Top 5 Japanese Alternative Clothing Styles

Have you ever been to Harajuku in Tokyo, Japan? Harajuku is like a one-stop shop when it comes to crazy and alternative fashion styles. When we say alternative we mean “alternative to the norm,” we don’t necessarily mean punk, metal, rock, goth or rockabilly. Actually, most of these styles have not much in common with the “common” alternative styles we are used to. Each one of the styles we listed in the Top 5 below have many related subgenres, or even closely related styles. Japanese subcultures are a jungle, but if you get to know these main styles you will eventually sort it out. And you can totally get a lot of inspiration from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Lolita Fashion

Lolita fashion started around 1980 and it’s steadily growing in popularity even in the Western world. It’s a plethora of styles inspired by the Rococo and Victorian periods. There are many substyles like Gothic Lolita, Punk Lolita, Country Lolita, Sweet Lolita, Wa Lolita, Aristocrat, you name it. What makes an outfit “lolita?” There are some rules that qualify an outfit as Lolita, and one of those is the puffiness of the skirt. Almost all lolita styles require a crinoline.
You shouldn’t be put off by the origin of the name Lolita, because it has almost nothing to do with the Vladimir Nabokov’s novel “Lolita.” The Japanese style is not about being sexy at all, it is about looking cute and elegant. The name only refers to some child-like aspects of lolita garments and because the word itself is cute.
This subcultures also includes lolitas that not only dress the part, but they live the lifestyle too. They go to tea rooms, they surrounds themselves with all things cute and beautiful, they enjoy baking and embroidering.

Visual Kei

Visual Kei is mainly a music movement. It’s not really a music genre, because among the many musicians who adopt the visual kei look there are many different music genres, but the philosophy is the same. Music is often related to punk rock, heavy metal, goth, glam rock and much less to pop. Visual kei musicians use elaborate hair styles, heavy and theatrical makeup, costumes and most often they have an androgynous look. The most popular visual kei artist in the Western world is Mana, who also founded the lolita brand Elegant Gothic Lolita (EGL). He’s always mistaken for a girl, too.
Visual kei has influenced various alternative subcultures like cybergoth and goth. Some of the visual kei musicians have also reached mainstream fame, like X Japan and Dir en Grey.

Decora

This is probably the most fun and colourful fashion Harajuku has to offer and it’s closely related to fairy kei. Decora is the most representative style of the kawaii Japanese culture. The world “decora” is a shortened version of “decoration” and this should already tell you a lot about the style. It is mainly worn by teenagers and young women and it aims to create a playful, childlike and cute attitude.
It doesn’t have to be mistaken with the more general term of Fruit-fashion. Decora is more about pastel and bright colours, toys that become accessories and incorporating elements from ones childhood. Some popular decora items and accessories are plastic jewelry, bright coloured hair, Hello Kitty and many other kawaii characters, cartoon graphic t-shirts, layers.
Even though it might look like a hot colourful mess to a Western eye, decora girls actually put a lot of thought into their outfits, which are balanced and very well put together.

Mori Kei

Mori kei literally refers to “a girl who lives in the forest” as mori means wood in Japanese. Mori kei is much more than a clothing style, it’s a lifestyle. There is also a book that contains the famous 60 rules to be a mori kei girl, written by Choco. Choco is the most famous mori kei girl and founder of the official mori girl online community.
The ideal mori girl would live in a cottage or a cabin in a forest, and she’d enjoy crafting, reading and gardening. When in the city she can be found in libraries, cafés or vintage stores. She loves cozy places and clothing, as she has a very quiet character.
The most popular items of clothing for a mori girl are loose fitting dresses, skirts, ponchos, boleros, oversizes sweaters, shawls and generally layers. The key is being comfy and slightly childish in your look, using soft colours and natural colours (brown, yellow, cream).

Ganguro

Ganguro means “black face girls,” and ganguro girls are a subgenre of the gyaru style. It’s one of the most recognizable Japanese street fashions: when you see a ganguro, you’ll know it! They are characterised by a dark tan and white makeup, bleached blonde or orange hair and high platform shoes. Makeup is the most eccentric feature of the ganguro girl: white concealer is used as lipstick and eyeshadow, pearl powder and false eyelashes are always part of the look.
The ganguro style is rebellious against the Asian idea of beauty, which is fair skin and dark hair. Ganguro girls do the exact opposite, they get a dark tan and they bleach their hair blonde, while wearing colourful outfits that include sarongs, mini skirts, platform shoes and many bracelets and necklaces. Which Japanese street style is your favourite? Did you already know these 5 Japanese alternative clothing styles? Let us know in a comment below! Photo credits: Pinterest.com