Pat Market Ikebukuro

PAT Market in Ikebukuro was designed to be a place you come to for the atmosphere, the staff interaction and that ‘I want to dress like her’ feeling. The selection pulls from old Harajuku fashion memories (Y2K, goth-lolita) but it’s edited so it can mix with what people wear now: overseas select pieces, Japanese vintage, silhouette-first. They carry brands like Hysteric Glamour, Vivienne Westwood, Dolce & Gabbana, Zucca and Tsumori Chisato, plus staples like h.Naoto and Algonquins.

If Harajuku shops make you overwhelmed, Ikebukuro gives it breathing room. The area has its own culture mix of anime and old gal history – different vibes than Harajuku and Shibuya, which can feel less approachable to first-time fashionistas. Also, the property came with a unicorn attached, so if you’re into symbolism, take note: this might just be the sign that your proverbial unicorn of a fashion piece awaits.