Nanchatte tips

     It gets cold in Japan too. Many schools with uniforms have both a summer and winter uniform, with sleeve length and fabrics adjusted accordingly. In some schools, the winter uniform looks completely different from the summer one!

       So, how can you combat the cold while wearing nanchatte? Let’s start with modifications you can make to your wardrobe.

       The obvious answer is this: LAYERS! Long sleeves, sweaters, vest, cardigans, and blazers will all keep you a lot warmer and still read as nanchatte. Duffle coats are popular choices for girls in Japan. Always take a look at what fabrics are used in your clothes - materials like wool will keep you much warmer. Long sailor skirts are also always an option!

       Legs are also a big problem in cold weather. If it’s not too cold, wearing your usual socks over sheer tights or pantyhose will keep you a little warmer. Wool socks can also keep you very warm. If it’s extremely cold, fleece lined tights are the way to go here. You can buy faux thigh high or knee high tights places like TaoBao!

       But what about shoes? Contrary to popular belief, loafers are NOT your only options here. Uggs are a very popular choice for many girls in Japan, especially if it’s not particularly wet outside. They make “waterproof” Uggs, and there are also sprays you can use on regular Uggs to make them more resistant to water.

However, Uggs aren’t your only choice. As long as your boots are warm and cute, they should work!

       Accessories like hats, scarves, gloves, and earmuffs will keep you looking cute and warm. Again, TaoBao is a great place to check. You can sometimes even find scarves matching your skirt’s plaid!

       Some less “fashionable” ways to stay warm are wearing an undershirt, or a heating pad on your back.

Learn to sew 

How make patterns from your clothing

Clothing 

Turn a tshirt into a seifuku

Seifuku 1 | 2

Button-up

Polo

Pleated skirt 

Sukeban skirt

Vest skirt

Sailor dress

Cardigan

Sweatervest

Sweatshirt

Hoodie

Varsity/letterman jacket  

Blazer

Hooded cloak (think capelet)

Bloomers

Accessories

Ribbon tie 

Necktie

Chocomint-style star hair clip | Fuzzy

Beret

Duffel bag

Hair with hats https://violetlebeaux.com/2014/05/14/6-hairstyles-wear-hats-hair-tutorial-inspiration/

Chin- to shoulder-length hair:

Curl inwards at ends https://youtu.be/w_hY-0BeqRQ

Gyaru hair https://youtu.be/gRSz_wYgYJY

Two gyaru styles https://youtu.be/bYA0Q0M0xAw

Two more styles https://youtu.be/WF_66XEd6JQ

Eight(-ish) styles https://youtu.be/I6aBt9rnfpk

Long hair:

Bear ears https://violetlebeaux.com/2014/03/14/bear-ear-hairstyle/

Curler waves https://youtu.be/xWjDtr5E8WI

Half-up half-down french braid(s?) https://youtu.be/LrQGi-TRnl0

Heart-shaped corset braid https://youtu.be/VT9EWLZj298

Heatless waves https://youtu.be/pGb_1WIJdbg

Looped braids http://poupee-sapphira.blogspot.com/2011/05/looped-braids-hairstyle-tutorial.html

Rag curls https://old.passionatehomemaking.com/2011/12/frugal-festive-hair-for-your-little-girl-or-you.html

Ribbon braid https://violetlebeaux.com/2014/12/19/simple-ribbon-braid-hair-tutorial/

Sheep horns (sorry, I couldn’t resist) https://youtu.be/oZfHLYTfDqQ

Waterfall braid http://www.oncewed.com/diy/waterfall-braid-wedding-hairstyles-for-long-hair-2/

Two styles https://youtu.be/7l9yUgDp1dg

Two more styles https://youtu.be/E69gLkOzdVU

Two more more styles https://youtu.be/iKj6eDJMUH8

Three styles https://youtu.be/EtOBFYSY6rg

Three more styles https://youtu.be/5LHnIaR_yoA

Four styles https://youtu.be/dOHM7EhzmNk

Five heatless styles https://youtu.be/cLJGgBa4jSI

Seven styles https://youtu.be/I6aBt9rnfpk

Nine styles https://youtu.be/FpT6hkCs52U

Part one: Tops

There are two main categories of tops: shirts with a sailor collar, and shirts with a folded collar. Both styles have long or short sleeves.

