Halloween 2010: Style on the street

A post not Z-related but rather documenting one of the most interesting fragments of street fashion I have encountered on the streets of Toronto in a long while... oh, okay. Since the last post.

We ran into the dude pictured below on Church Street during Toronto's massive Halloween block party. At first glance I thought he was wearing the Bōsōzoku style, something that you simply do not see in Toronto (or Canada... or North America for that matter). I had to go up and ask him for a photo.

I sent this photo off to my friend and producer Jiro (www.okadajiro.com) who was likewise intrigued and helped with some enlightening translations for me. Check out his cliff notes to this outfit:

 

Wow, this is really interesting... It does look like a "bosozoku" outfit, but the writing on it is completely contrary to my image of bosozoku culture. This must be some sort of "graduation" outfit - it's covered with messages to his junior high school and his family.

1.
"Graduation" (gold)
(Can't make out the 2nd line, but I'm guessing it's the guy's name)
(Can't make out the first two characters of the 3rd line, but it ends with "happiness")

2.
"For eternity... Chu-oh High, for eternity..."

3.
"Dear Asahi Chu-oh High, thank you for everything for the past three years."

4.
"Sending my thanks to all of my teachers who have taken care of me."

5.
(first line is cut off but the crease in his pants)
"Please continue to love your family"

6.
"Thank you, Mom"

7.
"I'll do my best"

8.
I'm guessing this is bit of English says "Graduation" or "Congratulation"

Translation filled some of the gaps - but we'd still like to hear more about this style. For all we knew, Japanese graduations were formal events-- kimono and hakama or suits and uniforms, full stop. How cool is this?