Sailor uniforms, originally a navy uniform, have become an iconic part of Japanese culture, particularly in anime and manga. Girls wear a white blouse with a sailor collar, pleated skirt, black shoes, and knee-high socks, while boys wear smart trousers. The sailor uniform, or seifuku, is the most iconic style associated with Japanese school children, featuring characters like Sailor Moon and Lucky Star wearing the iconic outfit.
The history, design, and meaning of sailor fuku (sailor uniform) are explored, including the types, trends, and history of Japanese school uniforms. The sailor suit-style uniform was introduced in the 1920s to promote gender equality, as boys and girls wore similar clothing. In the 1980s, sukeban gangs began modifying uniforms, leading to schools switching to blazers or sailor suits.
Japanese schools generally require girls to wear a sailor-style uniform, which has been used in animation to create images of youthfulness, innocence, and purity. Sailor uniforms promote unity, community, discipline, and orderliness among students. They are modeled on European-style naval uniforms, first used in Japan in the late 19th century, replacing traditional kimonos.
In Japan, school uniforms are not just clothes; they are symbols of youth, in Japanese “seishun” (youth), and a big part of the country’s culture. Sailor suits were often used for Japanese women’s uniforms, and when physical education began for girls, it was difficult to find suitable uniforms. Personalizing the sailor fuku plays a healthy role in Japanese culture, and uniforms have played a significant role in shaping Japanese culture for decades.
📹 Why do Japanese schoolgirls wear sailor suits?
100th Day Of School • Why do Japanese schoolgirls wear sailor suits? ———- Our main goal is creating educational content.
Why do Japanese girls wear uniforms?
School uniforms in Japan are not just clothing but symbols of youth and a significant part of the country’s culture. Girls in Japan love their school uniforms, known as seifuku (制服), which are typically worn from junior high school onwards. The girls’ school uniform, called sailor fuku (セーラー服), was first established in Fukuoka girls school “Fukuoka Jogakuin” and is modeled after the uniform used by the British Royal Navy. The uniform consists of a blouse with a sailor-style collar and a pleated skirt.
Today, the sailor uniform is associated only with junior high schools, as most high schools have adopted Western-style plaid skirts or blazers. Eastboy is the most basic brand for uniform clothing. Girls typically wear sweaters or vests during warmer seasons, with Uniqlo being the most popular brand for sweaters.
Are short dresses ok in Japan?
For daily sightseeing, clean and neat tops are suitable, but keep in mind the importance of showing skin. Clean and neat pants or new-ish jeans are also suitable. Japanese women typically wear tights, yoga pants, or leggings unless they’re doing yoga or sports. In colder seasons, a layer or two is recommended, while in summer, a light top layer is needed for air-conditioned buildings and trains. New-ish running shoes or casual slip-on shoes are suitable, but ensure they’re comfortable for walking and easy to slip on and off.
Do girls wear skirts in Japan?
In Tokyo, high school girls traditionally wore skirts that reached their knees, a style that is now uncommon. This prompts the question of whether the prevailing norm of shorter, more informal school uniforms in Japan is a contributing factor to the country’s reputation for having a high concentration of individuals who may be perceived as nerds.
Why are sailors pants so baggy?
The pant, a traditional sailor’s garment, served as a life jacket and a life preserver during times of waterborne accidents. It could be removed and swept over the head, providing a life preserver. The blue color of sailor pants was adopted due to Britain’s acquisition of the West Indies and India, which provided easy access to indigo. Indigo was reliable, fast, and inexpensive during a time when color dyes were limited.
By the late 19th century, sail power disappeared, and bell bottoms became a tradition. Sailors wore bell bottoms primarily as a tradition since WWI, but in 1977, the British Navy replaced them with flares legs. Indigo, extracted from the native plant in India, was a reliable and affordable dye. The blue color of sailor pants was a result of these changes.
Why do girls in anime wear short skirts?
Historically, adolescent girls have engaged in the practice of hiking up their school uniform skirts as a means of expressing their disdain for the perceived strictness of the rules that govern their conduct, or as a way of attracting the attention of male peers. Nevertheless, Fruits Basket does not engage in this practice, despite the historical tradition of girls hiking up their skirts for centuries.
Why do Japanese girls dress like sailors?
Gakuran and sailor-style dress have been a part of Japan’s growing modern culture for its formal appearance and concept. These uniforms were based on the Imperial Japanese Army uniform rather than European uniforms, with straight lines on the collar. Home economics classes in Japan up until the 1950s assigned sewing sailor outfits as assignments, with girls sewing them for younger children in their communities.
In the 1980s, sukeban gangs began modifying uniforms by making skirts longer and shortening the tops, leading to schools switching to blazer or sweater vest style uniforms. As of 2012, 50 of Japanese junior high schools and 20 of senior high schools use sailor suit uniforms.
The Japanese junior and senior-high school uniform traditionally consists of a military-styled uniform for boys and a sailor outfit for girls. These uniforms are based on Meiji-period formal military dress, modeled on American/European-style naval uniforms. The sailor outfits replace the undivided hakama (andon bakama) designed by Utako Shimoda between 1920 and 1930. Many schools have moved to more Western-pattern Catholic school uniform styles, consisting of a white shirt, tie, blazer with school crest, tailored trousers, and tartan culottes or skirt for boys and a white blouse, tie, blazer with school crest, and tartan culottes or skirt for girls.
All schools have a summer version of the uniform, consisting of a white dress shirt and uniform slacks for boys and a reduced-weight traditional uniform or blouse and tartan skirt with tie for girls. Students may attempt to subvert the system of uniforms by wearing their uniforms incorrectly or adding prohibited elements.
Why Japanese girls wear short skirt in school?
School hierarchy is influenced by the length of uniforms worn by students. Girls in cheerleading clubs often wear the shortest skirts. School uniforms are the only way students can make a statement, and at puberty, bare thighs are often displayed to emphasize sexual maturity and graduation into the “ladies” category. Students are allowed to wear school uniforms without accessories or makeup.
Why are sailor uniforms so popular?
Sailor suits were popular school uniforms due to their neatness, military origins, and association with order and discipline. They were also adopted as sport uniforms, leisure, and social situations by children and adults. The sailor suit has influenced women’s fashion, with Harper’s Bazaar describing it as the most serviceable all-around frock a girl can have in 1904. A more feminine version, the’sailor dress,’ was popular in early 20th-century America.
Why do royal children wear sailor suits?
