TOKYO'S SPRINGTIME FASHION SHOW

Only days after a surprise snowfall in Tokyo, spring has suddenly sprung, with temperatures in the mid 20s (Celsius, not Fahrenheit!).

One moment you’re dusting off your snow boots, and the next, it feels like British midsummer in March. Naturally, this means it’s time for me to shed the layers and don T-shirt and shorts for my daytime outings (though obviously not for work - that would be pushing it too far).

But the best part of spring’s sudden entrance? People-watching during this meteorological identity crisis. Welcome to Tokyo’s ultimate catwalk, where fashion logic takes a holiday and practicality duels with style in a battle for supremacy.

Armed with curiosity and a determination not to judge (too much), I head to the shopping district for my favourite spring pastime: observing Tokyo’s wardrobe adventurers.

Act One: The Winter Warriors

The first act begins with a parade of Winter Warriors, defying the sunshine with down jackets, scarves, and the occasional woolen beanie - just in case there is a blizzard approaching that the meteorologists have missed. Better safe than sorry, right?

They look like they’re ready for an impromptu ascent of Mount Fuji, despite the fact that we’re only a day or two away from the cherry blossoms making their debut.

Or maybe they just haven’t made the daring journey to the back of their wardrobe yet to retrieve spring wear, especially at such short notice.

Mind you, some people outsource the wardrobe shuffle entirely. Dry cleaners here will not only clean your out-of-season clothes but also store them for the entire season. A handy solution in a country where storage space in houses and apartments is limited.

It’s genius, really, except when spring arrives early, and you’re left trudging through 25°C weather in a coat that could double as a duvet.

Act Two: The Calendar Conformists

Next up, we have the Calendar Conformists, those devout followers of the March Rulebook. These folks live by the holy decree that ‘March means layers, no exceptions!’ For them, spring fashion isn’t dictated by temperature but by the calendar itself.

While I check the weather App or feel the temperatures outside the window before venturing out, they consult the only authority they trust: the wall calendar. If it says ‘March,’ then long sleeves, a scarf, and perhaps a light sweater are non-negotiable.

Act Three: The Short-and-T-Shirt Rebels

And then…cue dramatic music… I spot a rare specimen of the Short-and-T-Shirt Rebels. These trailblazers are my people, my tribe, my kindred spirits. Spotting one feels like finding a unicorn in a field of very ordinary sheep wearing raincoats. There he is, striding confidently down the street in bear arms and legs, soaking up the sun like a solar panel. And the best part? He’s not even a foreigner, making the sight even more extraordinary!

I want to high-five him, a salute of solidarity, but feel that it would draw too much attention. After all, Japan is all about blending in. Instead, I walk on, pretending not to notice him.

Act Four: The Miscellaneous Menagerie

The scene wouldn’t be complete without the wildcard entries. There’s the shirtless jogger, glistening with sweat and grinning as if he’s already conquered the dog days of August. His expression screams determination, meaning that even the greatest summer heat will not dissuade him. The only snag? Come actual summer, he’s already maxed out his wardrobe options - there’s simply nothing left to shed.

Hot on his heels (literally) is a grandmother in a quilted coat, determined to defy spring with both fashion and fortitude. A toddler waddles by, encapsulated in a snowsuit so thick you’d think he was planning a polar expedition.

And let’s not forget the pièce de résistance: a dog in a designer raincoat, as if he’s bracing for monsoon season. His owner, meanwhile, sips iced tea in a polo shirt, unbothered by the apparent paradox.

Spring in Tokyo isn’t just a season - it’s a social experiment, a living theatre where outfits reflect everything but the weather.

Alas, forecasters predict significantly cooler temperatures for next weekend, just in time for the cherry blossoms to bloom! Perhaps too early to put those down jackets away after all...