Fall is arguably the most beautiful season in Japan. With autumn foliage, festivals, and crisp weather alike, it’s the perfect occasion to step outside the box and play with a variety of styles that accompany this seasonal change. And in Kyoto, you’ll find a wide range of street looks that vary from minimalist to modern to normcore. In the spotlight are three JETs who live and work in Kyoto, with an interview featuring their takes on fall fashion for every occasion.
Alys Grey: Group Gathering Born in NYC, this is Alys’s first time in Asia. She tends to embrace a simple look but pairs it with more colorful, ornate accessories. She’s lived everywhere in NYC and happily embraces a mix of Japanese and Western styles. Her dress and cardigan are both from H&M. She got her boots from AEON and her handbag from Alice On Wednesday in Tokyo. How would you describe Japanese fashion? Eclectic people who are really high fashion, very sleek, but on the other hand you have people that are very cute, and then there are the people who are kinda funky. So you see some sorts of combinations that you typically wouldn’t see in other places. How does that compare to fashion back in New York City? It’s actually pretty similar, but we don’t gear as much towards cute. We don’t have as much cute. You’re more likely to see more sexy in New York. I think fashion in Kyoto is a bit more reserved. Or, maybe refined is the better word for it. You still see a lot of cute styles, you also see the occasional funky ones. But, when you are in Tokyo you
definitely see a lot more outgoing styles than in Kyoto. People try out things that I don’t think they try out in Kyoto. Fall go-to accessory or look? I really like wearing leggings with dresses or shorts. It lets me give my summer wardrobe an extended lifespan. I like to pair my leggings with cute ankle boots whenever possible. I have some really cute clothes I picked up while I was in Tokyo. Since I love nautical themes, I’ve always been a fan of sailor fuku-based designs but have never had a chance to try them.
Christin Cook: Dinner Party Pittsburgh native Christin Cook is in her third year in Kyoto. Over time she’s slowly added a mix of
Photo: Alys Grey and Matthew Li
50 50