The Leeds Discovery Centre is showcasing a collection of Victorian sailor suits, which became popular in 1846 after Queen Victoria made a child’s sailor uniform for her son, Prince Edward. The outfits are part of an exploration of tailors from Leeds and their influence on style and manufacturing over the centuries. Sailor suits are a fascinating early example of how a distinctive outfit worn by a public figure can spark a popular and enduring trend.
Are girls allowed to wear pants in Japanese schools?
In Japan, girls are permitted to wear trousers prior to the implementation of mandatory uniforms in elementary, junior high, and high schools, as well as universities. This is due to the fact that such institutions do not typically have uniforms in place.
Why do Japanese high school girls wear short skirts?
In Japanese school settings, the length of uniform skirts is a significant factor for girls in junior high and high school. The shorter the skirt, the higher the recognition in the school hierarchy system. The length of the skirts can be influenced by the after-school club, with cheerleading clubs often having the shortest skirts. Students are allowed to wear only school uniforms, and their choice of skirts is a way to make a statement. At puberty, displaying bare thighs emphasizes sexual maturity and the readiness to transition into the “ladies” category.
📹 Japanese School Uniforms Explained ★ ONLY in JAPAN
80% of Japanese High School students prefer uniforms. It’s the opposite to western countries – but why? Japanese School …
My father, born and raised in USA. His father from Japan took him to Japan for his college years. I remember him telling me when I was a child that uniforms were good, cannot tell the rich from the poor, everyone wears the same thing. I’m a senior now but he was so right. Great content John, enjoy and appreciate all your hard work in producing quality work. Sue
When I was in high school in Canada, there was a conversation that started about doing school uniforms in school. Overwhelming amount of students actually wanted school uniforms, they felt they would have less pressure about how they look and what they wear to school. But it was the parents that were against it stating that it would take away individual personality and the cost would make it difficult. Except we found that spending $500 for 4 school uniforms would be less than what parents pay throughout the entire school year for clothes on their kids- which averaged about $1000 per year. It would save parents half and would have made it easier for kids to manage social life and feel less pressured about how they looked.
Another thing I noticed about these uniforms is the quality. Even the most simplistic uniforms have pretty good quality. A lot of the school uniforms worn on a daily basis in Australia are pretty cruddy quality wise and unlike the US, nearly every school, public and private, primary and secondary have to wear uniforms. I probably wouldn’t have hated them so much if they were more like this 😅😅
Pros of uniform: no unnecessary wearing competition in school. Cons: if the uniform is designed terribly, that will be painful. I remember my school uniform had 7 copper buttons that had to be put on and tear down every day because it couldn’t be washed, thus unnecessary time spent on the uniform every day. And since the uniform represents the school image (it affects their business), the rules department will go beyond to check if u put on every copper button (2 of the buttons are for the pocket, 2 on the shoulders, it’s wearable without them) and tuck the shirt in nicely, so no wearing freedom is a painful thing too. If u wanna answer on uniform, yes or no, I will say it depends.
Very interesting seeing how the uniform are viewed by the kids in Japan. Here in Montreal (Canada) uniforms have long been a Private School thing, but in the last 10-15 years have become more and more common in Public Schools. They are not very popular with the kids wearing them but their parents do like the simplicity and not having to deal with the fashion rat-race.
7:17 A hundred years ago, in some schools, there was a tradition for upperclassmen to create sailor suits in sewing class and present them to new students. Uniform making by upperclassmen had various purposes and effects, including good practice for upperclassmen to improve their sewing skills, cost savings for new students and their parents, and the formation of connections between upperclassmen and underclassmen.
This really brings me back to my school days. I went to a boarding school in Switzerland, and the uniform was incredibly boring.! A white shirt, a vest, a blazer with the school emblem, a tie and a pleated plaid skirt. Now I’m living in Tokyo and see the students with the cute unigorms esp the sailor fuku, I cannot help but felt a bit envious😊
We have school uniforms here in the Philippines although nothing as cute as the Japanese uniforms. I kinda understand now why school uniforms in anime (especially for girls) tend to be cute or awesome looking as that’s just how it feels like in the real world. If our school uniforms were like that, I’d have wanted to keep wearing them after classes, too! I think it’s cool there’s non-school uniform fashion there too and it also sounds unique! Outside of Japan that’d probably be thought of as some kind of cosplay though.
Such an informative episode. I too had to wear a school uniform although in Malaysia, all schools wear the same colors. It is standardized in the entire country. The students that you interviewed showed great pride in their school identity. And I love that the students seem to want to hold on to their youth!
When I first wore a school uniform (many years ago), it was seen as a chore and wasn’t popular. I was happy to see the schoolboys and girls happy to wear a uniform, and even taking a pride in wearing it. Uniform gives a child a sense of belonging to the school and being a part of it. It also prevents children being in competition with each other by wearing the latest fashions and keeping up with each other, as not every parent can provide their child with the latest trends etc. This is a great equaliser, as it stops less well of families feeling inferior. That’s quite apart from the fact that they look a lot smarter and, in the case of Japanese students, insanely cuter!!! 🥰 I love the sailor style and wish we had it in The UK! Thank you for a great article.
Being a business invitee has been a recent investigation of business terminology with the duty of care. The use of duty has many word sense of law and contract business items. In a formal use of implied contract law the uniform means that representation of the organization has the use of the customary rules. A similar concern has been involved with corporate emblem on business cards, badge pins, and all things corporate. This article does excellent in depth research and analysis with the school uniform to show exact history and representation of the school uniform. Great job John Daub: Only in Japan narrator.
My Jr. High uniform was one of those “boring” just navy blazer type for girls and Gakuran for boys. I dreamed of getting sailor fuku or cute plaid skirts and ribbons. But I went to public high school in Tokyo, and most public high schools back then (in Tokyo) didn’t have uniforms. Those uniforms from Harajuku store are very cute, indeed. In the U.S., I guess you can just wear plaid cute skirt to school if you want to. I prefer the U.S. way, but school uniforms are big part of Japanese culture, so this article was perfect topic to pick up! I love it!!
Aloha John. LOVED this article! When I visited the Hiroshima Bomb Dome and Museum there were many Japanese students there and I noticed they had different uniforms on. I also seen children there as well and wondered if they had the same options as the high schoolers to have a choice on their attire. Didn’t think they did since they all wore the same uniforms.
