Japanese Construction Worker Fashion

18 Jan 2006 Category: Fashion, Features, Japan, Products, Top Page 10

Japanese Construction Worker Fashion

A photo from the Kaseyama catalogue - a popular manufacturer of construction worker uniforms in Japan.
© KASEYAMA CO

Ever since I moved to Tokyo, I’ve come across new construction sites almost every single day. Seeing the workers at the middle of the night - especially in this cold season of the year - I say “thanks a lot for working so hard,” in my mind.

Working at construction sites means having to deal with severe work and weather conditions whilst maintaining physical and mental strength. Because of the harsh working environment workers need comfortable, protective, and functional outfits - especially designed to suit their needs. Besides that, I recently noticed some other interesting fact about construction workers’ clothes: they have become fashionable.

Written by Kyoko

First of all, I should make myself a bit clearer when saying “construction workers”. Their roles are varied and hence their work clothes are different, too. Demolition workers wear jumpsuits to avoid powder and dust getting into their other clothes, electricians’ clothes contain special threads which moderate electricity, some wear soft shoes when flexibility is required and others need safety shoes with a steel toe caps.

Variations seemed endless - so I decided to take a closer look at specific designs and trends. Lets take a look at one of the most distinctive styles of construction worker uniform, the Tobi.


Security guard at road construction. Wearing very flashy coat with reflective fabric, because they have to stand middle of the road.

Paving work. In order to walk on heated asphalt, they are wearing thick leather boots.

Painter’s work. They get paint and concrete on their clothes easily, therefore, they need cheap disposable outfits. Also they often have to squat down, so they wear shallow shoes.

Sewerage workers wearing rubber boots and plastic tops.

Tobi means something like “scaffolding man/woman” in English. The name comes from a certain kind of device - a Japanese style pike pole - which was used during the Edo period in Japan. The shape of the device reminded people of the hooked beak of the bird Tobi and soon Tobi became a generic term used for those working at high places. The work of a Tobi involves a great deal of danger, therefore, Tobis are admired as “star performers” on the construction site. As I found out, many of them have been chic and fashionable since the old days.


Tobi workers often need to work at high places
© KASEYAMA CO.

The pike pole. looks like the beak of a bird

Now let’s get to the special parts of Tobis’ clothes. On their wrists they wear a broad and firm wristband called Tekou. This is used not only to wipe off sweat, but also to protect your wrist’s vulnerable arteries when cutting things and to prevent the sleeves from getting into your way when moving around. On their feet they wear Tabi, the Japanese “toe-shoes”. There are all kind of different Tabi-shoes! Unlike the ones you wear with Kimonos, these Tabi-shoes have a rubber sole. Wearing Tabi makes it easy to sense the ground condition for construction workers. In addition to this, they dry easily and are very light. These days, there are even safety Tabi-shoes: with steel toe caps!


Shukou. The back side is very colorful. It is chic to have these kinds of details even when most of the time they are not visible.

Tabi shoes

Safety Tabi shoes. The toe parts contains iron sheet

AQUA TABI, rubber Tabi boots

Now let’s get to the Tobi trousers: this shape is just amazing! (In fact many Japanese people identify Tobi workers by these special trousers.)

There are various theories why the lower part under the knee is pumped up like a balloon. The main reason, however, seems to be a simple one: the baggy pants make it easy to move, easy to bend, stretch and stride.


Tobi trousers. Below the knee the trousers are puffed up like a balloon

There are many shapes of trousers. From KASEYAMA’s catalogue vol.18 © KASEYAMA CO.

Other explanations can be, that when working on very narrow scaffoldings high up in the air, it is good to have some kind of sensor: the balloon part of your trousers touches obstacles before your legs do, which acts as kind of a warning system without necessarily having to look down. Besides, they can measure the intensity of the wind and the bagginess prevents the fabric from clinging to your leg even when you are sweating. It also works as a cushion when you drop spiky tools onto your body.

Right below the pumped up part, the trousers become narrow again in order to tighten up your calves. Why? Pressing the calves encourages blood circulation and helps you to work longer and to stand for hours without your feet swelling up.

For the guy on the right, the balloon part is above the knees. For left guy, the balloon part is way below

Over the last twenty years, the balloon part has become wider and longer.

