In this article, we are going to look at fashion in China, Japan, and Korea and specifically stockings and showing stocking tops.
In the West, depending on the social situation, showing stocking tops can sometimes be regarded as a little taboo or exhibitionist. We have an article discussing this here: Is It OK to Show Your Stocking Tops in the UK?
However, in China, Korea, and Japan, they are often regarded more as a fashion item, and showing them off is nothing to be frowned upon.
A point of language clarity for US and non-British readers: in British English when we refer to stockings, we mean either stockings that are held up with a garter (suspender) belt or hold-up stockings (what are often called thigh highs or stay-ups overseas). Many in the US incorrectly refer to ‘stockings’ as a catch-all term that includes tights. Tights cover the legs, hips, and bottom as a single garment and are often called pantyhose overseas. The term ‘nylons’ tends to be used to refer to both sheer tights and stockings depending on the writer.
In this article, in the term “stockings” we are going to include over-the-knee socks. Because the lines between socks, over-the-knee socks and stockings are quite blurred in Southeast Asia. When is an over-the-knee sock a stocking? Is a short stocking an over-the-knee sock instead? Nobody knows or cares.
Showing stocking tops in China can be considered a fashion statement by some girls. It is not uncommon to see Chinese girls intentionally revealing the tops of their stockings as part of their outfit. Even if it’s faux stockings (suspender tights) as we see here.
Fashion attitudes towards stockings and over-the-knee socks in China, Korea, and Japan can vary, but they are popular among women in these countries. Let’s discuss the attitude and cultural context of each country individually:
- China: in China, stockings and over-the-knee socks are commonly seen as fashionable and are often worn by young women. Stockings are considered stylish accessories that can add elegance and femininity to an outfit. Chinese fashion trends often emphasize a mix of traditional and modern elements, and stockings help achieve a balance between the two. Some girls may intentionally show their stocking tops as a way to highlight this fashionable accessory and add a touch of allure to their overall look.
- Korea: in Korea, stockings and over-the-knee socks are also popular among women, especially younger generations. Korean fashion trends often emphasize cute and youthful styles. Over-the-knee socks, in particular, are often paired with skirts or shorts to create a trendy and playful look. The exposure of stocking tops can be seen as a fashion statement, showcasing attention to detail and adding a touch of charm to the outfit.
- Japan: in Japan, stockings and over-the-knee socks are widely worn by women and are considered fashionable accessories. The Japanese fashion scene is diverse, ranging from traditional styles like kimonos to modern street fashion. Stockings are commonly worn with skirts, dresses, and uniforms, while over-the-knee socks are popular among various fashion subcultures. Showing the stocking tops in Japan can be seen as a way to add subtle and alluring detail to the overall outfit, while also adhering to the aesthetic preferences of certain fashion subcultures.
Stocking tops may be more visible, but some things are absolutely not: nipple outlines and camel toes for example. Cultural norms regarding modesty and attire in China, Korea, and Japan differ from those in the Western context, resulting in a greater emphasis on modesty and the avoidance of certain body contours. In these East Asian cultures, there is a general societal expectation for women to dress in a way that conceals the camel toe (the outline of the crotch area) and nipples through their clothing.
There is also the schoolgirl fetish thing that exists there.
Schoolgirl-type fashion, often referred to as “seifuku” fashion, typified by short pleated skirts, is a popular style in various parts of East Asia, including Japan and South Korea. While it may have some influence in the rest of Southeast Asia, it is not as prevalent or mainstream compared to its popularity in those countries.
In the context of East Asia, including Japan and South Korea, schoolgirl-type fashion draws inspiration from traditional school uniforms but incorporates modern and stylish elements. It typically features short pleated skirts, blazers or cardigans, knee-high socks or stockings, and sometimes accessories like ribbons and headbands. This fashion style is often associated with youthfulness, innocence, and a playful aesthetic.
It is worth noting that in these countries, the popularity of schoolgirl-type fashion is not limited to actual students or school-age girls. Many adults and fashion enthusiasts embrace this style as a form of self-expression, drawing inspiration from youth culture and nostalgia. It has become a distinct subculture within the broader fashion landscape.
In K-pop culture, the exposure of stocking tops can be seen as a fashion trend and a deliberate styling choice.
K-pop idols and their stylists often pay attention to intricate details of their outfits to create visually appealing looks that align with current fashion trends. Showing stocking tops is one way to add a touch of femininity, playfulness, and attention to detail to an outfit. Many K-pop videos feature girls in stockings.
The exposure of stocking tops can enhance the overall aesthetic of an outfit, particularly when paired with skirts, dresses, or shorts. It can create visual interest, add depth to the styling, and contribute to the overall fashionable and polished image that K-pop idols often portray.
And let’s not forget Anime, Cosplay, and Manga.
Anime refers to a style of animation that originated in Japan and has become globally popular. It encompasses animated TV shows, movies, and web series. Anime typically features vibrant and stylized artwork, with characters characterized by large eyes, colorful hair, and exaggerated facial expressions. It covers a wide range of genres, including action, romance, fantasy, science fiction, and more. Anime can be adaptations of manga or original works, and it often incorporates Japanese cultural elements and storytelling techniques.
