Editing School uniforms in Japan (section)

==Sailor {{Transliteration|ja|fuku}}==
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[[File:Tanaka Masako (Nakata Masako) circa 1928.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Masako Nakata]] in sailor {{transliteration|ja|fuku}}, {{circa|1928}}]]

The {{Nihongo|sailor {{Transliteration|ja|fuku}}|セーラー服|sērā fuku|sailor outfit}} is a common style of uniform worn by female middle school students, traditionally by high school students, and occasionally, elementary school students. It was introduced as a school uniform in 1920 at [[Heian Jogakuin University]]<ref>http://www.tombow.gr.jp/uniform_museum/style/change07.html 女子生徒に洋装制服登場、大正モダン {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609055725/http://www.tombow.gr.jp/uniform_museum/style/change07.html |date=2009-06-09 }}</ref> and 1921 by the principal of [[Fukuoka Jo Gakuin University]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://design9.blog49.fc2.com/blog-entry-477.html|title=平安女学院（京都）と福岡女学院（福岡）の間で、セーラー服の起源を巡る論争が勃発！|date=2007-10-07|language=ja}}{{user-generated source|date=January 2022}}</ref> Elizabeth Lee. It was modeled after the uniform used by the [[Royal Navy|British Royal Navy]] at the time, which Lee had experienced as an exchange student in the [[United Kingdom]], as well as the popular American [[Sailor dress]] which at the time had already been a common fashion choice amongst school girls in the United States during the time period since the start of the 20th century.

Much like the male uniform, the {{transliteration|ja|gakuran}}, the sailor outfits bear a similarity to various military-styled [[naval]] uniforms. The uniform generally consists of a [[blouse]] attached with a sailor-style collar and a [[pleat]]ed [[skirt]]. There are seasonal variations for summer and winter; sleeve length and fabric are adjusted accordingly. A ribbon is tied in the front and laced through a loop attached to the blouse. Several variations on the ribbon include [[necktie]]s, [[bolo tie]]s, [[neckerchief]]s, and bows. Common colours include navy blue, white, gray, light green, and black.

[[File:Japanese schoolgirls walking and eating.jpg|thumb|left|A group of Japanese schoolgirls in sailor suits]]

Shoes, socks, and other accessories are sometimes included as part of the uniform. These socks are typically navy or white. The shoes are typically brown or black [[penny loafer]]s. Although not part of the prescribed uniform, alternate forms of legwear (such as [[loose socks]], knee-length stockings, or similar) are also commonly matched by more fashionable girls with their sailor outfits.

The sailor uniform today is generally associated solely with both most middle schools and conservative high schools, since a majority of high schools have changed to more Western-style [[tartan]] skirts or [[blazer]]s, similar to the [[Catholic school uniform]].