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Chris_Travel_the_world
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 33
Location: Canada
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 Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:17 pm Post subject: Men's fashion in Japan |
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I am coming to Japan in 3 days to live and work for a year. I was just wondering about men's fashion (aside from work). For example I have a few shirts with pink, or that are pink (you know how men wear pink) do people do that in Japan, or will people think i'm gay (not)? Also I have an bag with a shoulder strap (used in university) I was wondering what people used to carry their papers and books for work in. My friend also told me that adult men don't wear shorts in Japan, is this ture, because it is hold in Osaka these days.
Thanks,
Chris |
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JimDunlop2
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 2286
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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One thing that I've learned in my time in Japan so far -- don't give a shit about what Japanese people do/don't do, wear/don't wear, say/don't say....
No matter how long you stay in this country you will be the eternal foreigner, and so Japanese norms and standards often don't apply to you -- and when you don't conform to them, people just attribute it to the fact that you are not Japanese and leave it at that.
You want to wear a pink shirt, shorts and carry around your stuff in a gym bag? Fine. Whatever rattles your chain. If anything, you may find Japanese people looking at you in envy, thinking, "Gee, I wish I were a foreigner so I could get away with doing that..."
FWIW, yes, many Japanese men wear shorts -- but it's rather limited as to when/where they will wear them... Pastel shirts are also worn in Japan. As for carrying papers? I've only seen people with attache cases (hard and soft)... But I use a backpack myself.
Hope that helps. |
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Speed
Joined: 04 Jul 2003
Posts: 152
Location: Shikoku Land
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:30 am Post subject: Re: Men's fashion in Japan |
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| Chris_Travel_the_world wrote: |
| For example I have a few shirts with pink, or that are pink (you know how men wear pink) do people do that in Japan, or will people think i'm gay (not)? |
Real men don`t wear pink, period. Anywhere in the world.
| Chris_Travel_the_world wrote: |
| My friend also told me that adult men don't wear shorts in Japan, is this ture, because it is hold in Osaka these days. |
Your pals right on this one, most men outside of western countries tend to wear long pants usually. But some do don the shorts.
In the summer it`s fine and dandy. As I`m the "style counselor", I will the impart The Knowledge......... a bit baggy and down to the knees cargo shorts look a bit less dorky. And god forbid you ever wear colored socks with shorts!! [/quote]
| Chris_Travel_the_world wrote: |
| Thanks, |
Well sure Chris, you`re welcome. |
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Quibby84
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 643
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:34 am Post subject: |
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| heeeeeeey, I think pink looks hot on men, pink is the new navy for men...havent you heard? haha |
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callmesim
Joined: 27 Oct 2005
Posts: 279
Location: London, UK
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:19 am Post subject: Re: Men's fashion in Japan |
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| Chris_Travel_the_world wrote: |
| For example I have a few shirts with pink, or that are pink (you know how men wear pink) do people do that in Japan, or will people think i'm gay (not)? |
I wouldn't worry about this. If you can out-camp some of locals then that's something to be proud of. Wearing a pink shirt won't even come close. Last week I had a student who wore a purple t-shirt and had purple-rimmed Buddy Holly-styled glasses. Did I think he was gay? Not at all.
Wearing stylish colours is far less disturbing than seeing a foreigner donning a mullet, moustache and wearing a loud, patterned shirt. And I've seen that many times now.
Fashion here seems to be without the hang-ups of the west when it comes to "looking gay". Which I think is a nice thing. Though some girls complain that the guys spend too much time on their appearance and not enough time on them!! |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 5:48 am Post subject: Re: Men's fashion in Japan |
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| Chris_Travel_the_world wrote: |
I am coming to Japan in 3 days to live and work for a year. I was just wondering about men's fashion (aside from work). For example I have a few shirts with pink, or that are pink (you know how men wear pink) do people do that in Japan, or will people think i'm gay (not)? Also I have an bag with a shoulder strap (used in university) I was wondering what people used to carry their papers and books for work in. My friend also told me that adult men don't wear shorts in Japan, is this ture, because it is hold in Osaka these days.
Thanks,
Chris |
I dont know why you think a pink shirt should make people question your sexual preferences. I wear pink shirts and I work at a university. Im also married with 2 kids. I also used to wear light navy shirts with pink ties, a good color match.
