How many business suits will I need while working in Japan?
Timmy H asked:
I will be working in Japan for 3 months, where the dress code is conservative business professional. How many different suits will I need? (also, recommendations on what color/style of suits to buy would be good).
I will be working in Japan for 3 months, where the dress code is conservative business professional. How many different suits will I need? (also, recommendations on what color/style of suits to buy would be good).
I prefer black business suits. Whatever color you like though is your choice. For how many, it depends on are you going to wash them anytime soon. If you wash them everyday, maybe about 3-4 business suits should do you good. If you don’t have time to wash, then about 10 or more. You should always wash your clothes.
Generically, dark blues and greys are common amongst the salary men. My company follows the cool biz and warm-biz guidelines. These are a set of guidelines that ecourages people to dress cooler during the summer and to forego the suits and ties during the summer months. The same deal goes for the winter months, we are encouraged to dress with warm clothes, such as sweater. The reason is to reduce heating/cooling costs and consumption for the whole nation.
When we have customer visits and VIPs, everyone wears suits. I refused to look like the sarariman, so I wear suits that contrast and even differ from the average blues and greys.
Finally, you should ask your counterparts about the dress code.
Three suits should be good. Japanese dry cleaners are very efficient. I used to drop off a suit in the morning on my way to work, and then pick it up on my way home in the evening.
Charcoal grey is most popular, I think. Black is cool, but depending on fit, style and the wearer you might look more like a preacher. . .
I don’t know how big or tall you are, but if you are thin enough you could buy suits in Japan as well. Japanese men seem to have a longer torso and a bit shorter legs than western guys. One thing I have noticed is that most suit jackets sold in Japan either are not vented in the back or have the double back vent (hate it), the single back vent is harder to find. I prefer the basic 2 or 3 button style jacket w plain front pants.
You should wear as many bright colors as you can. The Japanese love that! Dye your hair, too. That will go over well!