Japanese Fashion

Descriptive Essay # 115864

Asian Studies > East Asian Cultures
Women Studies

Japanese Fashion

A look at the evolution of women's fashion in Japan.

1,506 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the fashion of women from the beginning of the Meiji era in 1868 until today. The paper outlines the styles of Japan's fashion designers of the 1960s and onwards and shows how Japanese fashion now embodies a fashion sense that is both European and Asian at the same time.

From the Paper:

"In Japan, women's fashion has evolved immensely and it continues to evolve. In 1868, which was the beginning of the Meiji era, there were very few people in Japan wearing Western dress - and they were mainly Europeans and Americans. Since the 13th century, the kimono (a word that means "things to wear") was literally the only thing to wear. It was standard dress in Japan. After the beginning of the Meiji period (1868-1912), Western-style uniforms were worn by persons in the military services, for policemen, and for postal carriers. This moment in time was the beginning of a huge change in the way people - both men and women - dressed in Japan. However, during this period, for formal wear, men typically wore the haori (traditional waistcoats), hakama, and Western-style hats. Some women wore Western-style boots with their Japanese dress. Still today, this fashion can be seen among many young women attending university graduation ceremonies."

Sample of Sources Used:

Graham, Marty. Wired. "Issey Miyake's Populist Fashion". March 20, 2007.
Hastings, Sally A. The Historian. "The empress' new clothes and Japanese women, 18681912 (Empress Haruko's adoption of Western Dress)" June 22, 1993.
Hirsch, Faye. Art in America. "Wrapped in the State: an exhibition of World War II-eraclothing with propagandistic themes illustrates the personal dimensions of homefront mobilization." April 1, 2006.
Kilburn, David. Hanae Mori. CB News (Special Women's Edition). December, 1997.
Rao, Anjali. CNN. "Yohji Yamamoto: Back in black". www.edition.cnn.com.