Why Japanese People Dress Better (5 Fashion Tips)

I live in Tokyo and I agree with the way you read the Japanese sense of style - but I would add one more thing from my European perspective, which is that there is still a sense here of dressing and behaving in a way that is 'appropriate' - meaning appropriate for the occasion, appropriate for those you are alongside etc. I get the sense that in other places (US, UK) the idea of personal freedom and personal comfort is the most important - which leads some (not all) to dress in a way that is 'inappropriate' for the occasion or setting - for example, sweatpants and ball cap to a restaurant. In Japan, you must also prioritise other people and acknowledge that this event, this location, demands a standard of dress and etiquette that is not just about YOUR personal comfort but also a mark of respect to other people and the setting...hence you dress to go to a restaurant, you dress formally for a business meeting, you pay attention to the details etc.