接続詞(せつぞくし)
conjunctions - words that are used to link phrases together
情報を加える // Adding information:
しかも besides
そのうえ moreover, on top of that
さらに moreover, on top of that
そればかりか not only that, but also...
そればかりでなく not only that, but also...
情報を対比する // Putting into contrast:
それに対して in contrast
一方 whereas
他の可能性・選択肢を言う // Giving alternatives:
あるいは or perhaps (presenting another possibility)
それとも or (presenting another option within a question)
結論を出す// Drawing a conclusion:
そのため for that reason
したがって therefore
そこで for that reason (I went ahead and did...)
すると thereupon (having done that triggered sth. to happen)
このように with this (adjusting a conclusion to the arguments given beforehand)
こうして in this way
理由を言う // Giving a reason:
なぜなら...からだ the reason is
というのは...からだ the reason is
逆説を表現する // Expressing a contradiction:
だが however, yet, nevertheless (contradicting what one would have expected)
ところが even so (spilling a surprising truth)
それなのに despite this, still
それでも but still (despite a certain fact, nothing changes)
説明を補う // Amending one's explanation:
つまり that is, in other words (saying the same thing using different words)
いわば so to speak (making a comparison)
要するに to sum up, in short
説明を修正する // Revising one's explanation:
ただし however (adding an exception to the information stated beforehand)
ただ only, however
もっとも however (obviating any expectations that might arise through the previous statement)
なお in addition, note that (adding supplementary information)
話題を変える // Changing the subject:
さて well, now, then (common in business letters after the introductory sentence; is often ignored in tranlations)
ところで by the way
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大きいサイズ!!! PLUS-SIZE SHOPPING IN JAPAN
*This post is intended to be helpful for people already living in Japan who need to find everyday clothing, it’s not going to be useful for people living outside Japan who want to buy kawaii Tokyo fashion. This is also mainly geared toward women’s clothing, as it’s harder to find than men’s plus size clothing, but some of the stores and sites I mention here will be useful for plus size guys as well!
So let’s start at the beginning.
JP SIZING
Japanese sizes in general go from S, M, L, and plus sizes will be indicated from LL (extra large) all the way to 10L. For reference purposes on this post, I am a size 16/18 in CAN/US sizing, a 22 in UK sizing, and a JP size 5L for most plus-size brands, although the sizes are not standardized across brands (meaning that for some brands, a 5L will be either too big or too small).
If you are above a size 3L, which is the largest size they stock in most regular stores (Uniqlo, for example, only stocks S, M, L, and XL for women*, so I don’t fit into any of their clothes) you will have to do most of your shopping online! There *are* physical plus-size stores around, though, so keep an eye out for stores that look like this:
大きいサイズ (おおきいサイズ) - plus-size (lit. large size)
レディースの大きいサイズ - Ladies’ large size
メンズの大きいサイズ - Mens’ large size
Here’s some useful Japanese you can use while shopping in a physical store:
大きいサイズがありますか? Do you sell large size clothes?
これのもっと大きいサイズ、ありますか? Do you have this in a larger size?
It can be a bit difficult finding your size in Japan, but don’t give up! Plus size Japanese women *do* exist and they look cute as heck, and so can you.
PHYSICAL STORES
H&M Japan (they use S, M, L, XL sizing or US sizes up to 16, so I would say around a 4L Japanese size. I am able to fit into some of their clothing based on the cut and style of the garment, but most of their tops/dresses are too tight in the chest for me). Good for a variety of styles, from work clothes to casual
しまむら - They carry up to a 4L, good for basics and casuals
青山 (あおやま) - Great for work/business attire. (They call their plus-size line クイーン��イズ which I find extremely adorable omg). Their sizing is a bit different as they carry from 19号~ 37号, but the sizing charts should help you figure out which size you need.
PUNYUS - There are only a few of these stores around, in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, but I love this brand so I’ll be talking about their online store later in the post. The brand was established by Naomi Watanabe, one of Japan’s foremost plus-size comedians and TV personalities, and I absolutely LOVE her. Punyus uses their own sizing in 1, 2, 3, or 4. (I am usually a 2, but I always check the measurements for each garment very carefully because for some items I am a 3 or 4).
