In the 1990s through the late 2000s, the Harajuku style was the most popular and sought-after fashion trend in Japan. However, as fashion is an ever-evolving global phenomenon, Japan too experienced a shift, with fashion moving away from traditional Japanese standards and embracing a style more in tune with the youth. Along with this change came brands that redefined the way Japanese people dressed. What we also noticed—and loved the most—is how profoundly Japanese fashion brands have influenced the rest of the world. From sleek, clean silhouettes and high-quality materials to styles that are truly unique and fresh, Japanese apparel has made a global impact. While most of these Japanese fashion brands might not be available in India, we suggest you save this post and start manifesting a trip to Japan, because here are 10 Japanese brands you need to have on your radar ASAP.
10 Best Japanese Clothing Brands That Should Be On Your Radar in 2024
Overview
- 1. Uniqlo
- 2. Yohji Yamamoto
- 3. Muji
- 4. A Bathing Ape (BAPE)
- 5. Wtaps
- 6. Blue Blue Japan
- 7. Sacai
- 8. Auralee
- 9. MIYAGIHIDETAKA
- 10. Undercover
Here's A List Of Top Japanese Clothing Brands
Uniqlo
It's been a couple of years now since the Japanese apparel giant entered India—quickly becoming pretty much everyone's top brand. Uniqlo is known for their top-notch street style, comfort, and on-trend apparel right from the best of the best supima cotton tee shirts, puffer jackets, to formal wear. What we love the most about the brand is how seamlessly it has been able to fuse fashion with technology with their 3D print machines. Other than that, their clothes and accessories are always on trend yet have a sort of a street-style-meets-timeless charm.
Pro-Tip: Find out if the Uniqlo capsule bag is worth the hype.
Social media: UNIQLO INDIA
Yohji Yamamoto
This unisex, genderless brand has been popping up pretty much everywhere on our feeds, especially for its unique asymmetrical clothes that scream runway fashion. Yamamoto debuted in 1981 at Paris—revolutionising the world of fashion through his philosophy of 'conquering fashion through antithesis', which is mainly an antithesis to traditional western clothing. What we love most is how effortless yet high-end the clothes look with black being a dominant colour used throughout.
Pro-Tip: Check out more ideas for all-black outfits here.
Social media: Yohji Yamamoto Official
Muji
The minute we walk into a Muji store, we immediately want to fill our baskets with everything it has to offer. Lucky for us, Muji is available in India. What we love most about the brand is that it offers products across a wide range of categories—from stationery and wellness to crockery and apparel. Their apparel, in particular, features gorgeous neutral palettes, classic Japanese silhouettes, and, of course, high-quality materials. With options for men, women, and kids, Muji truly is a multi-faceted destination.
Social media: MUJI India
A Bathing Ape (BAPE)
Spotted on the likes of Kanye and Soulja Boy, A Bathing Ape is a brand that is filled to the brim with unique prints, designs, and a streetwear aesthetic. Founded in 1993, it soon became famous in the underground scene in Harajuku, Tokyo, before being propelled to international acclaim. What we find fascinating and what is special about the brand, making it one of the best Japanese ones out there is that through the years APE has continued to release its signature high-end streetwear and is regarded as one of the OGs in the space.
Social media: AAPE BY *A BATHING APE®
Wtaps
Established in 1996, WTAPS, pronounced as double taps inspired from the military term for two shots fired at the same target in succession. It is a Japanese fashion brand whose apparel is fully inspired by authentic military designs, blending seamlessly with streetwear sensibilities to form some of the most sought-after Japanese streetwear. Even a simple glance at their 2023 autumn/winter collections reveals how much the brand relies on simple, solid colours along with clean cuts. Other than this, their camouflage pieces are considered streetwear royalty making them super precious and a bit hard to get a hold of—adding to the charm and cult following of the brand.
Social media: WTAPS
Blue Blue Japan
Blue Blue Japan can be summed up in two words—indigo and workwear styles that are classic and timeless. As the name suggests, the brand is known for its traditional use of indigo. What we love about the brand, and what makes it so special is its homage to indigo dyeing (Aizome) that's deep rooted in Japanese culture. The clothes are all understated, workwear styles without overt branding. The brand's ideology is also rooted in the fact that they create products that are meant to last a lifetime, which automatically gets brownie points from us.
Social media: BLUE BLUE JAPAN
Sacai
What caught our eye while checking out Sacai is how beautifully they merge luxury with streetwear. Their latest collaboration with Nike on the LD Waffle silhouette, which has catapulted the brand to global fame, is a standout example. What also draws us to Sacai, and makes it one of the best Japanese brands, is how their collections embrace androgynous silhouettes that lean towards streetwear, blurring the lines between formal and casual. We're big fans of the knits and the scrunched-up blazers, which perfectly blend couture with street fashion.
Social media: sacaiofficial
Auralee
If elegance, formal wear, and comfort had a baby, it would be Auralee. And that’s already happened, because this brand is knocking it out of the park with its gorgeous, minimalist clothing. Every piece has a clean, sophisticated look that combines old-money elegance with modern minimalism—a blend that’s both fresh and unique yet makes perfect sense. The brand doesn’t believe in bold, flashy designs; instead, it’s fully driven by an evolving sense of minimalism, with color palettes that are effortlessly pleasing. Additionally, everything is consciously sourced, from wools to cottons. What we can’t wait to get our hands on when we visit Japan are the knitwear and coats.
Social media: AURALEE
MIYAGIHIDETAKA
The brainchild of Miyagi Hidetaka, the brand was established simply because he couldn’t find the clothes he wanted to wear. Taking a quality-first approach, he created something truly magical—his brand, which is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and history. What truly stands out and makes MIYAGIHIDETAKA recognisable are their signature paisley bandana prints, which can be found on everything from shirts to tote bags. As for us, we’ve got our eye on the shirts, which not only look cool but are also worth every penny, making them a perfect addition to our collection.
Social media: 宮城秀貴 (@miyagi_hidetaka)
Undercover
Undercover's ideology can be best summed up by their motto: "We make noise, not clothes." You can also recognize them from their viral spring 2024 runway show, where models wore dresses made from literal ecosystems! The brand is all about rebellion, blending pop, punk, goth, bondage, and post-modern aesthetics to create a distinctly punk streetwear vibe. At first glance, the clothes have a supremely street style with bold designs and graphic prints on sweatshirts and hoodies, giving off a strong Gen Z vibe. This makes sense, as their pieces have become highly coveted and are now some of the most sought-after items for collectors. After seeing their 2024 spring collection, we’re excited to see where the brand is headed next.
Social media: UNDERCOVER
