Japanese Street Fashion

I love looking at Fashion from all around the world.  Today I thought I'd showcase Japanese Street Fashion.  Japan began emulating Western Fashion back in the middle of the 19th century and within the past 25 years it's evolved to what's termed as "Japanese Street Fashion."

Some websites you can visit to learn more about Japanese Street Fashion:
Fashion Japan 
FRUits 

"Though the styles have changed over the years, street fashion is still prominent in Japan today. Young adults can often be found wearing subculture attire in large urban fashion districts such as Harajuku, Ginza, Odaiba, Shinjuku and Shibuya". - Japanese Street Fashion

 There are 6 main subcultures of Japanese Street Fashion.
1. Lolita:  Gothic Lolita is heavily influenced from Eastern and Victorian Goth Style.  Liberal use of dark colors, bats, spiders, ruffled or lace-trimmed blouses,knee length socks, bonnets, brooches, and a parasol are common among Goth Lolitas.
Sweet Lolitas are characterized by sweet, child-like fantasy themes. Inspired by fairy tales, baby animals, and Hello Kitty, Sweet Lolitas wear pastel colors, huge head bows, cute purses, elegant parasols, and stuffed animals.
Punk Lolitas are an experimental, deconstructed style.
Classic Lolita is very traditional. It is very mature and business-like and focuses on light colors, such as red, green, and blue.


2. Gyaru, more commonly known as ganguro, today is primarily known for huge girl-glam fashion, breaking the rules of what's considered pretty and making liberal use of man-made fashion (wigs, fake eyelashes, fake nails, etc.). Gyaru is heavily influenced by Western Fashion and styles. Gyaru is about doing what you want, and not letting anyone get you down.  Live free, have fun, be the center of attention, have high self-confidence, and be there for your friends. There are many types of Gyaru; from hip-hop to Goth. Ganguro street fashion became popular in the early 2000s.  A typical look for a "Ganguro Gal" is to wear brightly colored outfits, mini-skirts, and tie-dyed sarongs.  The Ganguro style consists of bleached hair, a dark tan, fake eyelashes, black and white eyeliner, bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, and platform shoes. 
Kogal (kogyaru) is based on a high school uniform, but with a shorter skirt and loose socks.  The gals call themselves gyaru.  This style was prominent in the 1990s, but since has declined.

3 Bōsōzoku: This style is caricatures of popular anime, manga, and films.  It hasn't been real popular since the 1990s.  The typical bōsōzoku member is often depicted in a uniform consisting of a jumpsuit like those worn by manual laborers or a tokko-fuku (特攻服), a type of military issued over-coat with kanji slogans. These are usually worn open, with no shirt underneath, showing off bandaged torsos and matching baggy pants tucked inside tall boots.

4. Visual Kei: This style consists of striking makeup, unusual hairstyles, and flamboyant costuming. Adrogyny is a popular concept, especially within the entertainment field, like the band Dir En Grey.  

5. Dolly Kei:  This style is newly emerging and is liberally influenced by Japan's view of the Middle Ages and European Fairytales, like the Brothers Grimm.  Style consists of vintage dresses, skirts, and sometimes religious symbols.

6. Fairy Kei: A more sweet lolita, decora blend, with the hint of the '80s, wearing mostly bright pastel colors.

Information for this post was taken from Wikipedia.

Kogyaru

Goth Lolita

Gyaru

Bōsōzoku

Classic Lolita

Sweet Lolita

Gyaru

Visual Kei

Dolly Kei

Fairy Kei