Japanese Fashion Inspiration via 29 Unique and Popular Looks

Japanese fashion is centered around culture, community, self-expression, and risk-taking.

Inspired by Tokyo’s everyday life and styles, such as Harajuku, Japanese fashion is colorful, oversized, experimental, clashing, and tactile.

So, if you’re looking for inspiration to give your wardrobe a unique Japanese-inspired look, this compilation of the most popular 29 Japanese fashion looks will certainly help.

1
Modern Kimono Look

Traditional Japanese outfits such as Kimonos and Yukata are returning to the Japanese fashion scene in 2023.

As the local designers never gave up on their heritage, Japanese fashion showcases a blend of traditional haute couture and materials, translating into unique styles and modern fashion statements.

Fashion-forward Japanese designers such as Chitose Abe – SACAI’s founder – and Yohji Yamamoto are reviving Japanese kimonos in androgynous-inspired clothing and gender-neutral looks.

So, when shopping for Japanese clothing brands, look out for muslin and double gauze pieces – very trendy this season!

On the streets of Tokyo, you’ll often see Japanese girls parading a blend of Japanese attire and kimonos in pastel colors made from traditional materials.

Opposite to the edgy vibe that Japanese fashion culture tends to draw at international fashion weeks.

SHOP THE LOOK

2
Japanese Goth Style

Japanese grunge styles are inspired by the early Grunge styles of the late 80s fashion, somehow in rejection of the fashions of those times.

Driven by the “Punk is not fashion but a statement,'” moto, Japanese stylists use the goth-grunge aesthetic to create powerful visual messages in 2023.

As a side note, some of the trendiest outfits currently are on the gothic style side.

Grunge aesthetic and Fairy grunge clothing, an attempt to clash grunge with the fairy-core style, is also trendy in the US right now.

SHOP THE LOOK

3
Oversized and Colorful Tops

The baggy clothes mania started on the streets of Tokyo as a symbol of the American hip-hop revolution.

In Japan, we see the return of oversized clothing spearheaded by streetwear brands like BAPE and HARE.

Easy to match with skinny pants, tight-fit dresses, or even muscle-hugging shirts, loose hoodies in bold colors are the way forward.

Comfortable, baggy, chunky, relaxed, versatile, and unisex, hyperbolical hoodie silhouettes are here to stay.

Make sure your oversized hoodie is in hyper-bold colors, and for extra sartorial impact, pair it with a Lolita-style miniskirt.

SHOP THE LOOK

4
E-girl Style

The E-girl aesthetic clothing is growing fast in popularity, driven by a vibe and style that can’t be mistaken with anything else.

Introduced in the 2000s fashion, the current E-girl concept reflects the modern lifestyle of the early ‘electronic girls,’ but through the lens of K-Pop fashion and rave cultures.

As such, E-girl outfits are a unique blend of doll-like anime looks mixed with gothic, grunge, vaporwave, and skater styles.

The diversity allows the aesthetic to be interpreted in various ways and adjusted to suit the most distinctive brands of electronic cool.

SHOP THE LOOK

5
Techwear Style

Thanks to unique aesthetics worthy of the high street stores, Japanese techwear brands are now booming on Reddit and social media.

And it makes a lot of sense as Japanese techwear designers are excellent at using innovative materials to create avant-garde aesthetics.

Simply put, the techwear clothes that emerge from the streets of Tokyo, not just now in 2023 but every year, are downright badass.

SHOP THE LOOK

6
Shirts with Traditional Prints

Promoted by Japanese fashion magazines at the end of 2022 and early 2023, printed shirts are still raging, but with a twist.

In the past, Japanese designers adorned shirts with boho-chic florals and traditional elements, such as snakes, dragons, cherry trees, and bamboo sticks.

However, the 2023 Japanese shirts combine Western cultural patterns and traditional elements.

Anything but subtle, the louder, the better – so this is a year of vibrant prints, crazy patterns, and solid statement pieces.

Also, Japanese people don’t shy away from mixing and matching prints or adorning kitschy accessories.

SHOP THE LOOK

7
Plaid on Plaid Grunge Look

Inspired by the preppy style of 90s fashion (and arguably by Lolita fashion), blending plaids in a single outfit is rocking the Asian fashion scene right now.

Known for mixing and matching prints, Japanese street fashion designers prove there’s no such thing as clashing.

Plaid on plaid looks impressive if you complement rather than compete in colors and styles.

