School uniforms bring back memories of our bitter-sweet childhood days. In Japan, however, they aren’t just clothes, they’re symbols of “seishun” (youth) and a big part of the country’s culture. Girls in Japan love their school uniforms, and there are fans of Japanese school uniforms all over the world.

We know you love these cute school uniforms too, but do you really know everything about them? Here’s everything you need to know to be an expert on Japanese school uniforms.

History of Uniforms

Japan has had school uniforms for around 150 years. They were first used to show which community a student belonged to, but today they have become one of the biggest symbols of Japanese kawaii culture. The sailor suit-style uniform came to Japan in 1920, followed in the 1980s by the arrival of school blazers.

Types of Uniforms

You probably imagine Japan’s school uniforms to be either a sailor suit-style or include a blazer. Those are the most standard types you’ll see, but they aren’t the only school uniform out there…

Sailor Uniform

Blazer Uniform

Bolero Uniform

Eton Jacket Uniform

Jumper Skirt Uniform

Overalls Skirt Uniform

Suspender Skirt Uniform

One-piece Uniform

Public and Private Schools

In Japan, we have as many private schools as we have public schools. Most people start to wear uniforms from junior high school (except if you go to a private elementary school). The uniforms in public schools tend to be more simple compared to those worn by private school students. However there are also many schools that don’t have a uniform regardless of whether public or private. In this case, there are some that wear their regular clothes to school, but most girls wear a fake uniform, or ‘nanchatte’ uniform as we call it. They get to choose everything from scratch so they usually have several kinds of skirts and ribbons and ties at home. Here are some popular brands that sell uniform clothing.

Eastboy

Eastboy is the most basic brand to buy uniform clothing.

Surprisingly, the Playboy brand also has a uniform range in Japan. Most girls probably don’t know what the brand really is…

Sweaters and Vests

Except for during the warmer seasons, girls usually wear sweaters or vests. Unless they have a school sweater or vest that they have to wear, they usually choose one of their own. The basic colors would be white, black, gray, and beige.

The most popular brand for sweaters were Uniqlo. After they released a very colorful collection in these series, many high school girls wore them, and gradually wearing colorful sweaters with uniforms became the most fashionable style.

リクエストがあった、制服全身はこれだよーっ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉこの、ピンクのセーターはUNIQLOでリボンはBODYLINEで買ったよ！よかったら参考にしてみてね💕 http://t.co/xNcb2rCS8x

—
しおまる ☃ 初めましてアカ♡ (@shiomaru15) October 26, 2013

Along with the recent trends, wearing a hoodie on uniforms has also become popular.

ディズニー楽しかったです みんなでパーカー色違いで揃えました LJKなので制服ディズニー\( ö )/ グリーンが我、醜い醜態晒してごめんなさい。 http://t.co/oVq4KSehkd

—
伶音@NEXT→ドルフェス (@rlove_jp) May 01, 2015

Socks

Socks for school uniforms have changed a lot over the years. They aren’t just socks, they change the whole image of your outfit. There are two main colors, navy/black and white. The most standard length is long socks that come up to just below the knee.

Gradually socks that come only two-thirds of the way up the calf became the most popular length.

The newest trend, however, is to wear the really short ones. This is thought to be from the short socks popularity in regular clothing.

姉妹で制服ディズニー✨笑 中２と、大1笑 そして、1中と大成の融合笑 http://t.co/MBfrhjIoz3

—
ゆず (@Zun1022) August 26, 2015

And of course, how can you forget these beauties? A very important necessary item for gyaru: loose, bunching socks.

Shoes

Of course high school girls care about their shoes as well. The majority wear loafers, either black or brown.

In recent collections, there are loafers that have heels so the girls would have a better style.

Another new trend is for the girls to wear sneakers with their uniforms.

Ribbons and Ties

Ribbons and ties are another way to show off your personal taste. There are many different types of patterns and designs and it’s always fun to find your favorite one!

School Bags

Some schools have their own school bags that students are required to use, others don’t. The standard types are made out of nylon and leather.

Some girls who do sports may have enamel bags.

Backpacks are also popular recently.

There was also a very popular brand called World Pegasus. They have many colorful nylon school bags in their collection.

School bags are also a way to show what you like. This is where you see the individuality.

スクバがメンヘラちゃん一色になった♡ http://t.co/a7P4sAJHOV

—
ろんりー@くそでぶ (@0906Mayu) August 17, 2015

私のスクバ💭💛 #ちょっとでもいいなと思ったらRT http://t.co/WuLrY6Vj8P

—
こ と た ま 。8.29参戦 (@Koto31766) August 23, 2015

寒いね。うん、寒い。 今日から学校始まるけど頑張りまする◎ スクバ夏使用🌞🌴🌺🐠 http://t.co/u9sF9bcMDs

—
Sockey Mouseはフルータに夢中 (@DuckSonald) August 24, 2015

Skirt Length

It’s generally agreed that the “best” skirt length is 15cm above the knee; not too long, not too short, but just the right length. But some schools have school rules dictating that a skirt has to be long. In such cases, girls use special belts or just fold their skirts two or three times after leaving the school grounds to make it a cuter length.

Wrapping up…

That brings us to the end of our Japanese school uniform tour! There are many ways to wear them, but no matter what they’re cute! Maybe try creating your own perfect school uniform outfit and enjoy the sensation of being a Japanese school girl!

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Origin: Everything you wanted to know about girls’ school uniforms in Japan　
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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Watch out sailor sisters! There’s a new line of sailor-themed clothing on sale and this time it’s the boys’ turn to come out and play. There won’t be any trousers or navy hats here though, because the only thing masculine about these clothes are the bodies that will be going into them.

