Heisei retro fashion is making a comeback in the Reiwa era! The appeal of Y2K style
Clothing is like a mirror that reflects the spirit and atmosphere of its time.
When you look back at the fashions that were popular in the Heisei era, doesn’t a mix of nostalgia and excitement come rushing back? From gyaru style to Mori Girl to aomoji-kei fashion, Heisei retro looks are packed with a charm that still feels fresh today.
For those who lived through it, the trends feel nostalgic; for younger generations, they look new and exciting.
Shall we set off together into the world of Heisei style—a world that somehow feels warm and welcoming?
- Heisei Retro Design: A Nostalgic World Gaining Renewed Attention in the Reiwa Era
- [Nostalgic Showa Fashion] The changing trends that feel both nostalgic and fresh
- Nostalgia revived with Heisei-era retro goods! A guide to items you’ll want to collect now
- [Nostalgic yet New] A Collection of Heisei-Retro Illustrations You Can Draw Easily
- Nostalgic foods of the Showa era. Let’s trace the memorable flavors and the memories they evoke.
- A nostalgic feature on Showa-era magazines: looking back at the popular magazines of the time.
- Heartwarming nostalgia: scenes of Showa-era streets that bring back memories.
- A must-see for the Showa generation! Nostalgic popular snacks from the old days
- Have fun with classic Showa-era games! Simple yet profoundly engaging traditional pastimes
- The nostalgic world of Showa-era films. Revisiting masterpieces that linger in the heart.
- A roundup of nostalgic Showa-era home appliances, including rare ones you don’t see anymore!
- Nostalgic shōjo manga from the Showa era. A collection of masterpieces representing the times.
- Nostalgic cars from the Showa era: A special feature on memorable classic cars spotted on street corners
Heisei retro fashion is making a comeback in the Reiwa era! The allure of Y2K style (1–10)
Lolita fashion
@mikuraiyori Lolita tea party 🫖 Beginners are super welcome!! Come join us, okay?! Held regularly. Tea parties are my comfort… I love everyone. Only kind, sweet people gather here… I’m so happy 🫰💓#fashion#lolita#lolitacood#Lolita@yasu_ko @Himeno 🎀 (Hi-chan)#teaparty#Lolita
♬ Original Song – Japanese Film Man – Movie Man
The streets during the Heisei era were filled with fashion that expressed individuality.
One particularly popular style among them was Lolita fashion.
Today, it’s often called “nostalgic Lolita.” The mainstream look featured solid-colored one-piece dresses adorned with lace and frills, paired with a headdress, exuding a princess-like or Western doll-like cuteness.
Momoko Ryugasaki, the protagonist played by Kyoko Fukada in the film Kamikaze Girls, is a quintessential example of this nostalgic Lolita style.
platform-sole outfit
@loverz_10 Koji Kuga, Buffalo, Rockin, and so on—the chunky platform vibe from back then is just irresistible.#FukuokaVintageClothing#loverz10#00sfashion#fruitsHeisei#Shuichiro voice#fypVintage clothing#kera
♬ READY STEADY GO – L’Arc-en-Ciel
Chunky platform shoes—stylish, cute, and great for adding extra height—were one of the iconic items of the Heisei era.
Platform boots and platform sandals…
If you spent your youth back then, chances are you wore them at least once.
And now, that Heisei-era platform style is making a comeback in the Reiwa era! In addition to boots and sandals, platform sneakers are popping up too.
While the platform look is great for making your legs appear longer, it can be hard to walk in and increases the risk of falling, so be careful when incorporating it into your outfits.
forest girl
@riana_mine Is it true that mori-girl fashion is still trending even in the Reiwa era? 🫣#Mori GirlHeiseiHeisei fashion
♬ original sound – alesia.merenkova
Mori-girl is a fashion theme inspired by girls who look like they belong in the forest.
It began with the “Mori Girl” community on the social networking service mixi.
Its hallmarks include dresses and loose silhouettes that don’t cling to the body in calm colors like white, beige, and khaki.
The style’s natural, girlish charm became very popular.
Back then, many people admired actresses like Aoi Miyazaki and Yu Aoi, who were seen as representing the mori-girl look.
Heisei retro fashion is booming again in the Reiwa era! The charm of Y2K style (11–20)
otaku fashion
@q13nxlszxox 2_Heisei-era anime otaku must-wear outfits ☆ complete recreation LOOK BOOK
♬ nhạc nền – q13nxlszxox – q13nxlszxox
Back in the Heisei era, otaku fashion prioritized comfort and functionality, but with the rise of terms like “Akiba-kei,” changes began to appear in otaku style.
Character T-shirts and outfits inspired by anime characters started to be incorporated.
Using accessories like glasses and hats also became a key point.
In contemporary otaku fashion, it’s common to stylishly express one’s love for a favorite character by incorporating their representative color into outfits.
visual kei fashion
@zethmetal A style influenced by Kyo-san ~Capital of Kyoto Prefecture; measurement of area equivalent to approximately 3.3 square meters; prefix denoting 'ten to the power of sixteen'; something noble or excellent; 'Kyō' (given name or part of a name)Visual KeiVisual Kei#VintageClothingHeisei#direngreykyo#visualkei#vkei#jfashion#OOTD#00s#alt#alternative#fyp#fitcheck
♬ Kaikou by Kozi – ♱Adri♱
Visual-kei fashion, where individuality shines, is a style created by Japanese rock bands that blend music and fashion.
Visual-kei bands enjoy fashion and makeup by centering on black and incorporating elements like punk and gothic.
It’s a style that constantly pursues beauty through long skirts, frills, platform boots, and makeup.
Another hallmark of visual-kei fashion is the freedom to enjoy original looks, such as spiked hair and eye makeup that emphasizes black.
Harajuku fashion
@john.so1 💎🌈1990s Harajuku fashion🌈💎#Creative ShootingHeisei#90s#kawaii#jfashion#harajuku
♬ Diamonds – PRINCESS PRINCESS
When people think of Harajuku, many associate it with individuality.
The same goes for Harajuku fashion—it’s a perfect style for expressing your true self.
In the Heisei era, “Decora” was probably the most famous, but Ura-Harajuku–style fashion, rooted in streetwear, was also popular among men.
These days, it feels like more people oddly prefer similar outfits, but back then you could tell at a glance which scene someone belonged to just by their clothes, and that made it really fun.
Hime gyaru fashion
@suzukei_55 LOVE&JOY💖#gyaru#himegyaruHeisei galHime Gal#Parapara
Original Song – Sumire – S
Hime-gyaru fashion, which exploded in popularity thanks to the magazine Koakuma Ageha, is a princess-like style that uses petticoats to give skirts a full, puffy silhouette and enjoys pink items like ribbons, frills, and lace.
It’s not just sweet—adding a mischievous, “little devil” vibe is key, and leopard print is an especially indispensable pattern in the look.
Thick, dark eyeliner and false eyelashes, teased or voluminous hair, and a large ribbon complete the hime-gyaru style.