Character Closet | The Fashion Legacy of Nana
Hey Babes!
Welcome back to the blog—I hope you're doing amazing. Earlier this month, I mentioned Nana in my fashion forecast and hinted that it might spark a new wave in style trends. Whether that prediction pans out or not honestly doesn’t matter, because one thing’s for sure: Nana is one of the most iconic series of our time.
I’d even argue it was ahead of its time—not just in fashion, but in the way it explored relationships, identity, and the chaos of young adulthood. That’s why it felt like the perfect series to kick off something new here: Character Closet. In this new series, we’ll be diving into the wardrobes of our favorite characters and breaking down how fashion becomes part of their storytelling.
And of course, we’re starting with Nana. We’ll explore the show’s fashion, how each character’s clothing reflects their personality, and the iconic (and maybe unexpected) connection to Vivienne Westwood. So without further ado—let’s get into it.
1. The Fashion of Nana: A Visual Time Capsule
If you’ve ever watched Nana, you know the fashion is everything. From the very first episode, it’s clear that clothing isn’t just aesthetic—it’s an extension of each character’s inner world. The series debuted in the early 2000s and captured the era with uncanny ease: punk revival, romantic grunge, casual femininity, and those soft-but-edgy looks that defined a generation.
What’s so striking is how Nana avoids typical anime fashion tropes. Instead, it pulls from real-world subcultures and street style. The looks feel authentic, lived-in, and genuinely cool. Honestly, there are pieces in the show that could walk off the screen and land on a Pinterest board today without missing a beat. With the resurgence of Y2K and alt-girl aesthetics, Nana’s wardrobe could slip into a modern Depop haul and absolutely eat.
Even the everyday outfits—oversized jackets, plaid skirts, layered textures—feel intentional. The show nails the balance between aspirational and relatable, which is exactly why fans still look to it for style inspiration.
2. Personality Through Wardrobe
One of the reasons Nana feels so unforgettable is the way each character’s style speaks volumes before they even say a word. These aren’t just fashionable outfits—they’re fully realized character studies.
Nana Osaki: Punk Rock Princess
Nana Osaki’s style is bold, unapologetic, and rooted in punk culture. She lives in leather jackets, fishnets, plaid minis, chunky boots, and heavy eyeliner—all signature pieces of the punk aesthetic. Her look is loud, edgy, and sometimes intimidating, but it also serves as emotional armor. Beneath all the black and metal is someone vulnerable, fiercely loyal, and full of love.
For Nana, fashion is identity. As the frontwoman of a punk band and someone who’s survived abandonment and heartbreak, her style is a shield. Her clothes echo the punk icons she admires (more on that in the Westwood section), but she makes it personal. Her fashion says: I’m not here to fit in—I’m here to survive.
Nana Komatsu (Hachi): Soft Girl with a Dreamer’s Heart
Hachi, on the other hand, leans into soft silhouettes, delicate patterns, and ultra-feminine looks. Think floral dresses, cardigans, and ballet flats. Her style reflects her romantic, hopeful, slightly naïve personality. She often dresses to please others—especially the men she falls for—which mirrors her desire for love and validation.
But as she grows, so does her style. We start to see her in more neutral tones, streamlined outfits, and less overtly “cute” looks. It’s a quiet transformation, but it matches her emotional arc—from a starry-eyed dreamer to someone trying to stand on her own.
.jpeg)
The Supporting Cast: Style with Substance
.jpeg)
Even the side characters have strong fashion POVs. Reira’s glam-pop diva fits, Shin’s rebellious visual kei flair, Nobu’s skater-punk vibe—each one is visually distinct. These outfits don’t just look cool; they reinforce character, subculture, and story. It’s part of what makes Nana’s world feel so rich and real.
3. Vivienne Westwood: Punk Meets Prestige
If you’ve watched even five minutes of Nana, you’ve probably spotted Vivienne Westwood’s influence. From Nana Osaki’s signature orb jewelry to her heart-shaped bag, Westwood’s presence is loud and deliberate. But this isn’t just a style flex (or the author’s love for Viv)—it’s a love letter to punk fashion history.
Vivienne Westwood is punk royalty. Her designs were rebellious, theatrical, and political—everything punk stood for in the ’70s and ’80s. It’s no surprise that Nana, with her anti-mainstream energy and fiery independence, would idolize her. Rocking Westwood isn’t just aesthetic for Nana—it’s symbolic. It ties her to a legacy of defiance, music, and self-expression.
What’s even more unique is how Nana integrates real fashion brands into its world. That’s rare in anime. It blurs the line between fiction and reality in such a cool way—it’s like the creators wanted to remind us that these characters, for all their drama, feel real. And their fashion connects them to real-world culture and rebellion.
And let’s not forget: Westwood’s designs symbolize transformation. They turn chaos into art. That idea is all over Nana: messy love, broken dreams, reinvention. Every Vivienne Westwood piece in the show feels like it’s saying, I’ve been through hell—and I still look iconic.
4. Nana’s Fashion Legacy
Nana’s fashion impact hasn’t faded—it’s evolved. In fact, it feels more relevant than ever. Gen Z and younger Millennials are leaning into the same aesthetics Nana Osaki embodied: punk, grunge, DIY, and designer pieces with edge. From Depop to TikTok, you’ll find plaid skirts, fishnets, chunky boots, and orb jewelry all over again.
Even the “soft girl vs. alt girl” dynamic that blew up online? It’s straight out of Hachi and Nana’s visual contrast. Their friendship became a blueprint for how we see—and style—duality today: one part romantic dreamer, one part rebel with a cause. They walked so our Pinterest boards could run.
Vintage Westwood pieces are constantly trending on resale platforms. Japanese streetwear and Western alt fashion still cite Nana as an influence. Whether people know it or not, Nana Osaki’s wardrobe—and what it stood for—is still inspiring people to dress like they mean it.
At the end of the day, Nana isn’t just an anime—it’s a cultural landmark. Its influence runs deeper than drama and heartbreak. These characters weren’t just dressed to look cute (though, let’s be honest, they did). They were styled with intent. With emotion. Every outfit told a story, and that’s what makes Nana timeless.
We’re still seeing the ripple effects today—from the punk revival to the rise of grunge-chic to the cultural comeback of Vivienne Westwood. Nana had her hand in all of it. And honestly? She ate. No crumbs.
This series will always be iconic—not just for the chaos and catharsis—but for how it showed us that fashion is more than clothes. It’s character. It’s rebellion. It’s heart. And if clothes really are a reflection of who we are, Nana showed us exactly how to wear our hearts—and our heartbreak—on our sleeves.
Comments
Post a Comment