I’ve (29f) got a work party next week. It’s my first one. Fairly casual but some ladies said they are “dressing up” but they’re being frustratingly very vague about what they’re wearing.
I’m a casual dresser usually. Back at home, I’d probably wear leggings and a top that doesn’t show cleavage but a little of my décolletage. However I know Japan can be conservative about what women wear and I don’t want to wear something that will give the wrong impression, but I also want to take this opportunity to make myself look nice (I work in catering so I’m usually in a uniform and hair in a bun).
Are leggings a strange thing to wear in Japan? And is showing decolletage too risky?
Thanks.
24 comments
Leggings are work out clothes and usually worn with shorts over them. I wouldn’t wear them to a work party.
What kind of work party is this? My last work party everybody dressed quite nicely even though it was “casual”
Japanese women tend to dress pretty conservatively, even when “dressing up.” Most won’t wear anything really low-cut. They may choose to wear a shorter dress and heels. A seasonally-appropriate color should be fine. Black is too formal for a work party, unless specified. I hope this helps.
When I’m going to be in mixed company, but still kind-of formal, I go for
• Shirtdress with leggings as a base, dress up or down with shoe choice & jewelry
• Wideleg pants, cute sweater
Overall I avoid wearing leggings as pants. I much rather layer them (especially if they don’t have pockets). If you usually have your hair up, wear it down!
Are you saying back home you would wear leggings to a work party? That seems strange to me even in the US…. (Not saying you’re from the US but that’s my frame of reference outside of Japan.)
I think a nice dress or pants with a blouse / nice shirt would be fine.
Exposed shoulders and too revealing neckline is seen as quite sexy so I wouldn’t recommend for a work party. If you want to wear leggings, make sure your top is long enough to cover your derrière and maybe mid-calf to be safe.
Although you’re free to wear whatever you feel best in, Japanese woman would consider showing bare shoulders and yoga pants too be too revealing and embarrassing.
I am assuming you work for a Japanese company or with Japanese coworkers. Please don’t wear leggings or a deep cut shirt unless you want to stand out for the wrong reason. You’re already aware people dress conservatively here, as another commenter said leggings (with something over them even) are seen as work out wear.
If the party is not somewhere particularly fancy I would just wear slacks (not skinny) and a nice blouse/sweater, accessorizing with a belt/necklace/etc.
Rather than reddit (and asking what is probably a majority male sub lol) the best solution would be to take a female coworker you are comfortable with aside and say it’s your first event like this (in a foreign country at that) and ask what the expectation is for dress code. You can even dress up before the fact and snap a mirror pic and show her and ask if this is the kind of thing others will be wearing. It’s OK to not know everything, and I’m sure people will be understanding once they realize you aren’t just casually asking what they’re wearing and are concerned about the situation.
I’m not at a private company and am a public servant. My usual for being around colleagues or students is uniqlo stretch trousers (only thing which works with booty) plus undershirt, button-up collared shirt, and a jumper or cardigan over for this season. Definitely no exposed upper arms or shoulders.
But again that is based on my experience at a rural national uni.
For a more formal thing a dress is fine (with leggings) and a cardigan.
But again, I stress that I am in a rural place and I’m tattooed and the only woman, so I have to be conservative.
Leggings at the party? Are you from the us?
It’s autumn. I’d wear a mock turtle, nice cardigan and work slacks, maybe with a leafy pendant, and I’d style my hair extra nicely. Work parties for me generally were held in a tatami room, so nice socks were very important. Also the ability to sit on the floor without flashing any thigh.
Won’t you be attending shortly after work hours? Most people will attend in their work clothes if it starts at six.
Leggings at a party 😵💫😵💫😵💫 wtf
No leggings and no décolletage. Wide trousers and a nice sweater, fine gauge, or knee length to maxi skirt and a nice sweater would be appropriate. If you search for “wear 忘年会“ you’ll be able to see some outfits on the wear website/ app.
You’re almost 30 and you don’t know how to dress for a company office party?