Uniforms are awesome. Not just a money saver but it makes you more than the brands you may or may not wear or the styles that’re on trend. Uniforms level the playing field and everyone’s an equal. It’s up to you to figure out how to stand out so your personality comes first, not what you wear. Just my take
I respect that the students there like having their uniforms and associating it with school spirit and unity. The comparison to a varsity jacket is spot-on as well. I’ve never seen someone wear their varsity jackets (or any high school merchandise) outside of high school except for events like homecoming and such, but people still treat their high school clothes as commemorative items. Great article! It’s making me wish I had uniforms in high school!
I know of 3 schools, in the Atlanta area, that had serious grades, discipline and crime problems. They went to being an all uniform school. Almost instantly things started to change for the better. Kids no longer felt under privileged for not having the latest styles of clothes. The bullies no longer stood out. A feeling of unity started to grow. Violence fell and grades did go up. This really does end up being less expensive for the parents. Not sure why more schools in the USA don’t adopt this policy.
I am from Ph and we do use school uniforms till highschool too some colleges even. I still prefer uniforms it makes me feel more presentable and proper and the best thing is I do not have to worry what to wear each school day. When I was in college I didn’t have school uniform so I kind of struggle every day just to prepare what to wear.
Very interesting to see how school uniforms are viewed in Japan, and how Japanese teenagers view themselves. There was a lot of reference to the uniforms being ‘cute’. I’ve not sure many European or N American kids would want themselves or their clothes to be thought of as ‘cute’ – certainly past 9-10 years old! A big argument for school uniforms in the UK is that they are low cost, and eliminate the concern that kids wearing their own clothes would compete to wear the most expensive – or outlandish – outfits. But clearly that’s not the case in Japan. I’m not surprised how expensive they are as the manufacture looks very labour intensive. If you polled British school children I’m sure the numbers would be reversed – more like 80% against uniform!
Uniforms are a little expensive, so I sometimes get them from neighbors or buy them at second-hand markets. Since it has been treated with care, there is often no problem even if it is old. In particular, female students these days are sensitive to fashionable uniforms, sometimes give harsh opinions, and dress well. What’s more, these girls are putting effort into how much of themselves they can bring out within the confines of their uniforms, and they seem to be enjoying it.
As a Filipino student, I’ve always been so jealous of how cute Japanese school uniforms are!! Since it’s hot here, we don’t really have much options for our uniforms. A lot of schools here are Catholic, too. So you don’t really get much customization and they’re very strict about it, especially about skirt length. I’ve also never liked the plaid patterns they use here. They tend to be garish and aren’t cohesive at all!!
I think a lot of the perceived benefits explored within this (excellent) article of uniforms come from Japanese culture being very unique. I live in the UK and we wear uniforms all the way through primary and secondary school (also at sixth form if you attend) so from 5-18 years old. While having a uniform certainly alleviates the pressure on wearing the latest and greatest fashionable clothes to be cool, kids just find other ways of judging each other. The brand of school bag and shoes that you wear for example are often used as a way of judging others instead. Also, and I think this is where Japanese culture is unique, wearing a uniform feels like a chore here – it certainly isn’t a bonding experience it’s just something you have to do! One of the downsides, which is kind of covered in this article too is the sheer expense. It often costs many £100s to fully kit a child out with their uniform for the year and it’s only able to be worn at school. At least money spent on normal clothing in countries that don’t wear uniforms is better spent as they’re clothes you can wear at any time. Swings and roundabouts I think, though I generally do favour uniforms over normal clothing at school, I always felt like it sets the mood for learning. Non-uniform days always felt like non serious school days.
It’s interesting seeing how people in Japan love their uniforms. In my country, where most if not all students wear school uniforms, it is a maturity thing. When we were young, we felt confined by our uniforms, and thought that it limited our ability to express ourselves. As we age, we more understand that the uniforms unite us. Now as a third year, we see our uniforms as a proud expression of our love of our school and our harmony with the other students. I am glad to see that they seem to have such a mature attitude so early on…
I went to a school in Australia that had strict uniform requirements. If they were not adhered too, students would face “detention” (which meant staying back one hour after school had finished). At the time, as a rebellious teen, I hated having to wear a uniform everyday and often spent my afternoons in detention, haha. It wasn’t until I entered the corporate world that I appreciated the lesson I was, unknowingly, being taught (our external is a representation of our internal)
U.S. students wear uniforms while representing their school as athletes & cheerleaders. Some U.S. schools do have uniforms. I went to a private Catholic school during my formative years, for example. Some companies provide uniforms or partial uniforms for branding & marketing purposes. Militaries use uniforms for identification and unit cohesion.
As a punk rocker from middle school through highschool in advanced studies from a poor family with an absent father who later died my sophomore year, I vehemently opposed the actual meta of the audacity of a survey even being proposed by student council because I had already cut my own path as a Jazz musician at that point; however, I feel like America needs a bit of a cue from Japanese culture about wiping the slate of classism in wardrobe indicators to let personalities rise above. I wore suits and got mocked by the equivilaent of the “Mean Girls” group of my school with the nickname “old man”. Joke’s on them because they’re now miserable in their againg lives and I apperently have elven blood because I still look 5 years younger than I am. I advocate this River City Ransom classiness and tribal identiy now.
I would love to wear a Gakuran because I like the look of it and experience what is it like to wear one. my favorite Anime and manga Characters wear Gakurans. most important I want to wear a Gakuran as a representation of being a Student in Life ( Jinsei no Gakusei ) even though i am not currently in school anymore. Life teaches us so many things that everyone is enrolled in the School of Life regardless of age, career, where you live, etc…….
In the region where I live uniforms had been used for decades. The uniform colors and tartan patterns (for the girls) are different according to each region, and it also varies depending if it’s a public or private school, so if the student is seen around other places where he shouldn’t be, he would be identified by a security guard or a teacher. Even elementary grade students carry and identification cards for security reasons (and that was decades ago). Uniforms are very cheap so students can buy them by the bulk and they have the school name on the shirt (or blouse) and the logo (if it’s a private school).
Great episode! Japan would not be Japan without those school uniforms, you can see them everywhere, they’re part of this amazing country. I agree with Matt, American and Western countries in general will not accept this as a rule. Sure there are private schools that require a uniform, but the vast majority will never accept it. We wanna stick out, while Japanese people wanna be part of a group. In general, Westerners wanna break the rules more than following them, Japanese are the exact opposite. Neither is perfect, it’s just different life styles.
