Fashion "Rules" for Japanese Women

Fashion Rules for Japanese Women. What clothes to wear? You need special clothes for school, work, graduation, job hunting (recruit suits), and all sorts of everyday and special occasions in Japan. I interview four ladies who are recent university graduates to talk about the "rules" for keeping up appearances.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:50 Elementary school uniforms and rules
01:34 High school uniforms and rules
05:23 Recruit suits (Job hunting outfits)
11:08 Workplace fashion
13:53 Everyday fashion
16:18 Can you judge a person by their clothes?
Website Post
→ www.lifewhereimfrom.com/fashi...
Video Gear I Use
📷 Camera: amzn.to/2NEokdl
📷 Drone: amzn.to/2GAURv8
📷 Wide Lens: amzn.to/2BcJCGJ
📷 Prime Lens: amzn.to/2C2LEpt
🎤 Microphone: amzn.to/2BJi114
📷 All the rest: kit.co/lifewhereimfrom/youtub...
Connect
🗲Patreon: / lifewhereimfrom
🗲Life Where I'm From X Channel: bit.ly/ytlwifx
🗲Website: www.lifewhereimfrom.com
🗲Facebook: / lifewhereimfrom
🗲Instagram: / lifewhereimfrom
🗲Twitter: / lifewhereimfrom
Music by Epidemic Sound www.epidemicsound.com/referra...

[@piggypoo]

I like how all the girls were comfortable with going english and japanese at the same time

[@randolf5111]

They clearly studied English abroad.

[@xiny-chi]

Yes, it's very nice!

[@Jar0fMay0]

I do the same but with spanish.

[@shoshishoshi127]

All bilingual people do that lol.

[@MrEjidorie]

By Japanese standard, they are privileged people because of their good command of English. Few Japanese people are proficient in English or other foreign languages though most of us believe that fluency in foreign languages is very crucial for our career. Many Japanese people are motivated to acquire English, but not all of them realize their dream due to cultural and education barriers. In general, Japanese people are not good at verbal communication. Instead, we are expert of nonverbal communication. First, we read the atmosphere, guess others` feelings, and they follow what others are doing. Since Japan is highly homogeneous society, we value harmonious relations with others even at the expense of our opinions. That`s one of the reasons why Japanese people are discouraged to call a spade a spade in the international community.

[@JazzyCast]

i think i understand now how over-the-top harajuku fashion came to be, because of such strict rules, in regular life dressing however you want would be so therapeutic ..

[@fresapreso1491]

YES maybe if i were japanese, i would find it refreshing

[@QueenCloveroftheice]

I turned to Harajuku fashion as an American because I have to wear a uniform to work and because it’s a way to express oneself through what I wear. I imagine it’s similar in Japan. Also, the fashions are becoming more popular worldwide, so there’s a real sense of community that is comforting.

[@CailinRuaAnChead]

Absolutely, I had a super strict uniform in school in England and my style outside of school was O U T T H E R E. Since I left school and felt less oppressed it's calmed right down

[@ramsesclviii2584]

japan sure has a history of rebellion against rules. sometimes misunderstood by both sides but sometimes too aggressive from both ends as who should conform over which rules.

[@MarkyNomad]

The harder you push one direction the harder it may go back the other way

[@hajenso]

I'm an American with a Japanese dad and family in Japan. When we went to visit them back in 2003 (not my first time, but first time as a young adult), my dad urged me not to bring jeans with holes in the knees, and got me to carefully clean my Converse sneakers. These are not things he usually bothered me about at home in the US. 20-year-old me was annoyed at this and said things like "That's my style, I'm an American!" My dad responded "In Japan you're not just on your own, you are representing Yamada family, so wearing things like that is 'hazukashii' for us."

[@Hana-nx2wj]

My mother is Japanese and I had the same exact experience. During the summer it’s hot so in America I would just wear running shorts and tank tops everywhere but when I visited family in Japan, my mother would make me wear pants, shirts with sleeves, and many dresses that were at least knee length.

[@shukrantpatil]

Actually, a lot of Japanese women wear tank tops and shorts 🤔 Like that’s normal I think ......or is it not .....

[@journeylife7491]

No. America just has different general classes. That is a functional family thing; not just a Japanese thing. Walking next to someone with too many holes in their clothes feels like walking next to a homeless man or a beggar.

[@Historian212]

@@Madhattersinjeans Yes. I was a little girl in the late 1950s-early 1960s, when this was still true in the U.S. Girls were not allowed to wear pants to school, even in cold weather, although in winter we could wear pants under our skirts, and take off the pants when we got to school. In the early 1960s there was something in my school called Assembly, once a week; girls had to wear a dark blue skirt and white shirt, and the boys had to wear dark blue pants (never jeans!), a white shirt, and a dark blue tie. Until the early 1970s, when that started to change, and we could even wear jeans. Skirts for school had to be a certain length until that time, too, or the girl could be sent home. Women and girls going to church or synagogue would never wear pants, and often wore hats. We also wore gloves on all special occasions when going out. As a little girl I had my own white gloves to wear on holidays and such. We lived near New York City, and when going into the city, we always wore dresses or skirts, never pants. Even when going shopping, women would make sure they looked "presentable" by wearing dresses and makeup, especially lipstick. My mother would never be caught outside the house without lipstick.

[@hajenso]

@@journeylife7491 Jeans with holes in the knees in casual circumstances are unremarkable in my social class and part of America, and I'm solidly middle-class.

[@Ragnarok043]

i think the Japanese saying "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down" kinda summarizes it, its viewed as risky to appear be not be a "team player"

[@tetsuyauezato5536]

yeah, when you go to work or school its called a dress code. on your day off. knock yourself out. regurgitating the same trite phrase to encompass the whole civilization based on a vid is immature and unimaginative.

[@oliverpicken3320]

That's a chinese saying too, seems common in Asia

[@zeiitgeist]

@@oliverpicken3320 That is not a Chinese saying... Chinese don't force people to abide to unspoken rules as much as Korean (who modelled their system after their neighbour's etiquette) and Japan... Frankly as a Chinese, these practises are really unhealthy. If you wanna know how Chinese get by the workplace, is based on the hard work for 饭碗; to bear with the company for their lifeline (salary for food), but if the company doesn't treat you well, it really isn't wise to stick around even for the rice bowl, unless you have commitments and debts that makes it difficult to leave.

[@oliverpicken3320]

@@zeiitgeist 枪打出头鸟

[@Pollymichaelis]

@@oliverpicken3320 I feel like as a Chinese things aren't as strict here

[@japanimated9683]

There was ALOT of truth bombs thrown here for Japanese living and culture. This was an awesome video. Those young ladies are interesting speakers with very distinctive personalities. It seems as though some or most of the ladies went to international schools or something. Their English is amazing.

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

Yes, I'm not 100% on all of them, but I know three out of four studied either in international schools in Japan or studied abroad for some portion of their lives. I also liked that by chance, they were all in different industries, so we were able to get a bit of diversity in their experiences. So that's why when you see the recruit suits, it's all the more surprising how they look so similar with them on. They were all professionals, so of course other industries weren't represented. But, if I can make a uniforms video, that should cover a big chunk of other types of jobs. Even though I hate suits, I wouldn't mind some of the uniforms that Japanese people wear to work.

[@aryoprahasto4576]

👍 on@@LifeWhereImFrom 🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍😘👍

[@user-gj9vz1wm9u]

I am a Japanese student who is in the middle of haunting a job, and I already attended some internships and interviews. Because of coronavirus most of them are conducted online and I did not have to wear a suit and just woar formal daily outfits. That was so good for me. Wearing a "recruit suit", I personally feel like I have to be the same as others,which makes it more difficult to express myself😂 Sorry for my bad English😥

[@TurtleJulia]

Your English is great, but I hope you are hunting for a job, not haunting one!

[@ranguy1379]

@@TurtleJulia hey there's nothing wrong with haunting a job, as long as you are not hurting it

[@tngirlz4622]

Your English is very good - MUCH better than my Japanese! 😊 I can say ‘ohio’, domo arigato’ and ‘Ichi, ni, san’ (apologies for poor spelling). And I know kuro means black because we have a black cat named Kuro. That’s it. So really, I’m very impressed by your command of English! Good luck with the job hunt!

