7 Fashion Trends To Rock in Tokyo This Winter

Embrace the cold in style and make the icy streets your winter fashion runway.

Winter in Tokyo. Now, as fabulous as that sounds (what with all the nabe, amazake and winter illuminations), many of us would much rather spend now until late March cooped up indoors all day in our faded, worn-out sweatpants.

Resist the siren call of the kotatsu, we say! Even though we totally agree that sweatpants are wonderful in their own way, we also know that winter in Tokyo is a great season for showing off your unique winter style. We’ve rounded up the top seven winter trends inspired by the F/W 2019 fashion runway (as well as what some of your favorite celebrities have been wearing) along with affordable alternatives so that you’ll actually want to go outside.

1. Dark Romance

Think floral print is only for the spring and summer. Wrong! One popular trend seen on the winter 2019 runways was dark, moody florals. Think romantic, feminine silhouettes calling you to the dark side.

Savvy Styling Tip:

Implementing dark floral prints into your wardrobe is easy. You can choose between wearing a long floral dress or opt for a long-sleeved floral blouse. If you want to toughen up the look, pair it with a cool leather jacket, or, alternatively, dress it up with a faux fur coat and statement jewelry for a chic look.

Affordable Alternatives:

Find your flower power for a fraction of the price with these Japanese brand bargains.

Floral empire gathered one-piece dress by earth music&ecology  | ¥2,744. (50% off ¥5,489)

Black blouse by Honeys | ¥1,980

As Seen on Instagram:

We’re just a little bit envious of famous actress and model, Mirei Kiritani, absolutely nailing it in this long, floral dress while on a winter jaunt to Paris.

View this post on Instagram

#ロレアルパリメイクアップ からホリデーシーズンのパリをイメージした限定コレクションが12/6に発売👏 ラメ入りのトップコートは1本で使っても、リップの上から重ねても綺麗💄 限定のアイシャドウと合わせて、華やかメイクで気分もドレスアップしよ✨ #ロレアルパリメイクアップ #ルージュシグネチャー #ホリデーアイパレット #クリスマスコフレ

A post shared by 桐谷美玲 (@mirei_kiritani_) on Dec 4, 2019 at 2:05am PST

2. Knit dresses

Step foot into any shop or store in Japan and you’re bound to see a rail of knitted dresses in numerous styles and in an array of colors. If you’ve been considering investing in a knit dress, now would definitely be the time to do so!

Savvy Styling Tip:

To avoid adding unnecessary bulk to your frame, instead of wearing a coat on top of your knitted dress, why not go a size up and wear a thermal underneath (big thumbs up to Uniqlo’s heat tech) to keep you warm. We’re a big fan of Zara’s puff sleeve dress below!

Affordable Alternatives:

Cozy up with these fast-fashion winter wonders.

Puff sleeve dress by Zara | ¥4,590

Greige 5G turtleneck one-piece by LEPSIM | ¥4,290 (20% off ¥5,390)

3. Animal Print (Leopard, Snakeskin, Zebra)

One trend that seems to never go out of style is animal print. Paco Rabanne and Versace taught us an important lesson in that we must not be afraid to mix and match our favorite animal prints! Remember: Leopard Print = Power Print.

Savvy Styling Tip:

One way to wear animal print while staying warm on cold days is to wear an animal print coat. For an effortless look, an all-black ensemble would be perfect, or if you’re feeling brave, wear the coat with another animal printed clothing item.

Not feeling bold? Be a little more subtle and invest in some animal print accessories such as the snood from Freak’s Store below.

Affordable Alternatives:

I am woman, hear me roar (for these cost-effective clothing picks).

Animal print coat by Zara | ¥5,990 (55% off ¥13,990)

Tweed Mill x Freak’s Store Animal print snood by Freak’s Store  | ¥3,234 (40% off ¥5,390)

As Seen on Instagram:

Fashion model, Rola, is serious #fashioninspo, walking the streets of Paris in Louis Vuitton animal print. We want to go to Paris now, please.

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walking around in Paris like an animal 🦓🖤 @louisvuitton

A post shared by ROLA🇯🇵 (@rolaofficial) on Oct 2, 2019 at 7:01am PDT

4. Combat Boots

March around the city with this season’s “it” footwear: combat boots. These chunky boots scream serious attitude. Attention please: you won’t want to mess with us.

Savvy Styling Tip:

You can wear them with some tights and a skirt/dress. You can wear them with jeans/trousers. The point is, they go with just about everything. Combat boots are true classics, so whether you decide to splurge on Doc Martens or save with a pair from GU or Oriental Traffic, these boots will prove to be worth fighting for.

