Job Discussion Forums

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

I read some old posts and saw that across the board, it suck to not find clothing in your size. I started to wonder, how often, if at all, women just bought men's clothes. I'm occaisionally a fan of adrogeny (I'm 5'10 and sometimes, I just want pants that are long enough), so I'm curious to know how well that'll float in Japan. Have any women bought men's clothes since Japanese clothing is so tiny? Why is it possible to buy clothes that fit in other Asian countries--What's the deal with Japan? I really want to know the answers to the last one.

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

Yes, I bought men's clothes in Japan at "uni-qlo" It's kinda like a Gap or Old Navy.

I have Japanese friends who can't even find clothes that fit in Japan. There seems to be only one size which is a Japanese nine. I think that is a 3 or 5 in US. I also had a friend from Hawaii who was a size 0 and she said that she also had trouble finding clothes that were small enough. It seems Japan does not like to make clothes outside that covetted "Nine size". I think it has a lot to do with ideals. Japanese women are expected to be a perfect size 9.

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Uniqlo is a great place to find cheap clothes. You can get real bargains for sweaters, sweats and shirts. Pretty casual types of clothing, a real change from the formal clothing stores with 100 varieties of black/navy suits.

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

This Uniqlo sounds interesting. Is it a chain all over Japan? Is it a "just basics" store? Can I get colorful fun things there or just the standard pair of khakis and socks?

Edit to add new question: Do the Japanese frown upon foreigners following Japanese trends (i.e. techno geisha, whatever the picture below depicts)?

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

As long as you didn't dress like that to work! haha!

I don't think they frown upon it if you dressed like that for weekends. I was in Japan as a student in the 90s and I wore "loose socks". And when I was in my 20s I wore mini skirts and boots. At the time, dying your hair ash blonde was really hot. That was one trend I did *not* follow. My hair is naturally dark dark brown.

The G-stringed Avenger · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:16 am Post subject:

For the Tokyoites:
Go to Zenmall in Shibuya - it's across the road from ABC Mart. Lots of big sizes there, for men and women. A bit pricey but hey, that's Japan.

Lindsay · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 29 Location: kitakyushu, japan

it may be difficult to find women's pants long enough if you are 5'10". most pant sizes in japan go by cm's instead of inches. the biggest sizes i see available at most stores are 70 or 73 cm, which is 27.3 and 28.5 inches. for me, i am 5'4" so it is perfect, no hemming needed in japan!

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

Lindsay · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 29 Location: kitakyushu, japan

oops! i was talking about 70 -73 cm as a waist circumference! i have no idea what the lengths are in japan, all i know is that i have yet to hem a pair of pants. sorry, i wasn't very clear!

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

waist size, ey? sounds like a good time for me to lose a bit of weight. Razz

edit to add: Exactly what do you guys call expensive for clothes? I keep hearing Japanese clothes are pricey, but I usually pay 40 USD for pants, up to 40 USD on a shirt, up to 200 on coats, 120 for boots, 80 for shoes (unless it's a sandal), 100 on a blazer (these are max prices). Is it more than that?

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Sure doesn't have to be.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90