How do I dress like this Japanese woman?

[itchybumhole]

There's a woman in the playground at pick up time. She's Japanese, very quiet and unassuming. Mid thirties I think.
Her style is amazing. She wears lots of wool and natural fabrics, cocoon style coats, asymmetric wool dresses and they hang beautifully on her. Her clothes look almost futuristic in style. Everything in gorgeous muted tones and slightly too big for her.
Where does I even start to look for these sort of clothes? Any ideas?

I should just state, that I don't want to emulate her style. Just take a little bite size chunk of it home for myself.

Difficult to say without really seeing the woman in question so disregard all of the below if i'm barking up the wrong tree- but maybe have a look at Cos, Plumo, Finery London, Toast, Jil Sander, ARV design, Weekday, Modern Rarity and John Lewis, Massimo Dutti.
Have a google of japanese minimalist fashion perhaps, is that the kind of thing you were thinking? Once you've got some ideas Zara or H&M are hit and miss but sometimes will have something similar at a lower price point. As you say incorporating a bit of it is much more wearable than the full ensemble.

For a more wearable look i'd be trying to incorporate some paper bag/tapered trousers instead of jeans, leaning toward boxier fits with for jumpers and always size up.
Keep the fabrics plain and good quality, consider the silhouette you want rather than your body shape i suppose ( if this is even the sort of thing you mean) - i think it takes some adjusting when you are used to having it drilled in to you to 'accentuate' your bloody waist and boobs etc

Unless you have a very similar build and personality to her, what makes her look amazing won't make you look the same. Find what suits you best. Google fashion personality kibbe as a starting point.

I would go over and pay a compliment on an item you like - people do that and it’s always received happily . Then she’ll probably tell you where she got it, probably Japan- then you can talk about shopping for clothes and maybe find out about some new stores.

Uniqlo and Muji. And if budget extends Issey Miyake.

The average Japanese woman is a size 8, and clothes just do hang better on a smaller frame.

COS and MUJI if you are slender

I know exactly what you mean. I have covered this style and accepted that my plump hourglass figure does not suit it. However if you have a typical Asian build, then I agree that MUJI and Uniqlo are places to start. This look uses lovely cotton, linen and wool fabrics a lot, and things that drape loosely.

I have coveted this style, not covered.

Following

Muji clothing is so much better in Asia their Labo range is amazing but I was told Milan is the only place in Europe that sells it. Definitely Issey Miyake and Comme des Garcons.

The average Japanese woman is a size 8, and clothes just do hang better on a smaller frame.

That's ok then. I'm a size 10, tall and slender. I can carry this look off if I know where to shop.

You sounded like you were describing the Duchess of Sussex OP.

Don't know if that's remotely helpful though if you don't have a similar budget!

She is just copying a classic British style of old.

I met a Japanese woman once who told me that in Japan designers think of the space between a body and clothes rather than how clothes fit on the body.
I would agree lots natural fibres. Cos or Kin from John Lewis.
I admire Japanese style as well!

If you figure it out please tell me. I am in love with this style.

Please go and talk to her. And then report back. I like that style too - it may or may not suit me but sometimes it's just fun to get out of your comfort zone.

I saw her this morning. She was too busy with small children to approach, but she had a light grey polo neck wool dress on and a charcoal slouchy cardigan with bat wings and a drop hem. Simple clothes, but she looked so stylish and comfortable in them.

Yes, I've noticed that everything she wears doesn't seem to touch her body at all really. The dress she was wearing today was quite structured, in that it just fell straight down and didn't show her boobs or her hips at all.

Sounds like Issey Mikake. All very expensive but timeless. I have a black pleated top purchased 2003 which is as good as new and looks suspiciously like an item from the new season I used to live in Tokyo. All the most stylish and rich women I knew wore Issey.

Can't usefully help op, but when I was a student I was given a few hand-me-downs by a Japanese friend, and they were just lovely - I guess designed from the start for a smaller / shorter frame. (Though it may have helped that she was from a very well off family & they were probably expensive clothes to start with!!)

Oh, I love this question! (Finally someone not wanting skinny jeans and a nice top ... )

Definitely start by stalking Comme des Garçons and Junya Watanabe all over the Internet. See where your observations lead.

While it’s true that the look can be very appealing on the tiny and slim I’d say it’s a very forgiving way to dress, so could be beautiful on anyone who isn’t primarily wedded to showing their body via their clothes.

Also get your head around paying £400 for polyester, which is what almost all Issey Miyake clothing is made of.

They also like Miu Miu and Maxmara and Joseph, if you’re even more minted. Nothing bling, ever.

Yes but. Look at this one (similar to the one I have but this one is nicer) also they travel perfectly and wash/dry in 10 mins

www.matchesfashion.com/products/Pleats-Please-Issey-Miyake-Mist-pleated-top--1222092

I think if I had £270 to spend on a top today (which I dont) I'd be rather temped...