“Workers clothes should guard worker’s body. That is their main purpose. Once they get too wide, it is more likely for them to get caught somewhere and rip! This trend can’t continue forever, but I guess younger workers really seem to like them…”, was what the spokesman from the Japan Tobi Association told us.

The Tobi trousers - as we know them today - developed out of a westernization of traditional Japanese clothing. After the Meiji Restoration, workers adjusted their trousers in order to move more easily, taped their calves with a band and wore Tabi on top of them. Another source indicates, that the balloon shape was also influenced by Ninja outfits.

In any case the shape is aimed mostly at flexibility and safety.

Very fasionable Tobi outfits. from KASEYAMA’s catalogue vol.18 © KASEYAMA CO.

Nowadays, work clothes have wide-ranging designs and colors. Even their catalogues are so glamorous and slick, that they could easily be mistaken for fashion magazines.

As an example, have a look at the catalogue from Tobi clothes maker Kaseyama featuring actual Tobi workers as models. Gheee - these workers look so cool!


Models are real Tobi workers. From KASEYAMA’s catalogue vol.18 © KASEYAMA CO.

Models are real Tobi workers. They are husband and wife. from KASEYAMA’s catalogue vol.18 © KASEYAMA CO.

Believe it or not, but workers’ clothes were even featured at the Paris fashion week in 2005. Inspired by these Japanese construction workers, German designer Bernhard Willhelm used Tobi-like characteristic in his Spring/Summer collection.

Some people complained that it became straight fashion with the functionality part left out. That may be true. However, for people like us who stepped into a workers’ clothes shop for the first time, it was pure fun to look at the vivid variety they offered. A whole new world revealed itself for us. No wonder we spent hours - literally - to shop. Pink, yellow and purple outfits, golden Tabi shoes, stylish protection goggles and even children’s outfits.


They are not regular shoes. They are safety sneakers with iron sheets.

Colorful helmets.

Many kinds of worker clothes.

Children’s Tobi outfits. from KASEYAMA’s catalogue vol.18 © KASEYAMA CO.

I would like to conclude this article with the result of my on-the-street interviews!!!

Since they are hard workers in manly world - they were either too shy or reluctant to waste their time on chit-chat… in brief: it was quite hard to get hold of them! However - I gathered some pieces about what they thought about their outfits. Enjoy!

Do you get to chose your own outfits or does your company provide them?

Civil engineer: “My company provides them. Usually we look at catalogues and suggest a few choices. Then we have to decide which one to go for.”

Carpenter: “I buy them all. I don’t go to the store, though. Instead, I prefer to choose them straight from catalogue.”

Demolition worker: “Depends on the case. Half and half I would say.”

What is the most important factor when you buy outfits?

Civil engineer: “The number of pockets they have. I usually pick the one with enough space for pens and my cell phone in the jacket.”

Others answered “I care for color and visual effect”, some mentioned “mobility is important” and others simply responded “I don’t care”.


Civil engineer with 15 years of experience. “I always use many color pens. I need some pockets on my chest.”

Gardener at Kawasaki. A bandanna under the helmet is very fashionable. He said, “Tabi shoes are the best for gardeners.

What is your favorite maker if you have one?

Carpenter: “I’ve been wearing POPEYE for long time.”

“TORAICHI” is quite popular (Uleshka noticed that “Those are the ones, who have the nice, vivid colors!”).

Is there anything you shouldn’t wear, or you shouldn’t do in terms of styling?

Demolition worker: “I don’t think so. As long as you are comfortable working, and it doesn’t trouble others, anything is fine.”

Civil engineer: “You can’t wear anything that’s sticking out, like decorative buttons or big pockets or so. It can get caught by something and might cause a big accident, you know? When you are working some place high for instance, you really have to be careful with what you wear, even when you don’t get hurt yourself, you could harm somebody else by getting stuck, shaking the scaffold or dropping something.”


Painter. It is cool that he dares to wear white clothes in spite of the fact that because he’s a painter his clothes get stained easily.

Carpenter with 10 years of experience. “I love to wear things I like. Color is an important factor when I buy clothes.”

Do you do anything special for hot or cold weather?”

Civil engineer: “Not really. We are given thick coats in winter, and summer clothes for summer, that’s all.”

Tobi worker: “I wear thermal pants underneath my clothes in cold weather.”

