Fashion is changing rapidly: new trends are emerging that replace previous collections. Ten years later, obsolete trends are returning, and they are menacingly called "retro"!
However, there are elements of the wardrobe that everyone will recognize. They have become a symbol of a certain style in a country, culture or fashion in general, such as a beige trench coat, pumps, white shirt. One of the items of clothing that has become a symbol of anime, Japanese schools, and Japan itself is a pleated short Japanese skirt.
Appearance story
It is known that in Japan at all times wearing a kimono was welcomed, the length of which is much lower than the knee. How, then, in the culture of a country where a long women's skirt has long been welcomed, could mini skirts appear?
In the 90s of the last century, pop singer Namie Amuro was very popular in Japan. Her main elements of clothing were a short skirt and high boots. After she became famous, girls in everyday life began to wear miniskirts, and this period was called the “Cupid Boom”.
Japanese animation films - anime and manga also contributed to their distribution. The standards of female beauty in the anime resemble Barbie's proportions: a thin waist, long legs, large eyes. In Japan, a cosplay culture is very developed, which involves external copying of the character, which to some extent also provoked a surge of attention to the pleated Japanese skirts.
School uniform in Japan
The uniform in Japan is called "fuku," and the classic school uniform is called "sera-fuku." Sulfur fuku traditionally consists of a triangular collar blouse, a red tie and a pleated skirt. Most often used blue, red and white colors, so the form was called "sailor suit".
In Japan, there are very strict rules for wearing a uniform; students wear it all year round. By the way, girls should not wear tights. A rather harsh condition, since in winter the weather in Japan can drop below -10 ° C.
Initially, the school skirt covered her knees, but because of the cupid boom, schoolgirls sought to shorten her to look like anime heroines. To make a Japanese skirt shorter is very simple: since it has a rather thin belt, you only need to twist it to turn the skirt into a mini. This technique is used by Japanese schoolgirls.
However, at the moment, the Japanese skirt should be no more than 15 cm above the knee, this is the Tokyo standard. She is still the main element of the wardrobe of any Japanese schoolgirl.
Colors
The classic color of the pleated Japanese skirt is blue. In retail stores and on clothing websites, it is easy to see a huge number of blue short pleated skirts of different lengths, but most often there is a classic version - 15 cm above the knee. Now you can find many different colors of Japanese skirts. The most popular: burgundy, beige and black.
Modernity
To date, short skirts, which many associate with anime, have gone far beyond Japan. A few seasons ago they were very popular, Japanese short skirts could be seen on the shelves of many stores. In Japan, such an element of wardrobe even became a symbol of street fashion. However, on the street, midi-length skirts, long pleated skirts and trousers compete with her. Now you can often find a skirt in a cage with pleats, but this is rather a mixture of cultures - a keel and a Japanese skirt.
What to combine with?
Despite the fact that mini-skirts are already an element of form in schools in Japan, few people will wear it with a blouse and a red tie in everyday life. The style is so versatile that the skirt of this cut can be combined with almost everything, but the choice of a blouse, sweatshirt, jacket, jacket, t-shirt and shoes depends on the color and ornament on the skirt.
If the skirt is plain, it combines with almost everything, you only need to consider whether the colors are suitable for each other. Of course, there are win-win options: blue with white, pink with gray, brown with pastel shades, yellow with khaki. The type of top is also selected at the discretion of each. In summer it can be a T-shirt or a cotton blouse, in spring and autumn - a loose-fitting shirt or a sweater made of cotton fabric, in winter - a jacket or a woolen jumper.
When choosing a top, girls encounter difficulties if there is a pattern or print on the skirt, but there is a little trick here: you can choose a solid top, the color of which will overlap with one of the colors in the ornament on the skirt. This option is likely to be a win-win, and the top will go well with the bottom.
In choosing shoes, you also do not need to limit yourself. Sneakers or ankle boots are perfect for a pleated skirt. Try to avoid high-heeled shoes, as with stilettos the image will turn out to be somewhat vulgar, and boats with a three-four-centimeter heel will suit perfectly. You can follow in the footsteps of Namie Amuro and in the cold season wear a short skirt with high boots.
Fancy Japanese Hikaru Skirt
A recent trend in Japan has been a lightly-sewn guipure skirt from designer Kiyuki Amano, or Hikaru skirt. Like the skirts in Japanese school uniforms, it is a short layered pleated skirt made of lace. From the inside, it is slightly highlighted, which looks quite unusual in the dark.
Since in Japan they love everything extraordinary, this innovation was greeted extremely positively. However, this option is not suitable for everyday life, it is better to leave it for creative photo shoots, thematic events or incendiary parties. It should be noted that in the photo such a skirt style looks very impressive.