I wore a uniform from kindergarten until I finished middle school here in the USA since I went to a private school. Personally I didn’t mind the uniform or the other dress code rules, I only didn’t like it when I was forced to wear a skirt on formal days (whenever we had important visitors, it was a mass day which was once a month, when it was open house day, etc) since there wasn’t much for me to do as someone who liked to run around and climb trees in the schoolyard a lot as a kid. My classmates on the other hand usually weren’t pleased, at least the other girls weren’t, but this was mainly because we weren’t allowed makeup or jewelry (a kid once got a warning due to having nail polish). It also didn’t help that apparently there was a weird “war” between the kids at my school and a nearby school that shared the same busses and the uniforms apparently made my classmates targets. Idk, I never took the bus since I lived five minutes away from where the schools in my town were located and could just easily walk there if there wasn’t any rain or snow. But according to a former classmate it included a lot of pranks and punching with little adult intervention.
School uniforms aren’t just in Japan. In the USA, some prestigious universities also have it, in Poland almost every school has it, in England some schools also have it. And maybe elsewhere. It’s not in my Czech Republic, but maybe they would take it at least in those prestigious schools. School uniforms aren’t just in Japan. In the USA, some prestigious universities also have it, in Poland almost every school has it, in England some schools also have it. And maybe elsewhere. It’s not in my Czech Republic, but maybe they would take it at least in those prestigious schools. Mainly, it’s to make sure there’s no commotion at school, because of the difference in clothes, etc.. Maybe even to hiss. Because the rich piss off the poor or vice versa.
MatPat from Style Theory had did a article about the effectiveness of uniforms like social cohesion, sense of belonging, reduced bullying, etc. He concluded the school uniforms fail in all their goals across the board. But speaking as a southeast Asian and grew up with a uniform myself, MatPat’s conclusions are a result of culture clash. America is simply too individualistic to embrace the good side of uniforms.
To be honest I really liked the outfit that you wore, I know that it was a school uniform and all but I wouldn’t mind wearing that normally it was just really sharp. As for the whole uniform culture in Japan I think that it brings the people together and make’s them feel like they are a part of something bigger which can be a good thing but also can be a bad thing at times but overall I think it is good. Great article by the way I like every time I see a new one from you 🙂
Not sure where you are getting that 80% Approval number that you keep quoting but when I taught in Japan, I came across many more students that were jealous of how American Students dressed (at least as they saw on TV and Movies), so much so that I think your 80% claim is complete garbage. Are there students who like it, of course, it is a conformist society, for the most part but becoming less and less as time goes on. But without giving any back up to that number, it’s not at all trustworthy.
We also wear school uniforms in the UK, but they’re quite different to the Japanese ones. We also don’t tend to wear them outside of school, unless you’re going somewhere straight after school and even then they’d often be modified: losing ties and blazers and putting a hoody over the top or swapping school shoes for trainers. Generally the schools will decide on their uniform here, but the students often get a say when the school wants to change it. Our uniforms are slowly becoming more gender neutral, but unfortunately not in all schools – the main criticisms of gendered uniforms are girls being forced to wear skirts (even in winter) and olders boys having to wear ties, but not being allowed to wear shorts in summer. A few years back, a group of boys actually turned up to school in skirts in protest of not having a practical summer uniform. In general I think students either like having a uniform or don’t have any strong feelings towards them – it’s generally the more fashion obsessed students who don’t like them and even then they can custom their uniforms to some extent. The main criticism of uniforms has been the rising costs in recent years, with more and more schools opting for things like logoed trousers instead of plain ones (forcing parents to buy from specialist retailers). Overall though, as long as the school has a sensible uniform, I think uniforms are a better option for less well-off families – children can generally get away with one jumper and one pair of trousers / shorts / skirt a week and items can be easily passed on when outgrown.
I was in th middle. A private school education, but we didn’t have uniforms but dress codes. Dress pants and shoes, no facial hair, collared shirts tucked in, etc. But all of our affiliated sister schools had uniforms. Plus Japanese friends and relatives had the uniform lifestyle experience. Not sure which is preferable, but I think I had it pretty good. A groomed sharp look but stil individualized choice for fashion and style. Hanks Mom an Dad.🤗😹
My middle school had shirt only uniforms, your pants and skirts could be whatever you wanted, they said it would stop bullying but it never did. The school was a public K-8 school, I just spent my middle school years (6-8 grade) there after attending a much smaller K-5th grade elementary public school. I think that the statement of uniforms will stop bullying is false and can give parents and teachers false hope surrounding the topic of bullying. Stopping bullying comes down to how teachers and administrative staff handle student conflicts, if they hold bullies accountable, and how the school culture is to begin with. Edit: on a lighter note, I wish that our uniforms in that school were cuter and maybe full uniforms rather than just crappy navy or white golf shirts, because at least one part of my experience at that school would have been nice.
If the uniforms were as cute as these I wouldn’t have minded wearing them so much in Elementary/Middle school, which is the only time I really had to growing up in the states. All the schools preferred Khaki bottoms, which I hated, and collared polos with awful fabric for the tops. I hated wearing them – especially because the school didn’t really provide more than one or two pairs, so poorer families were allowed to shop for ‘off-brand’ versions at Walmart to still match with the school. This meant all the clothes my mom had to prioritize were in those color schemes, so even my personal wear was school-themed. I was never a fan of the colors chosen, either, so overall having to wear uniforms is always remembered as a negative experience for me. I appreciate the schools in Japan taking student and teacher feedback. It just makes sense.
While having uniforms reduces the need compete for the latest fashion trends, it’s not going to be the first choice in American schools. So much so that they don’t necessarily adopt uniforms, but have dress codes which aren’t as strict. I still find it interesting that the youth desire to wear uniform like clothing on their casual time. But I totally get that feeling of hanging on to their youth while they can before they get old.
I love this website!!! I love the traditionalism of Japan too, and I really hope some day I can come and visit for at least a week to just try to soak in some city life but also definitely some of the country living. If I find John it’s game over, he has taught so many of us so much and no shame, but I’m asking if I can book a day to see some stuff with him.
The Japanese culture makes the uniforms cool, I like the unity and connectivity the youth enjoy from the uniforms. And with the little touches of patter, style and more it can be unique enough for them. And to agree with your buddy, American public schools will never uniformally adopt uniforms. What is a classic line you hear when talking about America, it’s the land of the free (freedom) and forcing everyone to be uniform is so opposite of that freedom and the abilty to stylize/express, there is no chance. The American in me thought a really cool, hip, progressive young male should show up one day rocking one of those hats and capes over his gakuran and be so retro haha silly
The school uniforms are not only cute but they make young girls look beautiful and wholesome instead of dressing like a hooker like in western countries. The uniforms make young men look handsome and dependable. I think wearing school uniforms helps them prepare for adulthood life in Japan where they will likely work in an office where they will have to wear professional business clothes.