I thought there might be some kind of traditional way of dressing to embrace good luck, but to my surprise all the workers I asked weren’t using any kind of amulet or others for protection. Since Tobi is such a dangerous job, in the old days quite a few Tobi workers got a tattoo as a sign of a “brave man risking his life”. The motifs were various, however flowers were strictly avoided (because the death of a flower symbolizes falling).

During the interview, one carpenter said “since I wear workers clothes 300 days out of 365, I like to be stylish and feel good about it.” I think many people can relate to his feeling! I hope that worker’s clothes - not only with functionality but also with fashionability - will support them to work in harsh environments day and night, everyday.

…and once again, “Thank you very much for your hard work!”

Pingmag Fun Corner!

We would like to share the fun we had at the worker clothes shop. Enjoy our worker fashion photos in Ping style!

We got everything from a worker clothes shop. Look at gold tabi Jon is wearing. They are so cool!

Having lunch in front of convenience store

There are many more photos of our two construction worker uniform models in our flickr gallery as always!

NOTE: Golden tabi shoes are available at “Komiya” in Kawasaki. (sorry they don’t have a web site.) This store is about 10 minutes walk from JR Kawasaki Station. Here is the map. Address is 2-1-2, Kaizuka, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa. They have silver tabi, too! They are about 3000 yen. Enjoy!! (And check out tobi clothes maker, TORAICHI and KASEYAMA website.)

82 Comments

  1. [...] Japanese Construction Worker Fashion. [...]

    Posted by: Japanese Construction Worker Fashion at /blɔg/ on January 18th, 2006 at 2:29 am

  2. ha ha cool

    Posted by: Claytonain on January 18th, 2006 at 8:43 am

  3. not bad. the baggy style is pretty cool.

    Posted by: bentong on January 18th, 2006 at 10:22 am

  4. where in the hell can you find “Safety Tabi” and “Aqua Tabi”. I have been trying to replace an old pair of aqua style i have from the states, but can’t find any stores. (i’m in NYC). Been looking for almost 15 years now…

    Posted by: jason m on January 18th, 2006 at 10:40 am

  5. Maybe this is important for You!!Orexis

    Posted by: Reno on January 18th, 2006 at 4:56 pm

  6. I love japanese stuff like this.
    the trousers are great. Reminds me on kurdian military trousers like aladin.
    But don’t thing on MC Hammer! WACK

    check out my “futuristic aladin outfit” combined with “star.light.express” for singer Amos.
    http://www.imperatorofpop.com/

    greets from germany
    arigato
    Hamansutra

    Posted by: hamansuta on January 18th, 2006 at 7:57 pm

  7. haman - your english is funny ;-)

    Posted by: Uleshka on January 18th, 2006 at 9:50 pm

  8. [...] Japanese Construction Worker Fashion18 Jan 2006 [...]

    Posted by: PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about "Design and Making Things" » Archive » on January 18th, 2006 at 11:33 pm

  9. WHERE can I get the gold tabi shoes???

    I am in love with them!

    Posted by: megan on January 19th, 2006 at 10:47 pm

  10. I’ve always loved these tobi trousers, they look so stylish and comfortable. The variety of tabi is so amazing. Do they do womens sizes?

    Posted by: Caramel on January 22nd, 2006 at 10:31 pm

  11. often these are the same guys that go dorifto in the inaka on the weekends!

    Posted by: Anonymous on February 1st, 2006 at 12:17 am

  12. [...] Unter dem Titel Construction Worker Fashion werden uns Arbeitssachen als Ausdruck des japanischen Modeverständnisses gezeigt. [...]

    Posted by: im web gefunden » Japanische Arbeitsmode on February 1st, 2006 at 7:45 am

  13. [...] In Japan dreht sich so viel um Fashion wie in kaum einem anderen Land. Das pingmag aus Japan hat nen nicen Artikel über die spezielle Fashion die die Arbeiter kicken. [...]

    Posted by: Styledepartment - Deutsches Streetwear, Sneaker und Styleportal » Blog Archive » Japanische Arbeiter Fashion on February 2nd, 2006 at 2:07 pm

  14. Is that Jon Yongfook in some of those photos?

    Posted by: Eric on February 3rd, 2006 at 1:50 pm

  15. This is so cool, i think when i go to japan i’ll have to pick some tabi gear to use for my next show!!! love them gold boots!
    good stuff!

