Fashion is one of the biggest things that unite people around the world. It is not because everyone has the same opinion on it, but the exact opposite; everyone’s take on fashion could be different. The sheer subjection of fashion is part of what makes it so beloved and unique.
Right now, one of the most popular fashion trends in America is “streetwear”, typically involving an oversized vintage hoodie, paired with oversized jeans, either vintage or japanese selvage denim. A lot of the time, the jacket is paired with a fancy-colored tie for a unique, more distinguished look to it. And for the cherry on top, unique and vibrant colorways are used to make the outfit flow together better.
It often takes inspiration from workwear, having things like utility and carpenter pants, alongside earth-toned tactical jackets.
Another form of streetwear is when you pair a flannel, a short sleeved undershirt, and jorts, with a carabiner on your waist. This form of fashion is becoming much more popular now, since it is summer time, much too hot for all the puffy jackets and huge pants.
Lastly, another form of fashion that’s been coming back recently has been the grunge or Y2K style, or “older brother core” as some people refer to it, mainly on TikTok. This involved messy, scattered hair, rhinestone or studded belts, paired with vintage clothes like affliction or southpole. Though this style was at its peak in the early 2000s, it’s slowly resurfacing, and coming back to popularity again.
Speaking of fashion, a country highly renowned for their unique fashion and global inspiration is Japan. Japan’s most popular style is called “harajuku”. Harajuku isn’t one type of style, rather, it’s more of a mix of different styles and subcultures as well, one of the most common being punk. Similar to grunge, punk features usually more tight fitting clothes, such as tight with a leather jacket, as well as crazy disheveled hair.
The reason it is often compared to grunge or emo style is because it’s usually associated with rebellious teenagers, following crazy spiked and colored hair styles that add a distressed, worn out look to it. Punk usually takes inspiration from punk bands, and punk band related fashion,which started in the 1970s, going for a skinny, distressed look to it.
Another very popular Harajuku style is called Lolita. Lolita goes for a more doll-like, cutesy look to it. It mainly involves heavy, doll-like pastel makeup and cutesy things such as teddy bears and cupcakes. The dress style is things like ribbons, bell shaped skirts, and curled hair or wigs, giving a modest but dramatic aesthetic. But its main theme is the childlike innocence that it relies on.
However, due to its main factor being cute and innocent, it often stirs controversy.
Lastly, Goth style is arguably the most popular to come out of Japan. Goth fashion is mainly a combination of the silhouette and style of Lolita, with dark scenery and aesthetic of Goth. Goth fashion is about showing the beauty of darkness, whether that be through the crosses and darkness of the clothes, or the makeup that goes along with the outfits.
Last but not least, how could we talk about fashion without mentioning Italy and Italian fashion? Italy has been responsible for making most “luxury brands”, such as Prada, Versace, Armani, Valentino, Gucci, and more.
Italy has been known for its fashion since the mid 20th century, defining most, if not all luxury clothing since then. Italy is known for having sophisticated clothes, with well tailored clothes,
The central focus is formal clothes like suits, loafers, handbags, high-heels, and other such clothes. However, due to how fancy and high-end the clothes are, they are often on the pricier side, costing thousands of dollars. However, many say it’s worth it thanks to the quality of the clothes.
That’s not all the fashion there is in the world though. There are many other styles, cultures, and sub-cultures out there, you just need to look in the right direction.