Boys' suits for elementary school entrance ceremonies. Buy or rent? Popular brands introduced!
My child's elementary school entrance ceremony is finally here.
While many parents are filled with excitement, they are also overwhelmed with preparations.
You've decided on your school bag, but do you really know everything about what to wear, what to bring, and the often-overlooked points of preparing a suit for graduation and entrance ceremonies?
This time, we've compiled some particularly surprising and useful information based on the latest trends and real opinions of experienced moms.
Suits aren't just about renting vs. buying
Children's ceremonial clothing.
It's common to wonder, "Should I rent it since I might only wear it once?" or "But I have younger siblings, so should I buy it?", but there are actually smarter options.
First of all, if you are purchasing new, the formal children's clothing brand CHOPIN offers suit sets starting from around 13,000 yen, with some even costing over 40,000 yen.
So what we want to focus on is the "third option . "
There have been many surprising reports of people being able to purchase a complete suit, including jacket, pants, shirt, tie, and handkerchief, for just a few thousand yen at recycle shops like Book Off and Mercari.
I'll be honest, I bought my eldest son's entrance ceremony outfit on Mercari for 3,000 yen.
Of course, the choice is up to your family.
Let's take a look at the pros and cons of renting and buying.
| method | merit | Disadvantages/Points to note |
| rental | You can keep costs down (several thousand yen to 10,000 yen), wear high-quality brand suits, choose the perfect size for the occasion, and avoid the hassle of storage and cleaning. | Popular designs and sizes fill up quickly (it's safe to start looking 2-3 months in advance and make reservations at least 1 month in advance), and you may not be able to try them on. |
| purchase | You can freely choose the size and design, it is cost-effective if it can be passed down to siblings, and it can be worn multiple times for other formal occasions such as Shichi-Go-San and recitals. | They are expensive (several tens of thousands of yen per set), they grow quickly so there is a risk that they will outgrow them the following year, and they require storage and care. |
| Hand-me-downs | It's free of cost. | The size may not fit your child. |
In the case of rental
| merit | Disadvantages |
| ・Costs less than buying ・No storage space required ・No cleaning hassle ・You can choose the latest designs | ・Popular designs are booked up quickly. ・It can be difficult to choose the right size because you can't try them on. ・There is a risk of additional charges due to stains or damage. |
In case of purchase
| merit | Disadvantages |
| ・Can be worn many times for recitals, Shichi-Go-San, etc. ・Can be tried on and chosen to fit perfectly ・Can be passed down to siblings ・A wide range of design options | ・Expensive ・Children may outgrow it ・Requires storage space ・Requires a lot of maintenance |
Boys' clothing and etiquette for elementary school entrance ceremonies
The basic attire for boys at the entrance ceremony is a suit style consisting of pants (shorts or long pants) and a white shirt and jacket.
In schools without uniforms, blazers and formal attire are common.
Standard clothing and colors
The standard suits for boys at entrance ceremonies are muted dark colors such as navy, gray, and black .
If you choose these colors, you won't have to worry about being conspicuous.
If you want to add some originality, you can balance it out by choosing a checked or striped pattern, or adding patches or gold buttons.
It doesn't matter whether you choose shorts or long pants.
In my case, I wore shorts, but there were other half-Japanese kids around so I didn't stand out at all.
Choose one that suits your child's body type and preferences.
It doesn't matter whether you choose a tie or a bow tie .
Also, choosing the right size is just as important as the design.
Compare the shoulder width, length, sleeve length of the jacket, and waist of the pants with clothes you already own, and choose something that fits your body well so that it is not too loose or too tight.
Shoe and Sock Etiquette
For shoes, choose loafers or black or white sneakers .
If you're looking for something you can wear after the entrance ceremony, sneakers are recommended. We don't often have other opportunities to wear loafers, so we chose sneakers.
For socks, long, plain socks (white or black) are the answer . High socks that don't show your bare skin will give a more formal impression.
Popular formal children's clothing brands
Here are some popular brands of formal wear for children:
CHOPIN
"Kids Formal CHOPIN" is a formal children's clothing brand operated by Cat Co., Ltd.
CHOPIN offers a collection for school entrance ceremonies, with popular items for boys in both "cool" and "cute" styles.
We carry suits with slim, sharp lines, which are the latest trend.
If you check out second-hand suits on Mercari, you'll see that there are a lot of Chopin brands, which shows how popular they are.
UNITED ARROWS
We have a variety of suit styles that exude an exemplary student vibe, such as a clean-looking dark blue blazer and pants suit set that is perfect for ceremonies, and a dark blue blazer and gray suit set with different colors for the top and bottom.
Surprisingly, the price is also reasonable.
There is also a black watch two-button suit set with a deep green and black check pattern, which allows for a British-style coordination with orange accents on the tie and handkerchief.
THE SHOP TK
We have a stylish navy suit set with a subtle check design that is a full-length formal suit that rivals those worn by adults.
Fashion Conscious
Oshare Conscious, one of the largest online dress rental shops in the industry, offers stylish boys' brand suits starting from 5,990 yen, making it a recommended option for those who want to wear high-quality brand suits while keeping costs down.
Since graduation clothes are something you will only wear a few times, we recommend renting them rather than letting them collect dust in your closet.
Conclusion
Preparation for elementary school entry has undergone a major transformation from the one-size-fits-all rules of the past to one that reflects the values and lifestyles of individual families.
Think outside the box and what's most important to you and your child to make this a truly memorable day?
We hope you will hold a wonderful entrance ceremony that is unique to your family.