[@mafic3351]

Haunting a job? What kind of ghost are you? (Yes, this is a joke. Good luck on your job hunt)

[@debyfg]

English is not my first language too, but let me tell you something, never apologize for speaking another language just 'cause it's not perfect. You are giving your best so people that don't understand japanese can get information about your culture, that's really awesome! That's ok if you make some mistakes! And I hope you get a job soon!

[@JP-tl8hk]

I love uniforms because you don't have to think about what to wear every day. I don't really care about expressing myself through my outfits but I understand some people enjoy that.

[@AKaq-iv3nt]

I like outfits too If they gave me a choice I'd just wear the same outfit everyday

[@joelmulder]

I wish I could just wear the same (looking) clothes everyday! Well, thanks to covid, I guess I can 😂

[@adylaar6708]

Well, uniforms are okay until youre sweaty but the rules say you cant roll sleeves, unbutton neck, loosen necktie etc. Which is what makes kids rebel

[@_Just_Another_Guy]

@@adylaar6708 I think it's about striking a balance between being too strict versus being too loose with the uniform rules. Back in my highschool days, a lot of the teachers were pretty laid back and didn't mind students rolling up sleeves or unbottoning the neck. But there were a couple of rules that were strictly enforced: absolutely no untucked shirts and no skirts above the knee (for girls).

[@keerya4179]

I like expressing myself through clothing but I would have loved having uniforms during my middle school and high school years. First it's a lot of useless stress to have to choose what to wear at a time of our life when our fashion sense is not always developed and when we are exposed to some of the most judgemental people we'll ever meet. Second it give a feeling of unity, it artificially create a thing in common and also it give less opportunities to judge other on their look. Yes it's probably a bit annoying but in my opinion the pros overthrow the cons.

[@kageoashj2912]

I hate the idea of “damaged goods” as if life doesn’t even go on after the fact

[@AnaisAzuli]

Yes that is so disturbing

[@uchuukita]

One of many reasons why there is a huge number of hikkikomori in Japan.

[@shukrantpatil]

Mr , shutins exist in all first world countries 🤓

[@ultraali453]

Agreed. They should be judged on merit. Maybe they will perform really well and offset their "lost years". Also, do most people stay in the same private company their whole life anymore?

[@kailaniivo]

I don't think it's just a Japanese problem though. In the US employers always ask about any gaps between your periods of education/employment. The wider the gap, the less value you have and the less chance you have to get hired.

[@Bianca_Toeps]

It makes sense that you shouldn't have expensive designer items as a real estate agent. It kinda feels like you're overpaying when the real estate agent is all decked out in Louis Vuitton. 🤣

[@deus_ex_machina_]

Not only that it can create a literal 'arms race' to be decked out in increasingly flashy branded gear if it's tolerated in the workplace.

[@kristinesharp6286]

Your House is My Business series so much fun. The one agent actually put on designer watches for certain clients. But yes the client should not be all into your bag and instead looking at the property and not feeling like the commission and fees paid for the designer bag. I also expect there is a safety issue with agents being at various locations robbery might be a worry. I’m sure it’s rare.

[@rakong246]

Tell that to the girls on Selling Sunset

[@Jordan-inJapan]

Agreed.

[@neffyg35]

I'm a realtor in the US and I feel like here it depends on your client and where you showing. Like if I'm showing a high price client I will have my designer items but in unsafe neighborhood I will dress plain. For some in the US it can give the appearance that you are successful and made a lot money from real estate. Same with have a nice clean car.

[@BanBanChi]

Another reason why us living in Osaka think life in Tokyo is pure hell. While some people overdress to work like these poor ladies have to do, here in Osaka is a free for all unless the job requires a uniform.

[@Mwoods2272]

The bad thing is when the rich people flaunt wearing their high end brands and laugh at you for wearing hand me downs.

[@_Just_Another_Guy]

Tokyo is HUGE though. I would think it depends on what area of the metropolis you're at: If you're near or around Akihabara or Ikebukuro you might be more likely to see more expressive or "creative" clothing styles, or even an occasional cosplay here and there. Harajuku has the more bizarre and outlandish fashion shops while Ginza district is where all the rich designer trendy clothing can be found. Asakusa is the spot for people who want to see cherry-blossoms or visit temples dressed in yukatas and other traditional garments. Shibuya and Shinjuku are a mix of business suit people, department store employees, and just general well-dressed shoppers.

[@DidiOxijin]

not for all of us in Osaka. There is no uniform rule where I work, but there is a complex dress code.

[@BanBanChi]

@@DidiOxijin Dress codes are the reason I'm a freelancer. I haven't worn a tie in 20 years and these days I own exactly one button down shirt. My friends wonder how I can live in Japan dressing in t-shirts and shorts/jeans all the time.

[@wheresmyrooptoff4056]

Well, outside of actual business attire and mandatory dress which definitely need improvement, Tokyo life is absolutely the best place for fashion.

[@futureruins999]

I'd like to see a perspective from fashion designers or students, and in general those who don't conform to the strict fashion rules in japan!

[@rainieowo]

Same thoughts here

[@ultraali453]

and also the people who think uniforms are great and are excited to wear them. There are many people who would rather wear uniforms.

[@starshivastar]

Try watching Ask Japanese, they sometimes interview students from Bunka Fashion College

[@TeeBoyd88]

@Messy well the comment made by that person then doesn't apply to you. The comment refers to people who like wearing uniforms.

[@abril6392]

the contrast of how japan has some of the most diverse and excentric styles and at the same time has such strict societal fashion rules, is a very interesting phenomenon to analyze.

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

I really don't agree with Japan's workplace fashion, for both men and women. Although it's relaxing the rules in recent years, my boss still tells my girlfriend that she must wear high heeled shoes, as well as a business suit. I love Japanese fashion, but it isn't fashion anymore if you're forced to dress a certain way.

[@jenellec9456]

Totally agree. Forcing someone to dress a certain way is wrong, the example you brought up with heels is a good point. Like how do heels and the shoes someone's wearing affect their work performance? There's like no correlation yet they impose it.

[@kagebunshin4380]

@@jenellec9456 in fact i think heels decrease performance because how do you work when you're in pain/always having tired feet? Don't see a problem with nice work flats... even lawyers in other countries wear flats to court!

[@a1r9a9shi99]

@@kagebunshin4380 exactly my thoughts too! I think people should only wear heels if they chose to. Also, some people can’t wear heels because maybe they have bad back, knee issues, etc! How is it fair to say “oh well beauty is pain, suck it up to look like everyone else regardless of your bad back!”

[@calyco2381]

Agree. In office setting formal wear for women is high heel and makeup. There's no option, no heel = breaking rule.

[@clobberelladoesntreadcomme9920]

I agree with mandating uniforms but forcing women to wear painful shoes while men get to wear comfy flats is sexist. Being in pain shouldn't be a requirement of your job as a woman.

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

I was totally out of my depth on this topic... which is why I had my Japanese teacher help with the interviews. What you see me wearing in videos is really what I wear everyday. Actually wait, it's a bit more casual, since I usually have some kind of pyjama pants or suteteko shorts on when at home. The thing that would get me in trouble in the Japanese workplace, beyond my hatred of suits, is my lack of shaving. My meagre beard hairs are so thick, that no matter what shaver I use or even if I see a professional barber, if I don't leave everything for a few days between shaves, my skin gets irritated and is easy to cut. Anyways, despite my cozy fashion, believe it or not, I dress a bit better in Japan than I did in Canada! And I just saw the other day that they're promoting some comfy fit suit with stretchy fabric, so perhaps I'll have to try those if I ever find myself in a situation where I have to wear a suit more than once a year. It was really interesting to learn about all the considerations that these women had to take into account when dressing for different occasions. I always had this idea in my head that in general, countries in Europe dress more fashionably than Canada/US. What do you all think? And what are the fashion "rules" like where you're from?

