The pulse of Fall
TOKYO — There’s a familiar chill in the air nowadays. The intensely humid Japanese summer, described as mushi atsui in Japanese, is now gone. Although the weather is just getting comfortable, some people are already donning full fall gear.
With climate change, seasons may arrive late and the weather may be fickle but neither applies to stylish Japanese.
Fall’s runway trends are now worn on the street, as dictated by global fashion houses and local designers alike.
Buyers from select shops like Beams and United Arrows as well as department stores like Isetan and Matsuya have made their choice on which trends the Japanese will prefer this season.
An informal glimpse at store windows and streets, along with recalling the shows from the previous fashion week, gives us an insight to the specific looks resonating in this market.
Classic Cuts
Japanese are often pigeonholed as having a crazy and flamboyant sense of style, but in reality, the classic court holds its ground here too. Lots of working women — office ladies or otherwise — that favor tried and tested looks. Thanks largely to the recession, clean and crisp “forever pieces” have made its way back in the limelight.
Shoulder And Sleeve
We all know the strong shoulder or at least a statement sleeve is the easiest way to update your wardrobe this season. Blazers, dresses and tops keep it simple elsewhere, and amplify the shoulder area. Loyal Isetan shoppers are sure adopters of this look.
Biker Accents
Zippers, leathers, shrunken tops and of course black are certainly in the fashion equation this season. Proponents such as Balmain and Alexander Wang definitely have their fans in Japan — a place that adores tough chic as it does the cute.
Soft Waves
Both volume and texture are achieved by draping — one of the highlights this fall. Soft drapes add instant drama and femininity while also giving a visible oomph to other tailored fall clothes.
Prints In Sync
Optical prints placed against other prints to create a picture of fuzzy lines and zigzags. It may sound complicated but looks surprisingly well put together. An instant favorite among the mix-and-match and layering-loving Japanese.
