Hakama pants: A tangible reminder of the intangible

Trends today? A f*cking mess. One second it’s quiet luxury, the next it’s momcore. And don’t even get me started on micro-trends—those last two weeks before vanishing into the TikTok void.

But back in the day, some garments carried real weight—literally and symbolically. So, let’s talk about Hakama pants, worn by samurais not just for function, but as a daily reminder of their principles. Those seven pleats? They weren’t a design flex; they stood for the seven virtues of Bushido:

• 義 (Gi) - Rectitude

• 礼 (Rei) - Respect

• 勇 (Yū) - Courage

• 誉 (Meiyo) - Honor

• 仁 (Jin) - Compassion

• 誠 (Makoto) - Honesty

• 忠 (Chūgi) - Loyalty

Think about it—your pants literally reminding you to be a better person. Meanwhile, today’s fashion statements are “I thrifted this” and “This cost $1,200 for no reason”.

Now, I’m not saying we should all start walking around like modern samurais (though, honestly, that’d be badass), but maybe, just maybe, we should bring back the idea that what we wear can actually stand for something. Not just aesthetics, not just clout—meaning.

Would you wear something that defines who you are? Or are we all just NPCs in another trend cycle?