Job Discussion Forums

jimmyheart · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 9

is it difficult to get westerns male sized clothes in Japan?
im about 34 inch waist with 42 inch chest and about a large in t shirts

Hoser · Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Posts: 694 Location: Toronto, Canada

34 in waist is no problem but I have no idea how bit a 42 in chest is so I really couldn't say about that

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Just remember measurements here are metric, so convert what you already know, or get a clerk to measure you here.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

I'm a size bigger than that and I've had relatively few problems. Thats not to say I've had no problems but it's usually with higher-end, trendy locally produced stuff. Western brands are usually less problematic. Shoes are another potential problem I wear a 9/10 and am sometimes limited in my choice.

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

I used to wear a small or extra small in the US but here I wear medium or large...
My husband is 6ft 2in and weighs about 130 pounds (crazy eh?) and he wears a medium. That seems crazy to me, they didnt make shirts that fit him well in the US but here he wears a medium....seems like it would be hard to get much bigger than that BUT it could just be Uniqlo that has those sizes (that is the only place we shop...)

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

I'd echo the advice already given - I'm about the same sizes as you and I've not had many problems finding clothes my size in Japan. (Finding suitable styles or quality sometimes a different matter however!) Worth bearing in mind though, that S,M,L sizes are usually not the same as in our home countries. I'm from the UK, and a UK 'L' wearer needs to be looking for "LL" in Japan, a UK 'M' is about the same as a Japanese "L".

I also agree that shoes are more difficult. I'm a UK 9.5 to 10, which is about 28cm or 29cm in Japan. Shoe sizes are in cm lengths here. As markle mentioned above, the range of choice dramatically decreases above size 26 or 27cm here. You see more 28s, 29s & 30s than a few years ago, but still not that many and they often tend to be the expensive items.

Another shoe problem I've encountered in Japan is that often shoes that are ok lengthwise are too narrow around the toes.

On the subject of shoes, it's probably also worth remebering that you'd be taking them off and putting them on again a lot more here, so something like lace-up boots that take longer to put on are going to become a pain after a while.

jimmyheart · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 9

thanks for the replies.dudes

I'm bringing my own shoes anyway as i am size 13!
How about suit sizes anyone around my size have any trouble that way?
any clothing in particular that I should bring with me? apart from my shoes of course

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

yes, suits can be tricky since proportions are different here (longer bodies in proportion to limbs) If possible get an all-purpose dark suit before you come.

jonathanj · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 93

If you plan on bulking up (going to the gym), good luck buying clothes. I am 6'0, 34 waist, and 200 lbs. My legs don't fit in regular size pants, but my waist does, so I am forced to buy super size pants at a fat man's store, but the waist is way too big. Also, I seem to have a problem buying shirts that aren't too short in the arm length (that includes dress shirts). They usually go to where my watch sits (which is too short, especially for a dress shirt).