R.O. 6: Ever since I can remember I've been poppin' my collar...coincidently, ever since I can remember I've been savagely beaten by my peers

Picture found thanks to the Google-fu skills of the Valley-Chan

Sorry for the abbreviation in the title, but that was one a long one...

Today's observation will be a cursory look at Japanese fashion, specifically relating to teenagers in and around the city. I have yet to decide if everything the Japanese is trendy or just pushing the limits of fashion for the sake of pushing the limits. Then again, they could all just get dressed as they are having seizures (and the way some of them dress, you would believe it too). As always, this is a massive generalization of more common trends. As mentioned guys have medium to long length hair, often dyed any number of colors. Many wear outlandish colored polos (many still popping the collar), and often wear accessories such as multi-colored hats, scarves and purses. Yes folks, you did not misread, I said purses. Of course, right about now, many are saying, "DPN, every man carries a bag, you for instance carry a laptop case which could be seen as a purse". No folks, when I say purse, I'm talking Louis Vuitton purses that would be purchased in the female section of any American mall. To quote a friend, "as soon as I arrived, my 'gaydar' went off the charts". No, its not that every Japanese male is homosexual, but rather the standards of fashion are significantly different. This is very true, there are things that I CANNOT even imagine wearing back in America, without being absolutely certain that I wouldn't be ridiculed. But fortunately, not many Japanese male fashions appeal to me (phew).

As for the ladies, a common and I must say very sexy fashion that is in vogue are long stockings worn with either skirts or short shorts. Also, most Japanese girls I've seen so far wear heels all day, every day (hears the collective cringes of pain from all American femaledom). I'm not 100% sure how they do it as I was under the impression that heels hurt. But if there's anything we've learned from Japanese history, its that the Japanese are capable of dealing with great discomfort for some perceived greater purpose. Again, the standards of fashion in Japan are different. Americans I've spoken to agree that if an American girl attempted any of these fashions, she would look quite like a lady of the night. But most Japanese women manage to wear these various risque fashions and give off an aura of cuteness and classy sensuality...I love Japan

Gambatte,

-DPN

NOTE: NONE OF THIS APPLIES TO THE COSPLAYERS AT HARAJUKU AND SUCH PLACES. THOSE PEOPLE, WHILE CAPABLE OF LOOKING QUITE SEXY, OFTEN LACK THE CLASS PART OF THE EQUATION AND GO FOR OUTRAGEOUS