It’s the Boku Sera (“I’m a Sailor”) range, which uses the Japanese male pronoun boku to highlight exactly what sets the clothes apart from all others we’ve seen before: these are girls’ sailor-style school uniforms, only now they’re built for male bodies.

The unusual roomwear items come from Bibi Lab, a design house which specialises in researching unique ideas and bringing them to life, no matter how wacky they seem. Previously, they’ve given us the full-body mosquito net jumpsuit; the snuggie that covers everything except your hands, nose and mouth, and even life-sized human-shaped pillows. Now they’re taking fleece to a place it’s never been before with two special man-sized sailor-style schoolgirl outfits.

The Pure White design features the blue and white colour scheme most commonly associated with Japanese schoolgirls, but if black is more your style, you can opt for a Darkness Black number. Both are available from Japan’s largest e-commerce site Rakuten Ichiba for 6,880 yen (US$57.71) each.

Bibi Lab designed these outdoor styles as “roomwear” items for a number of specific reasons. Firstly, it’s a great way for men to see what it’s like to wear women’s clothing. While some men have no problem with parading around in public in schoolgirl uniforms, more discreet gentlemen might prefer to dress up in the comfort of their homes, away from prying eyes.

And when you’re lazing about at home, you want to be dressed for comfort, which means you don’t want to be squeezing into tight, ill-fitting ladies clothes. Bibi Lab has you covered, by specifically designing their female outfits for the male figure.

▼As long as you fall between a medium or large size, according to the Japanese male sizing system.

Bibi Lab is also singing the virtues of wearing women’s clothing, pointing out that the roomy nature of the one-piece provides “zero stress” around the tummy area, meaning you can let it all hang out while remaining comfortably warm and covered at the same time.

The fleece material increases the comfort level of the clothing so you can lounge around with the lightest of ease. Now that we think about it, fleece uniforms in real schools might actually work, especially in those freezing Japanese classrooms during wintertime.

And for those after some girly details, a pair of knee high socks are included, perfect for showing off the much coveted strip of exposed thigh between skirt and sock.

In their usual light-hearted manner, Bibi Lab also claims that their product can reduce stress. If you’ve had a bad day, or if you’re worried about getting older, simply slip into the comfy sailor suit and all your worries will fade away.

▼ Because sometimes the stress relief of a no-pants lifestyle makes you feel like fireworks are going off behind you.

And if you’re a girl who never got to wear the distinctive schoolgirl outfit growing up, this is your chance to make lost dreams come true!

▼ From reading to gaming to playing with teddy bears, male models show just how comfortable life in a fleece sailor suit can be.

For a quick peek into the world of roomwear sailor uniforms, including a zero stress happy dance, check out the short clip below!

Source: Narinari
Images: Bibi Lab

Origin: Sailor-style school uniform outfits for men are warm, fleecy and said to reduce stress
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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School uniforms inspired by Japanese manga have come to life as dresses designed for everyday wear by women of all ages.

The dresses have been designed by Sukiyaki, a branch of online fashion retailer Felissimo that aims to bring the feeling of suki! (like!) to their customers through creative anime, manga and idol-inspired designs. Identifying a gap in the market for women who want to relive the charm of wearing schoolgirl uniforms out in the real world, Sukiyaki developed three gorgeous styles: an art school uniform, a girls’ college uniform and a public high school uniform.

The Ladylike Girls’ College Uniform (12,204 yen/US$99.04)

Part Anne of Green Gables and part Sophie Hatter from Howl’s Moving Castle, this classic style features a stand-up collar and a long length that falls elegantly below the knee, giving a beautiful, ladylike silhouette.

The Public High School at the Top of the Hill Uniform (11,664 yen)

This uniform takes its inspiration from the standard blue-and-white high school uniforms worn by thousands of girls attending co-ed public schools across Japan. Girls riding their mama-chari bikes up the slope to school will bring back fond memories for many, and with dainty ribbon details and a length that sits properly at the knee, you’ll finally feel like one of the good girls at school.

The Quirky Art School Uniform (11,124 yen)

If you’ve ever dreamed of going off to a quirky art school with a bag full of coloured pencils and supplies, this high-waisted uniform with a creatively designed sailor-style collar is for you. The tie-ribbon belt is detachable for those who want to tone down the look.

The pretty outfits are designed to be worn out and about, to lunches, dates and girly get-togethers. We’re not sure if we’ll be game enough to wear one of these around town on the weekend, but it’s a safe first-step for shy cosplayers and a perfect way to bring a bit of old-school nostalgia to your wardrobe.

Images: Felissimo (Sukiyaki), PR TIMES

Origin: Manga-inspired sailor-style school uniforms now redesigned as dresses for everyday wear
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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According to the artist, Tokyo and Niigata compete for the shortest skirt of all.

Japanese high school uniforms are so entrenched in anime and manga culture they’ve become almost as well-known as the characters who wear them. While the blue-and-white sailor suit-style outfit has become a fixture of countless storylines, in reality there’s a huge number of variations on the type of skirts, shirts, jackets, coats, neckties and accessories that a student might wear. Even a girl’s socks can reveal details about local trends and the area in which she lives.

Highlighting this point is Twitter user @tmato30kcal, who recently shared a cute, original illustration online, featuring nine different girls from some of Japan’s major cities.

大都市都道府県別平均JKの制服 https://t.co/fmL3zFQ9eZ

—
トマト大好き (@tmato30kcal) February 16, 2016

Dressed in winter uniforms, only one of the girls shows off her arms: the young lady from the warm southern island of Okinawa. Hokkaido, on the other hand, is so bundled up we can only see part of the girl’s face. Girls from Osaka and Kobe also appear to be well-covered, while the schoolgirl from Fukushima pairs a short skirt with some racy, thigh-high socks. Could this really be reality?

