Tokyo Fashion: A Comic Book

by nodoka

Building a wardrobe is expensive and time-consuming…but it doesn’t have to be! Looking good is easier than ever, and all it takes is a little bit of care. Buying a few basic items in colors you can mix and match in a variety of ways will take you far. This comic book guide to fashion will show you how to introduce a Japanese flourish into your wardrobe with easy tutorials, suggestions for wardrobe essentials, and styling tips on pulling it all together!

Genres: Fashion, Manga, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Japan, Comics

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun and cute seriously.
I saw some of the other reviews and maybe when people think japan style they are really thinking of the harajuku/shibuya / omotesando kind of style. These kind of trendy styles aren’t really the focus of the book it’s more so focused on lasting styles I would say And the fashion presented in this book is, from what I’ve seen, quite typical of Japanese women. Additionally I would note the target age for this book is probably mid 20s-30s but I think it could be enjoyed by anyone depending on your style.
I loved it ☺️

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought this would be a fun read but it was actually quite dull and lacks diversity + representation. Women either have a 'cute' aesthetic or a 'classic' aesthetic. The small font also made the text quite hard to read.

There was some practical advice that made sense, while others might make you raise your eyebrows. I tried to remind myself that Tokyo fashion is different from Western fashion (though I live in Asia), but some of the tips were really quite questionable e.g. a purple striped shirt with green pants??

A light-hearted read but I wouldn't take it too seriously.

[Adrienne Blaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update: I’ve been following the tips in this book and it’s been so helpful! I’ve put together looks from clothes I already had and it’s helped me thrift some staple wardrobe pieces! My favorite outfit has been a long silk skirt with no flare (thrifted) paired with a partially tucked men’s cashmere sweater (gifted after it shrunk in the wash). I polished up the look by wearing comfortable heels (thrifted), putting my hair up and wearing dangly earrings. I’ve always struggled with accessories, but this book helps simplify the decision process! Looking at the runways for Fall 2022 it seems like a lot of the fashions in this book are still spot on.

This is a cute illustrated guide of styling tips for women over 30. There’s also a small section for men and families with small children. It was published in 2021, which seems somehow already outdated and way ahead of schedule by the weird time warp we’ve all been living in.

I didn’t agree with all the tips, but so it goes with any book like this. It’s mostly geared towards someone who wants a shortcut to looking put together without spending too much money or investing time learning about fashion or styling.

I don’t really fit that demographic, but I’ve been interested in street style videos coming out of different cities around the world. I bought this mostly out of curiosity about everyday Tokyo fashion and also because the illustrations remind me of ones I did as a kid aspiring fashion designer influenced by manga. I don’t think this represents the wide array of Tokyo’s street fashions, but it could be interesting to someone outside of Japan to draw inspiration from.

There were a surprising number of recommendations to purchase fast fashion items. So I looked into the author, Nodoka, and she’s a popular Japanese fashion blogger who has worked with Uniqlo, a fast fashion retailer. In my internet bubbles, fast fashion is a big no no for sustainability reasons, but for many people it’s the most affordable option. She appeals to these practical arguments and balances it out with recommendations to invest in key wardrobe staples. So not quite the same two-week trend cycle many “sustainable” fashion influencers are on these days.

I don’t love the messaging that women should strive to appear younger, slimmer, etc. but I had fun reading this.

[Reading_seas0n · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute but extremely small.
I'd love a bit more as I plan to go to Japan next year ( if Covid allows) and fashion is huge and interesting there.

[Mariko · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full of random advice that doesn't seem to have any logic, just espousing the author's personal style preferences.

[Alexa (Alexa Loves Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I genuinely don't know that I found this to be any advice I hadn't seen in some form or fashion before, and I do feel like it's very limited when it comes to the styles it showcases (and since it's directly inspired by the author, it likely imitates the author's specific body type - another limitation). I did like the illustrations, and have definitely tabbed some styles I'd like to try though!

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this modern adult's take on Post-Covid fashion!

This illustrated guide doesn't take itself too serious and instead provides witty tips and fashion advice for the working adult.
It prioritizes comfort over fashion as we live in times where working from home is the norm.

Furthermore, not only was there advice for women, but men and people with families as well.

Whether you consider yourself fashion savvy or hopeless, this book could be a classic donned in anyone's shelf.
I found this to be a very enjoyable read with high revisiting value.

[Cathy Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun to read but seems to be an ad for fast fashion. Too much emphasis on buying inexpensive clothes and frequently replacing them.
Cute cartoon cat.
Font is ridiculously tiny.

[Lady Entropy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I really did. But all in all it was a slog to read.

Maybe because I expected Tokyo fashion to be something more... fashionable and not so drab. The blurb claim this book will "show you how to introduce a Japanese flourish"to your wardrobe, but all it does is show how to dress like my grandmother. (Also, anyone who recommends wearing socks with sandals immediately loses all fashion credit with me).

