How to buy beautiful clothes in japan and how it differs from australia
Picture this: you have got your first paycheck and you’re ready to buy beautiful clothes in Japan. So you go to the closest shopping district and excitingly grab all the beautiful prints at the kawaiiest store you can find. But after trying on your first “free size” shirt, you look in horror at the reflection in the mirror of the frumpy monster that looks like it has raided a child’s wardrobe. While trying to get the shirt back over your chest without ripping it into a thousand pieces, you ask yourself “wait- am I really a monster that cant fit clothes?”.
The answer is no. No, you are not.
In Japan they say the nail that sticks out gets hammered down, and when spring season comes along and the country becomes a blur of tan trench coats you will understand exactly what this means. Women’s clothing in Japan is traditionally one-size and women were expected to conform to that size. The good news is this is slowly changing as demand grows and more international brands open stores. Unlike in Australia, where most chain stores have their own plus-size, tall and petite ranges, chain store sizing in Japan tends to cater to the norm and anything outside of that is very difficult to source without having to go to a muumuu store.
Styles in Japan can also be very different to styles in Australia. In general, shoulders are expected to be covered and most tops and dresses have a high neckline. This can be very unflattering and ill-fitting if you have a bigger bust. If you’re taller than 165cm, you’ll most likely find that most dress lengths hit at awkward places. Exercise tights and jandals/flipflops are generally not worn outside like they are in Australia. You, of course, do not need to follow these social rules. In fact, I encourage you to do you. If you’re wondering how to buy clothes in Japan you will find my best size-friendly online and in-store shops below:
Where to buy clothes in Japan: Online
Here you will find a list of stores that either ship to Japan from within Japan or offer shipping to Japan.
Revolve
Revolve is an online retailer that ships to Japan. It is free for orders over USD$100. They sell brands like Loveshackfancy, For Love & Lemons, and Free People.
Forcast
Forcast is one of my favourite places to shop if I’m going to buy something that isn’t second hand because I know the quality is going to be decent. The brand is from Australia and the lengths are always suitable for work. I’m 168cm so I struggled to find clothes long enough for me in Japan. They recently changed their shipping prices, but they have free international shipping over $250. Forcast has sizing up to 18.
MADEWELL
Madewell ships to Japan now and the best thing is that tax and shipping is included in the price at checkout so you won’t have to pay anything extra to Japan customs.
Spell
If you are looking for something a little more fancy and higher quality, I recommend Spell. Spell is another Australian brand that ships to Japan. Currently they have a flat fee of $25AUD (about ¥2500). They make beautiful, whimsical clothes that are perfect for summer in Japan. Spell also have a no fur policy, and a ‘Good’ rating for ethical fashion on Good On You. Just keep in mind that Japan has an importation tax for leather goods.
Lorna Jane
Lorna Jane ships from Singapore to Japan and because of the price conversion it is usually cheaper than in Australia. What a bargain! Just keep in mind that wearing tights as pants and showing your shoulders is basically a huge taboo in Japan and you will get grannies staring and tsking at you. Just tsk back. Lorna Jane has sizing up to XL and an Eco Range.
Asos
ASOS for me has always been hit and miss. But when you’re living overseas and find it hard to get clothes this is worth the gamble. I tend to stick to brands I know because the ASOS brand always has different fits. Keep in mind you may have to pay tax on orders over 10,000 yen and on leather goods. ASOS stocks known brands like Topshop, New Look, Miss Selfridge, and Ted Baker.
Next
Next is awesome and they recently announced they would be releasing Laura Ashley! (Both Next and Laura Ashley used to have stores in Japan but they have all closed down except for the Next store located in Omotesando). They also stock well-known brands like Lipsy online.
Mercari
Mercari is like the Depop of Japan. Basically, you can find people selling their wares. This is a great place to buy clothes in Japan from international brands. However, you will need to have some basic understanding of Japanese to navigate the app.
Zozo Town
Zozo Town is like the ASOS of Japan. It stocks most Japanese fast fashion brands as well as the Western fast fashion brands available in Japan. They stock brands like Suprega, Birkenstock, Vivienne Westwood, Kate Spade, See by Chloe and more. They also have a Used section. Buyer beware: The sizing is hit and miss in the Used section (items listed as large but tag reads size 34).
Where to buy clothes in Japan: In Store
Buy Clothes in Japan: Secondhand Stores
Some of the big secondhand stores are Mode Off, Second Street, Treasure Factory and Don Don Down on Wednesday. These stores are easy to find in any town in Tokyo neighborhood and beyond. Secondhand stores are great because it’s a more ethical way to shop that fast-fashion brands. However, you might find it hard to find your sizes in these shops just like you would at a fast-fashion Japanese brand! So below are my three favourite areas to look for expats:
Minato-ku / Shibuya-ku
Pro Tip – go op-shopping (secondhand shopping) in the areas where there are expat communities (Hint: Minato-ku and Shibuya). When people leave the country, they usually give all their clothes to these stores, and I’ve found clothes from all around the world!
