ABOUT Regarding formality

What is "formal level"?

To put it simply, "formality" in work attire is the degree to which ceremonial or ceremonial elements are incorporated into the clothing.
For example, whether or not your attire incorporates customary practices in Japanese society, such as "wearing formal attire at weddings" or "wearing a tie at important meetings."
Just to avoid any misunderstanding, it is not the case that "a less formal approach" means that etiquette is not valued.
The "formality" here refers to the "hard" vs. "soft" scale in Japanese business wear customs.
In the Business Wear Guide Map, the level of formality is expressed with a number of stars to visualize it.

By choosing the right business attire for the business scene, you can make a good impression on those around you.
The most important thing is to get a good job.
We hope that this Business Wear Guide Map will be of use to you.

Explanation of "Formalness"

The level of formality varies depending on various factors such as the item, color and pattern, design, material, and style.

Vary the level of formality
Three points

POINT01Color

Black, gray, and navy, which are commonly used in suits, are colors with low brightness and saturation.
These colors give off a calm and solemn vibe, making them ideal for business and other formal occasions.
In contrast, colors with high saturation and brightness are vibrant and stand out more because their color characteristics are more pronounced, so they are often less suitable for business situations.
For these reasons, using colors like black, gray, and navy as the main colors in an outfit will make it more formal, while incorporating a lot of colors with high brightness and saturation will tend to make it less formal.

For example, if a woman wears a navy suit and adds a pale tone to her blouse, or if a man wears a vivid tie, it cannot be said that the outfit is necessarily less formal. Please consider the overall color balance when coordinating your outfit.
POINT02material

The materials used in clothing can be broadly divided into natural materials and synthetic fibers.
Among natural materials, clothes made from wool and silk tend to be more formal.
Wool has a unique firmness and suppleness, while silk has an elegant luster that enhances the formality of the outfit.

Chemical fibers have made remarkable advances in recent years, and some are now indistinguishable from natural materials.
Polyester material that looks like wool or silk is a synthetic fiber that gives a more formal look.
The unique shine and wrinkles of nylon materials, which are also used in sportswear, often give a casual feel.
It may reduce the formality.
Additionally, cotton and linen wrinkle easily, and clothes that are more wrinkled tend to be less formal.
However, shirts made of 100% cotton that have been treated to be wrinkle-resistant, such as with shape-retaining processing, are standard in business situations, and their matte surface gives them a high level of formality.
POINT03Exposure level

If you expose a lot of skin, like with shorts, your outfit will tend to look less formal.
When it comes to tops, items with wide open collars, sleeveless tops, and tank tops are highly revealing and difficult to increase the formality of.
Also, when it comes to pants styles, the length of the hem is an important factor in determining the level of formality.
We recommend adjusting the length to suit the occasion.

Depends on the item
Varying levels of formality

ITEM01suit

First of all, the impression you get will change depending on whether you wear a tailored suit made of wool or a casual suit made of polyester or cotton. A tailored suit is a formal suit with shoulder pads and interlining, and is usually coordinated with a dress shirt and tie.
In terms of color, generally speaking, the more lighter the colors are, the more casual they become.

ITEM02tops

Shirts with collars are the most formal, while knitwear and cut-and-sew tops give a casual impression.
There are various types of shirts, and dress shirts have a stiffener in the collar and are made of a lustrous fabric called broadcloth, which gives them the most formal impression.
Shirts made from fabrics such as denim and chambray have a wrinkled texture and are often worn as everyday wear.
The same shirt can look very different depending on the fabric.
A shirt with a collar is the most formal design in the business world.
Also, a chiffon blouse in a pale color with no collar can make you look more formal.
Knitwear and tops in vibrant colors tend to look casual.

ITEM03shoes

Black leather lace-up shoes are the most formal shoes and are worn for weddings, funerals, and other special occasions.
Slip-ons, loafers, and brown colors will make your outfit more casual.
Recently, wearing sneakers for business purposes has also become a popular style, giving a sporty impression.
Basic color pumps are an easy way to add a formal touch to your outfit.
Shoes that are casual and easy to wear for everyday use, such as loafers and short boots with strong colors and patterns and high saturation, are items that are difficult to make more formal.