The Best Japanese Clothing Brands - and How to Get Hold of Them
Are you looking to get your hands on some of the best world-renowned Japanese designers straight from the source? With a forward2me Japanese forwarding address, you will be able to purchase unique and sought after Japanese clothing from all of the well-known brands that typically don’t deliver internationally.
The following guide will outline some of our favourite Japanese brands and designers, then give you an easy step by step guide on how you can get your hands on their products. Read on to get shopping today!
JAPANESE HIGH FASHION BRANDS
Japanese high fashion brands take the classy, sophisticated look to the next level with bold colours and styles that have seen Japanese designers gain international recognition.
Kansai Yamamoto
Japanese high fashion brands take the classy, sophisticated look to the next level with bold colours and styles that have seen Japanese designers gain international recognition.
COMME des GARÇONS
A Japanese fashion heavyweight, COMME des GARÇONS, was established in 1969 by designer Rei Kawakubo and is distinguished by the independent female image in its designs with a black colour palette. Another brand that takes an avant-garde approach to fashion has taken the world by storm.
Hanae Mori
Another brand that makes clothes at a luxurious entry point is Hanae Mori. Created by the designer of the same name in Ginza, Tokyo, in 1954, you’ll find staple garments in a modern style for women and men alike, from everyday t-shirts to street formal wear.
Japanese Streetwear Brands
The Japanese street style consists of hoodies, graphic t-shirts, sneakers and hats, that although they may look simple at first glance, actually say a lot about your personality and style. As there’s a growing popularity for street style in Japan, Japanese streetwear brands are becoming more and more sought after.
A Bathing Ape
A Bathing Ape was established in 1993 in Harajuku and is known for its iconic and unique designs. You will also find coveted collaborations with this stand out streetwear brand, as everyone knows the name throughout Japan and beyond.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Started in 1994 by Shinsuke Takizawa, NEIGHBORHOOD has a heavy influence on the Japanese streetwear scene. Taking inspiration from American clothing and motorcycle subculture, NEIGHBORHOOD is best known for its authentic selvedge denim, manufactured to strict traditional specifications and customised with intricate, natural distress washes and dyeing techniques.
WTAPS
This Japanese clothing brand was the brainchild of Tetsu Nishiyama, aka TET and the protégé of Shin. WTAPS is inspired by authentic military designs but uses streetwear sensibilities to make items that can be used for everyday wear or even workwear staples. However, you may find it hard to get your hands on any of their pieces outside of Japan, as this Japanese label is a staple fashion brand akin to Supreme in western cultures.
Japanese Fast Fashion Brands
If you’re looking for Japanese labels that aren’t going to break the bank, you might want to check out the following brands that are taking the Japanese market and the world by storm.
UNIQLO
A Japanese brand that’s taken the fashion world by storm and is now a staple of the American and European high street, UNIQLO uses premium fabrics at an affordable price to give you high-end fast-fashion looks. The brand also has highly desired collaborations and seasonal collections with famous artists and anime characters such as Disney, Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat that are sought after in their own right.
GU
If you want to get stunning Japanese style pieces at an affordable price, GU is the brand you should be looking towards. Born in 2006, GU’s clothing line is centred around the concept that ‘fashion should be worn freely’. With clothes for all the family, this should be your next stop if you want to get your hands on affordable Japanese fashion.
nano universe
You need to check out nano universe for a more functional but stylish look. They pride themselves on creating essential pieces that help to express the individual’s unique worldview. This interesting view of fashion design means you can easily pick up pieces that belong in your office wear day to day wardrobe.
Japanese Shoe Brands
Are you looking to get your hands on fashionable Japanese footwear? These are some of the best brands that make footwear for all occasions on the market.
Spingle Move
Known for their appearance at Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, Spingle Move sneakers are 100% handcrafted in Japan to the highest standards. They consider themselves to be succeeding in meeting the needs of the next generation with their unique designs.
Moonstar
Potentially the oldest brand on our list, Moonstar has a long history as a shoemaker, beginning in 1873. All of the shoes this footwear brand produces come from the Japanese island of Fukuoka as it did all them years ago. If you get your hands on a pair of shoes from Moonstar, you really will be purchasing yourself a slice of Japanese history.
ASICS
Originating in 1949, ASICS started out creating basketball shoes but later developed into leaders of sport and running shoes. Their stylish and straightforward designs made them perfect additions to the fashion scene in Japanese culture that have gone on to be desired elsewhere in the world.
How we help you buy Japanese clothing and ship it internationally
You don’t need to worry about getting your hands on these fantastic Japanese brands if you live internationally because with forward2me, we do all of the work for you! With our dedicated Japanese warehouse, you can purchase your authentic Japanese goods and ship them anywhere in the world. Follow these simple steps to get started today!
1 - Sign up for your free Japanese address
First, sign up for a FREE forward2me Japanese forwarding address that you will use for shopping for popular Japanese clothing brands.
2 - Go to a Japan website that sells Japanese clothing brands and start shopping
Head over to your favourite Japanese clothing brand or streetwear brand online and shop for your items as you usually would on any online store. If you’re not sure where to start looking for the latest Japanese fashion choices, check out our Japanese shopping hub for help.
3 - Order your items to your forward2me Japanese address
Once you have found all of the items, you want to purchase, add them to your basket, then proceed to checkout. When you checkout, though, make sure to provide your forward2me Japanese forward address to ensure your package is delivered to our Japanese warehouse safely.
4 - We receive & ship your package
When your package arrives at our warehouse, we will alert you of its safe arrival so you can choose the shipping method that will be used to get your package to you in your home country. If you have bought from multiple sellers, we can hold your package for you and combine and repack them all together to help you save on shipping costs.
5 - Your Japanese clothing arrives at your home
Now all you need to do is wait for your new clothes to arrive! We can ship from Japan to the USA, Germany, the United Kingdom and many other countries.
Japanese clothing brands FAQ's
Japanese fashion is known for its bold statements, luxury brands and trends that can be seen worldwide. From the frilly kawaii styles or the Shibuya 109 style, there will be something for everyone in Japanese fashion.
Several clothing brands are cheaper in Japan. Japanese origin fashion and streetwear brands will always be cheaper in the country of origin. Still, other brands such as Louis Vuitton, Puma and Chanel can also be found much more affordable in Mitsui or Gotemba Premium Outlets throughout Japan.
Surprisingly enough, it’s not just Japanese fashion that is popular in Japan; American brands are trendy over there as well. Some of the most popular brands include Converse, Nike and Lululemon, which will often bring out exclusive Japanese designs you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the world.