古着

• Reading: ふるぎ
• Romaji: furugi
• Kanji breakdown: 古 (old) + 着 (clothes/wearing) → old/vintage clothes
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.ɾɯ.ɡi/

Meaning

Vintage or secondhand clothing; thrift fashion.

古着 refers to both vintage clothing and secondhand fashion, and Japan has one of the world's most developed 古着 cultures. Neighbourhoods like Shimokitazawa and Koenji in Tokyo, and Amerika-Mura in Osaka, are famous for their 古着 shops. Japanese 古着 culture values both genuine vintage pieces (especially American vintage) and curated secondhand style. It is associated with individuality, sustainability, and fashion knowledge.

Examples

1. 下北沢で古着漁るの楽しすぎるんだよね。 Digging through vintage shops in Shimokitazawa is way too much fun.
2. 古着屋でめっちゃいいデニムジャケット見つけた。 I found an amazing denim jacket at a thrift store.
3. 古着ミックスのコーデがおしゃれだよね。 Outfits that mix vintage pieces look really stylish.

Usage Guide

Context: fashion, shopping, street style, sustainability

Tone: enthusiastic, fashion-forward

Do Say

• 古着好きなんだ、いい店知ってる？ (I like vintage clothes — know any good shops?)
• この古着コーデめっちゃいい感じ。 (This vintage mix outfit is really nice.)

Don't Say

• 「古着って要するに中古でしょ？」はファッションを理解してない発言 (Saying 'vintage is just used clothes, right?' shows a lack of fashion understanding — 古着 is a curated aesthetic)

Common Mistakes

• Confusing 古着 culture with simply buying cheap used clothes — Japanese 古着 culture involves careful curation and fashion knowledge

Origin & History

From 古 (old) + 着 (clothes/wearing). The word is traditional Japanese, but 古着 culture as a fashion movement grew significantly in the 1990s-2000s, influenced by American vintage fashion and Japanese street style.

Cultural Context

Era: 1990s-2000s fashion movement, ongoing

Generation: All ages, especially youth and fashion enthusiasts

Social background: Fashion-forward, various economic backgrounds

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Shimokitazawa, Koenji, and Harajuku in Tokyo, plus Amerika-Mura in Osaka, are famous 古着 districts.