Affordable Alternatives:

These boots were made for walking.

Splurge

Black original boots smooth by Dr. Martens | ¥26,400

Save

Black lace-up flat boots by Oriental Traffic | ¥3,250 (50% off ¥6,500)

5. Tulle

For those with a more feminine style, the trend we guarantee you’ll love is the oh-so-elegant tulle. Tulle is a beautiful soft-net material that is surprisingly wearable. It makes for the perfect evening look or even for when you’re feeling a very extra day at home. Be gone, sweatpants!

Savvy Styling Tip:

Don’t know what to wear for that winter illumination date? Going on a cute dinner date with your friends? Tulle is perfect for this occasion. If you find tulle to be a little too girly for you and you’d rather toughen it up, kill two trends with one stone by wearing it with a pair of combat boots.

Affordable Alternatives:

Feminine and fairly priced. We love.

Pink beige tulle pleated skirt by earth music&ecology  | ¥2,194 (50% off ¥4,389)

Black tulle skirt by Zara | ¥1,190 (70% off ¥3,990)

As Seen on Instagram:

Japanese tarento, Karen Takizawa, looks absolutely gorgeous wearing a beautiful gold tulle pleated skirt with a navy bow-tie blouse (also very trendy).

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みなさん、こんにちは😃 今日こそ大ニュースがあります☺️✨ ひそかな観覧者を見逃さない、で挑む 「松之丞カレンの反省だ！」本日朝日テレビさんにて23:15〜SP(スペシャル)放映します❣️💗 私の大好きな番組でもあるこちらです💁‍♀️ 2ヶ月くらい謎なままな距離を一旦置きましたが、また会うことになりました☺️ 再集合ってなんだかかっこよいので好きです💗 色々考えたけどやっぱり集まろうよってことを思い出したんだと思います😅 松之丞さんは2ヶ月の間何を感じたのか、急に会ったら痩せていまして会わない間に変わっていく親戚のような人でした✨ スタッフさんは何も変わってない人たちばかりです☺️ ツィッターには、松之丞カレンの反省だ！のホームページがあるようですので、私が知らない何かが乗っているようです😆 両手使いされてる方は見てください😊 今回は誰もが気合い入ってるねと番組さんは言われても仕方ない、大好きなあの方も出てきますので本当に嬉しいです💕 あとは感じる人は感じる目に見えない地域の話もしているので、夜に見るにはぴったりです🌙(ホラーでは一切ない) ちょうどパワーが欲しい方がいたら見てください🥰 夜に会いましょう☺️ さよなら✨ #松之丞カレンの反省だ #まだ忘れてない頃に戻ってくる #まだ皆様の脳には記憶があってほしい #信頼感がまた一つ増えて行く #笑顔がまたそこにはあって #楽しくなる予感をまたゾクゾクさせる #好きな番組は増える一方だ

A post shared by 滝沢カレン／KAREN TAKIZAWA (@takizawakarenofficial) on Sep 21, 2019 at 1:57am PDT

6. Cozy Bags

Who needs a boyfriend to snuggle up to this winter (you’re a strong independent woman after all) when you can just snuggle up to your cozy handbag? Whether it’s faux fur, shearling or any other fuzzy texture, you can always count on your bag to keep you warm this winter.

Savvy Styling Tip:

If you’re a maximalist dresser, perhaps a neutral-colored cozy bag (think black or grey) may be a better bet as not to divert too much attention away from your outfit. But if you’re rocking the minimal look, a bold print cozy bag (like the one from Natural Beauty Basic below) could be the perfect way to add the finishing touch to your outfit.

Affordable Alternatives:

Bag these budget-friendly picks.

Leopard print tote bag by Natural Beauty Basic | ¥3,200 (20% off ¥4000)

7. Puffy Headbands

This winter, headbands are back and they are bigger than ever. Show off your inner Blair Waldorf by going for a puffy headband that will instantly make you look put together—perfect for when you’re feeling too lazy to make an effort and especially a savior for when you’re having a bad hair day!

Savvy Styling Tip:

The beauty of a puffy headband is its versatility. They will go with any style/texture of hair whether it’s straight, wavy, curly, sleek or natural, and can also complement a ponytail or low bun. Short hair, long hair, you name it–the puffy headband will be your best winter friend!

Affordable Alternatives:

Get a-head with these money-saving options.

Rhinestone Headband by H&M | ¥1,799

Burgundy beads headband by H&M | ¥649 (50% off ¥1,299) (available in burgundy and black)

Now go forth into the city and strut your stuff!