Japanese Fashion --- By Cara: 06/11/13

Hairstyles

NEW TREND IN HAIRSTYLES

We have seen a sharp rise in girls with extremely pretty hairstyles achieved through simple arrangements that work for both long, medium-length and short hair. The style this year is to add an accessory with a retro flair to your hair arrangement.

Hair Arrangements Become Standard

The common assumption was that elaborate hairstyles such as curled hair and braids were just for special occasions such as weddings and parties. However, curling irons for personal use can be bought inexpensively, and a wide range of hair accessories that are easy to use are now sold, making it possible for more girls to play with simple arrangements that are not too overdone. Naturally, Japanese women, who enjoy a wide range of fashions, have become interested in this ability to easily create hairstyles with only a little skill, a curling iron and accessories, and with no need to depend on a professional hair stylist.

In addition, the popularity of retro styles from the 1960s bolsters the moods of girls. Antique hair ornaments and a chic hairstyle are an essential accompaniment for clothes with a classic style.

Curl, Braid, Pile Up

The three techniques of curling, braiding and piling up are used for simple arrangements created oneself. Girls curl their hair by using a curling iron to put a wave at the tip of their hair and create a soft movement, as if it were full of air. Braids are made by twisting together three strands of hair using the bangs or hair to the side of the ears. Braiding tightly makes the hair look too severe, so the current style is to braid loosely for a soft look. Girls pile up their hair by teasing the hair from the top of their heads or their bangs and then adding volume so that it pushes up. This technique is also intended to give a soft look.

Accessories with an Antique Feel Gain Popularity

Once you have used one of these three techniques to style your hair, then you have to choose which accessory to use. Barrettes were the most popular accessory of the 2011–2012 fall and winter season. Simply pinning antique elliptical barrettes decorated with spangles and beads next to the ear provides a retro look, and it has become hugely popular. Elegant barrettes, hair elastics and Alice bands embellished with pearls, rhinestones and lace are much in evidence these days.

Ribbons are also a very popular motif, and various items are available to keep up with demand, ranging from hairpins that can be fastened simply to cloth bands. Some girls with more experience in hair styling buy velour and satin ribbons used in handicrafts and fasten their ponytails with their own creations or use them like Alice bands. The stores specializing in hair accessories that have been popping up recently stock a wide range of inexpensive and pretty accessories so that girls will never become bored.

Fashions and Subcultures

10 Unusual Japanese Fashions and Subcultures

Japanese fashion usually brings to mind kimono, yukata, or the sailor school uniforms. And for many people around the world who are interested in fashion, the lesser known styles and subcultures of Japan are becoming more widely recognized. The fashions on this list were worn at different times in Japan during the twentieth century and today. With some groups of Japanese teenagers these styles were extremely popular. They were viewed as creative and influential to fashion by some, and looked on with confusion and amusement by others.

Kigurumin

Kigurumin was a short lived (2003 to 2004) and strange fashion phenomenon. Girls who spent their time hanging out in Shibuya and wanted something comfortable to wear began sporting cheap animal costumes bought in party sections of stores. Along with a Pikachu, Hamtaro, or Winnie the Pooh costume, Kigurumin would carry animal purses, cute accessories, and wear manba makeup.

Nagomu Gal

Nagomu was an indie record label created in 1983. The label gained a large fan base. The name for fans, Nagomu Gals, first appeared in the magazine Takarajima. Nagomu Gals favored vintage clothing. They often wore long sleeved t-shirts, thick soled rubber shoes, and knee socks. The term Nagomu Gal was not exactly positive, as they were sometimes viewed as annoying fan girls. In 1989 the Nagomu label was shut down.

Lolita

Lolita is one of the most popular new Japanese subcultures, and has begun to appear in countries across the world. There are numerous Lolita brands, such as Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Metamorphose, and Angelic Pretty. Lolita fashion began becoming popular in the late 90s, and like the Nagomu style, it has been influenced by music. Gothic record labels in Japan lead to visual kei music, which helped inspire Gothic Lolita clothing. Visual kei refers to bands which wear extremely elaborate makeup and costumes. Lolita is also inspired by the clothing of the Rococo period. The name came from Mana who called the theme of his clothing line Elegant Gothic Lolita. The popular magazine Gothic and Lolita Bible came out in 2001. There are several different types of Lolita. Gothic Lolita involves primarily black frilled clothing. Sweet Lolita uses pastels, and lots of lace and bows. For punk Lolita, plaids and chains are combined with the frills. Wa Lolita incorporates traditional Japanese clothing, such as kimono, into the look. Accessories that are popular for Lolita include bonnets and headdresses, rocking horse shoes, parasols, petticoats, and frilled knee socks.

Decora

Decora is a Japanese street style popular today. In 1997, the magazine FRUiTS was created to display photographs of Japanese street fashion. Aki Kobayashi, the cover model of the first issue, wrote columns for FRUiTS about her style and how she created her own accessories. Soon, girls began making their own eccentric accessories. The style became known as Decora, and its followers traded and sold their accessories in Harajuku. Although each Decora outfit is unique, they all have the similarities of being extremely bright, decorative (hence the name), and cute. Decora girls wear an insane amount of plastic accessories and barrettes, neon skirts, colorful socks, and cute character products.