The world of fashion is always evolving, and styles come and go like the seasons, but some seem made to stay, and one of those is the international phenomenon called streetwear. Very few styles have made as massive an impact as streetwear has, and you can bet it’s big in Japan, where it has mutated and morphed into something that suits that unique island nation’s vibrant culture. Born from a blend of various cultural influences, this outwardly humble-looking, but fiercely avant-garde fashion is dedicated to a sense of individuality, and Japanese streetwear proudly stands as a worldwide fashion sensation.

Born under Tokyo’s neon glow the streetwear of Japan can now be seen worn by sashaying supermodels on the runways of Paris, this street-smart fashion subculture has, perhaps unexpectedly, made a place for itself in the global fashion industry. You can see its influences all around the world in brands like PE Nation that have embraced streetwear and made it their own. Let’s take a deeper dive now into this iconic “Harajuku style”.

The streetwear of Japan is often called “Harajuku style,” after Tokyo’s glittering entertainment district and is a cocktail of Japanese traditional elements and more contemporary looks imported from the USA, combining to form something uniquely all its own. Harajuku style is all about self-expression, and its youthful creators constantly experiment with new looks that are always edgy and love to thumb their nose at the square fashion norms of the nation’s adult population.

Japanese streetwear takes what it wants and leaves the rest, drawing from an incredibly diverse array of style elements that mixes in the vintage fashion of other eras like the 70’s and 80’s, professional sportswear, haute fashion, and hip-hop influences. Japanese streetwear is oversized, favours bold colours, loves layered outfits, and always features small details that mean so much to those who wear it. No two outfits are quite the same, but they all share the ethos of individuality that made the look so stylish.

Despite that floppy casual look, Japanese streetwear places a strong emphasis on high quality craftsmanship and utilizes only the best materials, all put together with meticulous attention to detail. These are clothes built to last, and the designers and manufacturers take great pride in producing only the best, which is another example of one of Japan’s greatest cultural standards, a fierce dedication to high quality.

There are four basic types of Japanese streetwear that share some characteristics yet can stand as their own unique thing. 

Casual Streetwear –  Laid-back and comfortable jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, sneakers, and caps influenced by urban culture and meant for taking it easy and hanging out.

Luxury Streetwear – High-end fashion and street culture combine into a fusion that draws from both. Made from only the finest materials, it features exclusive designs made by collaborations with famous designers and luxury brands. High fashion and streetwear are melded together to create wearable works of art that collectors pay major money for.

Sports Streetwear – Athletic wear has long been an influence on streetwear, combining sporting functionality with subtle styling, and features brand logos from popular sports teams along with famed athletic brands. Track pants, jerseys, sneakers, and of course, ball caps form a dynamic fashion ready for action.

Retro Streetwear – Hearkening back to the august trends of previous decades, this look relies on nostalgia and has a distinctively vintage feel. The 70s, 80s and 90s provide the main inspirations, with eye-catching patterns, vivid colours, oversized silhouettes, and iconic logos of yesteryear. The old days become the new ways, and never looked better!

From the narrow back streets of Harajuku to Paris and New York’s most elegant fashion runways, Japanese streetwear has made its mark!