Koenji and Shimokitazawa
These are probably the most popular areas for secondhand shopping in Tokyo. The secondhand stores in these areas often import vintage American clothing, but the price reflects that. If you are interested in buying clothes in Japan, but you prefer to buy second hand, Koenji and Shimokitizawa have the biggest range of stores.
Ginza
Ginza is great for more high-end and mostly international secondhand goods. Buying secondhand branded goods is still considered socially unacceptable to most in Japan. That just means there are more savings for you! Some great stores you can find international brand goods in Ginza are Komehyo, Daikokuya, and Brand-off.
Buy Clothes in Japan: Department Stores
Takashimaya
Takashimaya is a great option for a wide range of international brands. International brands tend to be more expensive than back home but sometimes its just the price you have to pay to have pants that actually reach your ankles.
Aeon
You will have to travel to the suburbs to find Aeon malls (they’re basically the Westfields of Japan) but generally the department store at Aeon have more than just one size (known also as “free size”) clothing. They often have sections for work clothes and formal wear too. However, the style may be very different to what you would see in your home country. I once went shopping for a dress to wear to a wedding there and could not find a single thing that wasn’t high neck and long sleeved. But I did end up finding something knee-length! However, it was something I wore once then gave away as it was not my style.
Buy Clothes in Japan: Western Fast Fashion Chain Stores
HM
My motto when shopping at HM is “well at least it fits”. The quality is hit or miss, the prices are worryingly low. Sometimes you just need a pair of black work pants in your size. They also sell underwear, which is helpful if you’re finding it hard to source some in a style you like in Japan (Japanese underwear styles are very granny-chic). Watch out when shopping for the “P” by the label as this means Petite and will be shorter/smaller.
Zara / Berksha
Zara is always good for trend-setting clothing. However, I noticed in Japan the petite range is becoming the more popular sizing in store. So if you see your essentials in your size, grab them up before its too late. Berksha also has a few stores in Tokyo, too.
GAP
GAP has the best sizing I’ve seen when it comes to buying clothes in Japan. The clothes are often too casual for work if you work in an office. They have locations all over Tokyo and always have sales.
Japanese Fast-Fashion Chain Stores
Tutu Anna
As far as Japanese fast-fashion chain stores go, Tutu Anna is the most popular underwear and socks shop. They have socks that go up to size 25 (which is supposed to be an 8) and they have tights that go to a L to LL (which is supposed to fit someone with a height 155 cm to 170 cm and hips: 90 to 103 cm). I find that I can just fit into these at 168cm. They have a great range of designs and styles. Tutu Anna is at most shopping centres.
Oriental Traffic
Oriental Traffic is one of the most popular Japanese fast-fashion chain stores to sell shoes and has a great range of non-leather shoes at an affordable price point. They have sizes in L (24.5cm), LL (25.5cm), and 3L (26.5cm) and also have some shoes listed in European sizing (38,39,40 etc.). I find they run narrow so you will probably have to go up a size. They have a great range if you’re looking for a cost effective shoe. Oriental Traffic is at most shopping centres.
Punyus
Although Punyus is widely known as being a plus-size brand, it is quite popular with trendy folk of all sizes. You will find people of all shapes and sizes shopping there. The brand’s style is casual A-line summer dresses and oversized boxy tees. They flatter most body types and are very on trend.
How to buy clothes in Japan: Some Tips
- Buy clothes made to order outside of Japan during your next trip to Vietnam or Thailand. There are some amazing seamstresses to support in the local economy.
- Popular chain stores from Japan that you would be familiar within Australia like Uniqlo and MUJI have larger sizing (and not the typical “free size” you see in Japan) but personally I found the clothes don’t fit my body shape well there (especially on the chest and hips). The sizing back in Australia is not the same as the sizing in Japan. If you are a fan of Uniqlo, check out their sister brand G.U, their trendy diffusion line aimed at the younger generation. Beware, the cost is cheaper and that means the quality is, too.
- If you’re moving to Japan and wondering what clothes are the hardest to source, I find it hard to find knee-length dresses at 168cm, shoes that fit my feet at US/AU size 7 (or UK5), and tights that are long enough. If you are going back home for a holiday, make sure you stock up on these styles as they are harder to find in Japan.
VERDICT
Finding clothes in Japan doesn’t have to be hard
I hope this list helped make your struggles to find clothes a little easier in Japan. Now the question is, where are you going to go in your new outfit?
Thanks for reading!
I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re on Instagram, you can find me over here: @apicturesquelife and I’d be happy to connect!
xoxo,
WANT TO SAY THANK YOU?
I strive to keep all of my guides accessible to all. If my free content has helped you in any way and you would like to say ‘thank you’, I would hugely appreciate any donation towards my work and the running costs of this blog. Any contribution is greatly appreciated!