What is a Harajuku Girl?

The term “Harajuku girls” refers to teenager girls and young women that populate the shopping area around Harajuku train station in Tokyo, who are known for their outrageous fashion. Extremely popular throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century, Harajuku girls became symbolic of the new, individualistic generations in Japan, determined to break old stereotypes that cast the Japanese as bland and uniform. The Western world became far more aware of Harajuku girls following the popularization of the culture through the music and cosmetic lines of pop singer Gwen Stefani.

Dressing as a Harajuku girl does not conform to any single style; in fact, it is the astounding variety and elaborate nature of the clothing that makes this particular fashion district stand out. There are several genres of clothing that appeal to many Harajuku girls, though mixing genres to create new styles is often encouraged.

Gothic Lolita is a popular look around Harajuku station, taking inspiration from Victorian-era clothing and Nabakov's infamous portrayal of dangerous innocence, Lolita. This style involves the combination of short frilly dresses, veils, and parasols with knee-high stockings and high heels or platforms. Some insist that eroticism of youth is not the goal of the style, despite the name, but that it is more about creating representations of traditional girl dolls.

Kawaii and decora are two trends favored by Harajuku girls that are often related. Kawaii means “cute” in Japanese, and the style generally reflects an attempt to appear child like. Decora may involve elements of kawaii, but must include the use of colorful plastic accessories that are strung together as jewelry. Pastels, rainbows, and large stuffed animal companions are often characteristic of this style.

Cosplay Harajuku girls are inspired by the incredibly influential world of Japanese anime, manga, and video games. A girl may dress like a famous heroine from a movie, comic book, or video game, complete with weapons, wigs, and armor. Cosplay is popular in many other parts of the world and frequently the subject of large scale gatherings or conventions where participants all dress in costume.

Though the outfits of Harajuku girls may seem quite outlandish to some, they are considered a serious fashion influence by many experts in the industry. Popularized by portrayals in fashion magazines and music, the concept of Harajuku fashion has spread far beyond the bounds of Tokyo. Some suggest that the bold style choices from this unique area are helping to change fashion worldwide.

The entire term is Harajuku girls, and it refers to the youth that hang out around the Harajuku train station in Tokyo. The train station is surrounded by a large shopping district where all kinds of different clothing and accessories can be purchased. Limited releases fuel the popularity and urgency to buy items to complete detailed looks. As a result, young buyers will return wearing their purchases, showing off their fashion choices to others. Most of the outfit designs are adventurous and non-traditional. Harajuku girls are known for breaking the mold of societal conventions and fashion trends.

Harajuku girls came as a response to the rigid standards and expectations of girls and young women in Tokyo. Rather than stay on the narrow path of expectations set forth by society, Harajuku girls blazed their own trails full of fashion and delight. Their creative individualism was opposed to the old traditions of Japanese culture. This fashion revolution began in the early ‘90s and is still growing today.

Gwen Stefani helped popularize Harajuku girls and the corresponding cultural cues in the Western world. Gwen Stefani, from California, has origins as the front singer for the band No Doubt, and she went on to have a solo career and star on the television show The Voice. While many struggle with her monetary gains from Harajuku girl fashion and ideology, Stefani nevertheless helped the movement gain popularity stateside. Appropriation or otherwise, Stefani created music, clothing, and make-up lines based on Harajuku girl trends.

Harajuku style is more than one style, pattern, combination, or look. The Harajuku girl style truly encompasses honing individuality and freedom through fashion choices. Taking mundane objects and clothing pieces to create new, exciting fashion is the premise behind all Harajuku. While some looks can be categorized, the central tenet of being a Harajuku girl is fierce individuality and innovation through expression.

Following the pillars of Harajuku girls, the clothing can be anything that you want it to be. Grab a few items from your closet and layer them on in any way you see fit. Traditionally, layers, ruffles, and accessories help make Harajuku fashion stand out. There are also large followings around certain looks that are most popular in the Harajuku district.

Street fashion is less constructed and has more to do with cutting-edge trends and mass-produced fashion worldwide. However, the Harajuku district does it better with limited releases and special editions that are hard to come by. People line up in their chic streetwear to wait for the latest shoes or designer sweatshirts.

One of the emerging trends of the current street style is athleisure. Loads of tracksuits and sweatshirts are permeating the streets in Harajuku. Pair those with high-end special release sneakers, and you have an athleisure outfit to write home about.

The other popular trend in fashion is androgynous choices. While Harajuku girls traditionally invested in ruffled skirts, cosplay wigs, and pastels, changes have led to a back-to-basics movement. The cut and style of the fabrics, rather than the color, is a significant point of high fashion now.

Ironically, punk seems to stay the same no matter the continent or time frame. A look lost in time; punk usually involves leather pants, holey t-shirts, and a denim or leather jacket. Punk fashionistas pair outfits with space boots or spurs and choose an accessory as a conversation piece.

Harajuku built its kingdom on the look of Ko-gyaru, or the schoolgirl aesthetic. Despite being fetishized by the western world, the Ko-gyaru is deeply entrenched in the student aesthetic, including loafers, knee socks, ties, pigtails, and backpacks.

Kawaii is still currently popular in both Japan and the United States. Kawaii loosely translates to cute. There are different applications of kawaii, and it appeals to various crowds. The main categories are decora and fairy kei, though there are others.

Fairy kei involves the cute and precious appearance that kawaii is known for but adds in the supernatural aesthetic with fairies. Often, Harajuku girls will adorn pointed ears or wings to add more of a fairy vibe to their look. The colors used are usually soft pastels.

Think cute but extra special cute with a bow or 200 on it. Decora kei involves far brighter colors and far more adornment than the fairy version. Notably, plastic baubles and barrettes are necessary to show dedication to the look. Star Jojo Siwa is notorious for adopting elements of decora kei into her acts.