SF Street Style: Japanese Minimalist Grunge in Lower Pacific Heights

Photos by Lily Ko

I spotted Sean Wu, a Taiwanese art student, sitting out in Lower Pac Heights, relaxed, finishing a cigarette. He had a very cleaned-up Japanese grunge look, with fun details including his earring, watch, stitched boots and tattered jeans.

What he's wearing: Black knit jacket, gray ripped jeans, and black lace up boots from Diesel, glasses by Calvin Klein, square stud earring from eBay.

7 Style Questions for Sean:

1. What's the best thing about SF fashion?

Everything is so free here.

2. Where's your favorite place to shop?

Diesel, of course.

3. And your favorite online shop?

ASOS.

4. Who influences your style?

My girlfriend. She's a fashion merchandising student at Academy of Art, so she helps me.

5. Where are the best dressed people in SF?

Downtown, Union Square.

6. What's your favorite trend right now?

I try not to follow trends.

7. What trend do you hate?

Skinny jeans with basketball sneakers.

Lily Ko (lily.7x7 @ gmail.com) studied fashion design and merchandising at Central Saint Martins and the Academy of Art University. In addition to writing for 7x7, Lily is an editor at SF Station, works as a freelance stylist and covers food, fashion and fun on her blog, Curated SF.

View the discussion thread.

Hi Lily,

I think there are some unnecessarily aggressive statements here to your post - you did say 'cleaned up' version of Japanese grunge after all! And you have been to Japan...I was there for a month a few years back and saw quite a few guys dressed pretty similar. After all it's a big country and there are lots of different looks from the kids in Harujuku to a grungy style so there must be plenty of people dressed like Sean even if it's not a major trend!

Best,
Beth
KidKraft Annabelle Dollhouse and KidKraft Savannah Dollhouse

By Beth (not verified) on October 07, 2011

Thanks for your awesome comments, guys. To answer your questions, I'm not Sean's girlfriend, but, yes, I have been to Japan (also lived and studied fashion design in Korea, and have traveled much of Asia.). I was in no way trying to imply this look is straight out of Japan, but rather that this is a very minimal take on Japanese grunge. More than the overall look, I appreciate the subtle details and fit, which I believe (after having studied menswear design) are the two most important factors in menswear. Again, I really appreciate your comments!

By Lily Ko on May 17, 2011

Sorry, but this is not Japanese minimalist grunge. Have you been to Japan? The look above is typical student street fashion and can be found just about anywhere from here to Taipei. Nothing original nor interesting here.

By Anonymous (not verified) on May 17, 2011

I am assuming us girl friend is the author... skinny jeans, desiel, and needs help getting dressed.... * sigh

By Anonymous (not verified) on May 16, 2011

You forgot you ask me where you got his fashionable cigarette at?

By Anonymous (not verified) on May 16, 2011