How to Dress Harajuku Style?-Guide to Harajuku Outfits
Harajuku style is a whimsical and vibrant subculture that dares to defy the norms in a world of fashion that often leans towards conformity. Originating from the bustling streets of Tokyo's Harajuku district, this fashion trend is a celebration of individuality and self-expression. But how do you dive into this mesmerizing world of fashion and create your own Harajuku outfits? Fear not, this blog will be your fashion compass. We'll explore everything from the iconic clothing pieces and accessories to the makeup and hairstyles that perfectly complement your Harajuku ensembles.
What is Harajuku Culture?
The Harajuku style originated in Japanese fashion. Following World War II, Japan experienced a significant influx of Western influence, including fashion trends. The youth of Japan began to embrace and reinterpret Western styles, merging them with traditional Japanese elements. This period marked the beginning of a unique cultural blend that laid the foundation for the diverse fashion landscape in Harajuku.
The origins of the Harajuku style can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s when young people in Tokyo began experimenting with fashion by blending traditional Japanese clothing, vintage pieces, and elements of Western clothing. This early form of Harajuku style was influenced by various cultural and musical movements, including punk rock, lolita fashion, and street styles. Young people would gather around the Harajuku Station on weekends to showcase their individual and unconventional fashion choices, creating a vibrant and eclectic street fashion scene.
The 1980s and 1990s marked a turning point for Harajuku fashion, as it gained international recognition through media exposure and cultural exchanges. Japanese street fashion magazines and global interest in Japanese pop culture further propelled Harajuku onto the global stage, solidifying its reputation as a hotspot for avant-garde and cutting-edge fashion.
Harajuku culture and fashion stand as a testament to the boundless creativity and diversity of human expression. It is a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of individuality, history, and contemporary influences, providing a platform for young individuals to boldly embrace who they are and share it with the world.
How to Find Your Harajuku Inspiration?
Harajuku fashion celebrates diversity by encouraging the fusion of different styles, colors, and aesthetics. Finding inspiration introduces you to a broad spectrum of fashion subcultures, enabling you to blend and experiment with elements that resonate with you from various sources.
Sources of Inspiration
By exploring different sources of inspiration, you can expand your fashion horizons and come up with innovative combinations that you might not have thought of otherwise. There are several ways to find your style.
Social Media Platforms: In the digital age, social media is a treasure trove of fashion inspiration. Follow Harajuku influencers, designers, and enthusiasts on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. Engage with their posts, save your favorite looks, and observe how they mix and match various elements.
Fashion Magazines: Traditional print media still holds its charm. Browse through Japanese fashion magazines like "FRUiTS" and "KERA" to get a firsthand look at Harajuku street style. These magazines offer a glimpse into the evolving trends and the ways people play with different styles.
Street Photography: Take a stroll through the streets of Harajuku, both in person and virtually. Street photography captures real-life fashion moments, showcasing how individuals blend classic and avant-garde pieces to create astonishing outfits. Online platforms like Flickr and Tumblr often feature Harajuku street fashion photos.
Crafting Your Unique Harajuku Look
Mixing Styles: Harajuku fashion thrives on mixing clashing colors and styles. Combine elements from different fashion subcultures – pair a classic Lolita skirt with a fairy kei shirt or blend punk elements with futuristic metallics. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what resonates with your senses.
Color Play: Pastel colors are a hallmark of Harajuku fashion. Experiment with colorful patterns, pastel hair extensions, and cute socks to create eye-catching contrasts that reflect your personality and mood.
DIY and Customization: Embrace your inner designer by customizing your clothes and accessories. Add patches, pins, embroidery, and fabric paint to give your garments a personalized touch.
How to Build a Harajuku Wardrobe?
Building a Harajuku wardrobe goes beyond just selecting clothing items; it's about embracing a unique and creative approach to fashion that reflects your individuality and own style. By curating a wardrobe that incorporates various styles, colors, and elements, you can showcase your personality and own clothes in a visually striking way.
T-shirts
Harajuku-style t-shirts are far from ordinary. They are the canvas for bold and imaginative designs that capture attention and convey personality. These t-shirts often feature vibrant graphics inspired by cartoon character motifs, manga art, and pop culture icons. Kawaii (cute) animals, surreal imagery, and whimsical slogans are frequently incorporated. The color palette is a playground of possibilities, including neon shades, vivid colors, and even metallic accents. Harajuku t-shirts celebrate individuality, and wearing one is like displaying a piece of wearable art that sparks conversations and makes a unique statement.
