These girls remind me so much of the spirit of the 90s. There was no instagram, or even myspace.
No one gave a shit what they looked like or how they would turn out in photos.
We would dress for fun in the strangest ways we could. Jokes were innocently off-color and the 40 ouncers were cheap.
Oh yes, I wore my share of flannel shirts around my waist, choker necklaces (hot!), chain and stud belts, cat-eyed glasses, white sneakers, furry shoes, chunky heels (my mainstay) and combat boots (my other mainstay). I had a boyfriend in a grunge-punk band and we would have concerts in an old warehouse.
My favorite 90s fashion trends were the biggest boots I could afford as a broke teenager (second hand from the army surplus store) paired with second hand dress-slips and ripped fishnets, or huge flare pants, with a tiny spaghetti strap tank ala Gwen Stefani during the No Doubt era. Complete with the bindis between the eyes. Add many butterfly and tiny hair clips scrunchies and stuff for hair. Bright red, dark brown or black even lipstick was mad cute. Dark eyes a la Shirley Manson.
Glitter. Lots of glitter.
And my mini backpack held a surprising amount of stuff. I’ve seen some of these trends come back, along with others I didn’t like so much (Fanny packs? Seriously? Word.)
But I have a few fashion faves to add, which I love. Here are some fresh ideas for you to rock:
Hello, Courtney Love. Satin, lace camisoles and frill slips were a favorite of mine. There was something fun about wearing underwear as outerwear as an every day look, something subversive and hella cool... but really they could be worn with anything, especially oversize ripped jeans and layered under a flannel for a hot, grunge look which was the bomb.
One of the best things to wear with your little skimpy pajama top is a crazy big pair of pants. Get them to flare wide enough to cover the tops of your chunky platforms. Wear some men’s jeans a few sizes too big, and preferably ones with rips in the knees.
Also, you had to earn your ripped pants. None of this buying them pre-ripped.
Also pick out some plaid pants that fit the knee and flare out at the bottom. You could wear any of these under a dress. So fly.
Need a cute, sassy and easy updo? Make two (or six) pony-tails and wrap them around to make sloppy mini buns that resemble cute animal ears. For real. Add some butterfly clips or a couple sparkly scrunchies and you’re totally bangin’.
Think Empire Records. This 90s fashion trend can be pleated, plaid or solid colors, but they must go above the knee. Wear your chunky shoes, and/or knee tube socks. Put on a crop sweater and you will look amazeballs.
All you needed was a bandana, some string and a needle and thread. Insta-top! And going with the little top with baggy pants it fits in perfectly.
]]>Have fun adding these in to your wardrobe and keep on keepin’ it real... because you’re all that and a bag of chips.
One of the origins was the Takenoko-zoku movement. In the late 70’s Japanese streets were regularly closed down weekly to create pedestrian zones. In 1977 a large area in Harajuku near Yoyogi park distric was made into a pedestrian zone every Sunday. Many would gather and the choreographed and dances of a group called Takenoko-zoku made the street famous. Tens of thousands of people would would come to watch the eccentric dances... from a rock n’ rolla style to avant garde and spinoffs of traditional dances. Takenoko-zoku means “Bamboo Tribe”.
Harajuku include many styles put together to create a unique piece. The layering of clothes, colors, and costume like-designs make Harajuku different. Even though there are no set of rules when wearing Harajuku style, it urges the wearer to showcase their inner fashion sense and not hold back and be proud of their individuality. Most Harajuku is colorful, bold, daring and very avant-garde.
This is a fun, girly style which is a representation of the western teenage rebellion look with colored or bleached hair, false lashes decorated nails. It was an imitation of the California girl style, Gyaru, literally coming from the American pronunciation of the word “Gal”. The origin of the look was partially a rebellion against the conformative, perfect porcelain look of Geisha, expressionless and doll-like. Gyaru are full of expression, fun loving and party girls. They tanned their skin and bleached their hair as the look evolved and was called Ganguru, an offshoot of Gyaru. Gyaru girls were known as outcasts and rebels, always trying to get into clubs too young, and were many times runaways and dropouts.
Ganguru was a more extreme look, characterized by light/blonde and neon colored hair with makeup mimicking a deep, dark tan including light lipstick and light circles around the eyes. Clothes with Hawaiian and animal prints, sarongs, tie dye, platform boots and sometimes stickers and jewels on the face. Ganguru means “black-face” but has nothing to do with the western connotations of the word. Partly it was to mimic the look of the character by a comedian named Toshiro Shimazaki, called Adamo-chan, with the white make-up and the dark tan. Yamanba and Manba are two subsets of Ganguru, and there are many others, which would be a whole other article!