[@holiday-td6hx]

When I was in HS (I graduated in 1972, we couldn't wear pants UNTIL the class above me, I was in the 10th grade, (as 11th-grade Juniors) arranged a protest of sorts (we refused to go to class for a half-day and by doing that got the attention of the school board. The board had an emergency meeting where kids showed what they thought was appropriate wear for the kids. We could wear dress slacks or at the time you could wear pantsuits (these were dress pants and a jacket or top that matched) In my 11th-grade yr. we got the board to allow blue jeans, but they couldn't have the rips/tears in jeans you see today. In the 1990's my kids attended the same school, and they could wear anything as long as it wasn't a shirt with an advertisement for Liquor, beer, drugs. and it had to worn the way the clothing item was intended, meaning that you couldn't wear a sweatshirt inside out. So, things have really changed in the 21st Century. My granddaughter & grandson go to the same schools I went to and the dress code remains as it was when my kids were students in the school system. Actually, I prefer uniforms for work. Everyone wears the same and I like that. That way due to your economic status, everyone is the same regardless, so had they had uniforms in the schools me and my kids/grandkids attended, I think we all would have approved.

[@kaimar3158]

Great doc as always. Even though you hate suits , you do look quite fire wearing them. Have a great day.

[@Jordan-inJapan]

Haha, I know. Back where we’re originally from (western Canada), we don’t really have ‘fashion’... (or was it just me?) 😆

[@rozhin6055]

In Iran people also pay a lot of attention to fashion and judge others based off their fashion! In New Zealand where I live people don't care as much. Like yes workplaces and schools may have some rules but I don't think they're as strict as Japan.

[@subtropical1228]

I don't think that the US is necessarily less fashionable than other countries - it's just that in the US, being comfy and casual IS the fashion for the most part

[@HockityPock]

When I was in college the Asian kids- both those raised in the us and the foreign students- always looked more put together even in going-to-class-in-PJ's "comfy" outfits, just generally more aware of proportions, fit, and condition of the clothing. Us American students tended towards a " It's a miracle I'm awake for this 8 am course, asking me to be dressed up is too much" attitude.

[@niranjanaprakash4002]

Kids need to live their life.. not obsessed with the way they look 😅

[@YingofDarkness]

I know that in my university there were people that came to the 8am courses in their pj's. I thought it was weird but I honestly prefer that mentality to this much stricter one. You should dress appropriately for the occasion, but most occasions are pretty casual in someone's day to day life.

[@gummy5862]

@@niranjanaprakash4002 To be honest, a big reason for lack of self esteem can come from not dressing correctly. People always think their bodies aren’t right for their clothes when in reality, their clothes aren’t right for their bodies. Sometimes they don’t consciously notice why they don’t feel right in an outfit, but there’s usually a reason. Personally I don’t feel uncomfortable in shirts that are too long because it makes my legs look really short.

[@Paarthurnax_]

I'm the only Asian student in my class who wears the same hoodie, jeans and shoes to class every day. it's my uniform. grey hoodie and blue jeans. with grey sneakers. 😂😂

[@kKizz]

@@niranjanaprakash4002 If you mean they shouldn't go over the top, obsessed about looks, I agree. But I seriously think it's important to teach kids how to take care of their own appearances, how to groom themselves bit by bit. I mean, I wish I got that chance but in where I live, it's frowned upon if a kid wants to look nice or dress nicely. Ended up embarrassing myself at times because I had no clue about self-grooming as a high schooler and a young adult. :/

[@Dinoraifu]

I was really surprised about them getting their ears pierced at an old age. In my country (Mexico) it is common for girls to get our ears pierced a few days after we were born

[@Hiyorin871]

because they want to give them the choice just cause you are a woman doesn't mean you must have piercings. I was older when I got my piercings and it was done by choice not by forcing i don't think its right.

[@margarida6857]

Same in Portugal, but then when we want more piercings parents react differently. Most of my generation has various piercings and it's not like parents are very strict with things like that here, but why do you gladly pierce girls ears and when they want to have more piercings themselves it's frown upon?

[@oqeufh]

@@Hiyorin871 I mean if you don't like piercings you can always just not wear the earrings and the holes will eventually close, plus regular earring piercings aren't that visible anyways whether you have them or not people don't really tend to notice.

[@XXXkazeXXX]

@@oqeufh but is it ethically right to inflict the pain of piercing to someone who cannot complain or resist?

[@goddessneptune]

Honestly when I lived in Japan I would so often get annoyed because I saw these cute earrings, and then they were fake earrings D= the earrings sold in Japan are honestly about half and half (half for people with actual pierced ears, half not) but it happened to me a lot that the style of earrings I wanted were only sold as the fake earrings. It's interesting though as in no other country have I experienced such a half and half type of thing, normally fake earrings are the extreme minority comparatively. Oh well. first world problems!

[@jessicaruby1ify]

As someone who grew up wearing uniforms, I have to say I quite enjoyed my school days. There's something to be said about everyone looking the same and being held to the same standard. It also served to instill discipline, while promoting a sense of community in students.

[@maculamaris6993]

Yeah, I also grew up wearing uniforms till I graduated college. There was no comparing of branded stuff as the school prohibits dressing excessively and its also to prevent thefts. (No branded stuff, nothing expensive to steal). It also promoted discipline and cleanliness. I'm not really sure what people got against wearing uniform, one can be fashionable as they want during days off anyways.

[@_Just_Another_Guy]

I also liked uniforms (my highschool had them) in that I didn't have to think about what to wear the next day when it's literally the same shirt/sweater/blazer/slacks everyday. 😃 The girls had a bit more options of choosing between skirts, slacks, knee-length socks, and full leggings/stockings.

[@Aringki]

I know right. I also loved the feeling of novelty when I could wear casual clothing instead of a uniforms when I went to school (lol) but it would be so tiring to have to worry about what I was gonna wear or whether I matched my clothing every single day. I love uniforms because I don't have to worry about that sorta stuff

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

I wouldn't have minded uniforms growing up in the US if we had cute ones like in Asia. Khaki is so damn ugly! We all looked like employees at Staples or Best Buy.

[@fitriaahsani1286]

Yes. I enjoy hanging out and shopping afterschool with my school uniform. Because I was (and still am) in the middle of "lazy for choosing outfits" and "upset for not having matching outfit", and school uniform is just perfect for not being judged around.

[@PhthaloBloo]

I think it's great you handed the video off to these women. They had such good energy and were open and honest and gave me a really clear idea of what it's like to dress for them. I'd love to see more fashion videos!

[@evelynthecia5897]

now I know why in anime (Japanese animation) colorful hair and advanced models are more diverse than in the real world, because in the real world there are many rules that must be obeyed, and anime and cosplay are one of the ways they express themselves through something

[@MP-lv5vk]

The mention of hair dye reminded me of the reports from Japan alleging a naturally-brown haired student was pressured to dye their hair black. It was in Osaka, if I recall correctly.

[@danichani33]

It's unfortunately true

[@coralie288]

I've been teaching at diverse senior high schools in Japan. One of my foreigner friends teaching at one school was asked to hold that female student's arm while another Japanese teacher was hiding the other and her head bent down. He refused as he was uncomfortable doing that, so another teacher did it while another teacher was spraying her hair with black hair dye.

[@hannaansari2921]

@marie-michelle forteir wft that's literally assault,these so called teachers need to face charges and barred from teaching for life

[@clobberelladoesntreadcomme9920]

@@coralie288 #thathappened

[@akumabito2008]

They're such a fun group! Please do mor einterviews with them on all sorts of topics.

[@funkthat]

I need Sha's @ im tryna see something

[@YasaiDayo]

I remember when I used to live in around the Sumida City limits of Tokyo, I used to dress like a metal head with Band Patched out jackets and Black jeans with chains. People always loved asking me for photos and it was always very nice but embarrassing 🥰😅

[@SpaceWizardCosplay]

You're such a rebel. ^__^ And there's nothing wrong with photo-ops if you happen to be semi-famous. I'm a cosplayer in south Florida and that's something I had to get used to. Before I started cosplaying in mid-2016, I was VERY shy and would get easily embarrassed. Now, not so much because I've met dozens of the nicest and most talented cosplayers in the state and we're all good friends.