For folded collar shirts, pale colors are best. Shirts can be polo style or button-up style, though polo shirts can have a sportier feel and can be darker in color if desired.

Now for sailor shirts. Brighter and darker colors are much more common in sailor shirts. While the most common (and accurate) colors are white, blue, and black, more liberties can be taken with sailor shirts than with button-ups.

Part two: Bottoms

Pleated skirts, solid or plaid, are the go-to for nanchatte. Skirts can be pretty much any length, and should be worn on the natural waist.

There are also vest skirts, also called jumper skirts. These vary in length as well.

In addition to those, there are also one-piece uniforms like seikafuku style and bolero style.

Part three: Socks

You have a lot of options when it comes to socks.  Just-above-ankle, calf length, knee length, over-the-knees, tights, tube socks, and baggy kogal-style socks are all acceptable. The most common colors are white, black, and navy but other colors can be acceptable as well, depending on the outfit. Logos on the side are a nice touch. Shorter socks on top of tights is also a popular look.

Part four: Shoes

The classic shoe for nanchatte are brown or black penny loafers. They’re the most widely-worn shoe, both in nanchatte and at actual Japanese schools.

There’s also the option of mary-janes. They were popular for uniforms in the 80s so they have a retro feel.

A Korean trend that has been becoming more and more popular is to wear sneakers with nanchatte for a sporty look. New Balance and Adidas are two popular brands.

Part five: Sweaters

Layering is a very big part of nanchatte. Cardigans, sweaters, and vests are all popular outerwear. They can be button-up, zip-up, or pullover style. Often they are purchased one size too big so they can be worn oversized. V-neckline is best.

You can also layer a hoodie or sweatshirt on top. It’s even common to see them under blazers!

Part six: Blazers

Blazers are a staple of nanchatte. They are typically navy or black, but can be any color. They can be fitted, or be more boxy.

Part seven: Accessories

Now for the best part!

There are many types of sailor scarves, ribbons, and ties. Pick whichever you think looks cutest!

For bags, there are a few common styles, like the duffel bag, and the briefcase bag. Randoseru are bags designed for children, but they can look cute with nanchatte!

Part eight: How to match colors

I would recommend having only up around three colors in one coordinate. This creates harmony within the outfit. Socks, shoes, and accessories like bags don’t have to match, but think of it as bonus points if they do. Here’s some breakdowns of coordinates:

Part nine: Don’ts

While delicate embroidery on a seifuku is fine, stay away from galaxy printed ones and other similar jarring patterns and prints.

Make sure your pleats aren’t stitched down at the top - this style is not common in Japan. Knife pleats are much more accepted than box pleats.  

Stay away from frilly socks and sheer tights. Be careful with printed socks - argyle and other neutral prints are okay, but most other prints, like horizontal stripes. can come off as costumey.

High heels are not usually appropriate for nanchatte, but loafers with a small heel are fine.

And remember: Nanchatte is not a costume, it’s a fashion.

In the 1960s, many high school students became unhappy with their uniforms and rebelled against the school system. As a result, many schools loosened their uniform policies or did away with them altogether. 

Since school uniforms first became widespread in Japan in the 1920s, students have been modifying and putting their own take on school uniforms. The sukeban girl gangs of the 70s wore customized seifuku, often with long skirts to symbolize their resistance to being sexualized. In the 90s, kogals mixed the rising gyaru fashion with school uniforms, and shortened the skirts to symbolize their control over their own bodies.