私服(しふく)

私服(しふく) refers to personal, everyday clothing worn outside of official duties, school, or work — as opposed to a uniform or formal attire.

Common expressions

• 私服(しふく)で通(かよ)う: to commute/attend in plain clothes
• 私服(しふく)で来(く)る: to come in casual clothes
• 私服(しふく)警官(けいかん): plainclothes police officer
• 私服(しふく)勤務(きんむ): working in plain clothes

Similar words

• 制服(せいふく): uniform (school, work)
• 作業着(さぎょうぎ): work clothes
• 正装(せいそう): formal attire

Usage

In Japan, many schools require 制服(せいふく) (uniforms), so 私服(しふく) often comes up in discussions about school dress codes. A 私服(しふく)の学校(がっこう) is a school without a uniform policy.