Japanese School Uniform・学校制服

The seifuku is an item of wonder and transformation.
…at least to me it is.

Originally, the Japanese seifuku was modelled on European-style naval uniforms in the late 19th century. Traditionally, the boys uniform was military style and the girls uniform was a sailor outfit.

Das right. The sailor outfit replaced the hakama in the Meiji Era i.e. this wonderfully stylish piece↓

I wish I was given the chance to wear this to school everyday. At least when the wind blows, the skirt won’t fly up like a parachute.

All schools have a summer version of the uniform (white dress shirt and uniform slacks for boys and traditional uniform/blouse and tartan skirt for girls)  and a sports activity uniform. The sailor uniform is like a symbol of youth. Some fashionista individuals, if you’re being stereotypical – Tokyo girls, will subvert the uniform by adding loose socks, decorations, badges, shortening their skirts, etc. And in a way, that is how the gyaru fashion was brought about. (Will blog about later)

Tokyo Girls Collection Spring/Summer 2012・東京ガールズコレクション

Tokyo Girls Collection is the biggest and most famous fashion event in Japan that showcases the season’s fashionable street wears with domestic brands, combined and jam packed with concerts from popular music groups. It is the first and original fashion and music event that started and is held twice a year, said to be one of the most influential events in Asian countries. The most recent TCG event, 2012 Spring/Summer edition drew over 250, 000 excited fashionistas to Yokohama Area in early March. Attending this event is one of the best ways to keep in line with the latest seasonal street fashion trends in Japan.

Unfortunately, if you do not have the liberty to hitch a plane and fly to Japan this moment, the second best thing to do is look at second-hand photos on the internet. (i.e. the sad and lonely me) Perhaps one day I will join the mass of 250k excited teenage girls (and a few guys) in Tokyo but for now I am satisfied with gazing at this dream from afar…

If you do decide to attend Tokyo Girls Collection, make sure you order tickets on the dot because the event is so popular that tickets usually sell out within hours.What I like about the event is that, for once, it showcases fashion styles that you CAN wear on the street. Normally, other fashion shows will just leave me speechless…

Without further ado, I will share with you my top ten styles that were showcased this year:

Tokyo Girls Collection #1 Special Collection (doesn’t count as a brand but nevermind)