blog series 3 japan fashion

Shirt dresses have become a hit this spring and summer, adding momentum to the trend in one-piece dresses that began a few seasons ago. Women from all walks of life, from the teenage girls who gather in Tokyo's Harajuku district and the "gals" of Shibuya - with their taste for tanned skin, makeup, and flashy clothes - to working women and middle-aged homemakers, are discovering the appeal of these dresses. The main reason for shirt dresses' popularity is the myriad of ways in which they can be worn. They make a great one-piece dress and can also be turned into office wear with the addition of a jacket or cardigan. They look good over leggings, skinny jeans, cropped pants, and other slim-line bottoms and enable women who are self-conscious about their legs to cover up. Dresses are enjoying growing favor for a number of other reasons. Though just a single article of clothing, they let women look chic and feminine and spare them the need to coordinate separates. They also afford freedom of movement and feel good to wear. Some women say dresses provide cover for their waists and hips and make it easy to create a new silhouette. Delicate, feminine skirts suggestive of spring are already appearing ahead of the full arrival of the season, perhaps due to the unusually mild winter Japan has experienced. The skirts that were in fashion the previous spring were natural and simple garments in white or undyed cotton and other casual skirts, such as tight denim skirts. But in spring 2007 the storefronts of boutiques and department stores are abloom with skirts in diverse colors, patterns, designs, and details, tempting women to buy. Other than their above-knee length, this season's popular skirts are highly varied. Overall, the focus is on shaped, voluminous skirts with generous flares or with puffed hips or hems. Examples include gathered skirts made of sheer fabric, such as chiffon or crepe, in pinkish beige and other pale colors; balloon skirts with rounded hems; pleated skirts that give an air of refined grace; and tiered skirts, the most feminine style of all.