Construction Worker Fashion
I had never seen any construction worker fashion like it before I came to Japan. The bizarre MC Hammer-style puffy pants that suddenly tighten around the ankles, making it look a bit Arabian Nights. Then there’s the tabi boots which I’ve already started a collection of.
PingMag’s Kyoko has written a great article on the hows and whys and where-do-I-buy-froms of Japanese construction worker fashion. Have a read for and have a gawk at their Flickr gallery too.
I am *so* getting those gold tabi boots.
Links:
Japanese Construction Worker Fashion by PingMag
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March 24th, 2006 at 7:08 am
The golden Tabi shoes are indeed pretty rad ;]
When I was in Japan last year I was pretty confused about those puffy pants, they didn’t seem very convenient for climbing up in electricity poles (or whatever u call them) and other hard labour :P
Yeah, u should definately make a forum! ;D
August 13th, 2006 at 10:42 am
Hello.
I saw the Japanese construction workers fashions, some of it is just soo cool!
I live in the US, so getting this is not going to be easy.
The ’super fashions’ are a little bit much for me, the regular will do.
Now, for a question, do you wear the tabi boots with geta? or just walk on the boots themselves?
August 20th, 2006 at 9:25 pm
I’m pretty certain they only wear the tabi boots on their own. I can’t see how they can wear geta sandals and tabi boots at the same time. Unless you meant tabi socks?
August 21st, 2006 at 4:54 am
Hello.
I was thinking wearing the tabi
boots with geta but now understand that the toe rope is too big.
Where can I, in the US, get tabi construction worker boots and the plastic bright colored hats please?
Thank you.
August 21st, 2006 at 1:31 pm
I can’t help you there, I’m afraid. I’m based in Australia when I’m not in Tokyo. My only suggestion would be to try costume shops but I don’t think it would help much.
January 28th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I just found a gold mine of tabi products at http://www.tabisonline.com! They even sell those Gold tabi boots! I just ordered a bunch of stuff from them last month and love the service.
February 4th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
You sir, have won ten thousand internets!
That’s an awesome link! Thanks for adding that :D
May 26th, 2008 at 4:14 am
I searched that site for the gld tabis and did not find them? can someone please send links or info to buy them online to: diagnostiksaudio@hotmail.com ?
cheers, love.
November 16th, 2008 at 12:41 am
but where or how can i get the pants in nyc?
September 6th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
In the film, ‘The Hunted,” ninja were shown wearing waraji, the rope sandals, over tabi boots. Probably to keep from leaving a distinctive tread mark. Otherwise, I can’t think of a good reason, since the construction workers use them as is.