Tokyo is my second home and here are 5 summer 2024 fashion trends

Tokyo has been known for a long time as a fashion hotspot. While it may not have produced as many famous designers as Paris, Milan, and New York, the Japanese are some of the most creative when it comes to dressing themselves—I would know, because As a half-Japanese woman, I grew up flying back and spending summers there. I have lived in several The world’s largest fashion capital—London, Paris, Tokyo and New York—and it can be confidently said that Tokyo fashion is in a class of its own.

I recently returned from a two-week trip and I inspired. As a somewhat conservative country, there are some style rules to follow, such as covering your shoulders, not showing too much skin, and not wearing clothes that are too tight. While there are some big fashion categories—like underground culture (think: street style) and cute style (think: Harajuku girls)—I’m focusing on popular everyday fashion than you’ll find on the streets, subways, and restaurants. Remember that this is a culture where it is considered rude to not be polite when leaving the house (not wearing makeup is a big no-no); although I know it can make an individual feel tired, it actually makes it a beautiful setting to draw inspiration from. Below, I’ve gathered some of the top fashion trends in Tokyo today.

Loose, wide-leg pants

The first thing you notice when you step off the plane in Tokyo is that everyone is wearing wide-leg pants. This ties in with the cultural mandate not to wear tight clothing (like skinny jeans). People often pair pants with loose-fitting tops (see more below), but they don’t look like they’re swallowed whole in the outfit thanks to the tailored silhouette. I’m in love This fluid option from Everlane (I actually have a pair) because they feel comfortable, perfect for summer. Meanwhile, This linen style is from Banana Republic has a more fitted midsection before flaring out, giving the overall look a bit more structured.

Cool short-sleeved shirt

While in the West people often wear loose-fitting pants with fitted tops, in Japan they keep things quite loose. Therefore, a blouse is the perfect piece to choose as it adds an element of structure to the look and keeps things from looking too baggy. I see a lot of short-sleeved shirts that cover most of the chest and shoulders; Materials like linen and cotton keep things cool and breathable in rapidly warming temperatures. I especially admire it Puffed sleeves are found on the J.Crew optionbecause it attracts attention to the wearer.

Cool dress

If you’ve ever been to Japan in the summer then you’ll know how hot (and painfully wet) there it goes. Loose dresses are a lifesaver because they invite a lot of air into the body and always look elegant. a shirt, like the one from J.Crewexudes a luxurious summer atmosphere while Madewell puff sleeve dress have a more relaxed Sunday lunch. If the dress has straps, you’ll often see people wearing a fitted white t-shirt underneath. The majority of dresses range from midi to maxi length, and you won’t find many floaty mini dresses around.

Comfortable kitten heels

Wearing high heels is not common in Japan. Instead, the Japanese choose cat heels that are more compact (and easy to wear). Women don’t often wear flats to work, and heels over 3 inches are starting to stand out too much (which, contrary to New York fashion, is undesirable). Thus, the kitten heel becomes an object that is both fun and extremely chic. Absolutely no one is complaining when there are cute options like these Bow belt from Reformation or ridiculously comfortable chunky heel from Vivaia—seriously, I’ve seen at least ten people wearing these exact shoes.

Practical basket bag

Maybe it’s the fact that there’s an ocean to the left and right of the island, or the fact that basket bags are trending right now, but everyone and their mother is carrying these straw bags. They somehow magically pair with any outfit — just picture them paired with one of the dresses and kitten heels above. Tote bags can hold a full day’s worth of essentials, which adds to their popular appeal. I see people taking them to the beach and having brunch together.