I’m a guy, and the guy in me appreciates ladies in leggings…but I can’t fathom how leggings would ever be appropriate for an office party in any country…
Imagine a US Xmas party, then dial it back a notch or two and you’ll be fine. You could wear a slightly shorter dress than you would for work, just don’t go for something too short, etc. Just make sure you know what kind of party it is, if you end up at some sit-down place with a tatami floor the dress could be annoying.
If you wouldn’t wear it to work, don’t wear it to a work party.
Depends entirely on your job / industry and especially the party venue.
I’ve been to work parties where everyone went straight from work in their work clothes (traditional Japanese company) at a normal mid range restaurant / izakaya.
I’ve been to end of the years where everyone dressed casual but nice (no tanktops, gym clothes, etc.) – school / construction company / etc izakayas / not fancy resturants.
And I’ve been to work parties in Tokyo held at fancy hotels or expensive restaurants where women got their hair down and were wearing full on Kimono’s or party dresses / evening gowns (business/finance/aw).
no leggins…
People don’t even wear leggings outside or to the gym in Japan. Honestly, they’re skin tight and show everyone your ass crack, so unlike the West, they’re not acceptable outside of the house at all here really. What makes you think they’re appropriate for a work party?
I would wear a long maxi skirt, cute top and have a carigan or whatever. Accessories are a must.
Leggings are generally frowned upon here, although I do very very occasionally see girls wearing them. My Japanese friend compared them to “being naked”.
Everyone here seems caught up on the leggings part but the real answer is:
> **Fairly casual** but some ladies said they are “dressing up” but they’re being frustratingly very vague about what they’re wearing.
Fairly Casual, as in something you wear on a lunch date with someone.
Early Christmas party? What’s the occasion? I’d say play it safe and wear business casual with a cost and nice bag.
I don’t understand all the pearl clutching about leggings. I assume the top in question is dress length and you wouldn’t be wearing the leggings “as pants” but rather as a thicker version of stockings? If so, that’s perfectly fine, even by Japanese standards.
Same comment as everyone else….absolutely no leggings.
For the clothes, any combo of pants/skirt with a blouse/sweater will work just fine. Add in some accessories and put some effort into your hair and you’ll be fine. Personally, I wear what I think looks cute not necessarily what a Japanese woman would wear because I am not Japanese. Being respectful of what is usually worn goes a long way and allows you to put your own spin on it. My clothes are generally more wild than the average Japanese woman but I always make sure my chest is put away and my tattoos are covered. About your chest being exposed, for reference, I hate a fully buttoned shirt but everytime I leave the top button undone I get endless comments about missing the button. Honestly, check out Uniqlo for some inspiration. It’s pretty basic stuff but looks nice and put together. You can pick up a sweater dress or shirt dress for probably 4,000. If you are close to a mall you can get something really nice in total for less than 6,000. Don’t underestimate a place like GAP either. [https://www.gap.co.jp/gap/cashsoft-turtleneck-midi-sweater-dress/792851016.html?vid=1&tid=gjpl000019&kwid=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjfyqBhAsEiwA-UdzJMx5zAsGUeu48cr5xraAa4kJ-Zg7yBLyGm426mn8lhzHUELjtbUqEhoCKvcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds](https://www.gap.co.jp/gap/cashsoft-turtleneck-midi-sweater-dress/792851016.html?vid=1&tid=gjpl000019&kwid=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjfyqBhAsEiwA-UdzJMx5zAsGUeu48cr5xraAa4kJ-Zg7yBLyGm426mn8lhzHUELjtbUqEhoCKvcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) Something like this would be great with a belt and some jewelry. Simple but put together.
You wouldn’t catch me using workout clothes if I’m not working out. Much less to a party. Even less to a work party.
No leggings. No decolletage. Nothing too form fitting either.
Of course there are variations depending on your work environment, your company etc, but generally speaking, the amount of skin and shape appropriate to show is significantly less than the US or Europe, for instance.
First off, what type of company is it(what field) and what’s your position. Also, what’s the occasion?