What Is Harajuku Fashion And Why Is It So Popular

By Alex Assoune Jun 20, 2023

Harajuku fashion is a clothing style originated from Japan street culture as an alternative dressing movement against strict societal rules. It's well-known for its original and colorful outfits inspired by different Japanese subcultures.

Harajuku fashion is a great style choice if you want to make your mark and stray away from the norm with beautiful and unique looks. It's very popular because of its thriving community and freedom of expression.

Here is all you need to know about Harajuku fashion to create gorgeous and unusual outfits that nobody else is wearing.

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What is Harajuku fashion?

Harajuku fashion is a particular fashion style that comes from Japan. It takes its roots in Japanese street culture and takes inspiration from a variety of sub-styles, including cutesy fairy kei, visual kei, lolita, cosplay, gyaru, gothic and punk rock.

Harajuku style is an alternative clothing style that stands against a strict society and its pressure to fit into the norm. It rebels against the rigid societal rules and includes highly extravagant and colorful clothes.

Harajuku fashion is well-known for its original and bright outfits inspired by traditional Japanese clothing styles. It includes many different fashion trends in one movement with a large community that values freedom of expression.

Harajuku style offers a huge choice of unique looks that can be appealing to anybody and worn for every occasion, from cute and casual to eccentric and high-end.

Harajuku fashion is well-known all over the world for its roots in Japanese youth culture and a widespread fashion style that focuses on freedom of expression and community.

History of Harajuku fashion

Harajuku fashion started in the 1940s in Japan when the Japanese youth got to experience the Western culture and clothing styles first hands for the first time during occupation by the Americans.

Harajuku style rose to popularity in the 1980s and took its name from the Harajuku district of Tokyo. It's when the Japanese youth started to walk the streets dressing in original and colorful outfits.

Harajuku is originally a district in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. It's also a common name given to a geographic area near the Harajuku railway station operated by East Japan Railway Company.

Harajuku fashion today as a global appeal and is insanely popular, especially among the younger generation. While its home remain the streets of Tokyo, it's found all over the world worn by people of different cultures and origins.

Harajuku style is all about you and your freedom of choice regarding your fashion preferences. It's very famous for its welcoming, international community of fashion lovers who value self-love and self-expression.

Why is Harajuku street style so popular?

Harajuku street style is a sub-culture and sub-style from the Japanese youth made popular internationally by fashionable and unusual looks. It's very famous among the style-conscious young and has a global appeal with a its strong community.

People get interested in Harajuku fashion for different reasons. Some deeply values its freedom of expression. Others like to rebels against strict societal rules and not fit into the norm.

Harajuku street style is very popular and a fantastic style choice for people who want to dress well in unique ways that showcase their fashion style and personality.

It's easy to stray away from the norm and make your mark and with beautiful and original outfits with the Harajuku fashion style. This clothing style is for boys and girls and includes many different sub-styles in fashion.

Here is our list of top fashion styles to take inspiration from and find one that is all about you.

How to dress in Harajuku street style

If you want to create gorgeous and original looks inspired by Harajuku fashion, focuses on what feels right for you. Demonstrates your fashion style and uniqueness by wearing clothing pieces that are all about you.

Harajuku street style focuses primarily on personal freedom of expression and community. You can get inspired by what others are doing but make sure to create a look that screams your personality and your way of dressing.

Harajuku fashion is a stable for people who want to dress differently and mark their mark by staying away from the norm and societal rules. Their are many different Japanese sub-styles you can look at to create your look.

Harajuku street style doesn't really follows any guideline and you are free to wear what you want, what looks great, and what feels right for you. Remember that what is currently popular isn't always the best option for you.

Create a fashion style that reflects your personality as Harajuku is all about self-expression. Make this style your own by wearing clothes that you like and look good on you.

Don't take too seriously as you should first and foremost have fun while creating your outfits. Don't forget to add accessories that accentuate your look and make you stand out.

You can also go for pre-loved and vintage clothing whenever you feel like and look good and combine retro or antique pieces into more modern or contemporary looks.

Check out our selection of the best vintage online stores to shop for unique pre-loved pieces at affordable prices.

Harajuku kimono

School girl style

Harajuku punk

Harajuku gothic

Harajuku lolita

Harajuku cosplay

Mori kei

Harajuku kawai

Fairy kei

Harajuku decora

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.