*Uniqlo carries up to a 4L in men’s sizes, but you usually have to order the larger sizes online as they don’t stock them in the regular stores.)
There are obviously way more stores than this that carry plus-sizes, and most of them will have the 大きいサイズ sign right on the outside of the store. I’ve even managed to find some cute items in the 大きいサイズ section of my local grocery/department store of all places (although don’t expect much from department stores, most of the fashion in these places will be very tame grandma clothes).
Now, let’s get into online shopping, which is the easiest method but can be a little tricky. The first thing you need to do is figure out your measurements, as the majority of online products will have a detailed size chart that is very useful for ensuring a good fit without trying it on.
SIZE CHARTS
Size charts will look like this, and will use centimetres:
サイズ表記 (サイズひょうき) - size notation
バスト - bust (the measurement around your chest)
肩幅 (かたはば)- shoulder width (measurement from shoulder to shoulder)
袖丈 (そでたけ) - sleeve length
着丈 (きたけ)- length (of the whole garment, Japanese ones tend to run short. I’m not even particularly tall but a lot of shirts tend to fit like crop tops here)
袖幅 (そではば)- sleeve width
袖口 (そでぐち)- cuff
幅裾 (はばすそ)- hem width
回り (まわり)- circumference (measurement around the bottom)
ウエスト - waist
ヒップ - hips
In general, the measurements that’ll be most useful will be bust, waist, hips, and length of the garment. As you can see on the model below, those measurements make her a size 3L. My measurements are 128-106-135 and I’m 168cm tall so I’m usually a 5L.
Once you know your measurements, it’s time to start browsing! I’ll briefly introduce my top picks for useful online stores.
ONLINE STORES
1. Nissen
This website is great and I use it all the time. It’s like an online shopping mall that carries the plus size options from a bunch of different brands, so you can just check here instead of browsing each brand individually.
You can search by size, category, colour- it’s super convenient and easy, and the website is also available in English.
SHOES
This site also has great options for shoes above 25cm (which is the largest size they sell in most shoe stores for women). My shoe size is 26.5cm with 4E width (extra wide) and I can easily find shoes here.
TALL SIZES
I mentioned before that some of the shirts here tend to fit fairly short, even for my 168cm (5′6″) height. Never fear, there are tall size options as well.
The tall sizes will be annotated with a TT next to it- as you can see, the first 3 options in the picture are MTT - 5LTT, and the 4th one doesn’t have the TT, so it will be a normal length. Again, you can just click on the item and go to the size chart to check the length in cm to see if it will fit.
2. Alinoma
Very similar to Nissen in that it gathers clothing from different brands all right here on the same site, and you can also use the parameters along the side to customize your search by size, category, colour, etc.
One of my favourite brands (available from both sites) is タベルノスキー、which has super cute stuff~
3. PUNYUS Online Store
The clothes here are more trendy, playful, casual clothes, and I love that they use larger plus-size models than some of the other sites (including Naomi Watanabe herself). I buy a lot of non-work clothes from here.
*Note that all these sites have really reasonable shipping fees within Japan and also have frequent sales, as well. And they’re really easy to use with google translate.
INNER WEAR
Now, as for the busty gal trying to find bras and lingerie in Japan…
Don’t worry!!! I’ve found that most lingerie stores don’t stock my size, but again, it’s possible to order them online using either Nissen or Alinoma. You’ll want to look for the インナー tab, and ta-da! (Just keep in mind that the band in Japan is measured in cm).
To wrap up, I’d just like to reiterate that if you are plus-size in Japan and having trouble finding clothes, you’re not alone! There are lots of us here and there *are* brands out there that make cute clothes for us. If you see something you like in a store, go in and check it! The sizing is not only wildly different between brands, but it can even be different between different garments in the same brand. Don’t be afraid to try things on! You might be surprised by what actually fits and looks good.
Happy shopping!
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