Manba girls wear their make-up above and below the eye kind of like Pandas. Yamanba only have white makeup above their eyes. A passion for both types is Hawaiian fashion and culture, Disney characters and cute animals (onesies and animal prints). The Yamanba word comes from the name of a yōkai (evil hag or witch) from Japanese folklore who was shunned during a famine and banned to the forests and mountains, developing matted, white-golden hair which hid a second mouth. Different interpretations say she is a cannabal, or misunderstood, or takes care of children.
Some say Gyaru Kei is a form of feminism, breaking the assumptions of how Japanese women are meant to look and act.
...is punk, metal, rock, goth - this style was started mainly by musicians in an homage to American 70s hard rock/glam-metal like David Bowie mixed with 80s-90s punk-goth. The clothing includes dark pieces with pops of color, zippers, boots, piercings, ripped jeans, big “metal” or “emo” hair, makeup and androgynous aesthetics. Subsets are Oshare Kei, Angura Kei, Eroguro Kei, Nagoya Kei, Tanbi Kei, Kote Kei, Kurafu Kei and Iryou Kei.
this is an extreme Kawaii (cute) look based on the Victorian era with a long skirt, corset and many times a wig. A typical Lolita girl is dressed in knee-length cupcake skirt and stockings. The Lolita girl (or guy) is also seen with tutu skirts and ballerina gowns to invoke the cute, childish and doll like side of a girl. There are many subsets of Lolita Kei: Gothic, Sweet, Classic, Punk, Hime (Princess), Guro (Gory, horror), Sailor, Wa (traditional Japanese elements), Ero (Erotic), Kuro (all in black), Shiro (all in white), Kodona (boy style) and some call Fairy Kei a form of Lolita as well.
This style is ethereal and pastel. It draws innocent and pale colors from retro cultural characters like My Little Pony, Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake. Many Fairy Kai use Decora, and Lolita Kei as well.
Coming from the root word from “decoration” Decora Kei is an extreme form of that. Bright neon color and many accessories - over abundance of hair clips, stickers and bandaids on the face, and layers or Kawaii purses and stuffed animals.
or costume play, is dressing up in a costume to look like a well-known movie character or actor, wearers of this style must also act the part and not just look the part.
The Japanese Kimono is also included to create a vibrant and unique style. Harajuku is also reminiscent of Noh Theaqter, an ancient Japanese art form.
Boys are not exempted from the Harajuku style as they too can express themselves and their inner fashion desires with Harajuku.
Although sometimes called its own Harajuku Kei, Kawaii in Japanese means “cute”. The term is used to refer to many of Harajuku fashion items, people, toys, pets and looks found to have a certain innocent, eggagerated cuteness.
Harajuku has partially remained alive because of artists such as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Gwen Stefani who adorn Harajuku styles and maintained it’s world wide popularity.
KYARY PAMYU PAMYU - HARAJUKU IYAHOI
“J-Pop princess Kyary Pamyu Pamyu returns with another of her remarkable music videos, combining kiddie cute with the deeply trippy, bursting with a level of visual imagination that puts 99% of Western pop videos to shame.”
Although the style brings out the rebellious side of teenagers, it is loved and can be worn by all. The Harajuku fashion covers all the style basics from vintage to clean couture or just playing dress-up. The aim of the Harajuku brand is to enjoy fashion no matter your age, gender or interests.
To achieve the full effect of Harajuku, check out the tips below. The number one rule is to do what you love.
Layering is an essential part of Harajuku fashion. You can mix and match colors, style and add dimension and depth to the outfit. The pieces that make up the outfit should explain your vision, purpose, values and passion for the character you are portraying.
Harajuku girls are unique because they aren’t afraid to create a style that enhances them. They will bring out scissors, thread, needles, and glue to recreate a design to make it their own. However, when customizing, consider the following factors namely: Who you are: Your fashion should represent you and what you believe or hold true. Don’t try to copy others or wear an outfit that is contrary to your ideology. Harajuku is about being unique and being you.
Accessorizing is important. Think 70s and 80s plastic jewelry, funky, and chunky earring, necklaces and colorful pieces that enhance your Harajuku kei. Other accessories include belts, bags, cartoon characters, fluffy bag packs, etc.
The look also calls for colored hair and outrageous hair-dos. The flashy and the colorful, or most kawaii, most edgy, or anything to push yourself a bit further, is what defines the Harajuku style. Art is always new and evolving.
REMEMBER THERE ARE NO SET RULES. MIX 2, 3 OR MORE KEI. REMEMBER THE AIM IS TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY DOING IT (◠‿◠✿)
Fashion trends come and go, but Harajuku still remains and is still shaping Japan’s fashion mainstream, breaking cultural norms and redefining what style is among the youth and fashionistas of the country. Harajuku fashion is not just about style, branding and expression, but it is a popular street look all over the world. Harajuku is all about self-expression, no matter what people say.
WILL YOU ROCK THE HARAJUKU STYLE?
YOU SHOULD BECAUSE IT ROCKS!