In Japan, School Uniforms aren’t just clothes, they are symbols of youth, in Japanese “seishun” (青春) and a big part of the country’s culture. Girls in Japan love their school uniforms, and there are fans of Japanese school uniforms, seifuku (制服), all over the world. Most people start to wear uniforms from junior high school on, except if you go to a private elementary school.
The girls school uniform is called sailor fuku (セーラー服) and was first established in the Fukuoka girls school “Fukuoka Jogakuin” (福岡女学院). It was modeled after the uniform used by the British Royal Navy at the time, which the principal had experienced as an exchange student in the United Kingdom. The uniform generally consists of a blouse attached with a sailor-style collar and a pleated skirt. The sailor uniform today is generally associated solely with junior high schools, since a majority of high schools have changed to more Western-style plaid skirts or blazers. Eastboy is the most basic brand to buy uniform clothing.
Sailor Uniform
Blazer Uniform
Except during the warmer seasons, girls usually wear sweaters or vests. Unless they have a school sweater or vest that they have to wear, they usually choose one of their own. The most popular brand for sweaters is Uniqlo.
For socks, the main colors are navy, black and white. The most standard length is long socks that come up to just below the knee. But recently socks that come only two-thirds of the way up the calf became the most popular length. If it comes to shoes, the majority wear loafers, either black or brown.
Ribbons and ties are one way to show off your personal taste. There are many different types of patterns and designs.Some schools have their own school bags that students are required to use, others don’t. School bags can be modified and are also a way to show individuality.
School uniforms for boys are called gakuran (学ラン). The name consists of the abbreviations of gakkō (学校 = school) and randa (らんだ). Randa is an old term from the edo period and is a abbreviation for oranda (オランダ = the Netherlands). The color of a gakuran is normally black, but some schools use navy blue as well. They were influenced by Prussian military. The top has a standing collar buttoning down from top-to-bottom. Buttons are usually decorated with the school emblem to show respect to the school.
For Japanese people, school uniforms have a special meaning. They can have a nostalgic characteristic for former students, and are often associated with a relatively carefree youth.
In the western world, especially through manga and anime, Japanese sailor uniform gained certain popularity. For example Sailor Moon, Kagome in Inu Yasha, or Kazuha in Detective Conan. Also several western people use Japanese style Japanese Uniforms for fashionable purpose, such as stunt actor, pro wrestler, crossdresser and metal vocalist Ladybeard, or the French hardcore band “Rise of the Northstar”.
Words used in this article:
青春 せいしゅん seishun (youth; springtime of life)
制服 せいふく seifuku (uniform)
セーラー服 せーらーふく sailor fuku (sailor uniform)
学ラン がくらん gakuran (school uniform for boys)
学校 がっこう gakkō (school)
オランダ おらんだ oranda (the Netherlands)