I think the differences between Japanese school uniforms and the ones in my country are the Japanese school uniforms are somewhat a fashion statement and something the students could feel proud to parade themselves in, unlike my country’s plain uniform design (unless you attend certain private schools). Who wouldn’t be proud when your school could be identified with your uniform alone? I was quite lucky I got into a private school with our own unique uniform, so when I hang out in the arcades after school and meet other school kids there, sometimes I’d have to ask them first which school they’re from because I couldn’t tell with just their uniforms.
Great article with the bonus, Matt Alt. Lots of research. In the US, private schools may have uniforms for regular and sportswear. Public school, generally government funded, may have uniforms for sport activities only, such as a t-shirt. The pants tend to be their own shorts with a specific color. Since the Japanese children wear uniforms at such an early age, it becomes so natural to wear it and be a part of a group, which carries over as an adult integrated into society. It works “only in Japan”. Merry Christmas to you, Kanae, and Leo.
I would have loved to have Uniforms in my school back in the days as I never cared about what to wear at all and many Kids (like me) were bullied for not wearing super expensive brand chlothes every day …. my father even bought some of those expensive clothes because he was worried (even though I never told him) but I refused to wear those only to be “cool” Regulated Hairstyle and Hair colour is a joke though …. I’d probably be a trouble maker as I wouldn’t care at all about getting my hair done every now and then only to get a proper haircut I also like the GO stuff but these kind of articles are actually much better ^^ thanks John.
I grew up in oakland CA in the 90s. We had school uniforms in a public school. I grew up and later learned that school uniform was enforced, because it was the getto and also had a lot of diverse races and foreign families. A lot of poor families were given free uniforms or discounted. They didn’t want bullying of kids who had clean new or dirty ragged cloths, race fights because of culturally different clothing, or class fights between rich and poor kids because of quality of clothes. A lot of kids didn’t like the uniform. I heard about other countries also enforcing it and figured it might have been the same reasoning. Interesting to learn that Japanese schoolers actuallly like their uniform, get to be part of its design choices, and the unity aspect of it.
My family lives in the United States. My daughter has been going to a charter school for 5 years. Starting in 5th grade and now in 9th grade. The dress code is the same for elementary, middle, and high. A collared three button shirt with the school emblem. This also applies to vests and jackets. Pants are either black or khaki with no extra pockets. Skirts are the same colors below the knee. Though it has been an added expense there are uniform exchanges that help to reduce the cost. As a parent I have seen many benefits and truly the cost is no more than buying standard clothes for school. As a child I attended a private school for a time that had a strict dress code but no uniforms. I think it would have been better to have a uniform as I regularly saw students getting written up for one item they were wearing. My daughter does not complain about her uniform. Not sure if there is a connection but her school seems far better behaved than a regular public school.
As an exchange student from Europe to Japan, I LOVED my uniform. Every morning, my host-mother would provide a fresh, clean, pressed shirt. I never had to worry towards the end of the week whether I had enough clean clothes, I never had to think about what to wear in the morning, never had to worry whether things matched or looked good together, I knew I wouldn’t get bullied because of my clothes, and I could sleep longer knowing I could pull on my uniform with sleep still in my eyes and get dressed without thinking much about it. I did make a mistake in the spring when the weather got warm. Did you know there is a set date on which students change from winter to summer uniforms and back? That’s not up to you, whether you feel too warm or too cold! No, the school rules tell you when to switch and that’s it!
Fascinating, I never realised it was such a thing there, this style of uniform, I just thought it was a fashion thing. Here in Ireland just about all schools wear a uniform, and often include a tie – the standard sort, never with a those bows, cute though they are! Think of the Derry Girls and you’ll get the idea 😅 my first thought when I saw the sailor collars was how Edwardian in style they are. I’m in my 50s now but I loved wearing my school uniform back in the 80s – no stress about what to wear to look stylish or cool each day, everyone wore the same and it made life easier with my own kids too!
In India, uniform is a much from Primary to Higher Secondary School i.e., starting from Nursey or KG-1 upto Class 12. In Private schools what Uniform are to be use are decided by School owner or Committee. In Government schools, Government or board decided it. Not only colours but styles are all decided by them and students have nothing to do in uniform except just to wear it. Yes, it is just like an order about of Uniforms for Force, Police and Army, uniform in schools are strictly regulated by the authority in each schools.
Сорок років тому в радянських школах всі носили однакову форму, по всьому Радянському союзі. Для дівчат це було коричневе плаття з білими мереживними манжетами і воротом і фартух – чорний для звичайних днів і білий для святкових. Ще була піонерська форма – сині спідниці і білі блузки, але її ми майже не носили. Коричневі плаття були з цупкої та колючої тканини, яку було важко прати і прасувати, вони були не зручні і часто погано сиділи, якщо фігура не ідеальна. Майже у всіх була лише одна форма на кілька років, ніякої зміни. Я відверто ненавиділа цю форму і зітхнула з полегшенням коли закінчила школу. А через багато років я побачила перше аніме і цю чудову японську форму! Важко було повірити що в іншій країні діти носять такий гарний і зручний одяг! Я знаю, що в комплектах японської форми багато речей для різних пір року і все шиють за індивідуальним замовленням для кожного учня. Чудово, що зараз учні і вчителі можуть долучатися до розробки фроми.
I was required to wear a very strict school uniform in the states in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. And while I liked not having to think about what to wear every day, it never brought me closer to the other students, or made me feel like more of a group. Uniform included leather shoes (black/brown), matching belt, socks/dress pants/tie matching black or dark brown, and a white dress shirt, long sleeve in winter. Girls had the same rule, but mid lower length below the knee) skirts. It has become quite common here for all schools to require uniforms, but these days, they’re typically just sand brown pants, and a pull over white shirt. This is even for public schools here now (in Arizona, USA- I believe it’s to combat gang related issues)
Uniforms are mix in Hawaii. The public schools I went to the Uniforms consist of a t-shirt with the school logo and any kind shorts or jeans. Or, polo shirts. When I went to a private school, the uniform was polo shirt or the school design of aloha shirt with Dickie pants/shorts. Anyway, thanks for the article.