Twitter users weighed in, retweeting the image more than 5,000 times and leaving comments like:

“This is totally true for Kobe!”

“Nagoya girls now wear their skirts much shorter than this”

“I’ve never seen a schoolgirl in thigh-highs before”

“Thank you for sharing your valuable experience with us!”

We’ll have to keep our eyes open on our next trip around Japan to see if some of these young ladies really do exist in real life. Do you think they’re a perfect representation of their area? Let us know in the comments section below!

Source, Images: Twitter/@tmato30kcal

Origin: Japanese Twitter user illustrates the difference between schoolgirl uniforms in major cities
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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It’s not uncommon for graduates in some countries to throw their caps up in the air in celebration, but in Japan some graduates are throwing their old uniforms up for auction instead.

Although vending machines selling used schoolgirls’ panties may be a dated myth, an increasing number of graduates selling all or part of their uniforms on second-hand auction sites has been causing quite a stir recently.

Until recently, hanging on to your high school uniform after graduation was the norm, with most people doing so for sentimental reasons and some even going so far as to slip theirs on for a nostalgia-enhanced trip to Tokyo Disneyland. The recent increase in online auctions for used uniforms, though, shows the pendulum might be swinging in the opposite direction these days.

One second-hand reselling app in particular, mercari, has been flooded by so many listings from students with their diplomas fresh in hand this year that it became a hot topic for netizen debate.

Online comments have included:

“I LOLed when I saw all the school uniforms up for auction on mercari.”

“They’re selling their uniforms on mercari?! Their parents must be in tears!”

“But people who buy from the graduated school girls on mercari will be able to get their home address, won’t they?”

“Even though they’re selling their uniforms, isn’t it common for them to include underwear with them?”

“The ones from Tokiwagi Academy are fetching a pretty high price!”

“You could start a business by buying new uniforms and putting them up as used on mercari.”

Many of the posts come off innocently enough, pitching their used uniforms to cosplay enthusiasts or new incoming students to the same school, but listings priced at a few hundred dollars or more are likely going for a different kind of clientele- the kind of men who are fans of high school girls, or JK (short for joshi kosei, “high school girl” in Japanese). JK-related business ventures have been around for a long time, but only over the past decade have they really come out into the open, with some critics calling them a rapidly growing problem.

Japan already has a few graduation trends of its own, like boys giving the second button from the top of their uniform jacked (the one closest to their hearts) to the girl they like, or guys and gals waiting until graduation day to finally confess their feelings to their crush, knowing they won’t have to face the embarrassing consequences if it doesn’t go as well as planned. Will the rush to profit from uniforms no longer needed soon be added to the list? Only time will tell.

Source: Byokan Sunday
Images: mercari

Origin: Japanese graduates rush to make a little extra cash…by selling their school uniforms online
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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As some Pokémon are graduating, others are just about to start life at their new schools.

March is the month when Japanese schools have their graduation ceremonies, and over the coming weeks diplomas will be given out across the country to academically qualified young men and women.

Oh, and also Pokémon, apparently.

This month’s entry in the Monthly Pikachu line of stuffed animals is an adorable grad dressed in cap and gown. If his beaming expression wasn’t enough of a giveaway that he passed his classes with flying colors, there’s also the fact that he’s moved his tassel to the left, is wearing a Poké Ball emblazoned honor society ribbon, and is carrying his diploma in the cylindrical holder the documents are commonly kept in in Japan.

But there’s a double meaning to making March’s Monthly Pikachu a graduate. The 1,600-yen (US$14) plushie marks the twelfth, and final, stuffed animal in the series. Don’t fret, though, because the seasonal themed fun will continue with double the Pocket Monsters with the new Monthly Pair Pikachu series, with each month featuring a male and female Pikachu in new outfits.

After graduation in March, the Japanese educational system has only a brief break between school years, with the new term starting in April. Because of that, the first two representatives of the Monthly Pair Pikachu, officially the April pair, are ready for their first day of the Spring semester, with both of them decked out in their school uniforms.

The blazer and sailor suit-wearing pair go on sale March 19, priced at 2,600 yen, and will be available at Pokémon Center locations, as well as the Pokémon Center online shop and Amazon Japan Pokémon Store. Here’s wishing them both the best as they start life at their new school, and that they study hard enough to find good jobs when it’s their turn to graduate.

If you can think of anything more Japanese than a Pikachu in a schoolgirl outfit, let Casey know on Twitter.

Source: Pokémon official website (1, 2)
Top image: Pokémon official website
Insert images: Amazon Japan, Pokémon official website

Origin: New line of paired boy/girl Pikachu plushies kicks off with couple in Japanese school uniforms
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

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Whether you’re a man or a woman, now you can swim like a sailor thrown overboard and look cute while you do it.

When it comes to cute and crazy costumes and accessories, Moira Design, created by fetish designer “Kuchikaseya Moira” or “Mouth Gag Shop Moira”, stands out with a range of items that are cute, shocking, and confusing all at once. The latest addition to her range is one of the tamest in her collection, yet still guarantees to turn heads at the local swimming pool.

▼ Based on the Japanese sailor-style school uniform,
the stretchy swimsuit can be used by both women and men.

▼ Being reversible, the colour of the uniform can be changed to match the lapel,
while the removable neck scarf lets you play around with the schoolgirl look.

▼ Getting in and out of the sailor suit is easy with the long front zip opening.

Available from Village Vanguard from the end of June for 15,552 yen (US$148.73) each, the swimsuits will be available in pale blue or pale pink, and are said to be suitable for both male and female bodies. Since Village Vanguard doesn’t ship overseas, you’ll need to go through a reshipping service if you don’t live in Japan.

