Japanese fashion is always fascinating! Especially the girls fashion.
It borders on the very unusual (maids outfits, gothic lolita costumes, etc. ) to the outrageously sexy.
Stockings and over the knee socks have been in fashion for years (yay!), usually accompanied by micro miniskirts or tiny, Kylie sized shorts, and big boots or high heels. I've also seen the stocking belts worn (what are those clips called that hang down from the belts?), these are usually in full view, as the skirts are so short.
Oh, and this isn't on a night out, this is just walking around during the day (I often see people dressed like this as I commute in to work).
This is all well and good, although some girls have such thin legs, and they seem to have a lot of trouble walking in the high heels they remind me of newly born gazelles hobbling up a cliff face, bless 'em.
But recently there has been a slight change (although, seems to be short lived as not so common now), these are vivid coloured tights and socks. Mustard yellow, bright red, Wicked Witch of the west green, etc. Personally, I'm not such a big fan of these, the yellow ones tend to make people look jaundiced, and remind me of Bernie Clifton's ostrich (or David Brent from the Office's ostrich outfit he wore for the newspaper shoot, for those who aren't up on 80's British comedians).
The latest fashion is for Gladiator boots. These, as the name suggests, are Roman Gladiator style up the shin boots with lots of straps, etc. Don't know if they're big in England? But I'm sure they will be soon, if they didn't start there first.
As for the gothic lolita thing, obviously it's popular amongst the otaku, cosplay, anime crowd, but I was surprised to see at Golden Week recently, normal looking families having a day out shopping, and the teenage girl is dressed in full, frilly dress, bows, pink socks, etc.
I wonder what their dad's think of it all?
(Japan is usually very conservative, especially the older generation).
So, as not to be appear sexist, or just obsessed with girls fashion, I'll mention something about the guys.
There are a lot of very "pretty" boys here, who take a lot of time and care over their appearance too. How many times in McDonalds in the UK have you seen a late-teenage boy get out a mirror from his "man bag" (also very popular) and start checking and tweaking his hair? I've seen it here, nearly dropped my bacon sandwich! (I know MacuDonarudo doesn't sell bacon sandwiches, but it's a phrase I've liked since the hey day of Loaded magazine).
Esthe (manicure, facials, etc.) is also available for men, if their cuticles are getting a bit out of hand.
To be honest though, I expect my missus would prefer if I spent more time on my appearance too! Although I know she's not impressed by the guys wearing hair clips - thankfully.
