Business outfits for Tokyo's summer

July 11, 2008 4:57 PM

I'll visit Tokyo in late August to attend a training course. Business attire is recommended. Help!

We'll visit some Japanese companies and I must dress appropriately, but I'm not used to business clothes. Also, I'm told the weather will be very hot and humid. What kind of clothes should I wear to make a good impression and not melt in the heat? Extra points for shoes and handbag tips.

Google says not to wear revealing clothes, and to be very formal. Would it be ok to wear a short sleeved fitted blouse?

I don't live in the US, so store recommendations are not helpful.

About me: I'm 28 years old (but look younger) and thin. I'm a graphic designer, and I usually wear casual clothes to work. I like to wear skirts and dresses, but I'm not a fan of high heels.

posted by clearlydemon to clothing, beauty, & fashion (6 answers total)

Eh, don't sweat it too much. If you dress to impress, you will fail (unless you have access to expensive tailors); but you will get points for looking like you put some consideration. As for specific details, since I have no experience with high humidity high temperature women's wear, I leave that to others.
posted by madmatx at 5:30 PM on July 11, 2008

Having been to Japan in August, I'd say a fitted short-sleeved blouse sounds great. In fact, fitted everything - look put together and well-tailored. A blouse, a knee-length pencil skirt and a pair of nice shoes with a low heel would be a good choice. Think simple and elegant - no loud patterns or very bright colors, but everything should be coordinated and fit you like a glove.

For shoes and purses, the Japanese love designer attire, but of course you won't want to shell out hundreds just for this one trip. But ideally your accessories should at least be expensive-looking - nice leather, well made, not too many frills. Nice flats or low heels should be fine, everyone walks a lot - just make sure they're formal-looking.

For fabrics, think breathable - it'll be super humid. Cotton, linen and cotton knits are your friends. Bring a light sweater because indoors the air conditioning can be pretty brutal. And enjoy - Tokyo is a great city!
posted by Mr Bunnsy at 5:49 PM on July 11, 2008

I came to say what Mr Bunnsy just said, except I would have said it worse. I usually say "Dress like you were going to attend a friend's church."

Creative Casual dress doesn't realy fly in Toyko, but foreigners do get a little leeway, as do creative professionals. Dress "nice" (no T-shirts, jeans or sneakers) and keep the patterns and colors conservative and you're fine.

(August in Tokyo can be brutal with high temperature, high humidity and no wind. Everywhere indoors is well air conditioned, even the trains. However I still often took an extra shirt with me just in case I pitted out the one I was wearing.)
posted by Ookseer at 6:18 PM on July 11, 2008

Similar to what Mr Bunnsy said, but adding
1) dark colors are expected. colored suits may be okay in some worlds (especially in the US), but black and the darker colors they invented after black are normal in Tokyo.
2) if this is really business attire, don't forget to bring a jacket with that fitted blouse.
3) and kind of contrary to what Mr Bunnsy said, about the shoes, high heels are really the norm, even though yes, everyone walks a lot. Low heel if you really despise the high heel, but I wouldn't advise flats.

(I live outside Tokyo and have to go there for business meetings. I am also a non-business-attire female, so I hear you.)
posted by whatzit at 6:24 PM on July 11, 2008

I'll agree with what whatzit said. There's really only one color suit in Japan, and that's black. And you'll need the jacket. You can probably take it off eventually, if you feel the need, but if you're going to ride a train or a taxi, the air conditioning will be painful. Company offices may or not be depending on how much the company is into "Cool Biz" but you may find yourself cold there as well. Also, you were probably already planning on doing so, but bring your own antiperspirant because Japanese ones are not effective for a lot of foreigners that I know. Don't wear any stockings with holes, even just in the tip of one toe, because you never know when you'll get taken out to lunch or something and have to take off your shoes in front of everyone.
posted by donkeymon at 6:39 AM on July 12, 2008

Hmm, so it's formal as I feared it would be. Oh well, I can't complain.

Thanks everybody, your answers were very helpful! I'm glad black is ok, it's easier to combine. I had read it was not recommended because it's what women wear to funerals, but it's better to hear it from people who have actually been there.

Just another question, is it ok to wear open toe shoes, without nylons, of course? I was planning to wear these shoes.

madmatx, you are right, I'm not trying to impress. I just not want to be "that girl who wore shorts and a tshirt in a meeting" or anything like that.
posted by clearlydemon at 5:21 AM on July 15, 2008