    Posted by: vandigital on February 4th, 2006 at 5:04 pm

  16. Golden tabi is available at “Komiya” in Kawasaki. (sorry they don’t have a web site.) This store is about 10 minutes walk from JR Kawasaki Station. Here is the map. Address is 2-1-2, Kaizuka, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa. They have silver tabi, too! They are about 3000 yen. Enjoy!! (And check out tobi clothes maker, TORAICHI and KASEYAMA website.)

    Posted by: Kyoko on February 6th, 2006 at 3:08 pm

  17. AAAArrrgh! Someone spotted Jon again ;-)

    Posted by: Uleshka on February 6th, 2006 at 4:30 pm

  18. [...] Fashion goes beyond the world of haute couture. Evidently the realm of construction workers in Japan as fashion conscious as any high school clique ever was. Just because one is being practical and utilitarian does not exclude the potential for stylistic decisions. Their attention to detail is far from perfunctory. Of particular note are the distinctive selection of trouser shapes and the ninja style split toe Tabi boots. These people make things so style conscious without compromising functionality and pragmatic concerns that it will humble any designer. [...]

    Posted by: Ohmpage - Japanese Construction Worker Fashion on February 9th, 2006 at 2:39 am

  19. [...] PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about “Design and Making Things” » Archive » Japanese Construction Worker Fashion No Comments so far Leave a comment RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI Leave a comment Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong> [...]

    Posted by: ponchorama!!! on February 14th, 2006 at 4:54 am

  20. [...] Some wear ordinary jumpsuites similar to those of their American counterparts, but many wear these amazing pants that puff out below the knee, and then tighten at the calf or ankle, something like a pair of UFOs (note the way the dark purple pair fits). They are increadibly fashionable, but seem to be quite inconvenient for construction work. Thanks to this blog post by Fashion.3yen.com, and the article which it links to, I now understand why wearing these tobi trousers is actually practical for the type of work being done. Check it out. [...]

    Posted by: Fuego y Hielo » Blog Archive » Construction Workers in Japan: Fashion Over Function, or Function Over Fasion? on March 21st, 2006 at 1:55 pm

  21. Kjempe kuuuul hjemmeside du har.

    Posted by: parol on April 4th, 2006 at 11:53 pm

  22. right
    on

    Posted by: myho on April 21st, 2006 at 2:40 am

  23. I am as well in love with the golden tabi shoes, where can I buy them please, thank you to write me back
    missbeone@hotmail.com

    Posted by: emmanuelle Blanc on April 30th, 2006 at 9:10 pm

  24. I bought some yesterday cost 16000 Yen for two pair of pants and a pair of shoe - not gold but black

    Posted by: LAP on May 29th, 2006 at 2:27 pm

  25. Thats not funny, to make up a joke out of the working class!

    Posted by: Fabian on June 16th, 2006 at 7:44 am

  26. [...] Well, I have been photographing the construction process officially for a while. Some of those photos - such as the Yoyogi Shield - are included in the book, too. Along with that, I have done other projects as well, like photographing at the “Chitei Fashion Show”, a fashion show by Bernhard Willhelm which was held inside the underground tunnel back in October 2005. The German designer created a fashion line inspired by the [Japanese construction workers fashion](http://www.pingmag.jp/2006/01/18/construction-worker-fashion/. The models who did the catwalk were the real construction workers who worked at that site. [...]

    Posted by: PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about "Design and Making Things" » Archive » Joe Nishizawa: Japan’s underground photography on July 24th, 2006 at 9:55 pm

  27. Wow.. I read most of this story/interview. It was so intruiging and interesting!

    Unlike anything I had ever read about before. Wow this was nice to read.. ^__^

    Posted by: Angela on August 3rd, 2006 at 5:08 pm

  28. Such an inspiring article that everyone is or can be fashionable if they desire it. the article reminds me of a photo of mine of a long line of workers in tokyo, i was never sure why they were all lined up.. any suggestions?

    Posted by: Richard on August 9th, 2006 at 11:14 pm

  29. [...] Takeshi, our Yoga-programmer on the grass with Peter Slade’s headphones. Does anyone recognize the cool suit he is wearing? [...]

    Posted by: PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about "Design and Making Things" » Archive » Happy Ping Birthday Party! on August 17th, 2006 at 10:05 pm

  30. I love those “jikatabi”. I think tabi shoes really are good for work.
    Myself having worked in farming, I know something about good outdoor footwear.
    I want to introduce tabi to my country.

