Diversity in Fashion

Japan generally gets the reputation of being dull and drab, full of businessmen clothed in conservative attire, a sea of black, grey, and brown. While even modern guidebooks will often give readers the same stereotypical impression, the truth is not so simple. Of course, it is true that the majority of the businessmen are dressed that simply, and their underlings, the lowly shopkeepers and the like, are often trapped in uniforms. Uniforms are another common image of Japan, with it's prominent school uniforms, the most famous (or infamous) being the classic sailor style.

The truth of the matter is, even Japan lets it's proverbial hair down from time to time. Whereas guidebooks may tell you that people in Japan do not wear shorts, I have personally seen quite a number of Japanese people doing just that! Granted, they may not be quite as pervasive as they are in the West, but considering the excessive heat and humidity of the Japanese summer, it is common sense that some people would want a little air flow. Actually, you begin to ask yourself how the more conservative even survive the heat in slacks and long sleeves.

I think there may be no greater example of fashion diversity in the world that rivals that of the Japanese youth. Stuck in school uniforms all week, they have a tendency to go the furthest in turning against the norms. The little critter pictured above (a prairie dog, if you were wondering) I encountered at Himeji Castle, and serves as a perfect example, I think! Walking around a fashionable district like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Harajuku in Tokyo, or Shinsaibashi and Nanba in Osaka, especially on a weekend, you can take in more different styles than you ever knew existed. The spread of styles among guys is generally wider than it is in the USA, but the gals are the ones who really go all out. Unusual hair colors? Check. Short shorts and massive hair extensions? It's there. Tan-in-a-bottle with brightly colored makeup? Go for it. Victorian dresses covered in ribbons and lace? Yes, even that. Unfortunately I do not have any pictures uploaded, but for a sampling of a few of the looks, check here, here, and here.

And that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Before I finish, I thought I would leave you with one more picture to hammer home the idea of my previous post.