Trends in Japan > Fashion
Work-Inspired Overalls Offer Flexibility and Style
A WINNING COMBINAISON An item of clothing called a combinaison has recently become popular among young women in Japan. This word, which comes from the French for "combination," refers to a single garment combining a top with pants.

Fashionable Hairdressers Inspire Their Own Style
"SALON BOYS" SET THE TREND Japanese men's fashion encompasses many distinct styles. But currently the undisputed trendsetters are the "salon boys"—professional or apprentice hair stylists in their late teens and twenties.


LEG WEAR IN THE SPOTLIGHT The lineup of leg wear has grown markedly, with toe covers for pumps, which are perfect for Japan's humid summers, and lace instep and ankle bands joining the leggings, color tights, and knee highs that were a hit last year.

SEVENTIES FOLK FASHIONS REVISITED “Folklore-style” A-line dresses embellished with embroidery or Tyrolean ribbons are a hit among young women in their teens and twenties. Tunic blouses are also increasingly prominent as women take to wearing tunics with colorfully embroidered bodices and crochet-lace trim over leggings or skinny jeans.

WHEN FASHION MEETS ART
(March 7, 2008)
Art-inspired fashion is increasingly visible on the streets of Tokyo in the form of T-shirts with artsy graphics, dresses with optical and abstract patterns, and other eye-catching items.

HANDS IN GLOVES
(January 29, 2008)
Gloves are becoming a hot item now that winter is in full swing. Leather gloves, knit mittens, gloves made from velour, jersey, and satin material, and gloves with fur trim are among the hand-wear designs finding increasing favor.

NAIL BOOM GATHERS MOMENTUM
(December 27, 2007)
More and more women these days are sporting beautifully manicured nails, from natural French nails to nail art that makes generous use of such accents as rhinestones and laminate coatings - and even nails so long that they make one wonder how the wearer manages to function in daily life.

BURSTS OF COLOR BRIGHTEN WINTER FASHION
(December 25, 2007)
Winter fashions are usually characterized by dark tones, but this season patterns are in, with brightly patterned dresses and tunics topping the list of must-have items. Brightly colored tights in such hues as pink and red are a popular complement to these ensembles, with a cute hat adding the finishing touch.

TARGETING THE "AROUND 30" MARKET
(December 3, 2007)
Brands and boutiques targeting the arasa market of women around 30 years old are a growing presence in the fashion market.

FASHIONABLY BLACK
(November 9, 2007)
Black satin trench coats, black dresses embellished with black sequins, black enamel bags and boots, and other black-dominated items are gracing boutique and department store windows this autumn. Around town, black is enjoying growing popularity as the color of choice for blouses, dresses, tight pants, fedora hats, shawls, boots, bags, and other items.

"REAL CLOTHES" HIT THE RUNWAY
(October 9, 2007)
The Tokyo Girls Collection is a twice-yearly fashion festival of unparalleled scale. Unlike typical collections, in which designers present their latest works to buyers and journalists, TGC directly targets women in their late teens and twenties, with popular fashion models walking the runway in "real clothes" (fashionable streetwear) that young women can actually add to their wardrobes.

DEVILISHLY CUTE
(August 31, 2007)
Of the many women's fashion magazines in Japan, Koakuma Ageha has been making waves for its especially daring fashion suggestions. Launched in October 2006, it covers hairstyle, makeup, and fashion and targets young women who love designer-brand goods and seek sfashions that attract men.

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TWO STYLES IN ONE
(July 26, 2007)
Shirt dresses have become a hit this spring and summer, adding momentum to the trend in one-piece dresses that began a few seasons ago. Women like these garments because they are easy to wear, more versatile, and less expensive than dresses, though they cost slightly more than shirts.

DRESSING UP FOR SPRING
(March 27, 2007)
Dresses have appeared on the scene this spring with a new burst of energy after a year of continued popularity. Dresses have become a hot item among women from all walks of life, and the range of occasions on which they are worn is growing.

FULL CONTOURS FOR DENIMS
(March 30, 2007)
Baggy jeans have moved into the spotlight in the 2007 spring and summer lineups, replacing their snug-fitting skinny counterparts that were all the rage last winter.

GOLD RUSH
(March 15, 2007)
Gold is this year's trendy color. Gold buttons are being used on pea jackets and trench coats, gold chain bags and belt buckles are all the rage, and gold-toned clothes and other small items with a touch of gold are now prominent.

SPRING SKIRTS
(March 7, 2007)
Delicate, feminine skirts suggestive of spring are already appearing ahead of the full arrival of the season, perhaps due to the unusually mild winter Japan has experienced.

HOORAY FOR HOSIERY
(February 9, 2007)
Hidden underneath long boots until recently, tights and stockings are regaining popularity as fashion items. The favorites among young fashion aficionados are delicate lace tights in black and gray, which they often wear with tight or tiered miniskirts for a feminine finish.

FROM FUNCTIONAL TO FASHIONABLE
(February 7, 2007)
With winter in full swing, down jackets have taken over the streets. This season, however, they have taken on a more chic air and are showing up in an array of designs to suit all fashion tastes.

GOODBYE BLACK, HELLO GRAY
(January 22, 2007)
Until recently, black and white have reigned supreme as the base fashion colors. But now the popularity of gray is on the rise, and the list of fashion essentials is topped by feminine items, such as long knit cardigans and traditional pleated skirts.

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Copyright (C)2007 Web Japan. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources. Articles presented here are offered for reference purposes and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.