Why Young Consumers in Japan are Falling in Love with Vintage Fashion
Source: YiLan FuSang (ID: sjcff2016), Author: Jiang Jianqiang Article Summary This article explores the development of Japan’s vintage culture and the growing popularity of vintage clothing in the country. Vintage clothes are not only secondhand garments but also fashion items with historical and cultural significance. The article also discusses Uniqlo’s recent move to sell secondhand clothes and the increasing acceptance of vintage in Japan. Vintage clothing in Japan plays a role of “beauty,” not just “prettiness,” embodying narrative and rarity. Japan’s vintage culture has a long history, with vintage garments dating back to the Muromachi period. The younger generation in Japan is increasingly accepting vintage clothing, with resistance fading. In their perception of beauty, the Japanese are skilled at distinguishing between two kinds of beauty. The Japanese language uses the terms “美しい” (beautiful) and “綺麗” (pretty). In the Japanese view, something that is merely pretty can, i...