Pair with platform shoes for the best street style or visual kei effect.

SHOP THE LOOK

8
Silver and Metallic Outfits

Making its way back from women’s 80s fashion and influenced by the retro-futurist aesthetic, metallic and silver (materials and colors) is a fast-rising Japanese fashion look.

Some of the most popular garments are sexy metallic tops, shimmering pleated skirts, paillettes, cropped pants, and mini skirts.

Pair the look with metallic shoes, shiny clutches, metallic makeup, silvery eyeshadow, and sparkling hair.

The aim is to create a futuristic and powerful look that’s sophisticated and sexy.

SHOP THE LOOK

9
Dalmatian Dots

It’s no secret that Japanese designers draw much inspiration from Great Britain’s history and heritage.

And, as a country that often blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, anything British, even cartoons or movies, matters.

The Dalmatian dots look has taken off after the launch of the movie Cruella, launched this May in the UK with great success.

The movie returns to Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, an animated film launched in 1961.

SHOP THE LOOK

10
Pop and Block Look

Inspired by the androgynous and gender-free movements of 2022, current Japanese fashion is bathing in rainbow hues.

Pair your classic pants or e-girl pencil skirts with shades at the opposite segment of the color wheel.

However, avoid sharp contrasts and pair shades of similar intensity levels.

For example, pink looks amazing with orange, but the same pink combination with light green will not paint a pretty picture.

Material-wise, if each piece does not have a similar textural finesse, the final look may feel a bit unbalanced.

SHOP THE LOOK

11
Camo Queen Look

From the boots to the sleeves…Japanese youth adore camo outfits in dark colors.

Hailed as one of the trendiest styles of the past few years, camo has finally reached Japan’s fashion streets.

Outfits in military-based camo hues showcase concise and flamboyant personalities, ready to stand out from the crowd.

Some of the most wanted camo outfits are in olive shades, dry grass, and black on gothic-like black shades.

SHOP THE LOOK

12
Deconstructed Trenches

Timeless and practical, trench coats are a staple in everybody’s closet, and a vestimentary garment is impossible to go wrong with.

This year, though, Japanese street fashionistas have found ways to reinvent the ever-so-classic trench.

Taken apart, reversed, upside-down, with supersized elements and logos over logos, this year brings the Japanese fashion trend of deconstructed trench coats.

From shredded coats to simple add-ons, necklines and shoulders snipped off, collars, buckles, and flaps multiplied, we’re at the edge of our seats to see how you will wear yours.

SHOP THE LOOK

13
Bubblegum Denim Outfits

Bubblegum is a pink hue with a striking, bright, and vibrant feel.

In this context, it is the note you want to start your day on.

Denim in bubblegum pink must be worn at the extremes: either the soft, crowd-pleasing hue or the statement-making powerful shade.

With Kawaii styles influencing Japanese fashion trends, bubblegum is always a choice of powerful and chic styles.

Moreover, Bubblegum pink is one of those colors that goes well with brown clothes and other neutrals such as dirty whites and shades of beige.

SHOP THE LOOK

14
Comfortable ‘Coatigans’

In the past, a look reserved for school librarians and grandmas, a ‘coatigan’ is a hybrid between a coat and a cardigan.

Described as full-length sweaters, coatigans are made of thick yarn and are heavier than a sweater or a pullover but lighter than the outerwear layers.

To create a cozy and chic look, wear your coatigan over colorful blouses or patterned dresses and a trace of dark lipstick if you’re into the gothic style.

Furthermore, pattern-blocking asymmetrical designs add a sense of modernity to this classic look.

SHOP THE LOOK

15
Graphic Athleisure Look

As a nation that has never let go of athleisure since its inception, Japanese fashion loves joggers, bottoms, track pants, and runners.

Super comfortable, these lightweight pants, traditionally worn during workouts, are repurposed to lend streetwear styles a fresh look.

Some of the most wanted joggers this year to create that ultimate Japanese look are Lululemon’s squat-proof leggings and any signature ‘triple white stripes’ from Adidas.

Another quick and easy way to recreate Tokyo’s graphic athleisure look is to experiment with neon colors, oversized accessories, and ‘flatform’ boots.

SHOP THE LOOK

16
Oversized Trench Coats

While not for everyone, the oversized, over-the-top trench coat look is super cool in Japan right now.

