About

Sailor Fuku (Japanese: セーラー服, lit. Sailor Suit) is a common uniform style worn by female students in Japan. The outfit traditionally consists of a blouse featuring a navy style collar, a neckerchief or bow, and a pleated skirt; however variants do exist depending on school and region. Many schools tend to have summer and winter variants of the uniform, featuring different sleeve lengths and colours. The clothing appears regularly in anime and manga series, most-notably in a school setting.

Origin

The Sailor Fuku was introduced in 1920^[1] at the Heian Jogakuin University, and in 1921 by the principal of Fukuoka Jo Gakuin University, Elizabeth Lee. The design was modelled after the uniform used by the British Royal Navy, which Lee had seen while as an exchange student to the United Kingdom.

Spread

The outfit has since become widespread across Japan since its inception, having been introduced to elementary, middle and high schools. However, in recent years some schools have opted for using western styled uniforms instead. Due to its prominence in the Japanese educational system, it is very commonly seen being worn by characters in anime and manga series, especially in series that take place in a school environment. The uniform has been adapted in various series where alternate clothing styled on it is used. A notable example of this use is in the Sailor Moon series. Other forms of media (e.g. music videos) have also been produced about the clothing; such as the opening song Motteke! Sailor Fuku for the anime series Lucky Star. A Tv Tropes page^[2] which focuses on the attire has been created.

Various Examples

Search Interest

References

^[1] Sailor Fuku History – Uniform Museum

^[2] TV Tropes – Sailor Fuku