    Posted by: ヤーッコ on August 23rd, 2006 at 4:50 pm

  31. Very good idea!

    Where may I find speciality workers’clothes shops in Tokyo?

    Thanks
    jpdn.net

    Posted by: jp on August 25th, 2006 at 10:23 pm

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  34. Cool site. Thanks.

    Posted by: candy bar wrapper on September 3rd, 2006 at 10:12 am

  35. Very good site. Thanks!!!

    Posted by: acorn-slipper-sock.rusdoor.com acorn slipper sock on September 5th, 2006 at 10:40 am

  36. [...] safety tabi shoes as seen on ping mag [...]

    Posted by: randform » Blog Archive » signs of fashion on September 14th, 2006 at 4:45 pm

  37. What a great article - I have always thought those wide pants and tabi shoes look really cool, so it’s nice to find out more about them.

    Posted by: suzy on September 17th, 2006 at 11:56 am

  38. I have to know where I can buy some of those saftey tabi in size 32. online maybe?

    Posted by: finflannagan on September 23rd, 2006 at 7:23 pm

  39. I thought I was the only retard that LOVED those construction pants… Now that I kno they’re called TOBI pants, oh man…I’m gonna go look for some.

    Thanks for the great article!

    Posted by: Sabrina on October 8th, 2006 at 2:18 am

  40. “Painter. It is cool that he dares to wear white clothes in spite of the fact that because he’s a painter his clothes get stained easily.”

    In Sweden, it’s quite common for painters to wear white.

    http://www.jobbafrisk.se/images/malare.jpg
    http://www2.csn.se/MittenbildMalare.jpg
    http://gotland.net/klintehamn/klintebladet/bilder%20febr%202004/malare.jpg

    I don’t know, is it unusual in Japan?

    Posted by: Tinet on October 25th, 2006 at 1:48 am

  41. If you ask me, there is something not quite right about construction clothes being worn casually: It looks a bit too official. However, I make an exception for the jikatabi (the rubber-soled tabi.)

    Posted by: Lorinc Del Motte on October 27th, 2006 at 9:06 am

  42. japanese styling never ceases to amaaze me!

    great article, with so much information, i think you have latched on to a trend here!

    regards!

    feather!

    Posted by: heather on November 16th, 2006 at 9:51 pm

  43. Nice site actually. Gone to my favourites. Thanks for creation.

    Posted by: jack on January 9th, 2007 at 7:50 am

  44. if there is somewhere an english spoken e-shop where i can order the tabi and worker pants.

    that is a great article with goog informations. go on. thank you.

    Posted by: Volker Tietz on January 21st, 2007 at 1:13 am

  45. [...] Work pants of the world, unite! If you’re a form/function debate junkie, the work pant is a terrific study. Both pairs above are from countries with strong design traditions; both cultures value the trades- japanese work pants on the left (the tobi) and a Swedish pair on the right. In Sweden, first year students in engineering universities have to pick their field, and wear an accordingly colored pair of the above pants to signify their choice. Hazing is, of course, involved. Of course, the missing pants photo here is from a country that has sold out it’s working man and commercialized his pants- good old American Levis (Levi himself a German born immigrant). Tagged:cool shit [...]

    Posted by: I Love This World :: I Love Work Pants of the World on January 24th, 2007 at 11:05 am

  46. I’d like to contact Kyoko about borrowing one of her photos of tobi construction workers shown here on this blog. It’s for a book. Kyoko? where are you?
    Annie

    Posted by: annie on March 15th, 2007 at 7:53 am

  47. annievan03@hotmail.com

    Posted by: annie on March 15th, 2007 at 7:54 am

  48. Hi, I actualy have a quick question.
    I am a carpenter in the united states (washington) and I don’t like the american safety helmet.
    what do you call the yellow safety helmets that are bowl shaped and have a green band around it ending with a green cross on the front?

    its kind of a stereotype in america for helmets. I would be psyched to get an answer. thanks.

    Posted by: Rage on March 27th, 2007 at 11:21 am

  49. [...] och byggjobbare. De har speciella ballongbyxor och stövlar med separat avdelning för stortån. Finns i gummi och i [...]

