It will be my first summer here (I’m in Tokyo now but will move to kansai in September) and don’t know what to expect in term of hotness. Japanese friends told me that is like a sauna and I will need to stay more light as possible with clothes and it is ok if I just wear shorts but they also said me that the average Japanese person doesn’t wear them because is “gaijin clothes style”
I’m a male Caucasian and couldn’t be more “gaijin style” than just being myself but I’d like at least not to be seen as a tourist all the time.
Anybody of you tried wearing long linen trousers in summer? Is it doable?
I’m not too elegant usually I’d just like to appear casual but not too shabby
I’m maybe worrying too much but I’m doing my best to adapt to the society here.
Thank you!
23 comments
My standard for summer clothing is, “As little as possible without getting myself arrested.” Basically shorts and a tshirt all summer.
Uniqlo’s Airism has been a lifesaver lately. I have two of their overhaul shirts, three boxers, and three polo shirts. It’s been helpful during the early summer, but it’ll be a test during the mid and late summer.
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>I’m a male Caucasian and couldn’t be more “gaijin style” than just being myself but I’d like at least not to be seen as a tourist all the time.
lmao I honestly don’t get why people care about this. I’m Asian enough that I get mistaken for Japanese half the time, but I 100% dress “gaijin style” because that’s what I like.
I wear short shorts and crop tops, lots of sleeveless or muscle tees, sunglasses, whatever. Then again, I’ve literally been out and about wearing this kind of clothing _and_ a big camera around my neck and yet been asked “so, are you visiting from Tokyo?” when traveling inaka so I think some Japanese people are really bad at telling Asians apart lol.
As for suggestions, I also recommend airism. Honestly uniqlo is my go-to for most clothing; casual and work.
If anyone knows something like Mizzen & Main here in Japan please enlighten me.
Summer is brutal – work look is near impossible unless the fabric is adapted.
Wear them. All shops sell shorts and people every where them all the time. You’d have to be a fuckin moron to wear pants in summer if you weren’t working.
There’s a website called [wear.jp](https://wear.jp/sp/) where people can upload photos of their outfits. You can search by month, or just type 夏コーデ into the search bar and it’ll bring up a lot of examples of summer outfits that people are wearing with what brands the items are tagged. Often there’s also links to the specific items on zozotown so it’s really easy to buy an item that you like.
Light-colored linen. Clothing that is as airy and loose-weave as possible without being see-through. I carry a fan, cooling body wipes, and drink ice-cold Pocari sweat when I’m out and about, too. Take advantage of any place that has air-conditioning, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Try not to melt.
For men, wearing long shorts, a t-shirt, and sports sandals around your home station, completely normal. Going to a downtown, you look like a touron. I don’t make the rules.
For the latter, I rely on lightweight trousers, nicer leather sandals, and a polo or short sleeved collared shirt, depending on context. Wear an undershirt under a collared shirt: not sleeveless – pit sweat. In fact, when going in and out of heat and AC, the undershirt/collared shirt gives the best temperature modulation, IME.
As I’m white AF, balding, and have already had minor skin cancers, I’ve always got a baseball cap on me if I’m in and out of the sun, a brimmed straw hat if I’m in the sun more.
Finally, the mountains are your friends in the Japanese summer. Take trips above 1500m and feel much better.
The truth is… T-shirt, and shorts is still too hot.
If I could, I would go down to my speedo all day, every day.
Wear natural fibers like cotton and linen, avoid synthetics. Use fresh smelling soaps like Coastal or Irish Spring and keep icy Gatsby wipes in your bag. It also wouldn’t hurt to stock up on plenty of Western deodorant brands.
what about polo shirt and white short. You be like I just came out of golf club and people will treat you with respect
I wear shorts for about 6 months of the year. I don’t care what anybody thinks.
I don’t think it’s style of clothing but the material that gets you with the heat here. If it’s loose, natural fabric in light colors it is better than the opposite. You can go for plain t-shirts of higher quality over graphic tees and wear fashion sneakers over the kind people wear for running, and accessorize with a decent watch and have your hair styled neatly. Shorts are fine with that.
Heat stroke is a very real concern and having a lower tolerance to hot humid weather is what made me stop trying to match Japanese fashion trends early on. I have a different body type than most women I see here on top of coming from somewhere that rarely gets as humid, so even the cuter stuff I see just doesn’t look right on me. Comfort and health over style until you get used to it but deo wipes are a life saver.
Long linen trousers are ok. Shorts even better. Don’t forget sunscreen on exposed skin. Wide clothes everything and in a color that doesn’t show sweat stains too easily.
Chinos are good for summer, especially with some driving shoes/loafers.
But people also wear shorts – I think “gaijin style” is probably the cargo shorts with massive pockets stuffed with . . .christ knows. Or shorts that go down past the knee. Also, maybe, wearing socks, especially white ones, with shorts, so you look like a toddler. Or with sandals/flip-flops even though nowhere near a body of water.
Avoid those things, and you won’t look “gaijin stye”.
Shorts as short as possible, so I can show off my big quads, t-shirts with sleeves that wrap around my sweaty biceps. Underwear is for losers.
It’s fine to wear shorts if it looks like as if you’re going to the beach. That’s sort of the “acceptable” shorts style.
I would recommend wearing short-sleeve buttoned shirt over t-shirt.
Wear shorts. Many guys here won’t because mostly kids wear them and they don’t want to stand out. You aren’t Japanese anyway, so you’re judged differently anyway. Wear a light Heattech t-shirt under your outer shirt….I’m usually in t-shirts most of the year anyway.
And bring a handkerchief or two. You’ll need a sweat rag for sure.
Don’t you know how to dress accordingly when it’s hot or cold ourside already?
There’s a point where you need to decide for youself “Do i want people to think I look good, or do I want to avoid heat stroke.”
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I’ve tried long linen trousers. My canadian self can’t do it. I’m in shorts from june to september/october.
If I wanna look somewhat presentable, I’ll wear “nice” shorts and a button up short sleeve.
Edit: also, I often see japanese people in shorts. I’m not in Tokyo though.
Shorts and t-shirt is generally fine. Shorts and shirt if a little more formal is fine. Pants and polo shirt or shirt if work etc.
As a man I would suggest avoiding sleeveless shirts/vests. I would also avoid synthetic fibers as much as possible – too hot and sweaty. Also, stick to black and white t-shirts etc. if you want to avoid obvious sweat patches.
My biggest tip is using a sun umbrella and wearing clothing that covers from the sun. Makes all the difference. Unrelated to clothes but in case you’re like me and lose your appetite from the heat, I recommend cold noodle dishes like somen since it only boils for 2 min (less heat generated from cooking) and it really helps cool down your body.