Cosplay, short for “costume play,” involves dressing up and portraying fictional characters from various sources, including anime, manga, video games, movies, and more. Cosplayers meticulously recreate the appearance of their chosen characters by designing and crafting their costumes, accessories, wigs, and makeup. Cosplay is a popular activity in which women express their fandom and pay tribute to their favorite characters.
Manga refers to Japanese comic books or graphic novels. It is a major part of Japanese pop culture and covers a wide range of genres and themes, including action, romance, comedy, fantasy, and more. Manga is characterized by its distinctive black-and-white artwork, typically drawn with fine lines and intricate details.
Stockings and stocking tops are popular fashion choices in anime, manga, and cosplay due to their aesthetic appeal and their ability to enhance and complement various character designs. They have become iconic elements of many character costumes and are often used to convey specific themes, styles, and character traits. Here’s a breakdown of how stockings and stocking tops feature in these contexts:
- Aesthetic Appeal: stockings and stocking tops add visual interest to a character’s outfit. The contrasting colors and patterns of stockings can create a striking and eye-catching look, contributing to the overall appeal of the character design. They also provide an opportunity to play with different textures, such as fishnet, lace, or opaque fabrics, which can add depth and complexity to the costume.
- Femininity and Sensuality: stockings are often associated with femininity and sensuality, and their presence in anime, manga, and cosplay helps convey these qualities. They can enhance the allure of a character by highlighting the legs and drawing attention to their shape. The exposed stocking tops, often accompanied by garters or other decorative elements, create a provocative and alluring aesthetic.
- Character Archetypes and Styles: different character archetypes and styles in anime and manga incorporate stockings and stocking tops to reflect specific personalities or themes. For example, the “tsundere” archetype, characterized by a character who starts off cold and distant but eventually warms up, may be depicted wearing stockings as a symbol of their initial coolness and eventual vulnerability. Similarly, gothic lolita or Victorian-inspired characters often feature elaborate stockings to evoke a sense of elegance and historical aesthetics.
- Cosplay Accuracy: many cosplayers aim to faithfully recreate the appearance of their favorite anime or manga characters. Stockings and stocking tops are often essential elements of these costumes, enabling cosplayers to accurately depict the characters they are portraying. Cosplayers pay attention to details such as the color, pattern, length, and design of the stockings to ensure a faithful representation.
One of the larger social media platforms is WeChat. WeChat “moments” is rather like Instagram stories.
You can’t browse for more than a minute or two without a girl in stockings popping up. Chinese social media demonstrates just how prevalent stockings are in fashion culture.
But it’s not just stocking tops fashion in China, in social media or on the catwalk. Want to buy a power tool or a car? Girls in stockings will feature in that advertising too.
The variations of over-the-knee socks and stockings available in China, Korea and Japan are greater than is common in the west.
These socks that look like stockings you sometimes see in France and elsewhere, but you’ll see them quite often in China.
So if you visit China, Korea or Japan are you going to see wall-to-wall girls in stockings?
In Japan, it is not uncommon to see fashionable girls in the street showing stocking tops as part of their outfits. Japanese fashion trends often incorporate elements of femininity, and stockings or thigh-high socks are frequently worn to enhance the overall look. This can include styles such as gyaru, Lolita, or other street fashion subcultures where stockings and stocking tops are a common accessory. However, not all girls in Japan choose to show their stocking tops.
In South Korea, street fashion tends to focus more on a clean and minimalist aesthetic. While stockings are still worn by some girls, it is less common to see stocking tops deliberately exposed as a fashion statement. Korean fashion trends often emphasize modesty and a refined look, so stockings may be worn to complement an outfit without drawing excessive attention to the stocking tops.
In China, fashion trends can vary depending on the region and individual preferences. Chinese street fashion encompasses a wide range of styles, from casual to more avant-garde. While stockings are worn by some girls, and over-the-knee socks by many, you are more likely to see them deliberately showing stocking tops as a prominent fashion choice in larger cities.
Here’s a quote from this report on local culture written by a Hong Kong university student.
Many Chinese women wear stockings exposing the entire top beneath a skirt’s hemline. This practice could be seen by non-Chinese observers as a deviant way to wear stockings that evokes images of untidiness, eroticism, and indecency. Local cultural practices such as exposed short stockings are exciting to cultural critics because of their subversive potential. They challenge the status quo of global culture through deviation from the existing global grammar of a cultural genre. Exposed short stockings transgress the boundary between outerwear and underwear, violating current conventions of decent dressing by displaying a part of dress that is deemed necessary to be kept hidden from public view. The practice represents an act of cultural localization that resists, counteracts, or even neutralizes Western cultural dominance and global homogenization.
So in short, stocking tops fashion in China, South Korea or Japan: you may well see them, but not everywhere.
What is your experience? Continue the conversation in the comments below.