What is a kigurumi?

In recent years, on the streets, in shopping centers, in pictures on the Internet, you can see people in funny overalls in the form of animals, fairy-tale creatures, fictional characters from films and cartoons. Looking at them, you involuntarily charge an excellent mood. This costume is called kigurumi. By the name it’s clear that he comes from Japan and translates as “wear a soft toy”. And that is so! You can transform into a toy animal both at home and on the street.

Where did these clothes come from?

Unusual costumes came to us from Japan - the birthplace of anime and shocking, "toy" fashion. Despite the fact that in Russia and around the world kigurumi became popular only in recent years, in Japan they appeared about 20 years ago - in the mid-90s. They arose as fancy dresses for animators, leading children's gaming events . The Japanese liked the trend so much that gradually people in kigurumi began to appear on the streets, wear them at home.

All this prompted local fashion designers to create their own collections of funny jumpsuits, and then to mass produce them. What happened next, we already know: kigurumi captured the consciousness of many residents from different parts of the world.

Anime kigurumi

Anime industry and kigurumi are firmly connected. But these are not the plush overalls that traditionally come to mind. Actors who are called dollars (from doll - doll) or anemegao dress up as dolls or other anime characters and do cosplay on them, that is, they reincarnate not only externally, but also copy the character and behavior. An anime kigurumi usually consists of bodily overalls, clothes, wigs and jewelry, as well as a solid mask with a static expression.

Masks are of the following types:

  • open, which are not covered with anything behind the head, they are easy to put on and take off;
  • closed. They slam on the back cover, and it is impossible to remove them without opening the cover.

The mask is covered with soft materials from the inside so as not to rub the actor's face. The review in it is very limited, but there must be holes for the eyes: they can be in the pupils of the mask, in the folds of the eyelids or in the eyebrows.

Animegao participate in festivals, on television shows and in films, in music videos. The cost of one anime kigurumi can exceed several hundred or thousands of US dollars, so many novice actors make masks on their own or buy old ones at a discount.

You should not confuse anime kigurumi with the trendy street trend “disguise pajamas” in Japan . Kigurumins are street pajamas who already look like kigurumi in the ordinary sense. Costumes are made of lightweight fabric the size of a person, the hood may not cover your face. Do not confuse anime kigurumi with life-size puppets like in Disneyland or the mascots of sports teams. Such costumes are called fursuits or mascots.

Bjd kigurumi

Recently, from the anime kigurumi, the BZD variant stood out. The peculiarity of such a suit is that the doll with hinges acts as the image for the mask . They are popular in Japan and are often collectible and very expensive. For the first time, Kigurumi Railways appeared in 2011 at the Otakufest festival, and in 2014, Nukopan began producing masks in the style of articulated dolls. One of the famous models, Lulu Hashimoto, was created in 2016.

The materials from which this clothing is sewn

The kigurumi costume should be as comfortable and soft as possible. Therefore, when choosing it, it is important to pay attention to the fabric from which it is made. Consider the main options for the material:

  • fleece. From it initially they sewed all kigurumi in Japan. Fleece fabric is made of synthetic fiber in order to replace wool and other natural fibers, so its undoubted advantage is hypoallergenic. Fleece is always very soft, fluffy and pleasant to the body, easy to wear. In addition, the material perfectly retains heat, but allows air to pass through: it will be quite difficult to freeze in such overalls! Due to the excellent quality of the fabric, fleece models are more expensive than their counterparts, but you definitely will not regret the money spent. Value for money will pleasantly surprise you;
  • velsoft is an inexpensive analogue of fleece, it is also called soft, fluffy fleece. The fabric is made of synthetic fiber and has good properties: practically does not crease, does not roll. It consists of soft, dense villi that perfectly retain heat and absorb moisture. The kigurumi from velsoft has a number of shortcomings: over time, they cease to keep in shape and can sag. However, it was this material that made the costumes more accessible to the average consumer around the world;
  • cotton. This is a rather rare material for this model of clothing; light summer pajamas or exit suits are usually sewn from it. Cotton kigurumi are great for a hot day, but you need to understand that due to the not too dense material, they do not hold their shape well.

What is it for?

Despite the unusual cut and style, kigurumi is quite a universal thing and can be used for different purposes. Only one thing is important: it should bring you and your loved ones a great mood and pleasant emotions ! You can use it:

  • in order to walk at home and not freeze on cold nights, that is, as home clothes or pajamas;
  • to walk along the street or relax in nature;
  • for costume parties or masquerades.

Despite its versatility, you should not go to kigurumi everywhere. Do not put it on at school, university or at work, unless of course you work as an animator. Do not get carried away with soft suits and, in necessary situations, follow the dress code. It is better to dress in your kigurumi in your free time for comfortable relaxation and rest.

