How formal is too formal? you ask. Yofuku no Aoyama has the answers.
Maybe you’re starting a new job in Japan. Maybe you’re interviewing for one, or you just have a video conference call with clients in Japan. The questions are the same for all of them: “What do I wear? Should I go full-suit? What does business casual even mean?”
To answer some of your questions, Yofuku no Aoyama, a popular Japanese business wear store in Japan, created a nifty graph of outfit ideas based on your professional situation. Each outfit is rated on a scale of zero to five stars in terms of how formal it is, making it super easy to understand for visual learners.
▼ There are even descriptive notes that tell you the basics of each level of formality.
At the top of the list for women, there are suits with heels, jacket-and-bottoms options, and then some more casual blazers and pants. Level three is likely the “business casual” standard for a lot of Japanese companies.
▼ The further down the list you go, the more colorful it gets.
There are also guidelines for men, because hey, you don’t always need to wear a full-on suit and tie.
▼ Like the women’s style guide, formal menswear is meant to have darker, neutral colors.
▼ But unlike the women’s side, there doesn’t seem to be much color in general.
Yofuku no Aoyama’s guide also has sections to explain the color wheels for each level of formality in more detail, the different types of business wear, and even some bonus outfit ideas for teleworking!
▼ You know, in case you feel like you can’t get away with a dress shirt on top and pajama pants on the bottom.
So if you ever find yourself stressing about what to wear when you’re told to put on something “business casual”, keep this Bookmarked in your browser to use as a reference. With more Japanese companies ditching the traditional suit-and-tie dress codes to get with the times, it will definitely help you out.
Source: Yofuku no Aoyama
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert images: Yofuku no Aoyama
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]
Japanese clothing chain offers an answer to job-hunting suit conundrum
More Japanese workers are ditching crisp business suits for casual and comfortable wear
Mr. Sato reveals his new suit jacket’s hidden, convertible secret
Bloody, ridiculous high-heel requirement for Japanese women at work sparks online movement
Sayonara, suits! One of Japan’s biggest companies ditches suit-and-tie dress code
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
New world’s biggest Muji just opened in Japan, and we paid it a visit【Photos】
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Naruto Shippuden x Maeda Coffee collaboration cafe event is coming to Kyoto this week
Pringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
Say hello to Japan’s new generation of adults, fresh from Kitakyushu’s 2023 seijinshiki ceremony
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese designers create pants to wear without underwear, recommend for convenience store trips
The winter look that drives Japanese men crazy: sweater dress with tights
Bloomberg’s video makes Japanese business etiquette seem way more complicated than it really is
No more neckties! Japanese prefecture abolishes necktie dress code for government employees
9 middle-aged Japanese men come to work in the clothes they’d like their partners to wear
Waitress explains a baffling, annoying part of kimono dress codes at many Japanese restaurants
Japanese fashion brand Heather releases line for people 5 feet and under
High-end Japanese farm wear now available for public consumption
Japanese model’s revealing outfit prompts debate about appropriate Coming of Age Ceremony attire
Muji adds Japanese haori samurai coats to their casual wear collection
“Which hairstyle makes a woman look good at her job?” asks Japanese survey
What’s the point? Young Japanese professionals list five business manners they find unnecessary
For just 5 yen, Amazon Japan’s cheapest possible outfit will have you looking like 0.04 bucks!
Do you dress like Tokyo or Osaka? Study creates one outfit for every Japanese prefecture