Shirts
In a Harajuku wardrobe, shirts take on a playful twist. Button-up shirts might sport unconventional patterns like oversized polka dots, asymmetrical stripes, or floral prints. These shirts might be layered over graphic tees or worn open with a contrasting top underneath. Tying a shirt around the waist lends a more punk rock look. Layer clothes and mixing different patterns are a hallmark of the Harajuku style, so shirts are often chosen with this in mind.
Hoodies
Harajuku girls always love hoodies! They are characterized by their daring color palettes, intricate graphics, and a playful juxtaposition of diverse patterns. The designs often draw inspiration from anime, manga, pop culture icons, and avant-garde art, resulting in a harmonious collision of traditional and contemporary influences. Whether adorned with oversized animal ears, glittering sequins, or intricate embroidery, these garments radiate an aura of youthful exuberance and boundless imagination.
Coats
Coats are a fantastic canvas for expressing Harajuku fashion. You'll find coats in a wide range of styles, like visual kei style, decora style, or sweet lolita style. These coats often have unconventional silhouettes, like oversized or asymmetrical designs. The goal is to create a visually striking outer layer that instantly catches attention and reflects your distinctive style.
Dresses
Harajuku dresses are all about pushing the boundaries of mainstream fashion designs. They can be short and playful or long and ethereal, featuring unique shapes and silhouettes. The dresses come in colorful designs such as ruffled dresses in Lolita style, polo collar dresses in street style, or gyaru dresses in Valley girl style. Layering dresses over other clothing items, like pants or t-shirts, is also a common technique to add depth and complexity to your outfit.
Skirts
Skirts in a Harajuku wardrobe often stand out with their creative designs, even in the school uniform. You'll find skirts in varying lengths and styles, from mini to midi, and from pleated to ruffled. The patterns range from geometric shapes to intricate lace and everything in between. Mixing and matching different textures, colors, and patterns is encouraged to create a visually captivating ensemble.
Pants
When it comes to pants in the Harajuku fashion style, experimentation is key. Wide-legged pants with bold patterns, cargo pants with added embellishments, and cropped pants with unconventional cuts are all part of the mix. These pants often embrace asymmetry, layering, and unexpected combinations of textures to create a visually dynamic lower half that complements the rest of your outfit.
Accessorizing the Harajuku Way
Harajuku fashion is renowned for its vibrant, eclectic, and often unconventional style, which extends beyond just clothing to the realm of accessories. Accessories play a crucial role in Harajuku fashion, they are the finishing touches that elevate an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary. From colorful ribbons to quirky masks and avant-garde props, Harajuku fashionistas embrace accessories as powerful tools for self-expression and storytelling.
Gloves
Harajuku fashion often incorporates gloves as statement pieces. Choose gloves with unconventional materials, patterns, and colors to make a statement. Consider fingerless gloves, lace gloves, neon gloves, or gloves adorned with studs, spikes, and other embellishments. You can also experiment with mismatched gloves or wear gloves on just one hand for an asymmetrical look.
Hair Accessories
Hair accessories play a crucial role in Harajuku fashion, as they can add a playful and whimsical touch to your look. Some popular options include oversized bows, quirky headbands, colorful scrunchies, dramatic hair clips with unique shapes or characters, and even hair extensions in vibrant colors. Don't hesitate to mix different kawaii-style accessories for a maximalist effect.
Bags
Harajuku fashion enthusiasts often carry bags that complement their overall outfit. Opt for bags with bold patterns, eye-catching prints, and unconventional shapes. Backpacks with cartoon characters, animal shapes, or holographic materials are popular choices. Crossbody bags, tote bags, and messenger bags with unique designs can also add to the eclectic Harajuku style.
Socks
Socks are another essential accessory in Harajuku fashion. They provide an opportunity to add a pop of color, pattern, or texture to your outfit. Over-the-knee socks, thigh-high socks, and knee-high socks in bright colors or with quirky prints can be paired with skirts, dresses, or shorts. Additionally, consider wearing mismatched socks or layering multiple pairs for a playful look.
Layering accessories is a hallmark of Harajuku fashion, enabling wearers to create visually captivating ensembles. Start by selecting a central accessory that serves as the focal point of your outfit. This could be a neon necklace, a big neon hat, or decorated hair clips. Combine contrasting textures, colors, and shapes to add depth and visual interest. Pair delicate accessories with bold ones, and mix and match materials like leather, metal, and fabric. Experiment with accessories of varying sizes to create a balanced look. For example, pair an oversized bow with delicate earrings or a chunky bracelet with dainty rings.
