Job Discussion Forums

[robertokun]

I'm about to move to Japan to become a high school ALT and had a few Q's about the dress code which were kind of vaguely answered by my employer.

First, what do you wear for inside shoes? I heard of people wearing running shoes, sandals, all kinds of stuff. It seems very casual, and that your footwear in no way needs to match your dress clothes. Or do some people basically have two pair of dress shoes, like here are the black leather shoes that I walk to school in and here are the ones that I wear at school. What about during school ceremonies, are you allowed to wear your outside shoes on those days? This seems like it shouldn't be, but it gets more confusing the more I think about it.

Secondly, I know salarymen pretty much wear the white shirt and black tie everyday, but would that be weird to do at a high school? Do male high school teachers go with whatever colors or styles they like as long as it's business casual, or do they wear the salaryman style?

[flyer]

generally speaking a business shirt and a tie with appropriate matching trousers are the norm for guys, but some places are more relaxed. You really need to find out from your employer

yes, the indoor shoes do not need to match your clothes, normally 1 pair is enough
Many wear very casual looking shoes with their suits, thats Japan! It had my laughing for a while too

I wouldn't worry too much, you are new, they know that so they don't expect you to be like a 3rd year ALT.
Just ask

[cornishmuppet]

Yeah it looks kind of dumb on graduation day when everyone is dressed up in suits and whatnot yet still wearing plain white pumps, but that's Japan for you.

Shirt and neat slacks are good enough most of the time. A tie/suit on graduation day and opening day. Wear a tie the first few days to make a good impression!

[Apsara]

[seklarwia]

I had the same concerns only a couple of months ago but from a womens point of view.

You really need to clarify with your school. I visited an elementary school where casual business was fine. A decent pair of trousers and a collared shirt or polo shirt seemed fine there. But in my junior high, the only male teachers not fully suited are those that teach sports as well as academic lessons.

The priciple makes me giggle with his tailored suit, perfectly pressed shirts, conservative tie, cufflinks, waist coat... and leather slipper-sandals with socks!!! I was really concerned with the footwear too, but don't be. Despite the formality of how the men dress, their footwear can be pretty much anything: sandals, slippers, dress shoes, plimpsoles, sneakers and trainers.

And yes, in the openning ceremony everyone just wore whatever indoor shoes they normally did with their formal wear.

[lisa111082]

The dress code for my school was anything that wasn't revealing/jeans. They had no problem with me wearing tshirts, but usually I'd wear slacks and a polo. Strangely enough, I received complaints from my coworkers that I looked "too Japanese, not foreign enough"

[flyer]

I think wearing t-shirts is very much NOT the norm! ??

I would imagine most schools would not allow that,
if no tie is necessary I would imagine that some sort of professional look would be necessary?

but ther are always excpetions (schools)

[robertokun]

Not planning on showing up in a T-shirt, obviously. Wondering if showing up in a white shirt, plain black tie, and black pants everyday would be weird too, though. I'd like to pack as lightly as possible, but don't know if not changing it up (basically wearing a uniform) is acceptable, either.

As for the shoes, I was thinking about getting these white Puma slip-ons today (kind of like Vans slip-ons) but couldn't do it when I thought of wearing them with business attire and possibly a suit. I'm going to just wait until I get there, have a look the first day and see what other people are wearing.

[seklarwia]

[Apsara]

[robertokun]

Gotcha.

Also picked up a pair of inside shoes yesterday, so that's taken care of.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

[kojimoji]

My school says women must wear skirts, NO PANTS, and either blouses or blazer tops. When I heard that news I was a little bummed because I was looking forward to a "business casual" kind of dress code.

So... it may depend on the school, in other words. And I'm teaching at a private language school, not a public school.

[flyer]

yes, it really is very much case by case

final word is; it will very much depend on the school

[Conor_Ire]

I'm going to just wait until I get there, have a look the first day and see what other people are wearing.[/quote]


That's exactly what i did. Everyone was all suited up for the ceremony but wearing trainers where i work, and also for the first day of classes. Now i wear a shirt with a cheap Hyaku yen tie and a grey pants and some trainers.

[gonzarelli]

Think golf