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tavdude · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:03 pm Post subject: Clothes Shopping in Japan

i read in lonely planet that clothes sizes in japan are much smaller that the west amd that if you're 5'10 or bigger you're gonna struggle to get stuff that fits? is this true or an exaggeration?

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

True. However, there are shops that cater to larger sizes. Grand Back and Haruyama come to mind. And, you might also find western shops here, like Eddie Bauer. Depends on where you live.

The Japanese are getting bigger, too, so it may not be as hard as you think, depending on what you want to buy (dress shirt vs. 3 piece suits, for example).

The cut of clothes are different, too. For men, you will find that sleeve length is shorter, the seat of pants is tighter, and the fit across the shoulders is often tighter.

Nagoyaguy · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 425 Location: Aichi, Japan

You may also find that department stores have special 'big size' sections that cater to the larger male. In my area, Jusco and AEON (department stores) both have big sizes. I am 5'11" and weigh about 210 lbs- mostly shoulders and butt. I take an XL in Canada, but in Japan? Size 4L- XXXXL size. The good news is, that it IS available. Also, prices are not outrageous. At Jusco, khaki pants are about 3000 yen, rugby shirts the same or 4000 yen, t-shirts 1000-2000 yen, and so on.

Shoes are the same. The biggest common size in Japan is usually 27.5 or 28 cm. Equivalent to a 91/2 or 10 back home. For bigger size shoes, I go to Sports Authority or other sporting goods shops (I take a size 30 in Japan).

drdo · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 53

And for women? Do you know of places that have 'plus' size for women? Also shoes? We haven't seen any shoes here that would come close to women's size 9 or higher (US). We don't "need" anything right now, as we only arrived a few months ago, but we plan to stay here for about 4 years...so in time.

Thanks.

bearcat · Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 367

katk · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 52 Location: Atlanta, Ga

I really hope I can fit into some Japanese clothes bc I want to buy stuff there that i won't be able to buy back in the US

wintersweet · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:58 pm Post subject:

Celeste · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:32 pm Post subject:

katk · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 52 Location: Atlanta, Ga

isn't it obvious, clothes at shops that aren't in the US, I am sure i can find things that will be unique to japan, things that are trendy there things that aren't in the US, fashion is variable.... i don't want to go to the Gap in japan, and i know that they have diff clothes there bc my friend that is from korea goes there periodically and buys clothes and they are cute. I am kinda confused by your question actually do you think that every country has teh exact same shirts and pants and dresses and shoes?

Celeste · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:07 am Post subject:

Been out of N. America for way too long. Currently womens' clothing is going through an early '80s revival. Kind of figured it was more or less the same elsewhere. Shopping for recreation, you may have some fun, but shopping here out of necessity is a pain in the neck. Many of my foreign friends love to buy their accessories here and order the basics from home. Happy shopping Katk.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Uniqlo. They have bigger sizes.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Not for women they don't. If you're anything around a size 10 or more, Uniqlo is not for you (well, at least not for pants).

Also true for women's shoes. My wife is a size 8.5 or 9. Not once. Ever. We have never found a single shoe in this country to fit her unless it was a men's shoe...

Oh, wait... I was in Harajuku on Sunday and they had some cross-dressing fashion -- with absolutely enormous women's shoes.... I guess they would've been too big for my wife even....

wintersweet · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 7:22 am Post subject:

Hey, Jim, that's what they told me to do when I couldn't find the wedding shoes I wanted--try the crossdressers' shops in SF! Laughing

(No, thanks; I hate platforms!) When my shoes died in Taiwan I had to settle for men's New Balances, and those were even a little hard to find in my size.

However, I have a friend who's about a size 16 US, and she does find *some* clothing at Uniqlo and other places. They might be a little tight, but she has an hourglass figure so it looks good. So I don't think it's out of the question for size 12s and 14s to be able to find a little to wear--maybe not slacks or skirts, though, like you said.

The first thing she does when she visits home (the US) is go clothes-shopping, because it's impossible to maintain her wardrobe decently in Japan.

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

Is this the Uniqlo in Japan?

http://www.uniqlo.co.uk/

http://www.uniqlo.com/

...and what's a size 76 equivalent to?

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