[@OllamhDrab]

I've gotten used to pretty much living in work clothes in the parts of the US I've been in for years. My general style back in Boston does seem kind of overdressed in some places, even if it's rarely much to do with whether or not it's in style at any given time. :)

[@MarshallCross]

i remember seeing Japanese guys dress like that in Osaka and I think it looked so cool and they had long dyed hair, it looked awesome. I love seeing different fashion styles, not everyone needs to dress the same way anyways

[@amyr1568]

That’s awesome I love seeing photos from the 2000s of people in Japan and their really cool outfits from that time, magazines like fruits would just take photos of random people on the street wearing some crazy cool looking fit

[@Iflie]

I think being dutch is one of the most free countries when it comes to how you are dressed, you can be a top criminal attorney and be goth. You don't have to wear make up but you can. Some companies wear suits but that's probably not an obligation. Even the minister president bikes around in jeans for meetings if he doesn't have to wear a suit. I think it's unlikely anyone will object to what you wear unless they have a clear reason to.

[@CelebralBore]

I'm moving.

[@Iflie]

@@CelebralBore I'm often very pleased to have been born here while hearing about other countries. I remember an american guy saying he was going to cut his long hair off because he was looking for a new job. I just couldn't understand why that was required.

[@luiysia]

goth2boss

[@jemimaizua2568]

Yep

[@TheStitchWitchPodcast]

that literally sounds like a dream come true!! I'm a teacher in the states, so I had to relinquish basically all of my creative self-expression (though I love teaching, I also strongly identify as someone who really loves art and artistic expression). Now all of that fun-time stuff is relegated to weekends that I have time to go out :(

[@JustEndah]

When I moved to Brisbane, Australia after living in Tokyo for four years, I felt like I overdressed most of the time, compared to laidback Brisbanites. When I moved back to Tokyo, after adapting to the Brisbanites, I felt so underdressed. It’s so funny looking back. 😄 I love both cities and the people.

[@MrJm323]

...But the climate would be quite different. Isn't Brisbane almost semi-tropical?

[@Jordan-inJapan]

I thought the idea of ‘protecting the company brand’ as a reason for strict workplace fashion rules was interesting. It makes sense. In a group-oriented society like Japan, every member of an organization is suppose to represent it, not only in name but in image and behavior as well. I work for the city as a teacher, and while fashion rules are pretty relaxed (depending on the situation), behavioral rules are strict. Even on days off, teachers and city hall staff are expected to act ‘majime’ - be polite, follow social norms, and general be on good behavior whenever they are in the public eye.

[@makaylarochelle]

I would say that this idea of 'protecting the company brand' is not exclusive to Japan. Depending on where you live it can take different forms, but most companies expect their employees to represent the business both on and off the clock. In the USA it is not unheard of to be fired for behavior done outside of work. Example: Amy Cooper lost her job and her dog. This is not so much a product of a group-oriented society but a capitalist one (not to say that cultural norms have no influence), where making money is the primary objective of a business and a positive public image is known as a great and cost effective driver of business. (In the case of Amy Cooper, Both her previous employer and the dog rescue did not want their 'company brand' to be tainted by association with (represented by) a racist woman. It was cheaper for her employer to fire her than to suffer a potential loss of business or hire a PR company to fix her mess.)

[@Jordan-inJapan]

@@makaylarochelle That makes sense. I guess, though, that expectations (by organizations) for ‘behavioral conformity’ are higher here. Well, I’m also a public employee in a small city, which may have an impact on my opinion. (We’re expected to represent the ‘pro-social values’ of the organization at all times. It can get tiring...) 😆

[@MyLittleGreenHairdedMermaid]

@@makaylarochelle Its a whole other level in Japan, especially with strict companies. I had a friend go there to do a teaching job, and did gymnastics with a few of their friends for fun/exercise. They lived quite far from the school, and this wasnt their main school. Somehow rumor spread, though they didnt tell anyone at work, and was asked to stop a childish activity or be fired. But thankfully they worked for JET so nothing happened. But if they were a teacher through the school, they could have been fired..... for doing gymnastics on the weekend. Is it like that everywhere no, but it can happen

[@lucashell2619]

@@MyLittleGreenHairdedMermaid It's just the company not "Japan", where there are literally numerous companies. If the story was true/not exaggerated.

[@Mwoods2272]

A lot of workplaces have a morals clause so they can fire you.

[@myopiniondoesntmatter7068]

Their English is really good. Sensei still has an accent, but the uni graduates barely have one. Super impressive.

[@banshee1133]

I think because one of them lived in the U.S. not sure about the others..

[@doriswaddington2418]

I don’t like that ..please choose a Japanese girl who has not had a western education or doesn’t speak fluent English I would like to know how that Japanese girl expresses herself (without western influences)

[@floflo8164]

@@doriswaddington2418 ew

[@AnaisAzuli]

@@doriswaddington2418 big ew

[@alex-sv8ru]

@@doriswaddington2418 ewww

[@Beelzebubby91]

Japanese school teachers would be absolutely horrified with how North American students dress, our hairstyles, makeup, piercings etc 😂

[@journeylife7491]

public school.....

[@journeylife7491]

@design Drawing I lived in both. I think Japan is better. You are not half, you have two ethnicities or multiple ethnicities. There is no such thing as half. You are 100% of both.

[@jackiewong5108]

Elementary school kids are allowed to wear regular clothes in Japan. I wonder why?

[@HotPinkFlamingoFan]

@@jackiewong5108 I was wondering if it was because they grow so quickly it would be more expensive to constantly buy a new uniform. I would also hazard a guess that in elementary school the parents are still dressing the children.

[@jackiewong5108]

@@HotPinkFlamingoFan might be and also the kids use the same style pack in elementary school from first grade to the end of primary. Parents don’t need to buy a new one each year. I love their style of packs.

[@sophieadam9702]

In Australia 99% of schools have uniforms. I love this as there no status or fashion trends involved. When a uniform represent where you are from. No judgment.

[@TeeBoyd88]

Thank goodness too. There are other ongoing payments (for education) to worry about than what your kid wears everyday.

[@Beelzebubby91]

The only things that sucks with it is you can’t do anything with your hair or even wear jewelry. I think that is pretty extreme and if girls can’t wear pants I don’t like that either. Skirts can be very uncomfortable.

[@comfort1569]

Same as Nigeria. Uniforms are so lovely.

[@spotte1992]

Agreed. Uniform meant I didn't get picked on for being unfashionable. I went to a private school, but girls were allowed simple jewellery (one pair of small studs or sleeper earrings, a watch, simple chain necklace). Boys weren't allowed jewellery other than a watch. The only exception to this for both was religious jewellery or accessories (so things that had a cross, Star of David, etc etc) or for medical purposes like allergy bands. Hair colour so long as it could be a natural colour they didn't care. I have dark hair, and if I wanted to bleach it that was fine. I just couldn't dye it pink. I could however colour it red since that was passable as a natural hair colour. The one thing my school was super strict on was make up. Not allowed at all during the day. Teachers had make up remover wipes to get rid of it. I remember I was in the school musical and couldn't get some of the stage make up off from the previous night and got pulled up for it.

[@kalina5076]

I went to a school with almost zero dress code and no uniforms (as long as you don't show up basically in your underwear you were never punished) . Though i personally wouldn't have minded a uniform I never witnessed any bullying or teasing of kids that appeared less well off (the opposite actually, people teased you jokingly if you wore some flashy brand names). Even if in my area students' heritage appeared to be more financially stable I don't really understand how it's supposed to enforce kids treating each other equally. Kids are jerks so they won't need a uniform to find out someone's social status and bully them for it, it'll happen even with uniforms and dress codes

[@danhowells75]

This video really has me thinking. In the U.S., I think people are less inclined to make assumptions about people's character just based on their clothes. You said that, in Japan, you think that you can tell who a person is by their appearance, but in the U.S., I would say that you can tell how a person is feeling on a particular day by their appearance on that day; if I see someone dressed in sweatpants and a t shirt I will assume that they are feeling tired and a bit lazy on that day, not that they are a tired and lazy person. Also, rather than judging someone's character based on their appearance, I think people in the U.S. will judge and make assumptions about people's financial status based on their appearance. Ultimately though, I think it's quite silly to judge someone's character or financial status based on how they appear on a certain day. Great video Greg!

