fashion | One Map by FROM JAPAN

What is Lolita Fashion? A Guide for Beginners

Lolita Fashion is a popular subculture as well as a type of street fashion in Japan. For the past 10 years, it has gradually gained popularity across the globe. This look is based around a youthful doll-like appearance. There is a high emphasis on being ‘cute’ while maintaining an elegant aura. The look takes inspiration from Victorian and Rococo styles but as incorporated into today’s street fashion. Some girls like to go a step farther than mere fashion, participating in a whole range of Lolita Activities such as “high tea” with other Lolita friends. They look like princesses in the modern world!

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Popular Japanese Fashion Magazines for Men & Women

Japan, which is nothing if not innovative when it comes to fashion, has a huge number of different fashion magazines that cater to a wide range of discerning fashionistas. There are many different subcultures each with their own unique style, all of which also have magazines that are specifically tailored to them. A lot of magazines are printed on quality paper, and some will even include a special item inside just for their readers along with each issue. Here is a list of some magazines to get you started on your own Japanese fashion journey.

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Shibuya 109 Shop Showcase: Top 10 Popular Fashion Brands

Shibuya 109 (called “Ichi Maru Kyu in Japanese) is one of the most iconic fashion destinations for young women in Japan. The high-rise building and large 109 sign have become a familiar part of the Tokyo landscape along with the famous Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko statue.

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Japanese School Uniform Obsessed? What to Wear, Where to Buy

Along with the kimono, one of the most recognized outfits from Japan is the standard Japanese school uniform. Thanks to anime and manga, the traditional sailor styled uniform is synonymous with Japan and something that even people outside Japan want to wear themselves, either for cosplay or as a fashion-forward statement. Whether cosplayer or not, options are flourishing especially for women who want to buy a Japanese school girl outfit. The Internet has made it possible for anybody to indulge in their cute Japanese fashion obsession.

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Japanese Clothing and Shoe Sizing Guide: Important for Online shopping

If coming from Western countries, Japanese clothing sizes can be perplexing. While a girl may usually wear a size small in the U.S. (a size 4/UK size 8), in Japan they wear a large! And “one-size” (as in one-size-fits-all) almost never fits a Western girl, unless it’s a hat of course! While this can be a blow to the ego, at the end of the day it’s not the number on the tag that matters, but how you look and feel while wearing the clothes.

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Women’s Sizing
Men’s Sizing
Children’s Sizing

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All about Kimono and Yukata: The Differences, How To Wear & Buy

Kimono and yukata are traditional Japanese garments that have charmed people around the world with their beauty, style, and traditional aesthetic. They are full-length T-shaped robes that have long sleeves and are secured in place with a decorative belt. There are many specific rules for when and how to wear kimono and yukata, known as kitsuke. The rules for kimono are much stricter as they are considered formalwear, while rules for wearing yukata are more relaxed. (more…)