Design & Mystique of the Japanese School Uniform

31 Mar 2008 Category: Fashion, Features, Japan

Design & Mystique of the Japanese School Uniform

What is it that attracts so many to Japanese school uniforms? Shiny mystery... A uniform maker's logo embossed on the brass buttons. Courtesy of Conomi School Goods Shop.

The U.K., Malaysia and Ireland have nice school uniforms, but how come Japanese school attire seemingly takes it to another level, leaving the students looking like little sailors and marching band leaders? Having worked as a public school English teacher in rural Fukushima and downtown Tokyo, I’ve been amazed by the variety of uniforms as well as the ways students customise them as far as they are allowed. PingMag shows you interesting details in fashion and the social performance that accompany this apparel to a point where the traditional Japanese school uniform has developed beyond the schoolyard and into pop culture.

Written by Michael Mahoney

Schools use different bows and ties, giving each school a different look, here designs by Kuri-ori. Courtesy of Conomi School Goods Shop.

History

The school uniform, seifuku, in Japan started over a hundred years ago, in the Meiji period. According to the Tombow Uniform Museum, first a more formal kimono, shirt and hakama combination was selected by the Ministry of Education, to “escalate” the profile of students. Later in this era, however, as Japan began to embrace things Western, the hakama set was replaced with a black or navy gakuran jacket and slacks.


Uniform for young boys that lived as scholars with writers or politicians during Meiji Period. Courtesy of the Tombow Corporation Uniform Museum.

Totally old school! A hakama, shirt and kimono set, which the Ministry of Education recommended as the student school uniform in 1872. Courtesy of the Tombow Corporation Uniform Museum.

The gakuran, school uniform jacket, was modeled specifically after state military uniforms, which themselves emulated the uniforms of Prussian military cadets, because the Prussian Army was so strong at the time. The uniforms had a high, stiff collar and brass buttons up to the neck, kind of like “marching band leader” meets “Men in Black”… Dark slacks, belt, dark shoes and sometimes a flat, round black cap with a flat top completed the ensemble.

Sailors and Cadets


The all so familiar sailor uniform… Courtesy of Conomi School Goods Shop.

In 1920, a women’s school in Fukuoka began to use a sailor suit uniform. It had a triangular scarf and low-cut skirt, and was modeled after the British navy uniform used at the time since the headmistress, Elizabeth Lee, apparently had lived in Britain. This also became popular because of Britain’s strength as a naval power at the time.

Despite some modifications to the seifuku over the years (as well as a move towards blazers at some schools), the basic design remains the same at many middle schools and high schools throughout Japan. However, after World War II many elementary schools stopped using uniforms altogether.

… emulated after British naval uniforms. Courtesy of Conomi School Goods Shop.

Roles of the Uniform

For students, of course, the uniform serves to link them to their schools, and reasserts their collective identity in Japanese society as students.


Accessorise! For the personal note, a shiny pin is brushing up the standard outfit. Courtesy of Conomi School Goods Shop.

As Pierre Bourdieu has mentioned, fashion is important in giving everyone a ‘sense of one’s place. As well, since school uniforms differ between schools – in the use of scarves or black slacks, for example – the students can instantly recognise students from other schools.

Yet within the school itself, uniforms remove the messages of social and economic status carried in apparel according to a study at Southeastern Louisiana University.

One could argue that uniforms prevent students from expressing themselves through clothes. Interestingly enough, they have found ways to make their attitude or habits known through their uniforms: For example, in my schools, rebellious ‘cool’ boys often left the top buttons of their high-neck collar unbuttoned, or wore colourful belts with their otherwise all-black uniforms. Some also grow out their hair to match the latest J-Pop star (although many were forced to chop their hair short again before taking the brutal high school and university entrance examinations.)


Mass customisation! Courtesy of Conomi School Goods Shop.

A recent PBS report similarly explained that girls often use colourful shoelaces, bright hair accessories or attach character keychains or sutorappu, charms, to their zippers. Others wear rebelliously-puffy knee-high socks, or hike their skirts up (to shocking heights) in order to identify with a particular group of people.

On a different note, the uniforms play a symbolic role for students in professing first love. Upon graduating high- or middle-school, girls will go up to their crush and ask for his dai-ni button – the second-button down on his uniform jacket. If the boy has similar romantic feelings for the girl, he will remove this button – the button closest to his heart – and give it to her…

A tie selection by the Beverly Hills Polo Club brand. Courtesy of Conomi School Goods Shop.

Uniform Fashionistas


Golden embroidery - chic elegance by the Japanese Kuri-ori brand. Courtesy of Conomi School Goods Shop.

Furthermore, as one Japanese student told me, for fashion-conscious parents and children, the school uniform can often be used as a fashion statement, if not a symbol of a family’s wealth or good taste. Local fashion designers such as Hanae Mori have launched their own versions of the school uniform in the past, while international labels such as Benetton have announced plans to create uniforms especially for the Japanese market.

Takeshi Tsukada of Hanae Mori Associates told me that their uniforms have been popular with parents and schools due to their traditional, classic design. “They trust her designs to be noble, not too trendy. This is a relief to the parents,” he said. He also noted that, for the school, using high-quality school uniforms were one to attract new students.

Beyond the Schoolyard

Yet, when you visit Japan, you notice the uniform - notably the girls’ sailor-suit uniform - everywhere: in comics, on billboards, on TV shows… There are even shops selling cheap knock-offs of the school uniform! Why are they so popular?

The TV series Life about a school girl’s everyday drama.

One possible reason is that, over time, these uniforms have become a nostalgic symbol of a more carefree youth. A sleepy salaryman can see a student wearing the exact same uniform he once wore, and is reminded of a happier, simpler time, when days were spent on homework and sports practice rather than at the office…

Since the uniform is THE symbol of school, comics such as the prominent Sailor Moon, games such as PaperMan or TV series such as WaterBoys or the school girl drama Life use it as a prominent theme.


A fake sailor collar from the 100 Yen shop at Takeshita Dori…

… and accompanying pigtails! So popular…

As a result of comic book characters being dressed in uniforms, we showed you before how many teenage cosplayers use imitation uniforms to remake themselves into their favourite manga characters. Catering to this market, there are the shops offering anime-style uniform costumes and chat rooms, for example one discussing how to make your own uniform.

Symbol of Beauty

As a teacher, a thing that you notice is that students – especially high school girls – wear their uniforms all the time, even on weekends, when school is out and wearing uniforms isn’t necessary. Why?

Youth as ‘brand’ in a brand-conscious society - advertisement at Yokohama station.

A New York Times article claimed that Japanese teenagers are acutely aware that, because of their youth, they are a sought-after ‘brand’ in a brand-conscious society – implying that students wear their uniforms often in order to flaunt their youth.

To test this theory, I asked around a bit. Molly Elgin, an English teacher in Fukushima, noticed high school girls in Fuku city wearing uniforms, even though their local high school did not require students to wear uniforms.


A uniform as symbol for youth. Courtesy of Conomi School Goods Shop.

When asked why they wore them anyway, the students explained that it was considered “cute” to wear them. “The analysis on our part was that the images of school girls in uniform are so prevalent, [it] is emphasised as… the pinnacle of beauty, so the girls want to wear their uniform to fit that idealised beauty standard,” Elgin assumed.

On the other hand, Elgin also noticed that her junior high school students often wore their uniforms outside of school as well. “But for them, it was a laziness factor – it was easier” to wear a uniform, than to pick out an outfit of their own to wear, she stated.

I went around the corner of PingMag headquarters in Harajuku to a nice uniform shop. There, Shihori Hata, a clerk at Conomi School Goods Shop, said that students wear their uniforms on the weekends because they often have to go to extracurricular activities where they have to be in proper attire.

The Future…

As schools merge and student population numbers drop, the market for uniform sales companies does not look so great. Back to Takeshi Tsukada of Hanae Mori Associates. He stated that since parents are having fewer children, they are willing to spend more money on their kids’ uniforms than before – making some interesting sales opportunities for uniform manufacturers.

Student numbers drop. But since parents are having fewer children, these are willing to spend more money on their kids’ uniforms than before. Pupils at Nagatcho station.

To attract parents, companies have been adding some interesting new gimmicks to their uniforms. Tsukada recalls going to a uniform trade exhibition and seeing many new devices: a uniform skirt with an elastic snap device, which would automatically snap a heightened skirt back to a lower, more modest length; uniform slacks with a metal clip that would prevent boys from wearing their pants too low; shirttails and button openings embroidered with the school’s name so that, if untucked or unbuttoned, the uniform would reveal the school’s name – and thus embarrass the student.

A while ago, one company even started making Japanese uniform jackets equipped with a GPS system, allowing parents to locate their children at all times!

Another selection of bows for each school to choose, by Beverly Hills Polo Club brand. Courtesy of Conomi School Goods Shop.

As symbols of youth and tokens of school-age identity, uniforms will undoubtedly remain an evergreen of the academic and pop culture of Japan and surely outlive society’s changes.
Special thanks to Conomi School Goods Shop!

72 Comments

  1. I really like this website!! things that for japanese people could be normal, for me are so interesting! culturally, artistic, and so fresh make this website so cool!!!

    Posted by: Alessio on March 31st, 2008 at 9:03 pm

  2. Interesting article! At the school where I taught, students had to wear their uniforms on weekends if they were doing any school activities (and because they were all required to be in a club, they often were). They actually loved being able to wear their own clothes on days when they could.

    And I think you are neglecting (perhaps intentionally?) the fetish aspect of the Japanese girls’ school uniform. The business man staring at the girl in uniform on the train isn’t reminiscing about HIS bygone youthful purity….

    Posted by: Anjali on March 31st, 2008 at 11:14 pm

  3. I love how Japanese put details in everything. It makes it so culturally unique and artistic. It’s no wonder everyone fantasizes about Japanese school girls.

    Posted by: Aikyrie on April 1st, 2008 at 3:05 am

  4. As a student in the UK I have to disagree with Pingmag thinking that our uniforms are interesting. we have a simple blazer usually in one colour, a jumper with the schools logo embroidered on and normal black trousers.
    I suppose if you look at private schools its a different matter but other than that it is boring!

    Posted by: Badger on April 1st, 2008 at 3:13 am

  5. This article is so interesting! When I was in Japan last year I did notice that many students were able to individualize their uniforms with trinkets, bows,etc.Also, the uniforms are probably quite economical when compared to the name-brand jeans, sneakers, etc. that students wear in the U.S. Excellent article!

    Posted by: Sally on April 1st, 2008 at 3:48 am

  6. Wow this is really interesting! I’ve read books about the dai-ni button but didn’t understand what was happening.. it all makes sense now!

    Posted by: Anonymous on April 1st, 2008 at 7:50 am

  7. Like Badger, I too don’t think that the Malaysian school uniform is exciting at all. They are drab, duotone things and the only thing that differs from school to school is the iron-on school badge.

    Posted by: SY on April 1st, 2008 at 8:11 am

  8. Uniforms are also required in many public and private schools here in the Philippines, but rarely do the designs become as interesting, diverse and detailed like those in Japan. My old high school has several uniforms but they’re not as great as these. :D

    Posted by: Lunedi on April 1st, 2008 at 11:12 am

  9. I think uniforms don’t belong into schools. The only thing I can associate with uniforms is military, and why would we want to associate schools with that? Also I think a school is the wrong place to promote uniformism, especially with teenagers at a time during their life when they want to be looked at as individuals not as one little cogwheel in the big machine…

    As a German it disturbs me seeing children wearing uniforms - the last time that happened in Germany those children belonged to the Hitler-youth.

    Posted by: Bunglemeister on April 1st, 2008 at 12:56 pm

  10. [...] has a feature article on the Japanese School Uniform fashion. Share [...]

    Posted by: Global Voices Online » Japan: the Japanese School Uniform on April 1st, 2008 at 11:19 pm

  11. Oh wow, this now throws me back to my days at saiki (Oita ken) and a certain kokose called chihiro…

    Japan Japan.. how much I miss you.

    Posted by: fake japanese on April 2nd, 2008 at 12:46 am

  12. Nice! I wish I could watch Life.

    Posted by: Akai on April 2nd, 2008 at 10:05 am

  13. So, could the whole uniform fetish thing in Japan vanish if the adults dont get stuck in their offices 24/7? Since they won’t be reminescing their long gone days but instead enjoy their current state.

    Posted by: jju on April 2nd, 2008 at 11:38 am

  14. Great article, again. It seems in Japan, you only think you know what you see. “Youth as a brand”, thats very sophisticated stuff to chew on. Thanks!

    Posted by: John Freeman on April 2nd, 2008 at 4:27 pm

  15. Uniforms did not originate from fascism, surely. Everyone wears some sort of uniform but there are degrees of formalisation.

    Teens don’t want to be different, they want to fit in with a particular clique. They may do things to set them apart from other cliques, but nevertheless…

    Yes that is a huge generalisation, but so were Bunglemeister’s comments

    Posted by: Omphaloskeptic on April 2nd, 2008 at 6:02 pm

  16. Wearing the seifuku these days is a walking fashion statement.

    On a sidenote, Japanese high school girls wear the shortest skirts in the world, period.

    Posted by: blauereiter on April 2nd, 2008 at 11:09 pm

  17. great article very informative keep up the great blogging!

    Posted by: modemlooper on April 3rd, 2008 at 2:02 pm

  18. I went to a British public school with a fairly complicated uniform, and I liked it too. Especially the hat. :) So I can understand some girls wanting to wear them out of school, especially when they are so very much cuter than ours were. We used to customise ours too, within the strict limits set by the school; in a weird way it was somehow more fun than putting together your own outfit from scratch. Design constraints can be good things!

    Posted by: ouija on April 4th, 2008 at 7:16 am

  19. One thing you left out is that most students can only afford one of the expensive blazer, skirt, pants, etc. Put that together with the fact that they wear them every day including weekends… Yeah, they often have a very non-cute smell. Wondering how I know? I smell 900 of them every day at work.

    Posted by: Anonymous on April 4th, 2008 at 10:38 am

  20. Lovely way of getting kids to learn to conform to the “authoritative” standard from an early age, as well as embedding them with the need to fit in the group and seek validation from it.

    Posted by: Anonymous on April 4th, 2008 at 6:32 pm

  21. Brilliant article, Time Magazine quality, top notch ^_^ The author should consider branching out into international print magazines like Time or NG.

    Posted by: Danny K on April 4th, 2008 at 6:46 pm

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    Posted by: Deliggit.com | The social sites' most interesting urls on April 4th, 2008 at 6:58 pm

  23. lol. All you hippies moaning about suppressing kids’ free will with uniforms need to visit the real world now and again.

    I work in a school. When we have non-uniform days, the kids all spend the week beforehand asking each other “what are you wearing…?” and they all go and buy identical outfits. Believe me, they don’t want to express individuality: they are terrified that they will look different from everyone else. The clothes that they wear on non-uniform days are ridiculously expensive, and, with kids being what they are, they bully each other mercilessly if someone is wearing a cheap brand or last week’s expensive fashion - and the kids from low-income backgrounds are often the most likely to act like this. Many of the kids won’t come into school on a non-uniform day. The same kids have a sudden illness EVERY time there is an opportunity to wear their own clothes to school.

    What with the time wasted planning wardrobes, expense for parents, and lessons missed by kids that don’t feel able to attend school in normal clothes, non-uniform has a negative effect on education and bullying.

    Is that less important than your right-on hippy ideals?

    Posted by: woody on April 4th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

  24. ps I forgot to say - very interesting article.

    pps to the idiotic viewpoint that “the last time people wore uniforms was under the nazis” just remember that the people that made the huge sacrifices necessary to liberate Europe also wore uniforms. Uniforms are not inherently bad. When my country’s soccer team takes to the field they wear a uniform. Is that bad? What about the guy who delivers my milk, the police that maintain order in my town, the postman, the nurses in my local hospital, the people that prepare and serve my burger at lunch - are all these people Nazis just for wearing an appropriate uniform?

    Posted by: woody on April 4th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

  25. boring

    Posted by: Anonymous on April 4th, 2008 at 7:45 pm

  26. [...] This article offers some fascinating details in fashion and the social performance that accompanies the traditional Japanese school uniform and shows how it has developed beyond the schoolyard and into Japanese pop culture.http://pingmag.jp/2008/03/31/japanese-school-uniform/” rel=”dc:source” property=&#… [...]

    Posted by: FuzzLinks.com » The Fascinating Culture Behind Japanese School Uniforms on April 4th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

  27. [...] a site I don’t link to nearly enough, has a full wrap on Japanese school unis, including the history, roles of the different kinds of uniforms, uniform fashionistas, a section [...]

    Posted by: A Look Inside Japanese School Uniforms | on April 4th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

  28. Great post. I had often wondered this while I was living there back in the mid 90’s.

    Definitely a cultural thing. Great blog. Keep it up!

    Posted by: John on April 4th, 2008 at 9:44 pm

  29. Cool.. So how does one explain the Japanese fascination with a dozen men ejaculating on a schoolgirl’s face? (”bukkake”) ?

    Posted by: so civilised on April 4th, 2008 at 10:26 pm

  30. [...] of you may be interested in this article about the history and popularity of the seifuku. They have some nice pics and links in the article, and they also mention the whole love button [...]

    Posted by: Uniform Link | Sea Slugs! Anime Blog on April 4th, 2008 at 11:51 pm

  31. You’re ignoring that pedophilia is pretty acceptable in Japan.

    Pedophile literature, pedophile comics, pedophile simulated pornography are wildly available and consumed in Japan.

    The love of the school girl uniform is just pedophilia shining through.

    Posted by: dasdasdasdasd on April 5th, 2008 at 12:22 am

  32. I think it would have been interesting to show the Kawai-Kakoi directed society behind this school uniform fact..thats in my opinion what explains it.

    Posted by: Anonymous on April 5th, 2008 at 1:23 am

  33. Pedobear Approves!

    Posted by: PedoBear on April 5th, 2008 at 1:56 am

  34. [...] while japanese school uniforms usually prompt ‘funny’ thoughts, this article actually explains the origins and [...]

    Posted by: » japanese paper cutting and uniforms Random Inscriptions on April 5th, 2008 at 2:16 am

  35. [...] read more | digg story [...]

    Posted by: The Fascinating Culture Behind Japanese School Uniforms « Walking through Life on April 5th, 2008 at 3:01 am

  36. [...] PingMag shows you interesting details in fashion and the social performance that accompany this apparel to a point where the traditional Japanese school uniform has developed beyond the schoolyard and into pop culture. [...]

    Posted by: curtpetersen.com»Blog Archive » Design & Mystique of the Japanese School Uniform on April 5th, 2008 at 9:21 am

  37. You should take a look at the uniforms that they make boys wear, especially gradeschoolers..it had to have been designed by a pedophile.

    Posted by: RandomThoughts on April 5th, 2008 at 1:27 pm

  38. I think Pingmag is the best design source for Japanese contemporary culture: keep up the good work!

    Posted by: Cesar Kohl on April 5th, 2008 at 11:35 pm

  39. this was a very informative article

    Posted by: Eloy on April 6th, 2008 at 2:24 am

  40. I’ve asked Japanese people for years now about uniforms being worn outside of school and they agree about the laziness reason, but also that it allows for the easiest conformity and no one wants to be appreciably different looking from one’s peers for fear of being bullied.

    I think the whole “cute” and “flaunting their youth” speculation is the projection of Westerners. In Japan, all you have to do to get a Japanese person to endorse your viewpoint is express it and they will agree because they are so reluctant to disagree. Not one person I’ve talked about with this in Japan in the 19 years I’ve lived here has said anything about “branding” themselves or showing off their youth. Such conclusions are surely the result of those who mainly know the culture through anime and cosplay.

    Posted by: Shari on April 6th, 2008 at 2:15 pm

  41. [...] closing:  Japanese school uniforms;  you have no rights on an airplane, not even human rights; 4 things we should do to improve [...]

    Posted by: ShortWoman» Blog Archive » Let me make sure I have this right… on April 7th, 2008 at 7:34 am

  42. @Omphaloskeptic

    Nowhere did I say that uniforms have their origin in fascim. I doubt you properly read my posting, I coudln’t possibly misinterpreted that wrongly. I said that one usually associates uniforms with military, because that’s what the prevalent place uniforms are used and come from. If you think military=fascim, that’s your totally wrong interpretation.

    I don’t want schools to be associated with militarism, but that’s the association uniforms bring with them. What is the reasoning behind having children wear uniforms in school anyway? What’s the point?

    And then I stated that having children wearing uniforms looks totally wrong to ME AS A GERMAN, because the last time that happened in MY COUNTRY in a large scale was with the Hitler Youth.

    Geez, I wasn’t aware that it’s possible for illiterate people to post here…

    Posted by: Bunglemeister on April 8th, 2008 at 1:08 pm

  43. about the students in uniform in when they are not in school:
    what i remember about my students was that they were very very busy, and those who went to private or specialized schools of had a long distance to travel, and did not have time to go home before going to special classes, music lessons, etc. also, i knew a lot of kids who had school, or some sort of school obligation on saturday mornings as well.
    basically, the academically inclined (or pressured) teenagaer has no time to change clothes; its train school train, juku, english lesson train dinner sleep)
    as far as the shocking heights and pedophilia, as a women i recall feeling uncomfortable seeing young girls in -5 winter weather ascending the escalator in nagoya winters not only for the titillation/objectification factor, but for the reddened freezing legs… and 10 centimeters between modest and lolita doesn´t make the girls any warmer if they are proscribed a certain type of socks and jumpers; but lolita does at least annoy their mothers and teachers and reaffirm what little power the girls have in their own life to explore and manipulate their sexuality as a public construct: even if it backfires by objectifying them in the end.

    Posted by: cordelia on April 8th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

  44. Re: Bunglemeister

    Nazism if a form of fascism. Pull out a dictionary before you call someone illiterate.

    Your post clearly implies that uniforms are a symbol of Nazism/fascism (”the last time that happened in Germany those children belonged to the Hitler-youth”).

    My point was that fascists or the military aren’t the only ones that use uniforms, and that likening school uniforms to such is a bit of a stretch.

    And I guess one idea behind uniforms is to ensure certain standards of hygiene and modesty (whatever they may be) are maintained. Also there is school pride and recognition. I’m not saying these are valid reasons, but they are the ‘point’ of uniforms.

    Posted by: omphaloskeptic on April 9th, 2008 at 5:55 pm

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    Posted by: 日本的校服文化 : 一天一荐 on April 11th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

  46. I’ve lived in Quito, Ecuador for six months now and i have noticed some similarities that this article talks about. it’s very interesting to know the history and trend of the Japan uniform culture.

    Posted by: Anonymous on April 16th, 2008 at 4:05 am

  47. I think the current uniform is used in many countries and has nothing special. The manga and anime contributed to show this as a cliché of the japanesse culture.

    Posted by: joe on April 25th, 2008 at 1:19 am

  48. Isn’t it interesting how many people have left comments?

    I bet y’all were looking for girls in these things. ^^

    Posted by: thouh989 on April 26th, 2008 at 8:47 am

  49. Bunglemeister… I understand what you meant even if certain other people want to twist your words. But let me put it this way:

    In the school I attended we were told that the purpose of a uniform was not to make everyone conform in a militaristic way, but to reduce the obvious ‘class’ differences. People came to the school whose families were fairly wealthy, and also people who were poor. But in one uniform it would be harder for any kids to discriminate based on money, status etc. Everyone was on a more or less equal footing.

    Also there was the recognition aspect, and the other reasons given, but in the schools I have attended I never saw anything even approximating ’school pride’.

    Posted by: Rich D on May 5th, 2008 at 5:39 pm

  50. American schools are starting to look more like these believe it or not with the cuffs

    Posted by: School Quiz on May 6th, 2008 at 8:18 am

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    Posted by: fashion school on June 7th, 2008 at 6:09 am

  52. We have uniforms in Australia, and I personally really like having them. I can identify with all the things said about this article, especially how the uniform is an mask to hide behind. And they’re so cute too!

    Posted by: Anonymous on July 4th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

  53. This is a awesome website! i think everything the about theose uniforms is right. i totally am going to buy on ^^ yay but u should put boys can wear tooi can”t wait to buy one!

    Posted by: Suzuka2110 on July 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 am

  54. wow… japanese school uniforms actually have an interesting history! i wish my school uniforms were as cute as those!

    Posted by: mona sisa on July 31st, 2008 at 5:16 pm

  55. Most American students tend to wear voluntary uniforms to school. They consist of t-shirts, jeans, hoodies, and skater shoes. Despite this very common and dull uniform, however, they still manage to show self-expression and independence by varying the appearance of the t-shirts with corporate and band logos.

    Posted by: hello on August 22nd, 2008 at 1:37 am

  56. ouah! really interesting history of the school uniform and of the usage/tradition ! I’ve always wanted to wear a uniform when I was still at school! I think this makes more polite and customizing the uniform is a cute way to show self-expression!

    Posted by: cocona on October 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 pm

  57. I love Japannese’s school uniform as it
    design special and so nice than others country ’s school uniform !

    Posted by: Irenelaw on October 30th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

  58. i really like the japanese way to making things so delicate,the IT products,dressing style,their foodmaking
    i hope i would have a chance to go there

    Posted by: viviaiko on October 30th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

  59. Great article very informative
    Wearing the seifuku these days is a walking fashion statement.
    keep up the great blogging!

    Posted by: Ebooks Store on November 11th, 2008 at 2:37 am

  60. hello im japanese girl

    Posted by: Anonymous on November 15th, 2008 at 12:47 am

  61. This was like reading an article on British school uniforms. Although the British don’t have a fetish reputation with regards to the uniform, and thus that aspect is very different, school uniforms change from school to school (and are thus identifiers - and, between rival schools, “tribal” markings too) and children become very adept at using their uniform to rebel against the establishment or accesorise it to express a little individuality within a common setting.