[@lockergr]

I agree with this. The only time I get really judgy is when I see people out in public wearing their pajamas, at the gas pump or in the grocery store. To me that's pretty bad, and when I see that I assume someone is either lazy or sick.

[@VicAnthropy]

I would love to live in Japan but not work in Japan after seeing videos like these. I understand the workplace culture is changing (slowly) but considering the kind of workplace culture I live in now, I think I would just tear out my hair over the many rules in Japanese workplace (corporate) that have absolutely nothing to do with workplace efficiency or work quality.

[@klausinaklauser6891]

I‘m working at court in a european country. Nobody here cares what you wear...as long as you wear something at all... So I just wear whatever I want to, sometimes I‘m in the mood for business clothing, sometimes I‘m in the mood for ripped jeans and sneakers, in summers i can wear tank tops. This video really made me realize what a luxury it actually is, to have all those choices and not be restricted by the company you work for. I mean you still do the same work and have the same skills, no matter if your hair is pink or you‘re wearing birkenstocks.

[@CelebralBore]

I wish switzerland was more like this.

[@synceware1453]

I was wondering which country you were talking about.. then came *Birkenstock*, haha.

[@stripedsweater520]

Did anyone see that nyt article about the school in Japanwho forced a girl to dye her hair black because they didn’t think dark brown or whatever was her natural color?

[@Kardinaalilintu]

It might not be even because they wanted students to have natural coloured hair; some schools insist on black hair no matter what. Some have gone even as far as to ask transferstudents with light coloured hair to dye black in order to keep studen hair colours uniform.

[@flip8895]

I hear u need certificate to prove it's ut natural hair color

[@coralie288]

I've been teaching at diverse senior high schools in Japan. One of my foreigner friends teaching at one school was asked to hold that female student's arm while another Japanese teacher was hiding the other and her head bent down. He refused as he was uncomfortable doing that, so another teacher did it while another teacher was spraying her hair with black hair dye.

[@LA-cm9uo]

Interesting. My boyfriend is Chinese and has natural red-brown hair. He was scolded and sent home from school, when a new teacher thought he had dyed his hair...!

[@TheStitchWitchPodcast]

Very common. Schools keep box dye and force kids to color their hair if it sticks out too much

[@MissRyukkie]

I understand looking nice and presentable for an interview, but if I have to spend $200+ on a specific suit just to potentially get a job at a company I probably wouldn't do it. If I'm job seeking I don't have $200 to spend on one outfit.

[@Kai_Squared]

thats your 1 chance of getting a job, if not you're gonna have to wait till next year. also the suit could be reused

[@Kwijiboi]

It is a form of investing in yourself. Wearing it shows conformity, being able to follow rules and norms, and behave as expected, now based on your own whims. It also allows for an equal footing, no prejudices or distractions because of your interview outfit, and instead, only your answers come through. I think in a way, it makes things easier. You don't have to think about what to wear, or if my clothes looks worse than another candidate. Everyone is in an equal footing, and now it is about ability, capability, knowledge, personality, and how well you would fit in the role or company. You can always skip the outfit in Japan, but I figure no one wants to take the risk unless they are ridiculously confident in their ability

[@himtraldi]

I think they are nice suits, for looking formal. But if recruit suits have such a distinct look that you can't really use them for other formal occasions (birthdays, weddings, nice restaurants) then yeah, no thanks.

[@MyLittleGreenHairdedMermaid]

Japan is very expensive for any uniforms, middle school and high school uniforms are also very expensive but at least you wear those daily

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

@@MyLittleGreenHairdedMermaid Yes, the uniforms are quite pricey, but they're generally well made and they last for years, so in the end, I don't know if they're actually that expensive, all things considered. Recruit suits, on the other hand, do seem like not a good value, since I don't think you'd wear it for more than a small period of your life.

[@sybrix]

I remember when I was in Japan in 2019 in Tokyo station after just getting there, and my first shock was at how PACKED it was, then my second shock was how everyone was so immaculately dressed (coming from the United States).

[@McSnezzly]

I’ve heard from Europeans that you can always tell someone is American by how they’re dressed. I thought I dressed well there and I lady came up to me and asked if I was from New York. At the time I was, it was really surprising

[@MrEjidorie]

@@McSnezzly Do you mean that many Americans are looking sloppy? I`m working with Americans, but I don`t have such impressions from my colleagues.

[@PoHazard]

@@MrEjidorie i feel like part of it might be profession. if you're working in an office at a job where people can afford to pay for nice business clothes on a regular basis, then it would make sense that everybody dresses nicely. it could also be regional though. i've found that people in my line of work on the east coast dress far more strictly than people do on the west coast. on the west coast, you can stand to gain from looking laid back and casual and fun because the richest people are silicon valley rich and it's all about Possibility and The Future. meanwhile on the east coast there seems to be more focus on established power and wall street and ridiculous amounts of generational wealth and everything, so it's better to seem both more respectful and respectable. i can only speak to my own experiences though

[@sarahberlaud4285]

As a foreigner here in Japan, I personally LOVED wearing my recruit suit when it was time to job hunt. And now that I'm a stay at home mom, I also love looking the part. I can see how it would be frustrating for some people, but for me, it's a way to let those around me know exactly who I am without having to start a conversation. As all foreign residents know, it's often a bit awkward when someone isn't sure about your "status" here. Wearing a business suit with my company pin meant people sort of inherently knew that I wasn't a tourist, was likely to speak Japanese, etc. For example, at first, I had to commute by shinkansen (thank goodness my company paid!), and every day, I showed up to purchase my ticket at the counter - in a suit - and everything was automatically done in Japanese. But the day when I showed up, in front of the same staff who'd seen me for two weeks, in normal clothing, to go apartment hunting in my new city... my foreign appearance trumped all else and he welcomed me in (excellent) English!

[@benjalucian1515]

Reminds me of the Victorian age in England. Everyone dressed to fit their roles in society and were treated accordingly. Those times you _knew your place_ and didn't aspire to rise above your station.

[@littlemissintrovert9]

I used to live in Jakarta, Indonesia then had to move to Singapore about 4 years ago. What I noticed is people in Jakarta is really into mall culture. We tend to dress up, wear make up and style our hair when visiting malls. Whereas in Singapore, I found a lot of people is really casual. I find it interesting how I can see people shopping for designer bags in shorts and sandals. I guess people wont really look down on you even when you are in casual outfits.

[@madamadadane7989]

When I went to kanagawa, I felt incredibly underdressed! Just going to the konbini, I had to dress less sloppy than I usually do 🤣 everyone was so fashionable in the big cities but in the outskirts and countryside it was more laid-back and comfortable

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

That's exactly how I felt when I went to Yokohama for the first time!

[@diecar128]

I watch a lot of channels of guys with cameras walking around cities in Japan and I have noticed that almost everyone is dressed pretty trendy and stylish especially in the city. You rarely see anyone with a "disheveled" appearance.

[@royalxiumimi6431]

@@cinnamondoll5123 Uhh I think you're misunderstand them. They're talking about moving from the country-side to the larger city. Kanagawa is obviously not the country-side....

[@Karin91730]

It's different for me. The city is big so idc and most of the time i wont really see ppl i know but in the village, you run the risk of running into ppl more so I feel pressured to dress well?haha. Then again, I am not a fashionista so I'm very confused with clothes in general...

