Checking out some of the underground street styles in Japan might lead one to believe they’ve entered a strange, fantasy world where cute things rule with a fluffy fist and Rainbow Bright is considered a fashion icon. Teenagers and young people wearing toys, dolls, intensely bright striped clothes, and little girl’s pinafores can be utterly shocking when compared to the West’s more sober emo, punk, and goth.
Most people who are familiar to anime and j-culture have probably heard of Visual Kei (it seems to becoming a fashion statement as well as a form of music) and Gothic Lolita but what about Decora, Wamano, and Fruits?
Visual Kei
If you’re not familiar with visual kei, check out this nifty site. Visual kei seems to be a glammed up version of American style goth with a healthy dose of Brian Froud-esque influence. It was originally a style for the Japanese bands that invented it, but it seems to be gaining popularity as a style in its own right.
Decora
Decora comes from the English word decoration and it fits the definition beautifully:
“…decoras wear mostly simple clothes and endeavor to appear as kawaii as possible by decorating themselves excessively with accessories used with clothing that is bright, fuzzy, and innocent. Shoes are often over sized and shirts are almost always too tight. Females try to look as young as possible by wearing babydoll dresses, Mary Jane shoes, bows, ribbons, and colorful stockings. Their hair is usually dyed pink, blonde, or auburn and worn in pigtails or curled excessively.†taken from “decora†in the Urban Dictionary.
Wamano
Wamano is an “East meets West†style made popular by Japanese fashion designer Takuya Sawada’s clothing line Takuya Angel. It combines the patterns and colors popular in kimonos and other traditional garments and puts a new spin on them.
Friuts
Fruits is a word used to describe Japanese street fashion and trends. It comes from the magazine FRUiTS which is essentially a photo log of street fashion in downtown Tokyo. Fruits is all about individual style and expression. It’s an eclectic mix of whatever you like, whatever works and whatever you’re feeling.
If you were hanging out in Harajuku on the weekend, which style would you sport? Would you try for the cuteness of Sweet Lolita and Decora? Would be styling in a revamped kimono as a fan of wamano? Or would you rock out in your version of visual kei?
Japanese are the Wild West of Fashion. Insanity. Most of the world is in tshirts and jeans.
I think Rachel would be Fruits and Dave would be Visual Kei! Am I right?
Yeah, -zingor, you’re probably right about Dave being visual kei and I would probably mix it up with the fruits style. I’m thinking though that I’d also have some fun with different types of lolita wear.
Being in Harajuku on a Saturday is like giving someone permission to go nuts fashion-wise.I agree with -tj han that the Japanese are the Wild West of the fashion world. I think that’s a good thing because of the opportunities it affords young people to express their individuality.
Wow – the latest “Anime AICN” article on Ain’t It Cool News features a blurb on the “Which J-Fashion Are You?” poll!
I think the japanese hav the best styles anywhere. They have such thrifty and unique styles where here in Noth America and ect it’s rathe rplain.
more creativity to all i say 
@Cammy, yes the styles are definitely more robust in Japan. Unfortunately, most of these young folks will outgrow this creativity. It’s the same here, to a degree and it’s a shame to hide one’s imagination and self-expression in order to survive in society.
I am a decora and lolita girl, I switch back and borth constanly because they’re always a todds with each other, LOL. I dress like this EVERYDAY that I go out, and it can get tough comming up with original ideas. I have a couple of pics of decora outfits that I’ve worn on my Gaia account Yami Shizuka Mana, if u bcome my friend, u can se them. To those of you that are thinking about becomming decora or lolita(I do sweet, gothic, aristoract, boy,and punk)- GO FOR IT!!!! People will think you have NO fashion taste, but IGNORE them!!! There are sme who will later on realize that you aren’t afraid of being different and will look up to you, get some friends involved and spreed the word!!! ^.^
@Isaki Tahashi, a decora gal? Pleased to meet you! Decora is a great fashion to shop for at the local thrift stores. It sounds like so much fun and I love bright, bright colors. My friends think I have zero taste, but like you say “IGNORE them!!!” Tis a good message to send: Be yourself and be a trailblazer!
Visual Kei for me !!!!!
ayy bu grup çok tatl? ve çok ?eker an? japon efsanelerindeki japon deniz k?zlar?na benzemi?ler
:D:D ama çok güzel bir grup
I really love lolita and decora styles myself. Lolita is really cute and pretty. My best friend is a loli and she rocks her lolita dresses well. She usually dresses as a sweet lolita. Decora is flashy, colorful and fun. I’m a sucker for kawaii looking characters. Longtime Hello Kitty fan here. :3
I want to dress decora for Otakon this August…let’s see if I can pull it off. ^^
There are a lot of styles missing from this list. Like Gyaru-Kei for example. You can’t talk about Japanese fashion, when you don’t include them all.
@Sarah, there are a lot of other fashions, yes, but these are more recognized than others. And, yes, I can talk about Japanese fashion and exclude some of the lesser known sub-fashions.
VISUAL KEI !!!!!!!!!:)
KID 17 *
Ah, Visual Kei(My hair is bleached with neon green and hot pink right now) and Lolita fashion are my strong points…But I try everything. As others have said, it is hard for other people to understand/appreciate the Japnese fashion front, while living in America. So, yes I am more at home back in Harajuku. But always remember to sport whatever fashion fits you or that you are interested in, no matter what other people think of you!:D
visual kei hai >>>>>
I yudi from Indonesia, INTI would ask you what music game?
or how do you play music up to now?
(Techniques your game)