Job Discussion Forums

[koonsja]

I'm heading to Japan in less than a month to be an ALT, my main question is: What should I be wearing? When teaching in europe/south america/ the states I never had any issue with nice slacks (or khakis) a sweater/dress shirt and dress shoes. I ask because I've heard some rumblings that the dress code is not only much more stringent but also more strictly enforced. So, do I need to be wearing suits? Are ties everyday or optional? Can I get away with my casual dress or not? Basically: What are you wearing everyday, or see co-workers wear? Is it even an issue? Thanks a lot for any help.

[Glenski]

It may depend on who hires you and what grades you teach. Plan on formal wear, but be prepared for semi-formal.

[pnksweater]

Wear a suit (and a tie if you�re a man) the first day. You�ll probably have to give a little self introduction speech and it�s best to make a good first impression.

On that first day check out how the other teachers dress. There will always be a teacher or two that always wears a suit, at least at the junior high and high school levels. As long as there isn�t an assembly or observation that day, many teachers will wear something more casual.

This might mean suit pants with a button up shirt and no tie with a wind breaker on top. It might mean a full on track suit. There�s a huge amount of variety between my schools and teachers. Athletic gear is acceptable, but jeans in general are not. For women, the cut is more important than formality. High neck lines and nothing close cut is a safe bet.

[OneJoelFifty]

Agree completely with Pinksweater. Start of in your most formal clothes, and take a look at what the other teachers are wearing. My guess is a business shirt and dark trousers will be more than acceptable, with or without a tie. It's very unlikely you'll be expected to wear a tie in summer. Definitely don't wear jeans.

It's worth keeping your suit at work if you can, there might be other formal occasions when everyone is dressed up, but in my experience you may not always be informed.

[Inflames]

Count on dress pants and a dress shirt. A tie probably isn't required. A lot really depends on the company - most simply just tell you the company requires you to wear something but they won't care if you're matching what the other teachers are wearing. One thing to note is that most schools don't have any air conditioning and heating is weak, at best, so light clothes are good for summer.

A suit (or at least a sportcoat) for the first day is a good idea.

There'll always be some teachers in track suits. In ES especially some women will wear jeans. Nobody's ever complained about the color of my pants (I only wear khakis). If you're going to teach ES or JHS, nobody will care what shoes you wear as you'll almost certainly have to change into slippers (bring your own if you have above average feet).

[ssjup81]

As others have pointed out, it really depends on where you're teaching, the groups you're working with, etc. With the eikaiwa, my first day, I wore a suit, but since it's warming up this week, I'm not wearing my suit jacket, but still have my shirt and skirt and stuff. When at the JHS as an ALT, I wore skirts and business casual shirts or camisoles.

For a guy, I guess a dress shirt and a tie along with slacks should work, if male.

[ZennoSaji]

Do they have a problem if a woman dresses like a man? (Slacks, button up, tie). I figure I don't have to wear a skirt but if I don't dress significantly feminine, will I get odd stares?

[Inflames]

[ssjup81]

I like skirts, but I have suit pants too. For my suit, I change between my pants and my skirt. Like last week, it was pretty cold, so I wore my winter suit pants (which has a lining). My other pair doesn't have a lining. So I have two pairs of suit pants and a suit skirt.

[Tsian]

As other posters have said, it entirely depends on the school. The three most recent (JHS/SHS) schools I have worked at had dress codes along the lines of:

1) everyone suit and tie... but you could take off the jacket.
2) everyone wearing business casual, with the homeroom teachers tending to dress *slightly* more formally. Jeans/T-Shirt even acceptable. One or two (like head teacher) in a suit.
3) Everyone track suit or casual/easy-to-move in clothes. No Jeans, but not banned either. Only principal in dress shirt (and track suit jacket). Some teachers wearing polo shirts under sports wear.

So really depends on the prefecture, city and school. I would just mimick what everyone else is doing and, when in doubt, ask the person in charge of the ALT at your school.

[timothypfox]

ZennoSaji,
Women can and often do wear suits in Japan. And, from what I've seen around my workplace and on the streets, women do not wear neckties with their suits. So, don't worry about the skirt issue. Women have a lot more choice these days, and a lot more choice than men from what I've seen!

[ZennoSaji]

Thanks, guys. C: That'll make shopping less stressful.

[Cool Teacher]

Definitely wear a tie and a suit for the first day!

If you find everyone else is casual then you can maybe slip into something more comfortabel but if you go there with casual clothes and everyone else is suited up it will be major shame time!!

[Mrguay84]

How about jet black jeans?

I have some that actually look smarter than the 'school pants' many working age men (and women) are forced to wear.

[Cool Teacher]