Job Discussion Forums

[Topo Gigo]

So I'm finally getting ready to leave for Japan (yey ), and am doing some last-minute shopping. The thing is, I've done very little in the way of clothes shopping for the last year or so, so don't have an awful lot to bring, so am trying to decide whether I should go on an almighty shopping spree here in the uk (taking into account my weight limit of course), or to just bring a few things to tide me over and do a big shop over there?

So what do you think? Will I find clothes to fit over there, being a 5'7" (174 cm) female and size 12uk (10 usa/42 EU)? And what about shoes? Am size 6 uk, 7.5 usa, 39 eu.

Also, do people tend to dress up a lot to go out (will i need to bring heels?)or is it generally ok to go to bars in jeans and trainers/ work clothes.

I know these are dreary dumb-arse questions but it would be very helpful to me to know the answers, so I appreciate any input. And yes, I have used the search function... I have found talk of 'big people' shops, but how much choice do you get in them, and do I qualify as a big person? I've met a few Japanese people over here and a lot of them were around the same height as me, although yes, they are all a fair bit skinnier. Has the obesity thing taken hold in Japan yet or do they still only do skinny people clothes?

Any other non clothing related advice you care to throw my way would also be much appreciated.

Cheers, TG

[JimDunlop2]

I'll make it as simple as I can for you. Japan is a civilized enough country that given enough time, and exerting enough effort, you can purchase just about anything you can dream up back home. The KEYWORDS here are "time" and "effort."

My wife and I, both fairly average Westerners (I'm 183cm/85kg, my wife.. ummm... well... if I go there I'm in the doghouse -- but let's just say that she is probably very similar in physical stature to you -- just with a somewhat larger foot size)... Over the few years we've been here we've gone from having a 100% Canadian wardrobe to having a 50-75% Japanese wardrobe. Yes, that even includes shoes... But I'll tell you right now, that those are tough to come by (for Western women).

Here's a list of some common maximum sizes for random stuff. Again, if you search long enough and hard enough, you can find just about anything -- but let's face it -- how much free time and knowledge of your surroundings do you realistically think you're going to have in the first few months of being here? And how much of that do you really WANT to dedicate to hunting for things you could've much more easily have brought from home?

pants/skirts ----- men: <94cm waist ----- women: <67-75cm waist (pant lengths tend to be a bit short too)
shirts ----- men: <43cm collar <86cm arms women: ??
shoes ----- men: <27.5cm ----- women: <25.5cm
dresses: US size 10 (if you're lucky)
bras: (from my wife's experince, not my own) cup sizes tend to fit differently in Japan -- but generally anything larger than a C is hard to find
nylons: L-LL size is generally smaller than "queen size" back home, but knee-highs tend to fit just fine
others: items that don't have measurements but an S, M, L, LL rating -- (like jackets) always try on the LL size first, but your chances are 50/50 whether it will actually fit or not. It's really hit n' miss. When it comes to something like motorcycle jackets or leather pants, 3L or 4L is needed. LL is way too small.

For myself, if I walk into a Uniqlo, I can usually find just about everything to fit me -- but only if they have their largest size in stock. For example, I wanted a corduroy jacket last year, which TECHNICALLY was available in sizes S, M, L, LL.... However there was only 1 Uniqlo store within a 50km radius of me that actually had a single LL sized jacket. Shirts? Most mens' shops are fine -- providing that they stock a size 44 collar, 88cm arms. I won't leave naked, but I probably won't walk away with the style/colour I had wanted either. Shoes? If I see a pair I like, I try on the standard 27.5cm but I don't hold my breath either. I'm an even size 10, so technically that's 28cm (a bit on the rare side in standard Japanese shops) but sometimes I luck out and 27.5 fits.

My wife: When it comes to jackets, pants, shirts and some types of shoes (eg. hiking boots or sneakers) she just goes over to the mens' section and shops there... Otherwise, she does her best but she usually has a much rougher time than me in any given store... But Uniqlo womens' wear? Pants/Skirts? Only if they have elastic waistbands. shirts/sweaters? LL size: maybe.

Anyway, other than that, non-clothing related advice -- make sure you bring all the deodorant, and medication you're going to need when you're over here. Feminine hygiene products also tend to be an issue -- but I do believe there's at least an old thread or two discussing that well enough...

[Brooks]

I used to work with a woman who is 5'4" and she thought shopping for clothes in Japan was a real pain. I think you should bring enough clothes to Japan.

Most Japanese women will be shorter than you, so I think finding the right sizes could be difficult.

It is much easier to find the right clothes when you can speak English.
Shopping in Japanese is not always easy.

[earthmonkey]

I'd shop before coming. Aside from the issue of size, there is the price. There are some low price shops here such as Uniqlo, but in general stuff is more expensive, sometimes outrageously so.
One example:
I went home (US) last month. I bought Levi's jeans for $27.99 per pair. That's around 3,000 yen. I've never seen Levi's here for under 8,000, usually over 10,000. That's more than 3 times as much.

[Brooks]

for shoes, I would say buy them before you come over.
My wife (Japanese) prefers buying shoes in America than in Japan. She thinks the selection is far better and the price too.

[TK4Lakers]

In terms of dressing up when going out, its really up to you. I do occassionally see some 30ish year old ladies who are dressed pretty nicely, with kind of a mid-long skirt and heels. Also, for enkai's (teacher drinking parties-I'm an ALT), there are times when professional attire is mandatory.

Japan has a pretty big fashion culture. You'll see some unique styles, but a lot of trendy ones too. Just be yourself if you want (meaning, bring over what you usually wear out and be urself).

[maya.the.bee]