[@Froliczxc]

There are quite a few of such unspoken rules for women in Japan and flouting them would usually result in negative social consequences. For instance, when I was living in Tokyo, on several occasions I would get harassed by males asking for my number and my age on the streets. I later found out from my Japanese friends it was because I was wearing a denim skirt that cuts-off slightly above my knees, and apparently, that's enough for males to brand me as "sleazy" and thus inviting their harassment. I never wore that skirt again. In another occasion, I'd sometimes skip make-up if I'm only heading to school (university) for a short class, but when I do it in Japan, I'd get questions from my friends if I was feeling unwell that day. As if, the only reason for my not dolling myself up, was because of a disease. It's also socially unacceptable to dress too sloppily or casually in a big city like Tokyo, even if it's for making a short trip to the convenient store or supermarket. I'd get stares all around for not being in proper attire whenever I'm in my dry-fit t-shirt, running shorts, & flip-flops. Japan's a beautiful country, but with these social boundaries in everyday life, it gets a little hard to breathe for foreigners not used to that way of living.

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

To add to this, I find it interesting that even runners have a specific look/outfit. I wear shorts and my dry fit shirt when the weather's warm, so quite simple, but people have the fanny packs, the compressed leggings, the skirt or shorts over top, the hat, the glasses, etc...

[@nefariouspersephone9447]

i think its fine they do this. its another country with their own way of life afterall. imagine going to turkey or the mediterranean and being surprised that the men wont really converse with a woman. stop trying to get places to modernize that dont need it...

[@kawaiiobaachanx3851]

This was so fascinating, Now I understand why my mother who was raised in Japan always dressed so nicely even on her days off from work ..

[@lalilulelo]

Everytime I visit Japan, I am always amazed how they dress up especially in cold months.

[@alex0917lfo]

Not only in Japan, I was also born in Hong Kong and lived around 14 years. The people in Hong Kong also judge a person by their clothes too! I think it is because, in Asia, they think they are the same team that everyone needs to match the lifestyle. But in the US or western countries, we think we as a person, not as a team that everyone can do whatever they want. It is about the culture, we can't really judge base on the cultural differences

[@Hephzibah624]

It's the culture of collectivism vs individualism... Which both can be harmful when imbalanced.

[@McSnezzly]

I think same in Russia. I think foreigners think Russian women are beautiful because they’re always dressed up with makeup on. My grandma said you had to wear makeup even just taking the trash out. But I’m born in america and I embrace the fact that I can go to Walmart in pajamas lol

[@justinw4447]

I agree with this. Born and lived there for a while too (before migrating) not sure if it's still the same but Tsuen Wan was like that too.

[@abdulazis400]

Except some western SJW tried enforce western culture to westernize the entire world

[@PatManDX]

@@abdulazis400 Respectfully, no one asked. Please don't bring that pejorative into the conversation. From experience, all it does is narrow people's horizons, annoy people and limits the conversation.

[@commentarytalk1446]

What a phrase: "You have to be fashionable, but not too fashionable." I think something is working somehow for Japan in a good way.

[@heavanaparicio5707]

But I’m sure it can be tiresome if you know you HAVE to look a certain way to be acceptable in society just to do some basic things (outside of office wear)

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

It could be interesting to explore when Japanese do wear clothing that is quite different from the everyday and why. Whether it's yukatas or cosplay, you can actually dress quite diversely in Japan, but it does seem to be quite contextual (time of year, special event, group your with, location, purpose).

[@lulylulyanka2676]

I love this Phrase. I think you can dress casually and comfortable without it being just a T and leggings/jeans. A comfy blouse and skirt can also be comfortable while looking nice too.

[@tromboner6061]

You know what's working there? Gratitude and critical thinking. Gratitude above all.

[@user-mikeneko5517]

I became a outsider because I didn’t want to obey absurd rules when I was a high school student in Japan. I think Japanese educational systems suppress freethinking too much. Schools should respect freedom- and-responsibility-rule of individual students. In Japanese society there are so many tacit understanding. “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down; people that stick out too much get punished. “ Unlike typical Japanese girls, I like how these bilingual girls express their opinions. As a Japanese, I know we care so much what others might think or judge before we speak. That’s why answers gets boring quite often. Just a thought.

[@monicastamant]

It’s also really interesting how Japanese people are expected to dress when attending a wedding. Everyone wears/has similar dresses and hairstyles but they are never worn any other time except at a wedding. And they are very distinct and you can tell immediately if someone is going to a wedding that day. But from an American perspective, I found the dresses and hairstyles kind of gaudy compared to the very simple and pretty style that Japanese women wear on a normal basis. It’s just really interesting.

[@craftygurl10101]

Are u talking abt geisha traditional clothes? If not wat are these trends I’ve never heard of then

[@monicastamant]

@@craftygurl10101 No, I’m talking about women who wear dresses to attend their friends’ weddings. Kimono are typically worn by the mothers of the bride and groom. Friends wear western style dresses.

[@sarahberlaud4285]

You're so right! The first time my husband and I attended a wedding here in Japan, I had to get ' guidance from friends on exactly how to dress. I mean, everything is down to the letter - the colour of your tights (and yes, they're required), the type of handbag, the height and style of shoe... but honestly, now that I've learned the rules "perfectly" so to speak, I see a lot of wedding-goers who don't quite follow these "rules", too. My friends have explained to me that a lot of people just don't know about the rules, since if they're in their 20s, maybe it's their first wedding. But that they're expected to know once they're in their 30s, and it's embarrassing for everyone if they don't... It's less obvious, and less strictly followed, but there are also pretty strict rules for men's wedding attire, too. My husband has a suit that's only for weddings - nothing like his old recruit suit, or daily suits, or suits he can only wear in France... lol. My one friend told me about one time when she was so embarrassed at a wedding... she had arrived with an acquaintance who had brought a shopping bag with her... she was so embarrassed to be associated with the rulebreaker, even slightly! My own wedding, which was in France, even had one auntie and her daughter show up in tiva-style sandals and leggings, alongside friends in Versace suits, and my MIL actually made her own sort of patchwork dress... so much variety! Incidentally, when I first needed a suit, I almost bought one that is specifically for funerals... so glad I luckily didn't like the fit! :O

[@DHJakon]

When walking around popular areas in Tokyo (pre-covid) I see many women dolled up and dressed to the 9s. I can't imagine the time and resources spent to get that look daily.

[@Ashley-vs8nu]

Despite all the "rules" it was nice to be in an environment where it was encouraged to put effort into your dress. Certain styles just wouldn't fly without glances in other parts of the world.

[@TheTruthHurts6666]

Yes this! Here in the US where I live, no one bats an eye when you wear plain sweats/t shirt but when I dress nicer, I feel conscious and people stare more. Funny how things work differently everywhere! I do like the past how people put more effort into their daily wear though.

[@Ashley-vs8nu]

@@TheTruthHurts6666 Exactly 💯

[@TheReMorseCode]

Just wanna comment and say I love your profile picture^^ Best Nell album imo

[@Ashley-vs8nu]

@@TheReMorseCode you have great taste in music. NELL is amazing

[@danagoldwasser8632]

Mao’s English is so perfect 👌🏻♥️ Respect to all these ladies ♥️

[@pqlasmdhryeiw8]

So many insights in this video - thank you very much! Can't wait for the uniforms video.

[@truthseeker000000]

What an insightful interview. I enjoyed listening to all their explanations regarding Japanese clothing rules for women working in Japan.

[@justjoshin2]

When I visited japan I really liked how every employee that had uniforms. I didn’t realize how strict the rules were though with hair, nails, handbags!

[@Myria83]

I would never wear such a plain, standardized outfit for a job interview here in Italy. Choosing what to wear is important: it makes you stand out, expresses your personality, and makes a statement. Being noticed for the right reasons is part of the "art" of convincing recruiters to hire you. Things still work very differently in Japan, though: "blending in" is more important than getting recruiters interested in your individual skills, personality, and experience.

[@springrose5]

They said a reason for wearing the standardized recruit uniform is so that interviewees are only judged on their personality and experience instead of their outward appearance though.

[@ultraali453]

The purpose of the uniform is to make sure people only get accepted based on merit and not on their appearance.

[@etcwhatever]

@@ultraali453 Well you get accepted on merit in Europe either way if the company is serious. You need to have relevant experience or education, to be polite and articulated...off course appearance helps but it will not be a determinant factor if a person can't put two sentences together.

[@etcwhatever]

I work with a lot of italians I know what you mean....