The book felt like advice for the kind of woman who wants to not so much as be fashionable as to fit in and not be noticed. It also had severe limitations - it focused on a single body type (short and thin), two face types (classic and cute - without defining what those were). I also felt kinda uncomfortable by the amount of age-shaming (there is this rather nasty comic short where it mocks an older woman for dressing up younger than her age and keeping fit, and then horrifying a young man who is attracted to her from the back, but gets the scare of his life when he sees her from the front).

Finally, it espouses a love for fast fashion that I find incomprehensible when the books tries to defend having less clothes and more a series of solid items that can be recombined. Plus, it's kinda irresponsible in this day and age. Not to mention extolling the virtues of non-natural fibers during summer, which is super sus to me.

The only reason this doesn't get a single star is because I actually liked a few of the outfits.

[Renee Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book has been seriously misbranded. It’s mostly a nice little guide to putting together work outfits with cheap pieces from Uniqlo and similar stores.

[Krista | theliterateporcupine · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF at page 75. It was so hard to read this graphic novel because the text and the little comic strips were microscopic. The fashion advice was generally unhelpful. If you're a stick thin tall woman (which I am very much not) this is great advice.

Examples where only 1 body type benefits from this fashion advice:
- You don't need to try on clothes, just buy in your size
- Men's clothes will give you a flattering over-sized look
- Mid calf skirts are a necessary fashion piece

I'm done ranting.

[Cara Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely and fun guide for how to dress like an adult without making your wardrobe and clothes shopping the center of your life. Nodoka and Minyako, the cat, are wonderful guides into a world of proportion, color, and shopping shortcuts. I'll be revisiting this every time my closet needs an update.

[Shannon Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightfully light read with artistic illustrations and very silly side comics. While I didn't agree with every fashion tip in this book, I did enjoy learning a little more and thinking about my closet and what I have in there.

A solid before bed read, guaranteed to bring you a chuckle.

[Silas · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an outsider for this book, I am of two minds. This book describes how to be fashionable in Tokyo. From an American perspective, it is very restrictive and conservative, but well... that's what is fashionable for regular people in Tokyo. If you are looking for tips on how to blend in and not give offense, while having some little flair in Japan, there are some great tips that just don't carry over that well outside of Japan in some cases (in America, for instance, socks and sandals are a major no-no). I am also a man, and very little of this book is directed towards men (and what is is even more conservative and restrictive), but I am able to step outside of myself and consider other perspectives. I didn't really get much that I could use out of this, but it was an interesting look at something rather different for me.

But... let's talk about the art. I know fashion art is really quite unrealistic, with entirely unrealistic proportions involving way too many heads of height, and this book follows that convention for most of the fashion plates and examples... but it's also manga, so it uses some of those conventions for faces, and it means that you are regularly confronted with contorted, faceless, dead-eyed hell-beasts that are terrifyingly distracting from the rather banal fashion. To add to that, it's contrasted by really adorable chibi versions of the author and an emotionally-abusive cat telling her to buy things. This made for a very strange reading experience for a rather odd and somewhat uncomfortable read on a kind of a bland topic. I'm not sure what compelled me to read this, honestly, since it's so far outside of my usual wheelhouse (maybe that was why), but I am clearly not the general audience for this, and maybe it would be more helpful for people who are.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

*received a free copy from Goodreads giveaway*
I couldn't really finish this... The illustrations are cute but the fashion advice and tips... *big cringe* I'm not sure if it's the author or translator... but it's like they have heard of various terminology, but in all actuality have no idea what they mean. They are just sprinkled in, like you do when you're school and trying to sound smarter in an essay, but don't actually bother to do a lot of research. There are way too many of these incorrect uses of fashion vernacular for to point out here.
This is obviously one singular woman's fashion *opinion* (which I'd like to call wrong but I guess people are entitled to their own opinions, even if, they are in fact, wrong). There is an obvious lack of research, everything is written from a personal point of view. Which is hard (and not recommended) to apply to the general public. She pulls from her own closet and it maybe of date and not everyone knows where to get those kind of clothes, and they also will not work for all types of people. There really isn't a lot of good fashion tips or advice except for to get clothes that you can mix and match easily and how to stay warm. There are honestly a lot better books, online articles, etc. that will give you much better fashion advice and tips (and even where to get some) than this.

[Renée · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this book. 

The pluses: 

There are a lot of useful, grounded tips on pairing textures, styles, and colors with one another. Great as a fashion 101 for someone who fits into the book's demographic. It also provides a great glimpse into common, casual fashion styles in Japan. 

Most of the time, stuff about Japanese fashion focuses on the more out-there styles (harajuku, lolita, etc.) so it was neat to get to read about the more casual side of Japanese fashion.

This book inspired me to really think about my wardrobe holistically - what items could I get to pair well with other items? What colors and cuts suit me? 

