The "new year, new you" cliche that tempts consumers to spend more on style at this time of the year often has even the most cynical admitting that an excuse to indulge feels good. But when it comes to genuinely new fashion, it's actually always lacking at the very start of the year, given that the lion's share of shops are still trying to shift autumn and winter stock, which in the case of autumn was probably on the shelves in mid summer.
This year, even the mighty old guards of department stores, Mitsukoshi and Isetan, gave in and started their clearance sales as early as Jan. 4, previously having tried to hold on to a semblance of respect for the Japanese merchant tradition of holding back for at least a week. For many, however, a new look doesn't necessarily mean straight off the runway, and customers appreciated the stores' move, with an estimated 8,000 queuing up for the opening of Isetan Shinjuku alone.
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