Japan fashion inspiration for America

[Midni]

Should American teens have more of a chance to express themselves through their clothing as teens do in Japan? I wish I could. They dress so free over there and are able to express themselves visually! What do you think?

[Ophrysia]

Since when are American teens not free to express themselves through fashion? =o

[Jumps the Gun]

I don't understand why it is such a big deal. The thing is, America is much, much more diverse than Japan, which is a homogeneous nation consisting of mainly one race, one ethnic group. Here in America, you have many races, with a much different history and general culture.

America is more complex. That's why the fashion does not... follow in Japan's path.

[Original Flaaavour]

It's not that we don't do that, it's just that Japan has a different fashion sense than America does.

[Midni]

All great points!

[Pandrogyny]

Also, to go along with the other points, it's not as if these kids you see in their wild Japanese fashions are dressing like that every day. They go to school Monday through Saturday and only get to dress up as they wish on sundays. Likewise, the adults who dress in more unique styles do so on their days off from work.

Most kids in America have a lot more freedom and can dress how they wish every day.
There are major cultural differences that contribute to why the Japanese sense of street fashion is so out there and crazy compared to American standards. It's important to keep in mind that not every Japanese person out there even dresses in those styles, in fact it is really a much smaller number than you would think. For example, when I went to Japan last year, the only time I ever saw anyone dressed up in styles like lolita, decora, etc was when I was in Osaka on a saturday night.

[angel_259236102]

Americans have more of a freedom than than the japanese do. MOST schools in japan have a uniform. They ONLY wear the interesting stuff during holidays and the weekend. That is why it is refered to as a weekend subculture.

[KappAlex]

With all the other points in this thread, most of Japanese fashion is actually from or inspired by America and Europe as well...

[xGHSL]

Because Americans are much more aggressive when it comes to bullying and pointing out the not common looking/dressing people. They have close to no idea what fancy or creative ways of styles are. If they don't look normal to them then they are not accepted.

[HeroRat]

I know just what you mean. And its not that were not aloud to express ourselves in fashion its just that socially it would be "weird" to dress like they do, I wish it wasn't thew confused

[spuntino]

I-IeLLen In VVonDerLand

Because Americans are much more aggressive when it comes to bullying and pointing out the not common looking/dressing people. They have close to no idea what fancy or creative ways of styles are. If they don't look normal to them then they are not accepted.

Actually, mainstream Japanese culture is very stigmatizing of "weird" clothing and subcultures. Most street fashions are frowned upon and viewed with negative connotations.

There's a reason that the saying "hammer down the nail that sticks up" came into being.

[Khymaera]

spuntino

I-IeLLen In VVonDerLand

Because Americans are much more aggressive when it comes to bullying and pointing out the not common looking/dressing people. They have close to no idea what fancy or creative ways of styles are. If they don't look normal to them then they are not accepted.

Actually, mainstream Japanese culture is very stigmatizing of "weird" clothing and subcultures. Most street fashions are frowned upon and viewed with negative connotations.

There's a reason that the saying "hammer down the nail that sticks up" came into being.

Eloquently said. I've always perceived mainstream Japanese culture to be collectively conservative and disapproving of anything "foreign". Seems to me like the North American urbanite has plenty of fashion freedom.

[Dainty Kitty]

Really? Have you ever heard of "scene"? Strangely, looks like an attempt at street fashion.

[levasty]

oh god no. new zealanders wearing anime outfits is one thing, but america going kawaii because they think it looks cute or cool?

let's just drop another boom to the japanese in hopes that they come to their senses.

[I Chase the Green Fairy]

I just depends on the japanese style that you are going for. Hell. Punk and J-Punk are quite similar. Minor differences, imo. I mean, I've got a purple mohawk, and where I am, yeah, that's kind of popular where I live, but you can still take japanese fashions, and kind of see similar trends in america. Or vice versa. The japanese take a lot of basics from other countries too.