Hair and Makeup: Bringing It All Together
In the Harajuku world, your hair and makeup choices are just as important as your clothing and accessories. Let's delve into how you can experiment with extreme hairstyles, wigs, hair colors, and makeup to create a truly captivating Harajuku look.
Unique Hairstyles, Wigs, and Hair Colors
Harajuku fashion is all about defying norms and embracing individuality. Experiment with a wide range of hairstyles, from asymmetrical cuts to platinum hair and buns. Adding unconventional elements like spikes, and bows, or even incorporating colorful extensions can add an extra layer of uniqueness to your look.
Wigs are a staple in Harajuku fashion, offering an opportunity to transform your appearance without permanent changes. Opt for wigs in bold and bright colors like neon pink, electric blue, or pastel lavender. Choose wigs with unique textures, such as curly or straight, to match the theme of your outfit.
Harajuku fashionistas often embrace hair colors that are far from traditional. Think of shades like mint green, bubblegum pink, or lavender. Hair colors become an extension of your overall artistic expression and can complement the color palette of your outfit and accessories.
Playful and Artistic Makeup Styles
Harajuku makeup often involves vibrant eye makeup that draws attention. Experiment with colorful eyeshadows, extremely thick lashes, and even rhinestones or glitter to create a playful and eye-catching look.
Consider shaping your eyebrows in unconventional ways that align with your overall style. This might mean drawing them in a bold shape or using colored eyebrow products to match your hair or outfit.
Don't shy away from bold lip colors, whether it's deep purple, neon orange, or pink lips. A vibrant lip color can instantly elevate your makeup look and tie in with your outfit's color scheme.
Adding faux freckles or artistic designs on your cheeks, temples, or forehead can give you a whimsical and creative appearance. This is an opportunity to infuse your look with a touch of fantasy.
Where to Buy?
Finding the perfect pieces for your Harajuku fashion ensemble, including accessories, cute clothing, wigs, and makeup, can be an exciting adventure. Whether you prefer shopping in person at a bazaar or exploring online stores, there are plenty of options available to cater to your unique style.
Bazaar
Bazaars, flea markets, and local fashion markets can be excellent places to discover one-of-a-kind pieces that align with the Harajuku aesthetic. These markets often feature a mix of vintage, handmade, and unique items that may not be available elsewhere. Keep an eye out for events in your local area that might showcase Harajuku-style items.
Look for upcoming fashion markets or bazaars in your city or nearby areas. Social media platforms can help you find information about these events. Take your time to explore all the stalls. You never know where you might find that perfect accessory or clothing item that complements your Harajuku look.
Online Stores
Online shopping provides a vast array of options, allowing you to explore different stores from the comfort of your home. Look for online stores that specialize in Harajuku fashion and accessories. These stores are more likely to curate items that align with the style you're looking for. Pay attention to shipping costs, delivery times, and the store's return policy before making a purchase. Make sure to check the sizing charts provided by the online store, as sizes can vary across different brands and regions.
Kawaii Fashion offers an extensive range of Kawaii clothing and accessories that radiate charm and individuality. From pastel-colored dresses to whimsical accessories, our selection is designed to bring a touch of magic to your everyday style. Not only do we offer a diverse and trendy range of products, but we also provide the convenience of free worldwide shipping, making it easier than ever for Harajuku fashion enthusiasts around the globe to indulge in their fashion fantasies. Our customer-centric approach extends to our refund policy, ensuring your shopping experience is delightful. Don't hesitate! Please sign in and visit our store to build your Harajuku outfit!
Harajuku style is a celebration of individuality, creativity, and breaking free from the constraints of conventional fashion norms. It's a canvas where you can paint your personality, passions, and even fantasies. As you step out in your Harajuku-inspired outfit, keep in mind that confidence is your best accessory. Embrace the unexpected, experiment with colors, patterns, and textures, and don't be afraid to stand out. Whether you're layering accessories, mixing patterns, or playing with unique hairstyles and makeup, let your ensemble tell a story that's uniquely yours.
Remember, Harajuku fashion is not about adhering to rules, but about exploring your imagination. It's about taking inspiration from different subcultures, embracing the quirky, and expressing yourself boldly. So, go ahead, dress up, and turn the streets into your very own fashion runway!