The “No-Gals” have popped up in Shibuya recently, a spin-off of the Shibuya “gal” phenomenon. Literally meaning “Farmer Girl,” these are fashionable ladies interested in, well, farming.
Last year one of the Shibuya gals showed off her interest by giving away free rice from her farm in Akita. Now actual Farmer Girl fashion is being released - in the form of denim overalls:
No Gals, farmer girls
The no-gal look
What’s hot right now with the men’s suit - something Japanese men wear day in and day out - is called the “slim look.” Sleek, thin, skinny and slim is the look you’ll see walking through Shinjuku and Marunouchi:
"Slim Look"
Even featured in manga
Kitson’s is a popular LA brand known for its celebrity appeal, and it’s taken Tokyo by storm since being introduced to the area in the last year or so. But what’s popular is not necessarily the clothing - but the quintessential tote bags which girls can be seen rocking all throughout Tokyo:
Kittu-son, now popular in Tokyo
Kitson bag
Speaking of fast fashion, Harajuku is turning into a fast fashion battlefield with the likes of H&M, Uniqlo, Forever 21, and now I.T.’S. International all within a stone throw’s of each other. I.T.’S. International <http://www.its-international.net/> opened on February 19 to a line of 400 waiting people. The store is a Japanese company, by the Japanese for the Japanese, aiming to compete with the likes of Forever 21 and H&M, its (foreign) next door neighbors.
It's International Harajuku
It's International Harajuku
Fast fashion is a word which has been in the headlines for awhile now. Zara, H&M, Abercrombie & Fitch, Forever 21 are all part of this foreign “fast fashion” trend.
In fact, Forever 21 is even taking the place of a Gucci shop in Ginza. It’s now common to see girls showing off their Forever 21 bags:
Show off the bag
Abercrombie & Fitch opened this winter, featuring sexy guys customers can touch and take pictures with:
Tights are “in” and often girls are wearing short, flower-print skirts and dresses over them.
One of the terms that has been getting a lot of buzz in the past few months is Sweets Danshi or “Sweets Man,” which refers to a guy who really loves his chocolate, candy and cakes.
In fact, Lipton even used these types of guys in a commercial for milk tea:
Men Who Love Sweets - Lipton commercial
History has been booming lately, and many fans are women. The term “History Girls” was one of the most popular terms of 2009. Capitalizing on this trend is the release of new products and advertising campaigns related to history.
For example, the new historical TV series Ryoma-den is capitalizing on this trend by featuring an actor all the girls will love, Masaharu Fukuyama.
History Girl
Ryomaden
Maybe 90% of girls at any given time this winter will be in boots, but guys are getting in on the trend as well. Although some guys have been pulling off this look at calf-length, most settle for sticking their jeans in a little lower. No knee-high boots for guys… yet.
Laced up
Zipped & Buckled
Solid...
It might not be a popular look overseas right now, but almost everyone is wearing fur - real as well as faux.
Hats like these are everywhere:
Scarves - This one's fake: