~Harajuku, Japan~

"Fashion is not just a statement in Japan...It's a way of life"

Harajuku is known internationally as a center of Japanese youth culture and fashion. It is the home to many different types of Japanese Street Fashion. These styles include but not limited to Cosplay,Lolita, Punk, Gyaru, Ganguro, Yamanba/Manba,and Visual Kei. This square mile area is jam-packed with boutiques, fashion malls and chains. Every single day of the year, tens of thousands of people come here to shop, hang out, and see what the latest trends are. 

Example of a Harajuku boutique

Today, the Harajuku area is not just the center for fashion-forward Japanese youth. It’s also one of the world’s fashion centers. In Omotesando, one of the main streets, have recently been gaining many name brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Prada; where they have been  setting up shop. The district's other main section, Takeshita Street is the focal point for gatherings of Japanese youth dressed in the many different styles of Harajuku culture. The blend of different trends influence one another and allow new ones to be formed.  Harajuku fashion is about fun. It is fashion in its purest form.

Harajuku Youth Gathering

Bold Punk Style

Decora Style

~Lolita~

-The Dolly Attire-

Lolita is a subculture of fashion that originated from Japan. This street fashion is inspired primarily by the clothing and general aesthetics of the Rococo and Victorian periods. It conveys a very modest, dolly like appearance. A Lolita outfit is composed of basic key elements. These can be broken down into: headdress, blouse, bell-shaped skirt, undergarment, legs, and footwear. Skirts display a big and bold print that usually features designs with a specific theme. Accessorizes include cute purses, lace parasol, and miscellaneous bracelets. These are used depending on how the entire outfit is coordinated. Wigs are also commonly worn.

The fashion sometimes also takes influences from current fashion trends. The fashion covers a large variety of sub-styles such as Gothic Lolita, Sweet Lolita, and even Casual Lolita. Whatever, the style it is important for it to have that overall "kawaii" or cute factor. There are many different fashion brand names and can be  found even in department stores in Japan. Today, Lolita fashion has gained global popularity and has expanded greatly beyond Japan such as Western society like the United States.

Sweet Lolita and Gothic Lolita

Lolita Fashion boutique in Tokyo

Close-up of skirt print

~Pastel Goth~

Creepy? Cute?

Yes, these are the two elements you need for this fashion style. Well, for starters what exactly is Pastel Goth? It's exactly what you'd think; Goth style (black) with a splash of pastel color thrown in it. There's not much to it. Pastel Goth is mostly know as a sub-trend, and has become most popular through sites such as Tumblr. It can also sometimes be referred to as "soft grunge" style, but with more of the Gothic aspects. 

Common hair accessory

Pastel colored hair not required,
but is preferred

To become Pastel Goth you must primarily have the
 black clothes of course. Then you just add in pastel colors like lavender, pink, baby blue, etc. These colors can be added with bold prints or even just the hair color. The accessories are also an important layer to the style. Most of these accessories usually involve things like bows with eyeballs, spiked garter belts, and flower crowns. Other favored themes are bats, crosses, and bones. Its important that this style uses all of these creepy elements, but still remain cute at the same time.