Don’t miss the hottest trends from Japan’s fashion scene, from must-have items to go-to colors!

What’s New in the Japanese Fashion Scene

Japanese fashion sometimes seems to have a mind of its own, veering from the wild styles of high fashion designers like Issey Miyake to the lace and frills of Tokyo's oldschool street fashion. But even just a look at the everyday styles, found on the streets of Japan's biggest cities and in little towns in the countryside, will reveal a country with its own trends and tendencies. Japan's fashion isn't just elegant kimonos anymore! Here are just a few of the directions that Japanese fashion is headed in during the first half of 2023.

Trend 1: Florals, Purple, and Paisley

It's hard not to be inspired by the blooming flowers and natural beauty of springtime, and since Japan is especially prone to seasonal trends focused on the natural world (see: flower-viewing traditions going back a thousand years), it should come as no surprise that this year, spring fashions are covered in bold floral prints and purple shades as vibrant as the soon-to-bloom wisteria flower. (Plus, with '90s and early 2000s nostalgia still wildly popular, there's no escaping the spring-and-summer look of paisley patterns!) Embrace the springtime feeling by adding a little of the season's themes to your own wardrobe.

Get the Look:
・For a little purple and a little paisly, get yourself this baggy shirt from Sophnet.
・Get Ron Herman's fresh, sophisticated look with this flower cut jacquard jacket, or this lightweight floral shirt.
・Combine the sheer fabric trend with these seasonal colors, with a purple organza shirt, or this unisex floral option from United Arrows. (They've got a simple men's paisley shirt, too!)
・For a frillier look, try this pink and green floral top, or play around with the voluminous sleeves of this purple shirt found at Usagi Online.
・Try the color scheme in your most casual looks with this unique iris print top from .St, or get cozy with this purple sweat top and a purple fleece.

Trend 2: Mesh, Lace, & Sheer Fabrics

We can all appreciate a good see-through moment, and although Japan's tendency towards modest fashions (especially when it comes to shoulders and cleavage) means that their use of sheer fabric is often combined with something a little less revealing, this spring is all about those fabrics that show just a little bit of skin. Loose-fitted tops of lace or mesh are being paired with bare-bones tank tops for a breezy layered look, using embroidery, subtle patterns, or lettuce edge hems for a little extra visual interest.

Get the Look:
・Try this extra-thin linen cardigan from Ron Herman, or throw their crocheted lace top over anything to add a little extra to an outfit.
・Grab a unisex netting shirt from .St for a rough, industrial look, or for something more feminine, try a sheer turtle neck like this green patterned one, embroidered black one, newspaper print one, or simple pink one.
・Pair this sheer tent dress with bird embroidery from Graniph with a simple slip for an easy, breezy spring or summer outfit.
・Go with something simple but on-trend, using this sheer gardigan or a mesh tank top from Beams.
・Lean into the frills with this lace top, this silky sheer bow blouse, or a vibrant lace dress available from Usagi Online.

Trend 3: Cargo Pants

Spring can't be all about lace and flowers and warm spring breezes, and neither are this spring's trends. So if you're looking for something to balance out all your pretty purple tops, this is it – try a pair of cargo pants! Whether khaki, grey, army green, or any other color in the rainbow, cargo pants are back in fashion, complete with all their glorious pockets and extreme practicality. Try on a pair this season, and before you know it, you'll be wondering where you used to store all your daily necessities if not in your bulging pockets.

Get the Look:
・Try one of 53 different cargo pant options at YZ, available in a wide variety of colors and fabrics.
・For the best of the basics, grab a pair from Beams.
・Looking for something that will not only give you enormous pockets, but also keep you comfortable while hiking through the great outdoors? Try these stylish options from And Wander.
・Cargo pants fans unite! You can complete the whole look with this khaki nylon shirt from Sophnet, a super-practical military-style jacket from YZ, or even this extremely elegant sleeveless blouse from Anuans in the color "natural."

Now that you're all dressed up in sheer florals and practical cargo pants, it's time to get out there and show off your Japanese style! To do that in Japan, try a "hanami" outing to see the sakura, try on those new breezy tops in the warm weather of Okinawa, or plan yourself a Tokyo shopping trip to really fill out that wardrobe. With an on-trend outfit and an eye for style, Japan is your oyster!