[@Tealeafsong]

this was a great interview. thank you!

[@sanyr80]

I got clued in to how dressed up Japan is relative to where I’m from when I was there as a student. Now I pack nicer clothes when I go as a tourist. I figure if everyone’s going to class the joint up a bit, the least I could do is not look like a slob myself.

[@juhipandey5140]

Gosh, as much as I love everything about Japan, I have to admit that dress codes are very strict here. I mean let people wear whatever they want. Life's too short to follow such rules.

[@pocarisweet8336]

Life's too short to not look your best. 😊

[@katherinedaignault1521]

My mom was a teacher in Japan for a year, and she mentioned they had really strict dress codes like what the girls were mentioning, and her theory as to why they were so exact was that way, like the girls were saying, rebelling was wearing your hair in a different style, or cutting your skirt a little bit, whereas in the US, where everything is super lax, rebelling is more likely to involve more permanent changes, like tattooing, smoking, etc. I'm not sure if it's true, but if so, then it actually makes a ton of sense from my point of view.

[@marinamunoz7117]

Japan has the largest rate of adolescent suicide though, it seems that to succeed in life, you have to meet certain standards and endure strict rules since high school to be part of this society team, and those who dont meet them are doomed to fail. For some the strict rules gives peace of mind, ( you dont have to work on your clothes, or behavior, all is there written for you to follow), for other is a living hell .

[@Andrew-gn9qp]

@@marinamunoz7117 Canada and Europe have similar suicide rates as Japan. The suicide phenomenon is certainly not unique to Japan. People face different pressures in different countries.

[@xx-fe1zf]

I think that's a result rather than a reason. It's more likely, as they said, a meritocracy kind of thing - if everyone looks the same then the person chosen for a job, who receives the best grades, etc etc, must have succeeded due to their character. Then again, Japanese beauty standards are a whole other topic and that influences how you're treated as well.

[@mikiim5739]

​​​@@marinamunoz7117 If you actually cared about lookin at stats for suicides, you would realise that Japan's suicide rates are no different than most developed countries. And on top that they have the 2nd lowest violent crime rates in the world. So worry about your own country and stop with the concern trolling. Clearly the community over individualism mentality is working much better than say the US where there is a school shooting every month and people get shot for entering the wrong car

[@kritikadas1952]

i really loved this video! it's always great to see the social norms followed in japan, i always read in mangas about all these kinds of things (like dying hair, recruitment suit, etc) but never really thought that this applied to the modern day japan as well

[@keonakalu4906]

this is a very insightful video. thank you guys for making this!

[@yuanyi2077]

always interesting to see what the norms are in other countries. thanks for another great video greg!

[@usagination]

The girls all have great personalities 🥺 I wish the video was longer it was so nice to listen to them

[@LoudCommentor]

Good video series! Looking forward to hearing more. Clothes are definitely a huge reflection on the culture of a place. Would love to hear more social analysis/history on why it's all like this!

[@dwc123fitlady]

Learned a lot on this one! The participants were so candid and helpful explaining limits for women. Great job.

[@celfhelp]

personally, i think this type of "rule set" helps to make street fashion and art in general all the more creative and progressive japan has always been known for the conformist appearance and uniforms, but it's also been a global trailblazer in fashion for decades, and i think there's a pretty clear connection there

[@machinismus]

Haha yeah! You got people whose creativity is being suppressed and it just builds up over the years and EXPLODES!!!!

[@mcsharrymegan]

What a great video idea!

[@dryagan]

Wow this was so interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@lisadawn8856]

Very good video. Very informative. Thanks for uploading.

[@kiml85]

This video really opened my eyes about my experience when I visited Japan. One thing I kept commenting on to my friends were how well everyone was dressed and how well most people looked just to go shopping, buy groceries, or even get food. It makes sense now given the importance Japanese puts on outward appearance.

[@AM-bm2xw]

I thought this was very interesting! What lovely ladies 😊

[@naaidaa.s]

I have never been so invested in a video, it's really interesting to me to hear how strict rules in Japanese schools are, it makes rules in my school seem like something that's expected from you lol. I watched the whole video without skipping anything, learned a lot today, thank you :)

[@iluvsrnjs]

I love these style of video. Informative and in a casual hanging out setting. Definitely would like to hear more!

[@caitlinschuster7028]

Really good video! I wouldn’t even mind a separate video on what trends there are. And maybe what they think of sub culture fashions.

[@hollyg022]

yes! it would be so interesting to here some opinions on the gyaru subculture. especially since it peaked as rebellious fashion in 90s/2000s, how come it was normal for very short skirts, tanned skin and blonde hair back then but not now? id be so interested

[@_nihongo_jouzu_]

used to wear clothes that let me "express myself," being a metalhead back in the day it was all black with band shirts.. but as I grew older and more mature I've come to appreciate business suits, its just more professional looking and people will take you more seriously.. impressions do matter so its best to dress your best self, and I actually like these fashion rules in japan.. I'm a big fan of "sawayaka style" and I love how Japanese in general dress simple and clean at the same time still fashionable

[@yesipan]

eh i think it sucks. we have enough of those rules as adults so it's nice when kids get to express themselves freely.

[@shoshishoshi127]

I was also a metalhead and dressed differently from other people. Now that I'm older I've also come to appreciate classy/formal clothes. I feel more confident wearing them because people automatically take you seriously and think that you have ettiquettes, a job and you are financially independent when you dress formally. Although we already know that's not the case all the time but it helps a lot in creating good first impressions.

[@_nihongo_jouzu_]

@@yesipan hehe, of course kids can freely express themselves ;) but I think there's a point in life where we realize that we need to dress accordingly, its all about finding a right balance and knowing when to wear what

[@wheresmyrooptoff4056]

mans put express myself in quotes for whatever reason

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

Such a fantastic channel, I found this video fascinating. You cover such a variety of really inspired topics so well every time. Thank you.

That was so interesting and informative! A big thanks to the lady for sharing their experiences and thoughts on this topic!

[@Couleur-Jade]

Thanks for this great video! I feel that in some ways these ladies are still wearing a sort of uniform even when they don't wear a suit as all clothes are in a narrow range of colours: white, beige, grey, navy and black. Only one of the ladies' skirt was in a sort of burgundy that seemed a bit different. It seems quite far from the fabrics and colours used for Japanese traditional outfits (whether beautiful loud colours and /or patterns). I am French and live in London. It is quite interesting to see how different these 2 countries are in clothing. The main points of comparison are : - uniforms are rare in France. England is known for school uniforms, but I actually discovered many other functions require a uniform, which I find really nice as it ensures impeccable presentations on certain rules. And now my kid goes to school, I'm happy I and he don't have to bother about the latest trends and all kids are dressed the Same. In the UK it can also simply be the continuity of a tradition. - even for functions where people wear a uniform in France, it is usually more casual that uniforms in the UK. - In the UK, the dress code in offices can vary widely compared to France. In France you can never be very casual but you rarely have to obey a very strict dress code. People in offices are less expected to wear a very strict suit and more smart casual (to nuance, of course, depending on the type of industry). In the UK, in some offices (e. G. media companies) people can wear very casual or even crazy clothing (that would shock French people) - I have seen people leading job interviews in dinosaur slippers or transgender people coming to the office with loud makeup, coming one day dressed as a man or another in a dress, a trainee coming on "casual Friday" with a stained hoodie... On the contrary, in some industries (e.g. Finance, law firms - particularly in London), people are expected to wear more formal wear (proper business outfits) than in France with less freedom in style (even if very elegant). Men would wear a suit and shirt with cufflinks. Women would wear very taylor dresses or suits. - outside of work, it is not really well seen to go out in sportswear (track suit, leggings etc...) when not actually going to exercise, whereas it is very common in the UK to wear this to go to the shops, park etc... - in the UK, or at least London, one can dress however they want on the street, with the most original outfits, no one cares. In France, people would be very surprised, comment and probably unable to stop staring. - Style in the UK and France are miles away - In the UK, being elegant would involve either a taylor dress with only slight variations in the cut and on colours (which can be very bold) or involve flowery dresses. In France, women would more go to clothes with a huge variety of cuts but less mixes of colours and more focus on details (pleats, bow, lace....).