▼ Other items in the fetish range due out at the end of the
month include the “Fork Ribbon Choker” for 3,240 yen.

▼ And a fluorescent pink glow stick holster for 4,860 yen.

To see some of the more raunchy fetish designs, stop by the designer’s website or Twitter account.

メイドスク水のツイート、たくさんRT頂いているのでモデル活動用のTumblrを貼っておきますね。（今はモデル活動はしておりません） modelmoira.tumblr.com https://t.co/XVD2IKiYdB

—
口枷屋モイラ (@mekemon) May 10, 2016

Source: Kai You
Images: Village Vanguard (1, 2)

New generation shows new tastes in subtly personalizing school uniforms, according to survey.

Fashion trends change quickly in Japan, and that’s especially true for teens. Japanese high school only lasts three years, meaning that any particular look has only a short window of time before being associated with the last class of students and thus losing its luster.

Even though Japanese high schoolers wear a uniform five days of the week, they still find ways of personalizing their ensembles. So how has Japanese schoolgirl fashion changed over the last few years?

1. Knee-length skirts

制服が来ました〜🙄🙄 スカート長めにしたのになんか… https://t.co/3fyRCWslrC

—
🍄 ハ ル カ 🍄 (@gxaenm) April 03, 2016

Contrary to what anime depicts, most schools have dress codes that prohibit scandalously short skirts. However, during the late 1990s and early 2000s it became increasingly common for schoolgirls to roll their skirts up at the waist when on their way to or from campus, or socializing with friends out in town after class.

A recent poll of 154 high school girls, though, showed a change in attitudes. 37.7 percent said they wore a knee-length skirt, compared to only 21.4 percent who said their skirts were more than five centimeters (2 inches) above the knee.

2. Short socks

今日の制服コーデです。先日のコーデにELLEECOLEのベストとEASTBOYのリボンを合わせました。バッグはイザックの黒リュック。 https://t.co/4CnGMkBULl

—
高橋こうき (@ktakahashi0203) August 14, 2016

Another trend of the late ‘90s was the “loose socks” look, in which schoolgirls would wear baggy socks that almost looked like leg warmers. Some loose socks were so loose that wearers had to apply adhesive, called “sock touch,” to their calves to keep them from falling all the way down to their ankles. The logic behind the trend was that having thick, bunched up socks made the wearer’s legs look thinner by comparison.

That’s not such a problem today, as in the same poll mentioned above only 0.6 percent of respondents said they wear loose socks. And while knee-high socks, or socks that come up to the bottom of the knee, had become quite common over the last few years, they weren’t the most popular choice either, accounting for just 15.6 percent.

Instead, the most popular sock choice was a snugly fitting short sock that comes only part-way up the calf, chosen by 44.2 percent of respondents. The rationale is similar to the previous one for loose socks: wearing shorter socks makes the wearer’s legs appear longer.

Youth trends being what they are, though, it’s probably only a matter of time until what’s popular changes all over again.

Sources: Naver Matome, Woman Insight, Wotopi
Top image: Pakutaso

The annual hit to the family’s finances has certain households dreading the start of each new school year.

While some public schools allow pupils to choose what clothing they’ll come to class in, once they reach junior high almost all students in Japan wear uniforms. Proponents of uniforms point to a number of claimed advantages, such as fewer distractions for young minds, decreased chances of bullying based on perceived differences in economic class, and instilling a sense of unity and pride throughout the school. There’s also the cultural phenomenon that, in Japan, a crisp, snappy school uniform is the ultimate symbol of innocent vitality and youthful dreams.

But there’s also a huge downside to uniforms: their cost. Japanese schools with a uniform system don’t just dictate what sort of blazer, slacks, or skirt the students have to wear. Many institutions also designate what style of bag that students are allowed to use to carry their books to and from class. If they want to bundle up with a vest or sweater in the winter, those are often required to be a specific design which bears the school’s crest. Once summer rolls around, most schools let students leave their blazers at home and switch to short-sleeved polo shirts, but these again must be the designated model which includes the school emblem. Oh, and for P.E. class, odds are there’s not only a school athletic uniform that has to be purchased, but also a specified pair of athletic shoes to be worn with it as well, as chosen by the school.

Making things worse is the fact that sellers have a captive market. Parents have to buy a school’s uniforms if they want to send their kids there, and there’s little incentive for retailers who sell the uniforms to lower their prices since it won’t significantly increase their sales volume. In a recent study on parental attitudes about junior high uniforms by Asahi Shimbun Digital, many parents reported spending around 100,000 yen (US$970) for the complete set of winter, summer, and athletic uniforms which are mandatory at their children’s schools. And since these are all being bought for kids who are just about to hit a growth spurt, uniforms can be a yearly expense as their wearers’ grow out of them every 12 months.

The burden is especially large on families with multiple children who differ in ages such that they enter new schools in the same year. Some families are able to curb their expenses by having younger children wear hand-me-downs from their older, same-sex siblings, but even that plan can run into a number of potential problems. For one, the younger sibling may differ in size from the older one was at that age. Also, having to wear a uniform every single day at school means it only gets dry-cleaned during extended vacation periods, and all of that wear and tear is definitely going to stick out next to wealthier classmates’ brand-new uniforms, which negates any anti-bullying effect of wearing a uniform.

Most frustrating of all, the school may decide to update or otherwise alter its uniform, meaning that an older sibling’s is suddenly in violation of school rules. One mother in the survey said this happened with her second son, who’d been accepted at the same junior high her eldest had graduated from. Six months before the start of the school year, parents were informed that a new uniform was being implemented, so everyone who’d planned on using hand-me-downs had to shell out for the new version instead.

