Job Discussion Forums

thermal · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 60

It's a very subjective question I know, but anyway..

I have been living in Japan for about a year and I am in need of some new clothes. However, my fashion sense is unfortunately very different from the popular fashions in Japan and as such, almost never find anything I like.

Basically I like clothes that are cool, yet subtle. I don't want a shirt with 50,000 colors and logos stuck on it because I just can't see any style in it. I hate clothes with big overbearing logos on them and I don't like semi formal casual wear. I don't like hip hop fashion, the rock star fashion. I just want nice comfortable, perhaps a bit baggy, cool and simple yet stylish clothes. My best bet in Australia was either skate shops or shops that cater to the very trendy areas of Melbourne. This is not to say that I am super fashionable, just that I know what I like and I can't find it Sad

Anyway, going into the trendy shopping areas only yields the very generic popular wear that most of the Japanese youth wear. Going to clothes for people in their 30's is typically semi formal clothes.

Can anyone help me?

I live in Nagoya, but am prepared to travel to Osaka or even Tokyo. I am 26 by the way if that matters. I have been to Osu and Sakae. It's possible I'm missing stores but couldn't a shop I like (or any skate shops). Searching on google doesn't help either, but if I knew what to search for that might help.

Thanks in advance.

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

Shimokitazawa

or....

Kichijoji

or...

Harajuku

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

How about Uniqlo?

Inexpensive, no loud tacky logos (more into simple minimalist designs), and generally fashionably neutral--they promote more of the classical casual wear--polo shirts, jeans, button-down oxford shirts...

When I was in the States, I was a big Banana Republic shopper. Here in Japan, I am sold on Uniqlo.

Regards,
fat_chris

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Hi Thermal!

Everyone's idea of cool is different.

Skate shops??? Hmmmm... I've never actually shopped at a skate shop but they don't strike me as being the centre of high fashion!

I don't know what experience you've had in Nagoya with clothes shopping. For me here in Tokyo, size is always an issue and regardless of what style I want, because of the size issue, I always seem to end up at the same two places: ZARA and TOMMY HILFIGER.

You can wear UNIQLO clothes for so long....

Recently, with the US dollar so low, I've gotten into on-line shopping from the US. AMERICAN EAGLE and HOLLISTER are pretty cheap. ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH is OK too but a bit more expensive. If you buy a few things at once, then the shipping cost isn't too bad.

Hope that helps.

A.S

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Hmm someone from Melbourne living in Nagoya.

Well where did you go shopping in Melbourne? Just so I have an idea of your tastes...

Personally I would also recommend Uniqlo and Muji (which literally means NO Brand) just for the basics
In Sakae try Parco, it can be a bit of a rabbit warren but there are some gems in there. Also Loft, some parts of La Chic, and Zara/Benneton. Also in the streets off Nadya Park (where Loft is) there a couple of decent shops, I always liked the Asics shop.

Persevere with Osu there is a lot of crap but in some of the quieter parts there is some decent stuff. Look for graniph for really cool t-shirts (in both Osu and Parco)

I don't really think looking in Tokyo or Osaka is worth the train fare unless you are really into avant garde fashion

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

I don't know you, and your post didn't really give me a solid description of what you're looking for. I suggest this: next time you go to a konbini, check out the magazine rack. Find a men's fashion mag with stuff that you like. In it, there's usually a shop guide that shows where to buy stuff featured in the mag. If you're lucky they'll even have it broken down by city.

Deckard · Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 10

like markle said parco is a pretty decent store. There is a pretty cool snowboarding/skate shop on one of the upper floors. i bought some shirts there i like. i think they were about 4000 yen each but there was also a bunch of sales items. good sized store and if you like snowboarding/skaterboarding style you should find something

thermal · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 60

Thanks guys, I will check out the stores/places you recommend.

While I'm here, what about shoes shops with decent sizes? I am looking for skate shoes (flat base), however my feet are about 29-30 centimeters (some brands I can fit into 29, but others 29.5 will be too small). Are there stores that specifically cater to gaijins or a likely to have bigger shoes? Every time I ask to try on a shoe they don't have them in my size.

@ azarashi sushi:

True, I wouldn't say they are centers of high fashion, but I'm not looking for high fashion.

@ markle:

I used to shop on Smith and Brunzwick st in Fitzroy when I was in Melbourne. They have a lot of interesting stuff which doesn't really fall into any obvious categories.

@ ripslyme:

Yeah it's hard to describe. I just like simple yet cool clothes that aren't at all formal. Since I don't like the popular fashions in Japan, I'm after stores or places that are different but are aimed at young people.

Deckard · Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 10

if you find decent sized skate shoes please let me know lol. ive been looking for a couple weeks now and but for a nice pair of 11s (us size) i found in the abc shop near osu (they were just too small Sad

) i havnt been able to find much

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Good luck with the shopping, thermal!

Judging by your feet, and unless they are disproportionately large to the rest of your body, it sounds like you're going to run into a size issue as well. Nagoya may be different, but in Tokyo, usually department stores and more "expensive" boutiques only carry J-sizes.

Let us know how you get on.

A.S

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

I would also recommend Uniqlo with the disclaimer that you may see about 25 guys wearing the exact same shirt as you during your walk from the station to your home Wink

Other than that, I have never had a size issue with them and the store is pretty reasonable.

In terms of shoes, hmm different story. I lived in Kanagawa and always seemed to have trouble. For some reason dress shoes were never a problem but when it came to a nice pair of Nike, converse or addidas they always seemed to be cut off at about 27".

I just accepted it in 97 when I first came here but I just couldn't wrap my head around it here in 2008. I seriously thought the store clerk was just being a jerk and saving the rarer, bigger sizes for Japanese LOL Had my girlfriend do a little investigating for me and low and behold, 27" were the biggest size they carried. Annoying. Wink

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

How about GAP stores? For shoes a good large sporting shop is Sports Authority. Of Course you could do the green thing and go to a used clothing shop like King Family, they are all over the place.
Enjoy,
s

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

vancouver_syndicate · Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Posts: 46 Location: Canada

muji is pretty good and not to expensive