Created for military purposes back in 1912, the appeal of trench coat has lasted through decades of dressing codes.

Versatile, practical, and lightweight, trench coats are transitional fashion heroes, suitable for every situation and season.

Thrown over everything, from trendy jeans to athleisure and slinky evening dresses, over-the-top trench coats have a unique level of functionality that translates to effortlessness.

Overall, the Japanese fashion trends of this year have not changed much in this wardrobe staple.

Still, with storm flaps, buckles, and belts, the key is to go extra large and match it nicely for an undeniably cool look.

SHOP THE LOOK

17
Designer Clogs

In the 13th century, the clog was initially used as a wooden flip-flop in feudal Japan.

A few centuries later, the clog resurfaced in Europe as the 19th-century shoe of Dutch farmers.

Clogs are more popular than ever when climbing down staircases and Harajuku’s streets, edging toward Tokyo’s café tills and moving across gallery floors.

Unfailingly cool, clogs signify a life where one does as one wants and submits to nobody else’s will – corporate uniform and male gaze be damned!

SHOP THE LOOK

18
Monochrome Outfits

In line with the latest clothing trends, Japanese fashion designers and stylists focus on monochrome designs to create visual intrigue.

However, adding bold shades adds a further dimension of color to the design without taking it to a vivid or eccentric side.

Whether textural, layered, or classic color-blocking, monochromatic styles suit everyone and will always be in trend.

According to color experts, the latest Japanese fashion looks feed on nude shades of beige, chocolate, and dirty white, which pair very well with statement jewelry like promise rings.

SHOP THE LOOK

19
Minimalist Streetwear

Minimalism is about stripping back the unnecessary, leaving only the things that provide you value and joy.

In fashion, a minimalist clothing style means having a minimum amount of clashing styles and colors on your outfit.

In some way, minimalism is the antithesis of the modern consumerist narrative, and with a rich hierarchical heritage, the Japanese are best at that.

So much so that some of the best minimalist clothing designers hail from Japan, inspired by Asia’s rich history in social classes and desire to avoid unnecessary waste.

SHOP THE LOOK

20
Camel-Toe Boots

Love or hate them, this season is all about the square-toe boot.

From the classic comfy block-heel ankle boots to a fierce flat-heel thigh-high style – and everything in between – this year’s Japanese fashion looks are all about square-toe boots.

For a timeless and endlessly versatile look, get a pair of black leather square-toe ankle boots.

But, if you’re after a weekend look, get a geometrically-inspired pair of square-toe boots in white patent and a flat heel.

Style them best with straight-cut trousers (denim), free-flowing tops in bold shades, and jackets or coats in animal prints, and amp up your off-duty attire.

SHOP THE LOOK

21
Slouchy Outwear Look

Gone are the days when outerwear garments were created and used only to keep you warm.

Nowadays, we’re stretching the other way with many outerwear clothing brands designing to keep you in style, as is the case of slouchy outerwear in this year’s looks.

Slouchy outerwear is characterized by super oversized coats or jackets, worn through the sleeves to the elbows – and then stopping there.

Worn in a lethargic manner, slouchy outerwear adds depth and rebellious character to your overall look.

SHOP THE LOOK

22
Knitted Cute Headwear

Commonly known as a wool hat or a winter hat (woolly hat for our British readers), this little head accessory is trending in Japan under all sorts of variations.

Designer sock hats, knit hats, poof ball hats, bonnets, sock caps, stocking caps, and ski hats are all accepted as long as they follow the rounded knit style of the season.

The key to pulling off this unconventional hat shape is to keep the rest of your look pared down with relaxed separates.

SHOP THE LOOK

23
Anime Accessories

Over-structured and unique, Harajuku-inspired anime accessories have always been part of Japanese fashion.

Though, the 90s anime aesthetic has the most significant comeback this year.

Remember that there’s no one popular accessory but combinations of accessories from the many facets of the Japanese anime fashion scene.

For maximum effect, complete with dramatic makeup, knee socks, and dyed hair.

We’re talking about the best Japanese anime style here; what else?!

SHOP THE LOOK

24
Hip-Length Cropped Blazers

Of the 29 Japanese looks presented in this article, this Preppy-inspired look is the most Japanese of all.

Resembling Ivy League uniforms cropped blazers in bright colors are flooding the streets of Tokyo this year.

Their resurgence matches the emergence of high-rise pants and hip-length blazers, adding a workwear vibe to your outfit.