Many men here carry man-purses (murses) the small leather bags that men carry around. In the US you wouldnt be seen dead with one. As I carry a lot of books, cell phone, laptop umbrella i actually use a computer bag with a strap and no one gives you a second look. Its functional and Im not going to lug around a day pack just to avoid worrying what people might think. (Jim nothing against day packs, they just look kind of noobish).
Dont get so hungup on what the locals might think. You are not back home and no one cares anyway.
I wear cargo shorts that come half way to the knee when at home but for work i wear slacks and socks and shoes. |
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mtheta
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 76
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:46 am Post subject: |
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Hey, I wouldnt give a rats ass about what the Japanese think of you. I have only been here a few weeks and I can tell you that the young guys here, in their 20s I am assuming, are the gayest looking guys I have ever seen. They wear earings...like dangly earings...they style their long hair and dye it. They wear the fruitiest clothes ever, but yet they are straight. Trust me, you will look fine compared to the wacked out shit some guys wear here. I mean even for North American standards their outfits are a little out there.
Good luck! |
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Antonimus Prime
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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| mtheta wrote: |
Hey, I wouldnt give a rats ass about what the Japanese think of you. I have only been here a few weeks and I can tell you that the young guys here, in their 20s I am assuming, are the gayest looking guys I have ever seen. They wear earings...like dangly earings...they style their long hair and dye it. They wear the fruitiest clothes ever, but yet they are straight. Trust me, you will look fine compared to the wacked out *beep* some guys wear here. I mean even for North American standards their outfits are a little out there.
Good luck! |
and for whatever reason the girls here like it. |
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Like a Rolling Stone
Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Posts: 872
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| Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:12 am Post subject: Re: Men's fashion in Japan |
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| PAULH wrote: |
| I dont know why you think a pink shirt should make people question your sexual preferences. I wear pink shirts and I work at a university. Im also married with 2 kids. |
So was Oscar Wild!  |
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womblingfree
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 826
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| Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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| In Ikebukuro a Liono haircut and a shiny silver Don Johnson suit seems to be very fashionable. |
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callmesim
Joined: 27 Oct 2005
Posts: 279
Location: London, UK
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| Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: Men's fashion in Japan |
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| Like a Rolling Stone wrote: |
| PAULH wrote: |
| I dont know why you think a pink shirt should make people question your sexual preferences. I wear pink shirts and I work at a university. Im also married with 2 kids. |
So was Oscar Wild! |
Oh, that's the funniest thing I've heard today! Just that as a retort. What laughs. It's like a literary jibe. |
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pastis
Joined: 21 Jul 2006
Posts: 82
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| Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Chris_Travel_the_world wrote: |
| For example I have a few shirts with pink, or that are pink |
Every man should have a nice pink shirt in his wardrobe.
As for Japanese men thinking you're "gay" because of how you dress, I doubt it. If you use North American standards, Japanese men are probably the "gayest" dressed men in the world... not that that means anything, except that they are indeed often quite classy dressers. Japanese people in general spend by far the most money on luxury goods (including clothing etc.) in the world. The only worry you might have is being *underdressed* compared to a lot of people you'll see (esp. in big cities). Basically though, nobody will really care (though if you go to work you're usually expected to wear some sort of business atire) and you should have no worries at all. (Assuming you're caucasian), just don't walk down the street in a yukata unless you want to draw some stares  |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 12:55 am Post subject: Re: Men's fashion in Japan |
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| Like a Rolling Stone wrote: |
| PAULH wrote: |
| I dont know why you think a pink shirt should make people question your sexual preferences. I wear pink shirts and I work at a university. Im also married with 2 kids. |
So was Oscar Wild! |
Oscar Wilde was gay, I believe. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 12:57 am Post subject: |
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| womblingfree wrote: |
| In Ikebukuro a Liono haircut and a shiny silver Don Johnson suit seems to be very fashionable. |
In Japan you now have make up and skin care products for men, and many even have skin waxing and hair removal.
Its not about being gay or being feminine its about taking good care of your body. After all, its good enough for women, why not men? |
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canuck
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 1921
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:33 am Post subject: Re: Men's fashion in Japan |
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[quote="Speed"Real men don`t wear pink, period. Anywhere in the world.
[/quote]
Did the stupid truck just roll in? Pink = gay?  Pink only for girls, blue only for boys? Pants/trousers are only for men, right?
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