A few of the study’s respondents pointed out money-saving strategies. One women said her school’s PTA gathers uniforms that graduates no longer need and provides them to financially struggling families. Certain uniforms can also be tailored in a way that allows for alterations so that children can continue wearing them for all three years they’ll be at junior high.

All the same, many parents expressed a desire for schools to relax regulations and allow their kids to at least wear non-official sweaters or polo shirts, as discount clothing shops sell such articles of clothing at far more affordable prices than their school crest uniform versions command. “Isn’t is enough to say that the shirt has to be white, or the slacks or skirt has to be navy, and leave it at that?” asked one women, but it looks like Japanese schools will be sticking with detailed uniform regulations for the foreseeable future.

Source: Asahi Shimbun Digital via Jin
Top image: Pakutaso

Both classic and modern styles offered to keep you feeling cozy and looking ready for class.

Japanese schools tend to have two different uniforms for their students: a light summer version, and a heavier winter outfit. Most schools make the switch to their winter versions in the fall as the weather gets chillier, so it makes sense that wearers of Japan’s schoolgirl roomwear will want to do the same.

Back in the spring, quirky Japanese company Bibi Lab released the Sera Kore (“Sailor Collection”) line of uniform-style sweat suits for wearing while relaxing at home. Now, it’s back with new versions of two of its designs made with thicker, warmer material to keep wearers cozy during the long, cold winter nights.

Fashion trends are always changing, and school uniforms are no exception. If you came of age in the 1990s, the Kogyaru design (which takes its name from that decade’s slang term for “schoolgirl”) probably strikes a nostalgic chord with you, as it features the sort of short skirt and loose socks that were in vogue at the end of 20th century.

Alternatively, the more contemporary JK (named after the currently most popular slang meaning “schoolgirl”) has a longer skirt and more snugly fitting socks, and also replaces the Kogyaru’s ribbon with a scarf.

While they may look like the skirt and blouse combination worn in Japanese schools, the Sera Kore are single-piece garments, with their seemingly separate top and bottom actually sewn together. As such, you won’t be able to tuck anything into the waistband, but both designs feature a breast pocket that’s large enough to slip a smartphone with a 5.5-inch screen into.

Both outfits are available domestically through novelty retailer Village Vanguards’ online shop (Kogyaru here, JK here) and Amazon Japan (Kogyaru here, JK here). While their standard list price is 9,072 yen (US$88), Village Vanguard has currently discounted them to 6,048 yen, and they’re just slightly more, 6,130 yen, on Amazon. And in any case they’re far cheaper than actual Japanese school uniforms.

Source: IT Media
Top image: Village Vanguard (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert images: Village Vanguard (1, 2, 3) (edited by RocketNews24)

It’s got tons of uniforms and girls and it also acts as a flip book!

The Collection of Taiwan High School Girl Uniforms from Wang Chung-ju (also known as Chiyou) is a very realistic book that depicts the look and style of the high school uniform. Chiyou meticulously examined various uniforms in order to replicate the look for his books, and now he’s back with a third installment for the series, but this time, it seems he has decided to add a little something extra to the images. When looking through it, you might wonder why all the girls seem to be positioned in odd places. Upon closer inspection, you might realize that they actually are posed very similarly as if they sort of flow together…

STAFF:制服至上3-中部篇，衝刺中~ #制服至上 https://t.co/9LBsOh8zxz

—
蚩尤 (@amatizqueen) June 06, 2016

Turns out Chiyou designed his book about girl’s uniforms to also act like a flip book animation. Not only do the uniforms change every page, but there is also a “slightly” out of place bear that makes an appearance. 

▼ We never realized that schoolgirl uniforms and bears fit so well together!

制服史上3、今までにない作りでビックリした。 https://t.co/yBbZuoq4A3

—
爆天童＠ウルトラ怪獣擬人化計画２巻発売 (@bakutendo) October 02, 2016

Whether you are looking for a reference for your Taiwanese schoolgirl cosplay, or itching for some old-timey animated pictures, you are really going to flip for Collection of Taiwan High School Girl Uniforms!

Source: Togech
Featured image: Twitter/@bakutendo

With two colours to choose from, this is the most unique sailor uniform we’ve ever seen!

With so many sailor-style school uniforms on the market these days, now it takes something really special to make you stand out from the crowd. Japanese online retailer Party Paradise has just released a real head-turner to fill your needs, with a creative new twist on the classic sailor suit uniform that incorporates heavenly angel details into its design.

Called the “Angel Sailor Suit”, the outfit uses a “Neofabric” which features an image of a cloudy, pale blue sky. Other details include a soft, pink chiffon scarf that ties up under the neckline, and a scalloped collar which resembles a pair of angel wings, complete with a pink cross in the middle.

▼ The pick-up line “Did you fall from heaven? Because you look like an angel” becomes pretty redundant when you’re dressed like this!

▼ The outfit also comes in pink, for an equally sweet and innocent look.

With the pink shade resembling a vibrant sunset, the embellishments on this style come in aqua green.

▼ The costumes are ideal for bringing an angelic presence to Halloween!

Both styles are currently available from online retailer Party Paradise for 8,630 yen (US$82.82) each, including nationwide delivery. Whether you’re looking to be an angelic schoolgirl, or any number of other cute characters, Party Paradise has a huge variety of costumes on offer to help with all your Halloween costume needs!

Source, images: Rakuten (1, 2)

Sells out almost immediately, prompts second production run.

In Japan, October 10 was Fitness Day, a national holiday dedicated to furthering passion and interest in physical well-being. While many celebrated by participating in sports or group exercise events, fashion website Moira Design chose to mark the occasion by releasing a new one-piece dress inspired by the type of shirt used in Japan’s iconic P.E. uniforms.