    Posted by: Storståstövlar « Tokyo|tokidoki on April 4th, 2007 at 9:06 pm

  50. you suck

    Posted by: fvdfbvdjnk on April 13th, 2007 at 1:58 am

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  52. [...] Photos from PingMag’s article Japanese Construction Worker Fashion [...]

    Posted by: Nothing But Words » Blog Archive » In My Next Life, I Want to Be A Japanese Construction Worker on May 24th, 2007 at 8:19 pm

  53. Hello, I know its a little late but I was wondering how to go about getting a paper catologue ((in japanese or english, doesnt matter)) from tobi.com? Or does anyone have one they can send me. It doesnt matter if its old or slightly new. Preferably the latest if possible. I want to bring tobi style to Los Angeles! Thanks in advance to whomever responds!

    email: berri_fusion@msn.com

    Posted by: Garrett Sawyer on June 10th, 2007 at 6:01 pm

  54. [...] I’m going to be one of these construction workers. A Tobi. Or a tobi. Not sure if a capital letter is called for. But for the sake of the wise and fashionable one-two punch of the pants and shoes, I think a capital is warranted. Tobi means something like “scaffolding man/woman” in English. The name comes from a certain kind… [...]

    Posted by: for every tobi there are a pair of tabi « okinawa hai! on July 11th, 2007 at 3:30 pm

  55. [...] A Tobi. Or a tobi. Not sure if a capital letter is called for. But for the sake of the clever and fashionable one-two punch of the pants and shoes, I think a capital is warranted. Tobi means something like “scaffolding man/woman” in English. The name comes from a certain kind… [...]

    Posted by: My Okinawa » Blog Archive » for every tobi there are a pair of tabi on July 16th, 2007 at 5:13 pm

  56. I finally went ahead and ordered a pair of the silver tabi from Rakuten… (I got a huge markup fee though since I’m ordering from the states) I can’t wait for them to come in the mail!

    Posted by: Nickelpin on September 4th, 2007 at 1:00 pm

  57. Ping , I would like to bring Tobi to Los Angeles, CA USA for a Japan Expo.
    Can you help me?
    Neal

    Posted by: neal gaydos on September 26th, 2007 at 11:45 am

  58. Yes - there are women’s sizes in the tabi and tobi. I worked construction in Japan. The pants are very cool in the humid weather. The Tabi come with steel toes.

    Posted by: mvrk on October 25th, 2007 at 4:00 am

  59. This is strange, the only Japanese clothing I bought when I was in Tokyo was bape, aint bought no construction uniform

    Posted by: bape hoodies on November 6th, 2007 at 1:21 pm

  60. damn…i love that tabi shoes…especially the gold one!

    Posted by: paulina on November 30th, 2007 at 4:12 pm

  61. [...] Shopgirls in spite of their lizard shoes and skinny pants. They looked good, but not as good as the construction workers, with their balloon pants and split-toed [...]

    Posted by: dervala.net » Blog Archive » Brandistan on December 3rd, 2007 at 9:58 pm

  62. KURYE

    Posted by: kurye on February 16th, 2008 at 11:32 pm

  63. [...] The parade, designed to load test the alpha version meet-me servers in some of the real Tokyo’s busier areas, will see 1000 virtual Tokyoites make the trek from staging areas in Roppongi and Shinjuku to Hachiko Plaza in Shibuya - although in the latter case, presumably without the roadworks that make me want to commit bloody murder every time I see a pair of baggy blue trousers. [...]

    Posted by: meet-me announces 1000-strong parade through virtual Tokyo « Blog « The RoggBlog - Life in Tokyo and geeky things on February 19th, 2008 at 11:03 pm

  64. Conceptual unisex t shirts and sweat tops

    ihtgw SAMIA MALIK

    NO FASHION

    w: http://www.myspace.com/ihtgw
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    Posted by: SAMIA MALIK on February 20th, 2008 at 5:26 am

  65. Hey !

    I’m currently in Tokyo and desperate to find a shop selling tobi clothes and tabi shoes !

    Please help me !

    Posted by: Anonymous on February 29th, 2008 at 9:22 pm

  66. I just stumbled upon this after being obsessed with the fashion. I saw it on Ninja warrior. In light I can not travel to Japan is there any place I can get these in the states?

