An unlikely fashion revolution is taking place on the top floors of the Shibuya 109-2 shopping complex. While 109-2 is typically considered to be the younger sister of popular teen fashion center Shibuya 109, with junior high-school girl friendly fashions, two years ago the top floors became home to 109 Men’s, the base camp of the increasingly popular onii-kei fashion movement.
Last month, 109 Men’s underwent a major renovation, taking over an additional floor that had previously housed a cosmetic emporium for the girls who shop downstairs.
Mood-lit shops with names like Kingdom and Buffalo Bobs are decked out with the latest tight t-shirts and jeans, flannel shirts, and black leather jackets.
Onii-kei, or “big brother style” is the male version of the sexy gyaru (”gal”) style popular among teenage girls who hang out in Shibuya. However as the gyaru (think dark tanned skin, teased and bleached hair, heavy make-up, and impossibly short skirts) have been cleaning up their act recently, the men are picking up the slack. For the past year onii-kei guys, with their extreme “wolf hair,” have been on the rise.
Big belt buckles, loud hats, heavy silver jewelry, and pointy shoes are key accessories for the onii-kei look.
This purikura print club arcade is the only remnant of the 7th floor’s previous incarnation as a girl gathering spot. Though, in an weird twist, it gives the girlfriends a place to hang-out while the boys do their shopping.
Some interesting styles. I’ll stick with UniQlo, though.