Matt Fargo (56 page)

fasshon

If you take anything home with you from Japan, don’t let it be some crappy oriental bric-a-brac like paper lanterns or teacups. Don’t try to subtly show off your worldliness to your friends with crappy lacquered chopsticks. Take home clothes, man. Tokyo is full of rare vintage garments, shoes you won’t find in America for another decade and denim that makes Diesel look like Faded Glory.

< I WANT TO DRESS
…

no fukusō ga shitai

 

Visual
bijuaru kei

“Visual” fashion is based on eighties hair-band fashion. You may notice that a lot of Japanese rock bands still dress like eighties hair-bands—this is where “Visual” fashion comes from.

 

Abercrombie
abakuro kei

“Abercrombie” fashion is just what you’d think. In Japan, an Abercrombie shirt is kind of secret code that you’re gay.

 

Mod
mōdo kei

“Mod” fashion is pretty much the same everywhere.

 

Vintage
furugi

“Vintage” fashion is an integral part of the Japanese wardrobe.

 

B
bīkei

“B” stands for “black,” as in “That Japanese dude in the Fubu shoes must think he’s black.”

Gyaru
gyaru kei

“Gyaru” fashion is a uniquely Japanese phenomenon. Shocking blond hair, heavy fake tans, white eye makeup, fluorescent colors and miniskirts of breath-taking scantiness.

 

Conservative
konsaba kei

“Conservative” fashion stresses basic elegance, avoiding gaudy or trendy clothes. Young businesswomen in Tokyo have this down—clean-cut but sexy.

 

Young Lady
onē kei

“Young Lady” fashion stems from “Gyaru” fashion. The blond hair, tans, and miniskirts are still there, to some extent, but the color schemes have mellowed into earth
tones, and the accessories are brand name. Think of it as “Gyaru” meets “Conservative.”

 

Military
miritarī kei

“Military” fashion may sound like an oxymoron, but camo jackets and green/gray color schemes make for some stylish outfits.