Children’s Clothes beyond the Everyday Wear

Abstract

The traditional costume, the kimono, plays until today a large role in the life of Japanese children. The typical message carrying motifs of these dresses kept their meaning until today and allow parents to express their wishes for their newborn baby. At festive occasions children can feel in their ceremonial dress like a little princess or prince and young people preparing for their adulthood are provided with the opportunity to show their own individual style. For self expression such occations play an even greater role as school uniforms are compulsary in the Japanese schooling system. The kimono, that is often used as means for non-verbal communication, is as well worn by adults. Young people, however, can in addition be seen on the streets in other not common clothes referred to as Cosplay or Lolita styles. These have also become a means of self-expression stressing that in Japanese culture clothing, not only in the past but also today, reveals more than everyday wear.