    You’d only have to change a small amount of this article to make it relevant to the UK as well.

    Posted by: Interesting on November 20th, 2008 at 5:54 am

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    Posted by: Japanese School Uniforms 101 | Synaptic Attack! on December 15th, 2008 at 12:09 am

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    Posted by: Donna Kelly on December 28th, 2008 at 11:25 pm

  64. I was a student in a secondary school in Malaysia. Wearing a uniform was second nature and the only thing that was different was the uniforms of those of rank in school.

    It didn’t matter that one was so rich, another was not made of money. We were dressed the same and it made things easier. Although we berated having to wear uniform to school everyday (though that might be caused by the white uniform that’s sometimes a pain to wash), and prefects moan of having to put on their ties, it wasn’t all that bad.

    I don’t know of those who complain about students wearing uniforms but having worn them before, there’s nothing oppressive about it.

    It’s a way to maintain modesty, regulation and intergrate the students with each other.

    Be positive about it, will ya?

    Posted by: Syaz on July 29th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

  65. Dear Sir/Madam,

    We are Top Leading Manufacturers cum Exporters of all kinds of “Hand Embroidered Badges, Emblems, Crests, Flags, Banners, Pennants,Wings, Sashes, Monograms, Tassels, Land Yards, Braids, Laces” for Army, Navy, Air Masonic,force, Police, Clubs, Fire Brigade, Schools, Colleges, Universities & Scouts etc. from Sialkot-Pakistan.
    Glaves,
    Cycle Glaves, Waitlifting Glaves,Winter Glaves,Summer Glaves and more etc.
    We are already exporting our products to Australia, Canada, UK, Malaysia, Belgium, France, Austria, USA and Japan for last couple of decades and our customers are well satisfied with us. We can also supply you all above items.we will send you for your inspection & approval.
    Thanks in advance with best regards
    Export Manager
    Muhammad Waqas
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    Posted by: Muhammad Waqas on August 10th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

  66. Dear Sir/Madam,

    We are Top Leading Manufacturers cum Exporters of all kinds of “Hand Embroidered Badges, Emblems, Crests, Flags, Banners, Pennants,Wings, Sashes, Monograms, Tassels, Land Yards, Braids, Laces” for Army, Navy, Air Masonic,force, Police, Clubs, Fire Brigade, Schools, Colleges, Universities & Scouts etc. from Sialkot-Pakistan.
    Glaves,
    Cycle Glaves, Waitlifting Glaves,Winter Glaves,Summer Glaves and more etc.
    We are already exporting our products to Australia, Canada, UK, Malaysia, Belgium, France, Austria, USA and Japan for last couple of decades and our customers are well satisfied with us. We can also supply you all above items.we will send you for your inspection & approval.
    Thanks in advance with best regards
    Export Manager
    Muhammad Waqas
    http://www.sallenenterpricses.com
    info@sallenenterpricses.com
    Cell No +92 334 8076542
    Tel No +92 52 3543956

    Posted by: Muhammad Waqas on August 21st, 2009 at 10:27 am

  67. Ah well, I pretty much guess uniforms in Singapore are just for an ‘identification that you are in a school’ kind of thing. Correct me if im wrong, but it darn strange to wear a uniform on other days than days you have school. Ill have to admit uniforms in singapore are not that appealing… only a handful are

    Posted by: Anonymous on October 15th, 2009 at 3:31 am

  68. hi crystal wuz up did i tell you i luv erick acosta and justin smith lol

    Posted by: alondra on November 14th, 2009 at 3:19 am

  69. hooeee! i want go to japan! i love JAPAN!

    Posted by: arisa_gurlz96@yahoo.com on November 20th, 2009 at 12:39 am

  70. I want wear their school uniform! It’s so pretty!! Hooeee!!

    Posted by: arisa_gurlz96@yahoo.com on November 20th, 2009 at 12:41 am

  71. now i live in malaysia! but i want to go to japan! i hope some day i’ll live there!

    Posted by: Melisa Solomon on November 20th, 2009 at 12:43 am

  72. sorry if my english not so good…

    Posted by: arisa_gurlz96@yahoo.com on November 20th, 2009 at 12:24 pm

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