Loathed by generations of wearers as a symbol of monotony and conformity, Japan's ubiquitous school uniform has evolved into a much sought-after item of apparel.

For decades, critics labeled uniforms as a classic example of how Japan's straitjacket society had sapped its youths' individuality.

Now, modified school uniforms are seen as a symbol of modernity, spurring creativity among fashion-conscious schoolgirls who wear them with verve.

The school uniform's prominence in anime and manga illustrations has led to the "new" schoolgirl look that is attracting interest overseas, where it is a symbol of Cool Japan.

At CONOMi, a shop specializing in school clothing and accessories on Takeshita-dori street in the heart of Tokyo's ultra-cool Harajuku district, the evidence of such rising interest is clear.

Here anyone can buy nanchatte seifuku--literally, phony uniforms.

"Isn't that soooo cute?" one shopper, a 15-year-old first-year student at a public senior high school in Tokyo, cooed as she compared neck ribbon bows with two friends. The bows range in price from 1,575 yen to 2,100 yen.

"Maybe I want pink instead of red," a friend said.

The girl said her school has an official uniform, but she likes to add a little extra flair when she wears it outside school hours. She exchanges the official bow with an unofficial one of a different color or shape.

Teen fashion magazines such as "Nicola" and "Seventeen" gave her the inspiration.

"I love school uniforms. But our school's ribbon bow just isn't cute," the girl said.

"I can only wear a uniform now (while a student), so I want it to look as cute as possible," she said.

The days when students battled to do away with required school uniforms seem like an anecdote in a history textbook.

Another 15-year-old student said she loves to dress up in the full regalia--blouse, necktie, vest and tailored skirt--even though her school does not require students to wear it.

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