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How Has Japanese Fashion Changed Along the Years?


Fashion is an expression of the soul and culture therefore every country has a uniqueness that will reflect its traditions and history in one way or the other. Japanese fashion is no exception to the rule and here are a few guidelines of how it changed along the years while always keeping its traditions intact.

The Old and the New

The most common and traditional Japanese fashion costume is the Kimono; still worn today in more modern designs, it was also adopted in the West due to its elegance and sensuality. Along the years, Japanese fashion saw few changes but all the while the Kimono was a dominant and part of the classic collection and always a part of their lives in different forms. The Furisode is another type of Kimono worn by young girls in their twenties; in Japan twenty is the legal age to drink and smoke and in order to celebrate it parents often offer their daughters a Furisode.

Then the Houmongi takes over, which is another type of Kimono that is worn by married women and yet again the parents will present their daughter with one when she is married. The formal Kimono is called Tomesode, which is usually worn my married women to functions such as marriages; Mofuku is the funeral Kimono in the Japanese fashion and Uchikake is the wedding Kimono.

Last but not least Obi is the oldest form of the Japanese fashion as they are not being made anymore today and rarely will you catch someone wearing one these days even in Japan.

The modern Japanese fashion have several categories as well some of which are not clothes related: the Kogal Japanese fashion is translated in Japan to those who like to display their high income by wearing expensive clothes and jewelry. The Gangaro Japanese fashion is directed to those who started changing their hair color and then there is the Lolita and the Gothic Lolita Japanese fashion, which is being represented by the sweet and innocently dressed (Lolita) to the other extreme of what is known to us as punk fashion, which is known as the Gothic Lolitas.

The Eternal Fashion

Classic fashion is eternal everywhere in the world and Japanese fashion has their Kimonos to prove it. Colors also play a big role in Japanese fashion and culture as it is directly related to the event. Fashion does not only define a time and era but also the personality and character of the one wearing it.

Fashion Bug

Make Yourself Over From the Inside Out!
By The Q

 Some of the most popular television shows are based on makeovers. Theres just something so inspiring about seeing women taken from one extreme to the other with dazzling results. The before pictures show them looking drab and unpolished, while the after pictures show them looking stylish, smiling and confident. But the real beauty of a makeover isnt just in the designer clothes and professionally applied makeup. Watching them become emotional over the changes theyve made is both fun and inspiring.

That tells me that the magic of a makeover is more about how a woman feels inside, than how she looks outside. The changes to hair, makeup and wardrobe are just an outward symbol of what is taking place inside them. Its not about attracting men, or impressing other women. It is about making the most of who they really are.
That means that if you are planning your own makeover, it is a good idea to take inventory of what is going on within you on a deeper level. A total transformation includes a makeover from the inside out!
Simply changing your hair color or buying a new lipstick isnt enough. Real beauty is based on overall health and wellness. Along with your makeover, be sure to devise a regimen of healthful diet and exercise, including organic foods, nutritional supplements, plenty of filtered water, yoga, and even meditationall of which will make your eyes sparkle, your skin glow, and your smile appear spontaneously. No amount of makeup or haute couture can substitute for health and wellness.

Another aspect of a personal makeover that many people forget about is what I call personal maintenance. These are the weekly rituals that keep you looking and feeling beautiful even when youre wearing a plain cotton t-shirt and no makeup. These habits include regular manicures and pedicures, facials, and regular massage, all of which create a beautiful blank canvas of your body that can be dressed up or down.

Finally, when you go to make your choices in style and beauty, you want to take into consideration fashion trends, but also, think about the quality and sustainability of your choices. Ethical manufacturing, sustainable fabrics and organic products are now easy to find anywhere.

Sustainable fashion means that youre supporting designers and companies who are making a change in the world, with a view toward the overall well-being of the planet. http://www.evolvedfashion.com Choosing to forego chemical-laden fabrics, sweatshop produced clothing, and cosmetics made of and tested on animals are all great ways to bring your mind, heart, body, and soul into harmony.
Your makeover is your opportunity to look and feel your best. Every woman deserves the opportunity to enjoy being happy, fulfilled and beautiful. Taking into consideration all aspects of yourself as you plan your transformation is the key to a successful makeover!

For more information on sustainable style and beauty visit Fashion, evolved. A Style blog for the Eco Snob, and sign up for my monthly newsletter to keep informed about organic clothing and cosmetics, sustainable style, recyclables and vintage style, and cruelty-free, ethical fashion: http://www.evolvedfashion.com