Furthermore, the clean straight-cut of a hip-length blazer paired with a high-waist pair of pants creates a stylish look.

SHOP THE LOOK

25
Wide Leg Pants

This season, Japanese outfits are moving away from skin-tight pants and skinny-leg jeans, opting for free-flowing wide-leg fashion bottoms.

And, truth be told, when it comes to wide bottoms, nobody does it better than the Japanese designers.

However, attention is needed here as, if incorrectly matched, the wide-leg pants will showcase a profound lack of style.

Best paired with vintage tees, cropped cardigans, or statement blouses, the wide-leg trend is taking over the Japanese fashion scene.

Another critical rule regarding the Japanese way of wearing wide-leg pants is to balance the outfit.

Ideally, you want to showcase smaller proportions (read slimmer) at the top of your body to balance out the bottom part.

For example, pair your oversized, wide-leg trousers with a fitted top.

SHOP THE LOOK

26
Patent Leather Jackets

Put aside your bombers and fuzzy faux-fur toppers and get to the core of this year’s main repertoire: patent leather jackets.

Patent leather jackets always have a sleek and expensive look that anyone could score, no matter how tight the budget is.

And, above all patent leather jacket styles, the black and bold patent leather trenches are at the top of Japanese fashion scene.

Pair it with vintage accessories, loose socks, and a bleached wolf-cut hairstyle for a cinema celebrity look.

SHOP THE LOOK

27
Full White Outfits

Japan’s fashion influencers scouting the underground scene brought back to life the complete white look.

It is still white on white but with different shades, aiming to create a minimalist layered look.

The best part of this Japanese fashion idea is the number of different pieces and materials you can mix and play with.

From breathable linen to vintage laces and soft and flowy chiffon to flattering denim, white-on-white shades work best with matching handbags, statement headwear, and chunky sneakers.

SHOP THE LOOK

28
Vegan Shearling Jackets

Shearling is the skin of a lamb – tanned, processed, and dyed with the wool still intact.

Shearling lambskin leather (with the wool still attached) is used in luxury coats, jackets, hats, gloves, and more.

This year, we see Japanese fashion stylists tapping into a nostalgic sense of glamour that never goes out of style, as the luxurious shearling jacket brings the punch to your outfits on colder days.

However, most Japanese use faux or vegan leather alternatives and moto-inspired details for an updated take on the shearling jacket.

SHOP THE LOOK

29
Designer Face Masks

Wearing facemasks in Japan has never been a strange thing.

In a country that puts community at its core, wearing a mask is another way of protecting and caring for others.

However, that does not stop the Japanese from turning the humble face mask into a fashion statement and, thus, one of the most famous Japanese fashion looks.

Designer face masks are the most popular choice, thanks to their unique cutouts, logos, and colors, allowing the wearers to match them for a total aesthetic vibe.

SHOP THE LOOK

Conclusion

There you have it: the top 29 Japanese fashion looks, curated by Japan’s best fashion designers, to keep you ahead of the stylistic game.

If anything, these daring stylistic ensembles prove that there’s a formula one has to follow to nail the latest Japanese fashion ideas and looks.

Japan is undoubtedly a leader in unabashed, fashion-forward, innovative, and trend-setting individualistic clothing styles.

And fortunately for us all, Japanese clothing is no longer limited to Japan.

For those of you still exploring and trying to create a personal style, remember that the scene of Japanese clothing brands is something else.

It is fun, exciting, outrageous, and even crazy (at times).

Looking at this year’s fashion moments, there are so many lovely styles for you to explore.

A camo boiler goes well with a bright pink bubblegum vegan handbag. Yes, please!

Without a doubt, powered by distinct Japanese fashion subcultures, new looks will continue to emerge and thrive on the streets of Tokyo.

Japanese Fashion – Take Action!

Are you looking to improve your fashion style and unsure where to start? Are you more into traditional Old Money outfits like Sloane Ranger, Preppy, and BCBG, but Japanese fashion resonate with you, and wonder why?

Contact The VOU’s Style Experts to receive your free and personalized styling advice based on your current way of dressing, preferred outfits, colors, aesthetics, age, gender, body shape, location, and event you seek to attend.

Your dedicated stylist will meticulously select essential garments, footwear, and accessories to craft a wardrobe that not only complements but enhances your personal style.

Embrace this unique opportunity for a transformative fashion experience, all at no cost to you.