I grew up in Brazil and pretty much all the schools I’ve studied had uniforms from Kindergarten to High School. Granted that was so many years and then upon moving to the USA … i nowadays don’t even pay attention, but the few times I’ve seen students on YouTube some schools seem to have opted out or leave to the students if they want to wear. Only been obligatory for specific schools celebrations. I know that certain private schools still keep the tradition though cause I’ve seen couple second cousins wearing uniforms on photos, not too long ago. But again from my personal experience/ memory I don’t recall myself and other kids ever liking wearing uniforms. Even though I wore many uniforms from the dozen schools I’ve transferred from moving through the years, I don’t recall ever liking. My last school where I spend most of my high school years, on Wednesdays, we were allowed to wear regular clothing. As it was expected that anyone that didn’t have cleaned /extra uniforms to wear throughout the week had a chance to wash them. On my last year of School it was also a tradition that we could make a special shirt with a slogan and or a personal design of our class. I was picked to design my classroom shirt as I was known to draw anime style and people like my drawings. My mother still have that shirt😅 Ps … in Brazil different than the US, the teachers go to the classrooms, the only class we had separated was either English or Spanish. High school students can pick one or the other and the class switch rooms for the foreigner language class.
Interesting episode, especially the design and manufacturing segments. The military/naval styling definitely gives a unique feeling. In the UK we have uniforms but they’re all fairly similar, just different colour palettes. The sailor fuku in particular have lots of areas for different colours, where here it would just be the tie or maybe the skirt, blazers are usually a single flat colour with an emblem, and shirts are always white with plain buttons. In sixth form the uniform follows business regulations, so you’re free to express yourself a bit more. The difference between summer and winter uniforms aren’t all that well defined here either, it’s usually just whether you wear a jumper or not, what color tights are worn, and whether taking off your blazer is acceptable. The quality shown in the article is really impressive, I don’t know if it’s just because these are high end uniforms, but the fabric looks really nice and seems comfortable, which isn’t really the case for the school specific uniforms here, which seem to be mass produced with a focus on value rather than quality.
It’s been a long time since I was school age, but unless things have changed drastically, at least in the US, students are judged 100% by their wardrobe and treated accordingly by their peers and everyone else. That is a fact. I grew up lower midfle class and was judged for my Toughskins and Wranglers while the well off kids wore Jordache and IZOD. If uniforms eliminate that classism and level the field so that all students are judged on merit rather than economic class that’s a strong argument for uniforms. And if uniforms instill a sense of identity and pride in their school, and by extension academics, even better.
I wore a school uniform from 6th to 12th grade in the US which I loved! I genuinely miss it and the feeling I would have of looking professional and cute at the same time. My school had more flexibility where we could choose different skirts and polo colors among a variety given, so there was still a bit of room for personal choice. It was much easier in the mornings knowing what to wear and I did have the same feeling that the students described about enjoying their youth. I’m in college now and find myself trying to think of ways that I can incorporate a similar concept into my wardrobe now! <3
This was a nice and informative article. Involving some students was a good idea. Interviewing the manufacturer was another plus. I truly hope that Japan never changes these standards and keeps with what has served them well for over a century. Especially, since the end of the war. I am all for adopting the uniform culture in the USA! Many of the advantages that they offer you missed completely. In fact, you could do an hour long article and not cover it all. A few prep schools may still have uniforms but, not many. It used to be that nearly all of them plus all major colleges had them. Even in public education dressing clean and neat was a requirement in the 50’s and 60’s. Now, looking like dumpster trash is even too high scale for American schools. The accelerating decay of society is to blame. Technically and socially Japan is far more advanced than America and makes me envious that I am not a young person growing up there now. Unfortunately for me I am about 55 years too late. It is an established fact that Japanese schools and students are magnitudes above anything in America which is why Japan is number two in the educational world while America is closing in on the bottom of the scale quickly. I would not be surprised to see that Somalia pulls ahead of America in the near future. So many of the kids graduating today can’t even tell time or make change for a dollar yet believe they should be top shelf executives immediately upon graduation. The country has severe problems and the indoctrination system that replaced the educational system is a large part of those problems.
I guess I have to thank our ‘time’ with Japan for uniforms in our schools, but the uniforms style here are kinda bland with ugly colors. Only private schools have cuter uniforms. The material is also not very good compared to Japanese ones which I heard often use premium and long lasting material. Personally I like gakuran for males and blazers for females with tartan skirts
There has been a huge increase in schools that wear uniforms in the US that has come along with the booming popularity of charter schools. In my area most of them are very simple: a polo shirt, either white or school color, and navy/black/tan slacks or skirt. Shoes and socks don’t tend to be restricted except for color, though. I think the US could learn from Japan in that students should have input into the style of the uniform. I absolutely adore the button-up and light cardigan style uniform for girls. A uniform shoe would be nice as well, because a lot can be told about someone from what brand of shoe they wear, and teasing is definitely an issue around it here. I do think that it’s great that some Japanese schools are adopting a unisex uniform, offering more flexibility like the charter schools here have. Some of us just don’t like wearing skirts very much, let alone every day. If I lived in a cold climate I’m sure I would like them even less. Having gone to schools with no uniforms, I wish I had, because being teased for what you like to wear or where they came from is a huge detractor from the focus on studying, and it would have been nice just to not have to deal with it.
I went to a high school with uniforms and it’s followed me into adulthood. I have an adult uniform consisting of multiples of the same. If I need pants I get 4 identical pairs, same with sweaters and shirts. Sometimes my uniform changes a bit if I can’t find the same make and model of pants or sweater for example but it’s always all black everything. I couldn’t imagine having to pick out an outfit everyday. I get up and can just get dressed. And no one has ever asked me if I wear the same thing everyday because I have multiples of everything and I’m not smelly or anything like that haha.
This was a pretty interesting article. Although that girl in the pink uniform was kind of low-key dissing her friend’s choices. It’s okay to want to be plain and not stand out so much! I seem to remember that when I was in high school (not Japan though) we were allowed to give input on one aspect of our uniforms – whether to keep or ditch a coloured liner for the collar. On the one hand, it was certainly distinctive to our school and made our uniforms stand out; on the other hand, I really thought it looked kind of fugly, and voted accordingly. I got outvoted. I guess group identity is a pretty big deal.
As a Brit I had to wear school uniform. It certainly did allow people to identify which school you went to, which allowed for inter-school violence. Did it mean that it didn’t matter if you were rich or poor. Nope, everyone still knew. What car your parents’ drove, the area you lived in, where you went for your summer holidays. No uniform can fix that. It most certainly didn’t give me a sense of belonging. It had the opposite effect and was as often as not a means for bullying. Rules were not enforced fairly.
