Western-style dress has been popular in Japan since the late 19th century among men, and since the 1920's among women. The Japanese have found that in everyday life, whether in office or factory, shopping or teaching, the kimono is not as practical and more cumbersome than Western-style dress, which is less restrictive in movement and e asier to take care of. Above Apart from kimonos, many articles of Japanese clothing are very similar to American clothing. Thick coats with sleeves designed to fit over sleeves of the Kimono and Haori are worn in winter. There is also a short jacket called a Happi that is worn pri marily by Japanese workers.
Japanese children like to wear Western-style clothes and like new, cool, fashionable styles.
During the week they wear school uniforms, a girl's usually consisting of a pleated skirt and sailor blouse. On weekends or after school when they see their f riends they wear their stylish new clothes. On the feet, Tabi, or Japanese socks with one socket for the big toe, are worn, white for women and black and sometimes white for men. For footwear, the Japanese wear two types of sandals. Zori, a thin or thick soled sandal with a V-shaped thong which comes between the big toe and the rest of the foot.