Just like much of Japan has warm, nostalgic feelings for the sailor suit, so too do many adults have fond memories of the clothing worn for gym class, which usually takes the form of a simple white T-shirt with colored sleeve cuffs and collar. Since most Japanese educational institutions opt for subdued school colors, Moira Design’s Training Wear One Piece, as the dress is officially called (the word “training” is often used as a catch-all for “fitness” in Japan) goes with understated maroon accents.

Made of a special, sweat-absorbent, fast-drying variety of polyester, Moira Design touts this as “A piece of clothing you can always play and run in.” While that’s technically true, the extra length needed to turn a P.E. shirt into a dress means that the Training Wear One Piece is probably better suited to relaxing, or perhaps turning heads, than running wind sprints.

▼ Windbreaker not included

But despite its shortcomings as dedicated sportswear, there was apparently massive latent demand for the Training Wear One Piece, as the initial batch sold out just two days after it went on sale. The fast-acting Moira Design is already gearing up for another production run, though, and is taking domestic orders through its website here, where the item is priced at 8,900 yen (US$86). Oh, and Moira Design also sells the Maid School Swimsuits and Sailor Suit Swimsuits we talked about a while back, just in case you need even more educational-themed crossover clothing.

Source: IT Media
Images: Moira Design

We’ve seen some crazy things from Japan, but this is the first time we’ve ever seen a blanket dressed up as a school uniform.

Bibi Lab, the Japanese retailer known for bringing out crazy items like the Cotton Wife, the rolling umbrella and the twintails pillow, has been making news recently for their Sera Kore (“Sailor Collection”) line of uniform-style sweat suits. Bibi Lab first ventured into the realm of sailor-style roomwear for the home with a fleecy men’s version released last year. Following its huge success, the company released a lineup of Sera Kore spring and winter designs, and now as we get into the depths of winter, they’ve come up with an even cosier solution to keep the indoor school uniform trend alive until spring.

▼ Say hello to the “Sera Kore Wearable Blanket Type Sailor Uniform Pyjamas”.

Now that we’re all used to the idea of a fleecy school uniform, thanks to Bibi Lab’s previous roomwear collections, the company is now giving us a wearable blanket that looks like a sailor uniform. Despite the “pyjama” classification, this roomy outfit is designed to keep the wearer warm while lounging around at home.

The long, flared skirt style makes it easy to walk around the house, and even twirl around in like a schoolgirl if you want to, but the design really comes into its own when worn in a seated position.

According to the makers, this is when it becomes a “Self Kotatsu”, meaning it traps heat around the legs in the same way as a kotatsu, which is a low, blanketed table equipped with a heater underneath.

And because the outfit doubles as pyjamas, you won’t have to worry about getting changed and exposing your skin to the cold before bedtime. Although it might feel strange at first to drift off to sleep while wearing a Japanese-style uniform.

▼ We wonder if Japanese schoolgirls wish they could wear this at school instead of their own uniforms, to help cope with those freezing classrooms.

The thick fleece material extends to the sailor-style collar, which means people around you can use the outfit to keep their hands warm too!

The wearable blanket is currently available to purchase from online retailers like Amazon Japan, Rakuten and Village Vanguard, where it’s sold in one size and has a recommended retail price of 9,720 yen (US$85.66). With so many weird yet wonderful features, we’re sure this is going to be another popular hit for the Bibi Lab team!

Source, images: Bibi Lab

Cosplaying in factory work clothes and schoolgirl uniforms is all for a good cause.

When an industry or organisation is in need of some self-promotion in Japan, a pictorial calendar release appears to be a simple solution. So far, we’ve seen hunky farmers enticing people towards the agricultural industry, and even bikini models suiting up for the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Now it’s time for a factory business in Osaka to turn to the humble wall calendar as a way of encouraging youth employment, all with a pretty cosplayer at the helm.

The calendar is being released by a company called Ohmiya, whose headquarters is located in Higashiosaka, an area ranked number one in the country in terms of factory density, and fifth when it comes to the number of factories established within its locale. Known as a manufacturing town, small-to-medium-sized factories in the area are now suffering from a marked decrease in the number of new recruits, which is largely due to the fact that factory work suffers from the “3K” stigma of being “kitanai“, “kiken” and “kitsui” (“dirty”, “dangerous” and “demanding”).

In an effort to solve the labor shortage problem, Ohmiya has enlisted the help of another Higashiosaka-based company, Bibi Lab, which has made news in the past for producing whacky products like the human-shaped “Cotton Wife” pillow and the full-body mosquito-net jumpsuit. Together, they devised the idea of producing a wall calendar filled with photos showing the fun side of factory-life, in an effort to attract the attention of new recruits.

Helping to get everyone’s attention is Ayato Nikukyu, a 21 year-old cosplayer who’s recently become known for her work as a model for Bibi Lab. Most recently seen promoting their crazy sailor suit school uniform wearable towel, Ayato has swapped her fancy threads for more humble factory work attire in this appearance, although we do get to see her in a Japanese school uniform as she walks us through the steps towards factory employment.

Ayato’s poses show that factory work can be fun, as she’s pictured in a number of workplace scenarios highlighting the fact that you can learn new skills and enjoy friendly interactions with others in a factory environment.

The photographs in the calendar accurately portray a year in the life of a new recruit, from the interview stage in January through to the refinement of more advanced skills in December.

There are a number of playful poses in the calendar too, as Ayato inspires young people to be like her or to be the lucky person working next to her.

According to the company, Ayato gave the photographer so many hundreds of cute poses that at one stage, they contemplated releasing a 365-day desk calendar instead.