School-Uniforms nearly have only positiv aspects to them. Not only the Unity of a Group but also to lessen the differance of a high or low income family. Also most of them will wear some sort of Uniform in theyr Life too. Be it at the Workplace or in theyr Freetime to match theyr circle they belong too.
Having school uniform would be a nightmare for me. Not becouse I have to wear the same as everyone else or something like that. Instead becouse everyone else wears the same thing. I have a visual disability that makes it so that I lack the ability to recognise faces. That means that to recognise people I havily rely clothing and hair style to recognise people. If everyone else wears the same thing it would become impossible to do this. I am genuinely curious how Japanse people with similar disabilitys deal with that. I assume they make al students wear name plates or something.
Interesting, first time that a article included uniform construction, fron bolt to finished product. As to the US adapting such a program, not likely; too individualistic for that…except maybe Private or Parochial schools (was in one through 5th grade, admittedly felt out of touch starting in 6th grade, my 1st year in public school). Moreover, they create a sense of belonging, and reduce, though perhaps not eliminate, bullying…everyone wears the same thing, nothing to compare and ridicule to, clothing wise. Great overall!
Love the idea, when the students feel pride of their uniforms a sence of purpose, it gives them a proffesion. Their profession is student. Its great, all students look the same, theres no rich vs poor. It saves them the wear down on their civilian clothes. It causes them to focus on school more, it reduces fights and violence. Everyone incorporates the idea that they are in school for a purpose to learn. I like it . And more importantly the kids like it too. I think as an American our country has gotten soft through less sacrafice and more liberalism over time. Theres more of a instant gratification attitude. People havent had to work hard or sacrafice over time and students are able to wear what ever they want. I dont like the way it divides children and makes an advaserial realationship with other students. I was poor had basic clothes, was made fun of a lot, the few times I wore something nice, i had to get in fights because someone else always wanted to take my nice clothes away or ruin them. The Japanese are smart people and have got this correct, i think America should do the same dame thing.
I wore uniforms at 2 of the 5 schools I attended and I did not like the uniforms of the first one. First, because the uniforms weren’t strict, we all were dressed wildly differently from each other. There were 3 options for shirt/blouse colors and no rules for shirt cuts. The pants, skirts, and jumper dresses could be navy or beige. We might as well have been wearing whatever we wanted with that lack of cohesion. Though, that did make the uniforms cheaper. Second, one of the shirt colors allowed was YELLOW! It was not a good look with beige or navy blue. At the second school I attended that required uniforms, the rules were stricter. Navy blue was the only option for pants/trousers. All shirts were white. Girls under 10 years old had the option of wearing pants or jumper dresses. Girls 10 and up could choose between pants and skirts. Boys wore belts. The skirts and jumpers were all the school’s specific plaid. Though the narrow dress code made uniforms more expensive (especially for girls), parents could buy their kids uniforms used from other families. I liked the distinct uniforms of this school better. My mom used to buy my trousers 2 sizes too big. She would take them in at first and then let them out as I grew. Other kids would go through 3 pairs of pants in the time it took me to get through 1. Then they would go to my younger sibling.
Having gone to Catholic Grade School,and a military high school,in my youth,uniforms were de riguer,and appreciated! Parents didn’t have to spend money on keeping up with the latest styles,from the Seventeen magazine and you could let the hems down on the skirts,and trousers,as the children grew! Anyway,the only side effect that happened to me,while in High School,was being mistaken for a doorman,because I was wearing my super heavy,horseblanket overcoat! Those were rare,and now interesting days! And you know,it seems girls are more alive when they are in uniforms,as their real personality can be seen,and appreciated! It does make a difference,since they can concentrate on the inner,rather than the outer! Self discipline built in!! Thanks for the forum! Thank you 😇 😊!
These look better than the standard walmart button up t-shirt and kaki pants I was required to wear in a California school once. now i go to a high school located in the state of Washington, And I am quite happy that here I have the liberty to wear whatever I want as long as it is appropriate, since there is no required school uniform here
As a student in Vietnam back in 60s, 70s, we, mostly private schools and some public schools, wear uniforms. Elementary students had short pants, short sleeve shirt for boys; girl wear skirts (plead and no-plead) about mid-thigh. As students getting older, boys wear pants with short or long sleeve. Meanwhile, girls wear pants or below the knee skirt with plead or no-plead. Young men mostly wear pants while the young lady mostly wear “áo dài” (long flowing dress with split on both sides at the waist) with flowing pants. Colors of choice are limited to black, white, sky/ocean blue, navy with some varies of darkness and lightness. Usually, one’s name got sewing to or name tag on your left upper chest. School name almost never just a tag/badge but sow into the shirt on the right upper chest.
Catholic elementary and high schools in the Philadelphia area in the 1960s had school uniforms. That practice has unfortunately faded with time. Some of the workarounds were creative. The high school girls had winter and spring uniforms. Although the winter ones were a thick fabric, it was still cold for them waiting at the bus stop on a cold morning. The creative solution was that the girls would wear jeans under the uniforms that they would remove once they got to school. The practice was considered heretical at first but quickly gained acceptance.
Growing up I always wanted to wear the Sailor style uniforms. I loved the different ones in Sailor Moon! I also felt like it would be easier to fit in when everyone wore the same thing. You wouldn’t be judged by how rich or fashionable you were. I also fell in love with Kagome’s uniform, just wished the skirt was longer or she wore shorts to make it believable.
Thankfully, our schools here in Australia have school uniforms. I definitely like the idea of a school uniform. It gives the student a sense of belonging & it gives the school an identifiable ‘character’. It also relieves the student of being bullied from others if s/he doesn’t have lots of different ‘likeable’ clothes to wear each day.
The fact that students have input is interesting, but I wonder how true that is unless every incoming year there is a discussion as schools tend to gather traditions and the uniform becomes part of the schools identity and without a tradition of renewing the look periodically, there will develop a unwillingness to change.
One of the things, if not one thing that’s nice about having to wear school uniforms in grade school (especially high school for teens) is that 1) less school expenses (parents don’t have to buy them new (set of) clothes every season/semester/), and 2) they don’t have to stress as much when it comes to what to wear or not much stressing over keeping up with the current fashion trends. You know, feeling left out or ashamed of being seen wearing the same clothes. Growing up in Asia, I used to dislike wearing uniforms from elementary up to high school and I always look forward to days wherein we’re allowed to come to school in civilian clothes on special occasions/events and holidays. But by the time I got into college, there’d be times I wish we have a uniform because of the reasons I just stated above.