    Posted by: Chicago Fella on March 5th, 2008 at 4:54 am

  67. I am a Japanese tobi.
    3-12-3, Higashimukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo thinks the place that can buy tobi clothes in Japanese Tokyo to have many articles.
    When I buy it in web, I think that there are many places that do not support when it is foreign countries.
    http://www.nikko-kaminarimon.com/news.shtml

    tobi. micchi
    e-mail futaba@ftbjp.com

    Posted by: micchi on April 14th, 2008 at 5:06 pm

  68. [...] Work Fashion! [...]

    Posted by: Bundestrendscout » Blog Archive » Futter on May 20th, 2008 at 10:26 pm

  69. I visited the gold and silver tabi shop Komiya today, and they still stock them - although you did have to ask specifically for them at the counter! There is also another construction worker wear shop called Workworld a block closer to Kawasaki station, on the same side of the road, which had a good selection of tabigutsu.

    Posted by: Lisa on May 22nd, 2008 at 10:09 pm

  70. send link to online shop for gold tabi please!!! :d

    (:u<

    Posted by: Dj Seneca on May 26th, 2008 at 4:29 am

  71. send gold tabi purchase link to

    diagnostiksaudio@hotmail.com

    Posted by: Dj Seneca on May 26th, 2008 at 4:30 am

  72. [...] En Japón existe una nueva tendencia que rescata el estilo de los trabajadores de la construcción, se llama “Tobi” . Existen específicas prendas, colores y estilos dependiendo del rubro del trabajador, demolición, electricidad, limpieza, pavimentación, etc. No dejan de llamar la atención los zapatos con separacion para el dedo gordo del pié, los cuales originalmente eran diseñados para trabajadores de altura. Estos trepan por los andamios y con estos zapatos es mucho mas fácil encaramarse por las estructuras. Y los pantalones estilo Ninja para mejor movimiento de piernas. Existe una excelente post con una mega-investigación a sobre del tema en PINGMAG [...]

    Posted by: Tobi on June 18th, 2008 at 10:47 pm

  73. Do you know where I can buy those in Osaka?

    Posted by: david on July 31st, 2008 at 8:53 pm

  74. I would like to know where to apply as construction worker here in tokyo, I don’t have experience about the work but I want to know about it. Are they hiring foriegners?

    Posted by: Mark on March 11th, 2009 at 9:11 pm

  75. [...] alucina con los modelitos.Eso sí, cada zona de Tokyo lleva su propio estilo. Yo me volví fan de  la moda obrera!Como anécdota, el día que fuimos al Fushimi Inari (Kyoto) que en resumidas es una subida a un [...]

    Posted by: Japón - Crónica de 10 días « WideAwakening… on March 18th, 2009 at 11:56 am

  76. [...] into a word that describes people who worked on scaffolding. PingMag, a Tokyo design magazine, reports on the rationale behind the [...]

    Posted by: Japanese Construction Worker Fashion « TigerSpider on May 3rd, 2009 at 11:18 am

  77. [...] on, I found PingMag.jp, who had an old post on Construction Worker Fashion! They pretty much explain everything, so the only thing I have to say is that I am so jealous! The [...]

    Posted by: Japanese Construction Workers | Ipstenu.Org on June 29th, 2009 at 11:40 pm

  78. great article ! very interesting. i google to get tabis online and i’ve found this french website making tabis for babies. it’s very cute !
    http://www.tabi.fr/

    Posted by: alice on March 25th, 2010 at 7:25 pm

  79. This post was one of my favorite that you’d done so far.

    Posted by: Discount Work Supplies on June 30th, 2010 at 1:34 am

  80. [...] PingMag – The Tokyo-based magazine about âDesign and Making Things … [...]

    Posted by: Fashion Forms Disposable Dress Protectors 2006 | Collectible Toys Blog on July 10th, 2010 at 2:55 pm

  81. [...] PingMag – The Tokyo-based magazine about âDesign and Making Things … [...]

    Posted by: Fashion Forms Disposable Dress Protectors 2006 | Outdoor Lighting Techniques Blog on July 11th, 2010 at 7:02 am

  82. [...] time I was in Tokyo, I went to Mannen-ya, a clothing store forTobi, Japanese construction workers. I bought several pairs of Tobi pants and a two Tekkou shirts. I already had a Japanese [...]

    Posted by: Silver Case » Like wearing cat whiskers on August 14th, 2010 at 10:55 pm

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