Japanese youths enjoy gender-bending fashion

In line with the trend of genderless fashion, many Japanese apparel companies are working to expand their product lineups and improve store environments.

Menswear giant Aoyama Trading Co. released Skinny Tie, a tie for women that is thinner and shorter than men's ties, and makes a smaller knot, in January.

The company sells unisex suits at both men's and women's sections at its stores.

Last year, Aoyama Trading conducted a survey for some 850 female members of its app, and about half of them said they are interested in styles designed for men.

A company official said that clothing items for men are trending among young women.

With fewer and fewer people wearing suits to work, Aoyama Trading is seeking new demand from female customers, including those in Generation Z.

Major apparel company Sanyo Shokai Ltd. is seeing high demand for its small bags, originally designed for women, among men as well.

In particular, first-month sales of a lunch tote bag launched late last November reached about three times the company's target. Men in their 30s to 40s were main buyers, and many of them also purchased a small stuffed bear to decorate the bag.

A growing number of men are using parasols amid scorching summer heat in recent years. Tokyo-based umbrella maker Waterfront Co. said that 23 pct of men in their 30s began using parasols last year.

An official of major menswear company Aoki Inc. said that many buyers of parasols available at its stores are men.

"Men may be finding it easy to buy parasols at business wear stores," a company official said.