I think the uniforms do make them look a bit proper and professional and probably prepares them more for working in companys that also have uniforms. Although im still personally one for comfort, i wore nothing but sweats/shorts and tshirt to school and still do to this day, only throwing decent pants and a nice shirt when i need to attend a family gathering or something work related.
I’m Japanese. School uniform is also said to be an advantage because they make it difficult to see differences between the rich and poor. Children’s clothing can easily visualize their parents’ economic status. That may cause some troubles among children. Uniforms are expensive, but in Japan, a lot of people transfer uniform to their siblings or neighbors. My elementary and junior high school uniforms were given to me by my sister, and after graduation I gave them to a neighbor’s child. I loved my Japanese school uniforms so much that even now. I sometimes miss them a little.
My son went to a school in Arizona that required school uniforms. I liked it because I didn’t have to worry about buying different clothes for him for school. They were simple uniforms that consisted of a polo style shirt and khaki pants. They were also cheap to buy. I personally think all schools in the United States should require uniforms. This would also prevent children being sent home for dress code violations that only seem to happen to the most well endowed girls in the school.
Chiming in from America here I actually wish that we had the school uniform there. Maybe if you had it would be less things I would’ve been bullied about growing up in school. I had enough issues with them for not including white, dressed that students for before maybe if we had school uniforms, that would be one less worry about Boeing that of had to deal with it seem to be equalizers if you ask me and there’s somebody who sends out the code and not because they want to, I could’ve used all the equalizes. I could get a event that included a school uniform, burn off a happy boy for having glasses says being autistic, says having braces learn on the fact is also vegetarian for a while I was born for multiple things out of my control, including my disabilities. Even the ones that were necessary is seen, but what they are and if you knew you knew and I’m passing small school district so everybody kind of knew +ones that were going to get worse over time meeting my eyes. Basically in fact I was born for heaven braces like I got it off the braces, the glasses, the autism all at once and don’t even get me going about the fact I was also short for my age, and didn’t go until a lot later in life and I was being a bit on the heavier set side, probably due to my genetics, unfortunately and partly due to medication and on due to autism Also didn’t help the fact so as of who are short chubby autism had glasses and had braces a school uniform more than as it was giving me one level of equalizing, and it would’ve been a bust reasons for the boys to bully me and put in all the messed up words Because now not only do, I need causes a massive going blind vision can also using speech to text naughty to type this in that mixed with auto correct doesn’t do well sometimes specially when my words are filled with emotion like they are right now, because of how close of a topic, this is for me
When I learned some time ago that Japanese students only uses 1 set of uniform per season, it’s a bitttt of a culture shock like how do they sanitize it? I heard they use good quality fabric sprays. Perhaps it is the cost factor, or the fact that the school bulk orders a certain number of uniform only? Perhaps it is the country’s weather? We also use uniforms in my country and parents usually purchase 3 or so sets of the very same uniform that we wear everyday in the school week. Some do wash and wear. Hence I cant just grasp having only a pair of uniform.
Wow, thank you John. This was really enlightening. In the US over the years some bigger city schools tried doing the uniform thing due to students being attacked and even killed because others wanted their leather coats or designer sneakers etc. I guess it was helpful…for a while. I do like their uniforms. The student seemed proud of their schools uniforms. They too had a sense of belonging. I think it is right and progressive that the schools and teachers want the students input. This perhaps helps with compliance. They all look so sharp. I live in the US. Although it’s been many years since high school graduation we did then dress much less crazy than students these days. Oh well. You look very handsome in your uniform. Thanks
They supposed to wear more jackets because it is they future corporate design slyle for the office, now they can choose maybe between 3 colours for skirts, later on the job interview and in the office they supposed to vanish into the desk completly! Its training for later, and its kind of sad that nobody is mentioning it, it a critic and an alarm, because adults look not just all the same in the black boring suit, they are trained to be nothing and dont dare to be different! A proof for not naturally black hair is a DNA test, that your parents are actually blond etc…. Ajusting and getting used to be the same as the rest of faceless same, its not a trend, its a strategy and plan! No like for missing so may aspects for contra uniforms in general!
I really wish the USA would adopt this uniform wearing in all schools. It would help them feel unified and maybe stop some bullying since everyone wears the same thing. Plus you wouldn’t have to pick out clothes every single day. Less hassle of school shopping. You can express your individuality after school or by accessorizing. It seems most schools here are private that wear uniforms. Very interesting episode
Your filming style John is definitely like a documentary you would see on tv and I like it because it’s just simply factual and informative. I watch other Japan based content creators and one thing that bugs me about many of them is that they add in these weird effects during it which doesn’t really add anything cool in my opinion, more annoying than anything else lol. But I’m glad you don’t do that when I check out one of your vids.
Japanese school uniforms and bags are expensive but made with good materials and expected to last a very long time. So it’s marketed as a one-time purchase and a good investment. I think the uniform rental trend is inspired by a Korean Idol Survival show, Produce 101, which is very popular in Japan. In the show, the contestants are wearing a school uniform with a pink skirt and bright-colored blazer and it’s very cute. Other than that, there’s also a rental uniform store in an Amusement Park in Seoul, Korea and it’s very popular among local and international tourists
Uniforms are better. You do not have to spend time thinking about what to wear every day. Also some people naturally want to dress slutty when going through puberty. Uniforms can help to control that and force u to strictly focus on school and separate school life from everyday life. Most people take their uniform off as soon as they get home. Kids that do not wear uniforms often keep their school outfit on till bed time. YUCK.
The gender free uniform is unfair, the girls will get to wear both but the guys only have one option? Also pants don’t keep you warm in the cold weather, insulated clothing does such as tights that go under the skirt in the winter. What about when it’s hot outside? That’s when skirts are preferred especially when they offer more blood flow in the legs as well as freedom of movement. Its also easier to go to the bathroom with a skirt. Since they use up less fabric shouldn’t they be cheaper to produce? From an engineering standpoint a long skirt is warmer than pants in very cold weather. One hole (skirt) has less surface area than two holes (legs on pants). This means less surface area for heat transfer. Lastly riding a bike while wearing a skirt isn’t even difficult unless it’s a long skirt which can be fixed by just folding it onto the seat. If it isn’t broken then there’s no need to fix it.