls wearing colorful make-up and clothes, often inspired by Western culture. Though some members of society oppose this dressing style – usually, its majority supporters in Japan shun ganguro fashion trends – these girls continue to pursue their dream. Ganguro style has evolved into several offshoots, including Yamanba and Yancha styles.
As with the gyaru style, Ganguro fashion can be considered an expression of rebellion. Inspired by American music and culture – specifically hip-hop – Ganguro girls typically tan themselves to appear darker while using flashy makeup to emphasize this darkness. Additionally, they wear black-lined eyes and accessorize with facial gems, stickers, false eyelashes, or platform shoes for an unmistakably bold appearance.
Despite its polarizing reputation, many Harajuku fashionistas embrace this style for many reasons. First and foremost, it allows them to express themselves freely while exploring various types and trends, ultimately creating an individualistic and vibrant fashion statement.
Though some might conflate Harajuku fashion with gothic and kawaii trends, it also encompasses many other styles. Harajuku fashion has always been about self-expression, and this remains true today with stores like NUBIAN offering unique and quirky outfits as well as hosting pop stars or selling limited-edition merchandise featuring famous artists (NUBIAN even hosted Post Malone’s merch line in 2019!).
Harajuku fashion is defined by its amalgamation of different styles. To achieve the Harajuku look, try layering clothing to achieve an eye-catching effect and pair pastel hues with Sweet Lolita corsets or visual Kei hairstyles; alternatively, you could try punk or skater-inspired styles.
Visual Kei
Visual Kei is a Japanese fashion style dating back to the 1980s that draws influence from rock, punk, and glam rock music genres. Sometimes referred to as a subculture or movement, Visual Kei is famous for its extravagant costumes and daring makeup trends; many bands adopted feminine or androgynous looks; initially, the action was predominantly male-led, but women have joined this scene too.
Visual Kei is more than a fashion trend; it’s a lifestyle! Visual Kei encompasses music, art, socializing with other fans, and self-expression through appearance. Fans are encouraged to create their style in this lifestyle while showing off as part of its community. Visual Kei’s mysterious world remains strong today; as long as freedom of expression through fashion and music exists, it will flourish!
Styled after specific bands and artists, this look takes inspiration from their fashions and attire. In general, it’s monochromatic, but you may add touches of red, blue, or purple for an edge. Starting with black as your base color and adding thigh-high boots, belts/chains, spiky scene hairstyle, and lots of eyeliner and lipstick in bold hues (don’t forget rhinestones too!), make sure you use bold eyeliner and lipstick!
Visual Kei is an eclectic style with many distinct variations, each band adopting its look throughout its career. While some bars occasionally switch up their aesthetic, others remain true to the eye they initially adopted when starting. Furthermore, some bands straddle genres or don’t fit neatly into any category.