The minuses:

This book was made for younger, thiner, lighter-skinned femme folks. If you don't fall into that criteria, there may be a number of tips that don't apply to you. Given this is a Japanese fashion book, perhaps this caveat isn't necessary, though I think it's worth mentioning in case one goes into it with the hope that it might be more expansive and inclusive.

The emphasis on fast fashion felt unethical. People should aim to put together a well-rounded, sustainable wardrobe that will last them a long time, not leaning on fast fashion for cheap items that will wear out easily and which are bad for the environment.

I think as long as you know what you will and won't get out of this book, it's a decent read.

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, the only thing I liked about this book was the art. I get that this is aimed at a Japanese audience, not American, but I can’t help but disagree with a lot of her fashion advice. Some of it is even contradictory and/or illogical. Who wears cardigans in the summer?? Summers in Japan are HOT. Also, all of the women’s fashion advice basically boiled down to ‘wear neutral color tops, buy fast fashion, and look girly.’ Not everyone likes that style or looks good in it. Same with the men’s fashion, not all men are going to look good in a casual white button down and black skinny jeans. Maybe this is just me, but I think people should be able to wear whatever they like and not worry about if they have a “cute” or “classic” face 🙄
The cat character came off as unnecessarily rude, and some of the page layouts were awkward and difficult to read. More than 50% of the page would be solid white with some text on the left side and a difficult to read comic panel on the right. I would not recommend this book.

[B Pastore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Good Reads giveaway.

While the book might be small in size it contains many fabulous illustrations filled with ideas for putting together a very fashionable creative wardrobe!!!

Speaking of illustrations - they aresimple, modern and fun- in a down to earth casual way - and certainly add to the joy of thinking about creating a new wardrobe - and using the items one has in new ways.

This book is called Tokyo Fashion: A Comic Book because it also has some very cute comics through out the book that help to help tell the fashion stories.

While part of me would like to keep this book on my own bookshelf for future reference and enjoyment -- I have decided to read through it once more and then share in in our Little Free Library at the end of our driveway. This is a book that I would like others to know about, enjoy, learn from and then pass along for others to experience.

[Mercedez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m really glad I got to spend some time with Tokyo Fashion: A Comic Book. As a comic, it’s a thick, enjoyable read. But as a fashion guide, that’s where Tokyo Fashion: A Comic Book really excels. It’s fun, it’s straightforward, and honestly, there’s a lot of really good advice within. Nodoka’s advice is witty, enlightening, practical, and best of all, easy to implement into your current wardrobe with a few adjustments. Coupled with a solid, but playful translation, stylish lettering, and an overall high quality of production, Tokyo Fashion: A Comic Book is an easy recommendation.

Read My Full Review: butwhythopodcast.com/2021/03/25/revie...

[ZeV · Rating 2 out of 5]

The comic is a translated version of the Japanese title “正直、服はめんどくさいけれどおしゃれに見せたい” (2018), which roughly means “Honestly, clothes are a hassle, but I still want to look stylish.” That’s the context of the original work—it’s not really trying to cover Tokyo fashion in all its diversity.

There are 48 sections in total, with just four aimed at men. Most of the suggestions are simply the author’s personal opinions. If you’re hoping for in-depth theoretical discussions, you’ll be disappointed.

The biggest drawback is that the text is printed too small, which makes reading it a real chore. The illustrations, though, are cute and appealing.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lookbook illustrations are cute and the wardrobe basics advice is pretty good, but the style advice is sooooo very narrow. Like I thought DC was a conservative fashion city, but damn Japan. No wonder young people rebel by putting 4,000 butterfly clips in their hair if their are rules about everything from your socks to how to wear your hair with a scarf.

[Mercedes · Rating 2 out of 5]

My new rule over 30 is just buy things that make me happy. Dress how I want to because following fashion trends made me unhappy. This is a cute book for a teenager or 20 something trying to figure out their style but also lacking in plus sized suggestions.
It was interesting to read about Tokyo fashion and I reminded myself of that every chapter that it's different ideologies at play.

[Maria Morey · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I bought this book a while ago because it was cute but after having sat down and read it I didn’t love the emphasis on fast fashion. That is where the creator’s experience lies which I’d have known if I read the author bio. All the advice isn’t bad but it’s not to my specific taste. The illustrations are very cute though.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very charming. One thing I think it's important to remember is that this is style for a particular section of the world, AKA Tokyo. I think it works for that and I actually think it's quite nice to dig into. I'd like to spend a bit more time figuring this out.

[Ami Geddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars😤😤😤
The only few things that i dislike abt this book is that its onky showing one specific style, and the sentence "It's difficult to wear baggy clothing without looking like you've gained weight." was a bit questionable.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Rose Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute & charming little fashion/style book, nicely illustrated.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The print was way too small!

[Francine Chu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, easy read by Nodoka and her fashionista feline adviser.

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly I’ve got no clue if the fashion tips hold water, I just had fun looking at all the cute drawings.