Showa fashion: Japanese style (1926-1989) & Showa Retro Aesthetic
- TNJ
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
The Showa Era (1926–1989) is the most transformative period in modern Japanese history. From global conflicts to economic powerhouse is perfectly mirrored in the era’s clothing, making Showa Fashion a fascinating study in resilience, adaptation, and style.
Here we’ve tried to explain the evolution of Japanese Style.
What is "Showa Fashion"?
Showa Fashion means all the clothing and style trends in Japan from 1926 to 1989.
The main story of Showa Fashion is how traditional Japanese clothes mixed with new Western (American and European) styles.
Traditional: Called Wafuku (like the Kimono) | Western: Called Yofuku (like suits and dresses) |
A timeline of Showa Fashion
1. Western Influence (1920s–1930s)
The Showa era began with the end of the liberal Taisho period's influence.
The Look: City girls, called Moga (Modern Girls), started wearing Western dresses.
They cut their hair short and wore heels.
Fashion became fun and less strict. People kept the Kimono, but added Western accessories like sunglasses.
The "Moga" was a new kind of Japanese woman: modern, independent, and fashionable, taking inspiration from the West while still being uniquely Japanese.
2. Wartime Uniform (1940s)
Everything changed because of the war. Fashion became about saving fabric and being practical.
The Key Item:
The Monpe: These were wide, practical trousers. Women wore the "Monpe" instead of skirts or dresses.
It was a very simple, uniform look for everyone.
Decade | Key Figure / Icon | Contribution |
1920s | The Moga (Modern Girl) | The first true Japanese fashion icon. These young women wore short haircuts, Western-style flapper dresses, and makeup, completely changing the social image of women. |
1930s | Hanae Mori (B. 1926) | Though her big break was later, she was a young woman during this time who would later become the first Japanese designer to be accepted into the prestigious Haute Couture (High Fashion) world in Paris. |
1940s | The Woman in Monpe | The collective look of wartime necessity. The monpe (baggy trousers) became the required, practical uniform for women, showing fashion's strict turn during the war. |
3. Post-War American Boom (1950s–1960s)
Post-war economic growth led to a fashion boom. Designers started moving abroad, bringing a Japanese perspective to the international stage.
After the war, American culture rushed into Japan. Think Hollywood movies and rock and roll.
Young men loved the "Ivy League" look, preppy jackets, neat shirts. This was called Ame-Tora (American Traditional). Casual Western wear became the new normal for all Showa Fashion.
4. Global Trends & Subcultures (1970s)
Japanese style followed global trends. Big bell-bottom pants and long hair were popular.
Young people started creating their own, unique Japanese Style based on music and art.
Decade | Key Designer | Contribution / Impact |
1960s | She was the first Japanese woman to break into the international fashion scene, focusing on elegant, tailored clothing that mixed Japanese patterns (like butterflies) with Western shapes. | |
1970s | Moved to Paris in 1964 and opened his "Jungle Jap" boutique in 1970. His style was bright, colorful, and free—a fun, layered mix of ethnic prints and global folk costumes, which was a huge contrast to the formality of Paris at the time. | |
1970s | Began showing collections in New York and Paris in the early '70s. His focus was on the relationship between the body, the fabric, and the space between them ("a piece of cloth"). He used new technology and created sculptural clothing, moving away from tight, Western tailoring. | |
1970s | Known for his colorful, dramatic, and theatrical designs. He gained international fame by designing the most iconic stage outfits for rock star David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane tours. |
5. High Fashion Takes Over (1980s)
The late Showa period is when Japanese designers shocked the world with a radical, philosophical approach to clothing. This group is often called "The Crows" because they championed the color black.
The Big Names: Japanese designers like Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garçons) and Yohji Yamamoto became world famous.
The Style: They created bold, sometimes strange, black, and "deconstructed" clothes. This final wave of Showa Fashion was high-art and very influential.
Street Fashion: This is when styles that led to Lolita and Visual Kei truly began in places like Harajuku.
Decade | Key Designer | Contribution / Impact |
1980s | Deconstruction & Anti-Fashion: Debuted in Paris in 1981, shocking the fashion world with black, ripped, oversized, and asymmetrical clothes. She challenged traditional ideas of beauty and luxury, focusing on imperfection and raw texture. | |
1980s | The Poet in Black: Also debuted in Paris in 1981. He focused on oversized, flowing silhouettes, often in black, that hid the body's shape. His work was deeply philosophical, exploring Japanese concepts like Ma (negative space) and the beauty of the unfinished. | |
1980s | Pleats and Technology: In the '80s, Miyake developed his famous garment-pleating technique, which led to the Pleats Please line. He proved that clothes could be high-tech, practical, and beautiful, further cementing his status as a pioneer of fabric technology. |
How to Wear Showa Retro Looks Today
Today, when people talk about Showa Retro, they often mean the fun, colorful, and hopeful styles from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Showa Retro Clothing is highly visual and incredibly popular among fashion enthusiast.
Elements of the Showa Retro Look:
Bold Patterns: Look for clothes with strong, geometric shapes or big flowers. The colors should be bright!
Knit Tops: Simple, slightly loose cardigans and sweaters are a must-have for Showa Retro.
Outerwear: Wear structured, simple coats in solid or primary colors.
Accessories: Add small details!
Large, round glasses.
Small, classic leather handbags.
Vintage-style scarves and hair clips (great Showa Style Accessories)
Where to Find Showa Fashion
Want to add this amazing Japanese Style to your wardrobe? Here is where to look:
Vintage Shops: Search for real Showa Era Clothing online or in specialized second-hand stores.
Modern Brands: Many clothing companies sell new items made to look like the vintage period. Search for [Buy Showa Retro clothing].
Rental: Need a look for a party? Search for [Showa Fashion Rental] for quick, authentic outfits.
The journey through Showa Fashion is a journey through modern Japanese history itself. It is a testament to a culture that constantly absorbs outside influence only to transform it into something uniquely and powerfully its own. Showa Fashion is more than clothing; it is a legacy. We hope this guide helps you appreciate the richness of Showa Fashion.