Photo: PR Times

Denim is considered old fashioned?! What else are the youngsters in Japan losing interest in?

By cinnamonellie, grape Japan

You’d think that regardless the age or gender, jeans will always be a classic item and that denim will always have a place in our wardrobe.

Well, in Japan it seems that many youngsters are losing interest in denim and the reason for that is because they believe it’s for old people.

On the Nippon TV’s Monday Late Show recently, the staff conducted an interview and asked Japanese youngsters in Tokyo what are they losing interest in (~nani banare/~何離れ; meaning what are you letting go of?).

Many of them answered that when they think of denim they think of grandpas and it just looks uncool so they prefer something else instead. For ladies, at least, they can choose from many designs of skirts, dresses and pants and even men decide on choosing other materials instead of denim.

Another thing the youngsters seem to stop using is wax. The trends are changing and many prefer the natural kind of hairstyle.

Asked why, some answered that their overall appearance looks nerdy by putting on wax or they just think the hair looks greasy and heavy.

The Japanese men had another thing they let go of and that is “ore” (“I”, “me”), the word used for referring to yourself, same as “boku”, “jibun” (myself) and “watashi” (mainly used by girls). They are now preferring to refer to themselves by using jibun or boku instead of ore.

While the men are giving up “ore”, young ladies in Japan prefer using pajamas instead of negligee.

Another thing that surprised me was that many are lost when it comes to the answering machine. Not many young people in Japan use it anymore and being challenged to leave a message to someone, they all stuttered and seemed incoherent in their messages.

Many of the children in Japan and young students also let go of chewing gum and the last thing they are gradually losing interest is the application Line (similar to Whatsapp).

The application is probably the most popular way of communication in Japan and it surprised me a lot to hear that young people are starting to use platforms such as Instagram instead of Line as a means of communication.

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© grape Japan

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when it comes to the answering machine. 

is the writer 80 years old? I think he/she means "voice mail." I haven't used an "answering machine" in about 20 years, and I am neither young nor Japanese.

As for young Japanese women, their look these days is decidedly frumpy, like Handmaiden's Tale style. Long shapeless dresses, sneakers, etc. The days of short skirts, stiletto heels and body-hugging blouses is basically over, I'm afraid.

6 ( +13 / -7 )

Blue jeans, t-shirts and flannel shirts (in winter) is all I've wore for the past 50 years. And sneakers or work boots. Don't have any intentions to stop because someone says they are out of style.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

When I first moved here a decade ago I was in my early twenties and I generally preferred Japanese fashion. Now I much prefer US fashion, aside from the crop top obsession. Apparently in Japan once you hit 30 you absolutely must wear the long skirt, oversized shirt tucked into long shirt and Birkenstocks look (as a woman.) It's like a uniform. More power to them if that's how they want to dress, no hate there but it's just disappointing when everyone looks the same. I don't like how, when you get a certain age, there's like a requirement to how you look. Like once a week my mother in law will tell me that 'moms' shouldn't have long hair. And my hair is only somewhat long... it's not like I can sit on it or anything. Like now that I've hit the 30s I have to chop off my hair and dress like a preschool teacher.

Not like I'm a fashionista anyhow haha. I usually wear dark slimfit jeans, a dark sweater and a beanie if its cold... jeans and a T-shirt if it's hot. My buddy asked me last month if I were getting too old to wear my Doc Marten boots. He can peel them off of my 80 year old dead body if he wants. Dress how you want, people.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

The thing about denim pants is that they are convenient, easy to wear and wash, don't need ironing, and tough to destroy. Unless one is really more concerned about fashion than about utility, denim has many advantages.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Well I am both old and not Japanese, and I gave up wearing denim 20 years ago. It does not keep you warm on cold days, it is not durable, it is not flexible, and it gets stained very easily.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Fashion go in circles, around and around. Jeans have been with us for more than 100 years and are here to stay. I wear denim Japanese jackets, really good for painting in. And the summer samurai also denim or cottons.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I am not a fan of either of those styles.

The Jeans give the impression that I am contemplating climbing onboard some combined harvester. And the width of those navy wide leg pants, would ensure I could to sail/glide down to my local supermarket

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Samue jackets, and pants in the summer. My favorite are my worn out denim waistcoats and bomber jacket.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Since I always gotta throw jeans out after wearing out holes in the crotch area from simply walkin....

I’ve switched to sports pants.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Who said denim is 'out'? The stupid 'fashion gods' spin the big wheel and the pie slice that lands under the pointer arrow is the 'new style of the week'.

Complete and total crap.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I haven't worn jeans in a long time either. Not that comfortable, and quite uncomfortable and heavy in the Japan summer. And definitely not flattering if you are even a little overweight.

So many great new fabrics that work better.

Who said denim is 'out'? 

Well, there is no denying the fashion gods exist. But over a certain age it all changes too fast, and most of us have more important things to think about. For a guy over 50, just choose a classic stye and stick with it - like Steve Jobs and his mock turtlenecks. Or Thomas Wolfe and his white suits. Or Eddie Izzard and his black miniskirts.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Gave up jeans years ago. Nothing worse than seeing someone wearing something fashionable like a sport coat, dress shirt or high heels with faded or torn jeans.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

I find the oversized formless semi-bell bottom pants girls are wearing these days an insult to the pretty girls wearing them. People are in good shape here. No need to hide what you got. In America, yes, those pants over yoga pants any day.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

I find young people here to be like old people elsewhere sometimes. :)

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Denim requires people to have a nice form usually curves for both men and women.

In Japan, people either don't have a nice curvy form or a

some Japanese don't think that they have a nice curvy form.

The other reason is all the old Japanese men and women wearing jeans during their off days. You see them wearing jeans with t-shirts, dress up shoes, sports coats. Sometimes, it looks ok and sometimes not.

If a trend becomes popular with adults and especially older adults then it is no longer cool for young people.

That is what turns young people off. Older adults making their trends look uncool.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

So the just got mauled by a tiger jeans aren't popular among youth?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Denim for old people??. Sure !!, for old ones, young ones, boy, girls, men, women.. Denims are for everybody, a forever classic !!..

1 ( +2 / -1 )

savethegaijinMay 4  08:41 am JST Apparently in Japan once you hit 30 you absolutely must wear the long skirt, oversized shirt tucked into long shirt and Birkenstocks look (as a woman.) It's like a uniform.

Next time you see this, check for a wedding ring and/or is the woman toting children? A large percentage of Japanese women tend to dress much more conservatively once they are married, regardless of their age. It's as if being fashionable or "sexy" is something that needs to be put away once married.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I have deduced from the downvotes above that the typical reader here is an overweight person who prefers jeans and has little sense of personal style. The jean defenders are angry.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

As a non-overweight person who likes jeans, I'm offended, commanteer lol

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Can't beat a denim suit and denim tie for job interviews.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I dislike denim and have never worn it, but if you like it wear it. Fashion is awful.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The grinch, gollum and hyenas also don't wear denim.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Being a yearly Japan visitor, the one trend that I was sad to see go was the gradual disappearance of 3cm-long mini skirts in favor of those goofy baggy pants.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Many Japanese women have stumpy, short legs. Not a good look for tight fitting denim

-1 ( +1 / -2 )


Having short legs was the reasoning behind female students rolling up their skirts. It may even explain the rise of the mini skirt!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It’s 35 degrees outside, take a walk around and count how many women aren’t wearing frumpy, baggy jeans. And people wonder why nobody is dating anymore

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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