[@emilyw2962]

That's so interesting with the clothes thing. I always make my interview outfits unique in some way. Professional and modest but colorful. I often I want to walk in and instantly stand out and when I leave I want to be easily remembered.

[@levison7935]

Very informative. I’m always learning something on your channel as you always look beyond the surface. Arigato.

[@Tmidiman]

Great group of ladies. Definitely have them back again!

[@emy7873]

This was really interesting! I'd love to see the uniform video, good luck getting the permissions!

[@schonborn01]

in bali, when i was in high school, i have 4 kinds of uniform that i wear for a week, on monday and tuesday i wear white shirt with grey trousers, on wednesday i wear batik with black trousers, on thursday i wear the traditional uniform, and on friday i wear a brown set uniform,

[@ntr10me]

Despite how intensely engaging and informative the conversation is, all I can do is yearn for the アルフォートon the table. SOOOOOOO good. Honestly, Greg, great content as always, with or without アルフォート

[@LA-cm9uo]

Great video, super entertaining!

[@Mayu-Maki]

I love this! Can we get these girls back again, perhaps to discuss about the japanese workplace from a woman's point of view?

[@fd9448]

New Zealand - The first company I worked for was a bank and they would put several hundred dollars towards your first corporate wardrobe. It was the same as what was worn by the staff in the bank branches. There were various options but it was basically a suit, very like these fresher suits! We had a half day off to go get fitted and choose our items. We felt very grown up and I remember feeling valued and proud. We didn’t have to sign up to it, so long as we dressed to an equivalent standard, but most of us did. That was 20 years ago, now that company follows a ‘dress for your day’ policy, where if you’ll be at your desk you can be in jeans and a t-shirt. Times have moved on. Mostly I’m glad, I don’t think I could’ve done 20 years in a suit, but I have fond memories of those early days and how good I felt in that suit!

[@etcwhatever]

I worked in a bank in Portugal. I feel it was stricter for the guys...they had to wear suits. Me as a woman just had to wear discreet clothes. Heels were not mandatory. In the summer you couldn't have your arms uncovered. No short skirts or low necklines (obvious). The rest was unspoken...we just watched each other and fitted in. But it was not repressive as far as I am concerned. We had enough space to feel unique. I really pitty the males....only chance for them was to wear a differently colour shirt or have a flashy watch hahaha. Now I work in a different industry so I am happy with bright orange hair.

[@ellies3768]

When you have time, I'd love to watch a video on Japanese uniforms you mentioned in the end. Thanks for the great content as usual!

[@lenamanka5542]

This odango hairstyle is sooooo amazing and beautiful!

[@nyanniachan4963]

When I lived in Japan I really felt the pressure to wear what was expected of me and I found it quite annoying at times. Especially since I found a lot of loose fitting clothes and long skirts that Japanese women wear boring and uncool. But I was even asked by staff in a shop if I'm not cold when wearing a short skirt. And I had people commenting on my looks behind my back in stores. So I feel Japan is very strict when it comes to what women are "allowed" to wear and I hope it changes a little bit in the future!

@@EmaAtwell lol

[@nefariouspersephone9447]

nah, leave their culture alone. either you adapt to what they do or you just dont go there. just like any other country. japan is very traditional and nationalist. leave them alone

[@Anna-cp4me]

I didn't go to school in Japan but I attended a school where there was a no-dyed har rule...When I entered class on the first day my professor told me that I wasn't allowed to have dyed hair (I'm a ginger) and I had to show him one of my pictures as a baby to prove that that was my natural color

[@ultraali453]

Good for you. Although I bet you still had to explain yourself many times.

[@Andytlp]

Imagine being bright white blond in japan. So white that it throws off white balance in photos.

[@sambros2]

how doesn't he know about rangas

[@user-ql7zn3im1b]

fabulous content, clearly concise and easy to understand, thank you for creating and sharing, very professional.

[@luluviana9602]

GREAT video, it was truly educational.

[@sutthirak]

It's interesting for Japan that when people are young as children. They don't have many rules for wearing clothes. But when they grow up, more and more rules to follow.

[@Anon8848]

Possible that it's because kids grow so fast. Paying for uniforms can get expensive

[@sutthirak]

In my country, children need to wear uniforms since kindergarten up to their college time. I do agree this costs a lot to parents, very huge budget. And when they start to work, most will wear casual business attire. No suit or jacket because the climate-tamperature is so warm all year round. Though some businesses still require more professional clothes. Also, people in new generation start to talk about getting rid of all student uniforms.

[@joelmulder]

Isn’t it like that with everything in every culture? Kids never have many rules or obligations, but as they get older, the more rules have to be followed and the more obligations are put upon them.

[@RiceLilyMeadows]

When I was studying abroad in Japan, I didn’t pay much attention to what I was wearing (a plain sweater and jeans) until my classmates started commenting about it. Then, I dressed up a little (blouse and sweater dress) they were like: “oh you look much better today.” Well, damn. I didn’t realize I was such a slob! Lol, So I started making an effort to put on light makeup (annoying as it was) but I started fitting in better. I don’t mind dressing up, even when I work from home. It makes me feel like I’m going somewhere but not really going anywhere.

[@eduardgherasim2896]

Been in Japan for 8 years... You show respect to people by dressing well and wearing makeup. Kinda makes sense.

[@erinkoks9706]

You really are a wonderful editor and lens into Japanese society and lifestyles. I've lived in Japan on 2 separate occasions because of your videos (both were 6month+) So, I'd like to thank you and also say- Keep doing this inspiring work!

[@caracol4142]

waa thank you for the video! the girls are really nice, I loved their interview and how they all have different experiences :) very nice!

[@Xituyu]

14:00 I had the reverse experience! Studying abroad in Tokyo made me wanna wear makeup and dress up for class on the daily. But in the states def tshirts and jeans was my norm. Funny how one can pick up these cues and go along with the crowd sometimes unconsciously

[@purwandari2518]

In my office you can wear basically anything to work as long as they're presentable. A long sleeves shirt with collar is a must every Monday to Wednesday or if you do not want to wear a collar shirt, you can top any of your outfit with a blazer or jacket. On Thursday you can wear a traditional textile called "batik" and it can be with or without collar. Friday-Sunday (yes I work 6/7 sometimes I have to work on weekends) you can wear more casual outfits especially on weekends cuz only few ppl come to work on those days. You can wear accessories but not too much. Any shoes are allowed, I personally wear sneakers/flats to work; BUT you can't wear open toe or open heels shoes, flip flop aren't allowed unless when you go praying or when it's rain; even when it's rain you're expected to bring another pair of shoes to change later. There's no such a thing as graduate suits but it'll be more appropriate to wear one when you're going to an interview. ( ╹▽╹ )

[@hibyenow20]

This was really interesting. Thank you for sharing their perspectives!

[@octapusinanigloo]

This was a fantastic insight into something thats almost inexplicable. Loved this video, thanks so much.

[@tatsf]

The emphasis that the goal is to blend in and be like everyone else is difficult for me as someone who values uniqueness, individual expression, and artistry as part of the individual. I can also see how it has it's advantages in specific situations. For those who feel that they are just too different to blend in it must be pure hell.

[@ShafiraMeisy]

In Indonesia is basically do whatever you want but suit the occasion and be modest (if you could), fashion is embraced here, the more fashionable you are, the more eye catching you are

[@PatManDX]

Hello fellow Indonesian!

[@ShafiraMeisy]

@@PatManDX Heeyyyy! Hope you’re doing well x

[@fish8776]

Sometime they judge by their appearance too 😂

[@ShafiraMeisy]

@@fish8776 can't be helped ... but in Indo the bullying bcs of appearance is not excessive (not like that bullying in the US or JP or KR) see joviadhiguna and other inclusive influencers, if it's about religion or pelakor scandal ... then all hell breaks loose 😂

[@cafesizzle]

love this video!!

[@IAMFRESH]

This was a awesome video and very informative.