Goodbye Black, Hello Gray | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

Hooray For Hosiery | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

Year of the Yukata | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Unlined cotton kimono called yukata have long been worn by people attending traditional summer events held around Japan. But men and women have also begun dressing up in yukata to attend soccer and baseball matches, club events, and outdoor parties.

Dressed to Impress | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Young women in their early twenties are going ga-ga over pink babydoll dresses, white lace dresses, and other cute, feminine clothes. This cutesy style has become a favorite look for dates and parties alike.

Swimsuit Season | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
With beach season approaching, summer clothing has taken over the store shelves. The predominant theme of this year's swimwear is bikini separates embellished with touches that reflect current fashion trends.

Polos Aplenty | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Polo shirts are a longstanding staple of sporty-casual and everyday wear. But recently this basic style, worn mostly by men, has been given an elegant new twist that has garnered popularity among female office workers and other trend-conscious young women.

Straw Bags Go Upmarket | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Women all around town can be seen carrying straw bags, whose cool, light appearance is perfect for the summer. Though the bags have been in fashion for a number of years, their popularity this year is unprecedented.

Showing Some Skin | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Young Japanese women are walking the streets in highly revealing styles, from bare-back dresses and tube tops to low-rise hot pants and super-mini skirts.

Monotones for Fall | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
As fall deepens, young women's fashions are turning black and white. The key is a touch of chic: for instance, a white shirt coordinated with a black vest, a black pleated skirt, and black and white half boots.

Girls Want Curls | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Curly hair is back in style. Women from their teens through thirties are styling their tresses in big, soft waves an effort to duplicate the cute, feminine hairdos currently featured in the fashion magazines, including on popular model Ebihara Yuri.

The Feline Look | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
More and more Japanese women are sporting a makeup look popularly known as nekome (cat's eyes). Sultry, feline-looking eyes complement the Victorian fashions and the fur and other luxurious materials that define this winter's fashion.

Knee-Length Cardigans | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
This winter, many fashionable women have been sporting knee-length cardigans. The long button-front sweaters are finding favor among a wide range of ages, from teenagers to women in their forties.

Black is Back | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
For nearly a decade now, trendy Japanese women (and a considerable number of men, too) have been coloring their hair various shades of brown or blonde. But this winter, black hair is back in style.

Chic Yet Casual | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
All around town women can be seen sporting a velour jacket with knee-length shorts. The outfit is perfect for the office as well as after-hour and weekend outings.

White is the New Black | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
White garments currently abound at boutiques and women's apparel departments. White blouses and dresses with frills and lace, full skirts, and other clothes with a feminine touch are particularly popular.

Maritime Chic | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Nautical fashion is gathering force as a spring and summer fashion trend. At department stores and boutiques, classic navy-blue pea jackets and sailor shirts are displayed beside lineups of roped belts, accessories shaped like anchors and seashells, and other maritime-inspired items.

Hats Off to Harada | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
When it comes to the design of high-fashion hats, few names are better known these days than Misa Harada.

Spring Flowers | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
This spring, cute, romantic dresses are the favored fashion items among the young women in their teens and twenties who populate the boutique-lined streets of Tokyo's Harajuku and Daikanyama neighborhoods.

Thrilled with Frills | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The fresh breezes of early summer have brought with them a vogue for feminine styles. As part of this trend, clothes embellished with lace have become popular.

Empire Babydolls | Fashion | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Just in time for the hottest days of summer, a new style of skin-baring camisole known as the empire babydoll has caught the imagination of Japanese women.