In the end, they decided to stick with larger portraits of the cute cosplayer, with a 13-page A2-sized wall calendar currently being sold in limited quantities from the company’s website for 2,400 yen (US$20.40). While they don’t ship internationally, if you’re in Japan and would like to get your hands on the calendar, all you have to do is apply for a job with Ohmiya and progress to the interview stage to get one presented to you for free. Sure, it might be almost as unattainable as last year’s gold Star Wars calendar, but hopefully it gets locals interested in applying for jobs so the town can keep its manufacturing industry alive well into the future.

Source: Kai-You
Images: Ohmiya

This limited-time cafe is only open through Valentine’s Day!

The Hakata Hankyu department store in Fukuoka Prefecture is ready for Valentine’s Day. The eighth floor of the building is currently dedicated to a Valentine Chocolate Fair, with some of the best purveyors of chocolate around selling their finest. While most women in Japan will be buying a majority of their chocolate for male coworkers or acquaintances (known as “giri-choco“), others will be buying for their significant other.

Alongside the chocolate vendors will be a limited-time cafe, set up to allow patrons to relive the innocent feelings of love experienced in Valentine’s Days past. The Homeroom Cafe will have handsome waiters dressed in school and sports club uniforms, as well as other male waiters dressed as teachers, to “bring back those youthful memories of school-aged puppy love.”

福岡の博多阪急の8階にてバレンタイン展示会があってますー！ そこのホームルームカフェというところで働かせてもらってます😋💓 学校帰りとかによかったら会いに来てください(*˘︶˘*).｡.:*♡ 学ランだよ🙄 出勤日は1.4.… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

—
こーでぃー (@yry0814) February 01, 2017

With the purchase of a drink (prices start at 280 yen (US$2.50), customers will also receive two complimentary pieces of chocolate to sample. Customers can submit poems about love in the senryuu style, which is similar in structure to a haiku but instead deals with themes of human nature and is often satirical or ironic. They will also be offering “Valentine color advice” to help improve your “feminine strengths.” These advice sessions last for about 15 minutes, and are limited to only 20 people per day.

Image: Hakata Hankyu

If you happen to be passing through Fukuoka between now and February 14, a visit to the Homeroom Cafe could be a fun way to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day, and along the way you can pick up some delicious chocolates for you or your friends at the chocolate fair too!

Restaurant Information
Homeroom Cafe / ホームルームカフェ
Address: Fukuoka-shi Hakata-ku Hakata-eki Chuogai 1-1
福岡市博多区博多駅中央街１－１
Open: February 1 – 14, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (until 6 p.m. on February 14)
Website

Source: Hakata Keizai Shimbun, Hakata Hankyu
Featured image: Twitter/ @yry0814

These racy costumes come from a fetish design brand that knows how to accentuate the details.

Students in Japan might wear sailor suit uniforms to school, but it’s also the outfit of choice for a large number of cosplayers and magical heroines. For Japanese fetish design brand “School Fiction”, the iconic sailor suit looks just as good in water as it does on land, and they’re here to prove it with two new swimming costume designs that combine schoolgirl looks with the sleekness of lycra.

▼ This is a costume that’s sure to turn heads at the beach or pool this summer.

The sailor suit top, which can be purchased separately for 6,500 yen (US$57.87) or as part of a set for 18,000 yen, attaches to the costume with a sweet bow at the back.

The swimsuit itself features an unusual design that exposes some cheeky areas of skin, along with some small ribbon embellishments.

The schoolgirl swimsuit also comes in a black-and-white variety, with some bright red ribbons to complete the look.

The swimsuit features sleek white striping on the front and some white frills at the top of the thighs.

And to add to all the details, both sailor suit tops contain a clip section at the top, similar to those found on real schoolgirl outfits.

The two new sailor suit swimsuits can be purchased at retail stores like Village Vanguard and online from Moira Design, which offers postage nationwide. If you’re interested in finding out more about schoolgirl-themed swimwear, you might want to check out this other range from Moira Design, and while you’re there you might want to take a peek at these maid swimsuits and school training wear dresses too!

Source: Moira Design
Featured image: Moira Design (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert images: Moira Design (1, 2, 3) (edited by RocketNews24)

Do you know the names of all these Japanese photo poses that have appeared over the years?

When it comes to iconic Japanese photo poses, we all know the popularity of the peace sign in Japan. While people of all ages can be seen pulling out the two-finger v-shaped gesture when posing for photos, its inherent popularity lies with Japanese high school girls, who are the leaders of the pack when it comes to setting the trend for cute photo poses.

Despite the immense popularity of the peace-sign as a handy go-to pose, there have been a number of other popular poses favoured by Japanese high school girls over the years. Here to show us the changing trends is popular J-pop idol group Tokyo Performance Doll, appearing in an ad for a new DoCoMo and Snow app collaboration. Let’s check out the cute clip below!

Starting all the way back in 1684 with the “Looking Back Beauty Style” pose, the ad shows us just how dramatically beauty trends have changed over the years.

The more demure pose of centuries past slowly gave way to more personality-filled images in the early 1900s with the “Finger-mouthing Style”, which is so cute it almost deserves a comeback in 2017.

After the don’t-mess-with-me attitude of the “Bad-Girl Style” and the peace sign gesture of the “Showa Idol Style” came the wide-armed “Shibuya-Gal Style” pose in the late 90s. At the turn of the 21st century, however, Japan and the rest of the world became obsessed with the “Duck-Face Style”, followed by the “Toothache” in 2015, while 2016 saw the cute “Finger-Heart Style” rise in popularity.

The ad, produced by telecommunications giant DoCoMo, is part of a new campaign encouraging students to use animated face effects generated by the Snow app to create cute and memorable graduation photos as the school year comes to an end in March.

Even if you don’t have the Snow app on your phone, you can still have fun bringing some of these iconic poses to life in front of the camera, which is especially handy now that there’s a risk of identity theft when using the peace sign in photos.

Source: Net Lab
Featured image: YouTube/docomoOfficial
Insert images: YouTube/docomoOfficial

Now you can relax around the home in a traditional outfit worn by schoolgirls during the romantic Taisho period.

Modern western culture arrived in Japan during the Taisho Period (1912-1926), transforming traditional outfits and fashions of the day with new flourishes and accessories inspired by trends from overseas. It was a time when women began adding hair ribbons, gloves, handbags and boots to their kimono clothing, and brighter patterns began appearing on fabrics, creating a fusion style known as “Taisho Roman”.

One of the most distinctive outfits from the era is the hakama-style female school uniform, which combines a long hakama skirt-pant with a billowy sleeved kimono top. This nostalgic symbol of the Taisho period can still be seen today at formal graduation ceremonies, but for those who want to enjoy the style every day of the year, there’s now a new option on the market, thanks to loungewear makers MOCOLLE.

Instead of being worn in the classroom, these outfits are designed to be worn while lounging around the house. The traditional outfits are usually worn as two-piece sets, along with a number of undergarments and accessories, however the loungewear versions come as one-piece costumes, meaning it takes no time at all to put them on.

There are two colour variations in the range, both featuring a traditional Yagasuri pattern commonly associated with Taisho Roman period styles. Resembling the feathers of arrows, the pattern is said to represent steadfastness and determination, as an arrow shot straight never returns.

The red and purple designs come with detachable obi waist bows, which can be removed for freer movement, making them so comfortable they can even be slept in!

According to MOCOLLE, the idea for the unusual indoor outfit came about after it was discovered that a large number of men in their late 20s loved the look, commenting that they wanted to be near girls wearing the traditional outfits during their graduation photos.

The outfits are currently being created as part of a crowdfunding campaign, which has already exceeded its target goal of 1 million yen (US$8,770), with 41 days still left in the campaign and 204 people raising more than 2 million yen for the project.

Patrons can choose from packages starting at 3,000 yen for a Yagasuri-patterened iPhone case and postcards featuring the campaign model, Kuroneko, who is a former member of a cosplaying idol group, up to 50,500 yen for a set of six outfits, which usually retail for 8,900 yen each.

While patrons contributing to the campaign can expect their deliveries to arrive in June, the immense popularity of the outfits means we’ll probably be able to purchase them from Japan’s Village Vanguard chain of novelty goods stores soon. That way, we can add the Taisho Roman schoolgirl outfits to our indoor police uniform sets and miko shrine maiden loungewear costumes too!

Source, images: PR Times

If the school uniforms’ original owners don’t want them anymore, there are some guys who do.

For many people in Japan, their high school uniform has a special place in their heart. After wearing it day in and day out during the last stage of their childhood, many choose to hang on to theirs after graduation, as a memento of those blissfully innocent, carefree days.

But for some more pragmatic teens, there’s no point in keeping an outfit they’re never going to wear again, especially when the avaricious or economically minded can make some cash by selling their used uniforms online.

メルカリに西高の制服出てるぞ... https://t.co/b96QNrWKwB

—
こーへー (@kouheirec) February 25, 2017

Yes, it’s that time of year again. With the end of the school year right around the corner, Japanese online marketplace Mercari is seeing a surge in the number of second-hand schoolgirl uniforms for sale. The above ensemble, which looks to include both the summer and winter tops and skirts, is being offered by the seller for 10,000 yen (US$89). While that’s likely far less than the owner’s parents paid for it new, it’s still a pretty hefty chunk of change for two outfits that have already seen a lot of wear.

That’s far from the highest-priced uniform currently listed on Mercari, either. The seller of the outfit shown below in the center of the top row is asking for 70,000 yen, as is the owner of the uniform at the bottom left.

Sellers also seem diligent about including the name of the uniform’s associated school in their listings, which suggests that certain academic institutions command higher prices among used schoolgirl uniform shoppers. The seller of a summer uniform from Fukushima Prefectural Sukagawa Toyo High School, for example, feels it warrants a 90,000-yen price tag, whereas another from Kakunodate Minami High School in Akita Prefecture is charging 200,000 yen for hers.

Of course, it’s common economic knowledge that just because you ask for a certain amount of money in exchange for an item doesn’t mean anyone will actually buy it at that price. However, a quick look through some of Mercari’s recent listing show several 20,000-yen-plus uniforms have been purchased through the site, including one which went for 65,000 yen.

▼ This Twitter user uses her old P.E. uniform as pajamas, but was shocked to see that another alumni had sold hers through Mercari for 10,000 yen.

メルカリ闇深いツイートを見て、母校を検索してみた。私のパジャマが10000円で売れてた。このダッセェジャージにそんな価値が…？制服の値段…不吉やん…？ふ、深すぎる…😰 https://t.co/lAI61RsEbL

—
🅰 (@ASUKA_IS_DEAD) March 02, 2017

But while school uniforms are often romanticized and/or fetishized in Japanese media and imaginations, the reality is that since students generally only have one summer and one winter uniform, and have to wear them Monday through Friday (plus on the weekends if participating in school functions), they tend to go several months at a time without being dry-cleaned, meaning that come graduation, the fabric can often be in pretty bad shape. But considering that the customer comments for schoolgirl uniform listings on Mercari include prospective buyers inquiring about buying “just the skirt” or “the recorder you used in music class,” odds are the target market isn’t going to be turned off by a couple of sweat stains.

Source: Jin, Mercari
Featured image: Twitter/@kouheirec