Kigurumi manufacturers

There are a large number of manufacturers of soft overalls on the market: you can buy it in a regular store, or you can order it on the Internet. We draw your attention to several sellers offering the largest assortment of kigurumi.

Cosbus

Cosbus Kigurumi impresses with their diversity. Here you can find a unicorn from velsoft with a yellow horn on the hood. The suit is very bright and does not constrain movement due to its free fit. Cosbus offers:

  • Rainbow Unicorn model (price - 2690 p.);
  • The Kummamon Bear model will appeal to lovers of Japanese culture. The black bear became the hero of many Internet memes and comics (price - 2460 p.). Unisex, no tail.

Funky ride

Funky Ride store offers a large number of kigurumi with the characters of children's animated series and other animals. Any child will love the pajamas and costumes of Minion Dave or Little Bird Angry Birds. Overalls are made of their warm fleece with buttons, the size range XS-XXL will allow you to choose comfortable clothes for any person (price - 3700 p.).

Futujama

In the Futujama online store you can find options for kigurumi - pajamas for any family member, young or old. The same models are presented in both children's and adult sizes. Pay attention to the cute sloth pajamas. Having put it on, you will transform into the hero of the animated film “Zeropolis”. In this suit you can be too lazy and sleep like a real sloth. Models:

  • “Sloth” (price - 2790 rubles, dimensional grid - XS-XXL, material - beige fleece, fastens with a zipper, without lining);
  • “Panda” (the price of children's pajamas is 2490 p., Adult - 2790 p., Mesh: 104-152 cm, XS-XXL, white and black fleece, without lining).

Some futujamas of the same model are produced both for children and their parents, so you can buy the same costumes for the whole family, and in the evenings your family tradition will be going for a cup of tea in cute pajamas . Panda pajamas, for example, are available with a zipper or buttons, so you choose what is more convenient for you. Soft material does not stretch or wrinkle, heats and absorbs moisture, so kigurumi are suitable for walking on the street and relaxing at home:

Handy wear

This company has been producing stylish Japanese pajamas for a long time. The pink Panther Baksi will be an excellent choice for a girl. It is made in a girlish combination of colors from a soft fleece, pleasant to the touch, which allows the skin to breathe. Panther Baksi model (price - 3900 rubles, sizes: XS-XXL, pink and white fleece, long tail at the back).

One of the funniest models of this brand is Lemur pajamas. The unisex model is suitable for men, women and children! At the back - a very long striped tail like a real animal, an understated waist line and a free silhouette make the image very comical (price - 3900 p., Sizes: XS-XXL, gray fleece fabric, not insulated).

Despite the fact that the prices for Handy-Wear pajamas are quite high, their quality and brightness of colors and print will not leave anyone indifferent.

How to choose a kigurumi?

This clothing can be worn by both adults and children. The main requirement is that it should be free, comfortable and suitable for growth.

For adults

Kigurumi can be worn by both men and women, regardless of age. The main thing is that they like them and cheer up. European sizes are determined by growth:

  • S: 148–158 cm;
  • M: 159-168 cm;
  • L: 169–178 cm;
  • XL: 179-188 cm;
  • XXL: 189-200 cm.

If you buy Asian-made kigurumi, be careful! Japanese by nature are shorter, therefore, the size of the costumes may not correspond to Russian or European. Always check your height and height on the label.

For children

Baby kigurumi is a real salvation for parents. For a child, this is not only a great gift or pajamas for home or sleep, but also a full-fledged outfit for mornings or masquerades, which are held in kindergartens and schools . Slippers or mittens in the shape of animal paws can be a nice bonus to the costume. The sizes of clothes for children usually vary depending on growth. The dimensional grid for children's kigurumi usually looks something like this:

  • 90-100 cm;
  • 100-110 cm;
  • 110-120 cm;
  • 120-130 cm;
  • 130-140 cm.

A child in a suit in the amount of XS-S from an adult clothing line can fit. Always carefully look at the growth parameters when buying. It is better to buy a kigurumi a size larger - due to its volumetric fit, it will not look big.

For girls

Often people are interested in buying: is this a model for a boy or a girl? The answer is simple. Most kigurumi are produced in the unisex style, that is, there are no specifically male or female options . The difference can be made only in the color scheme or half-character, which is depicted on the clothes. For example, a pink unicorn is likely to suit a girl, and the boy will not even wear it at all. Or, for example, a little fashionista will happily put on a Peppa Pig character costume, but will not want a kigurumi in the image of Spider-Man.

Interesting ways to use the costume

In addition to the already familiar ways of wearing kigurumi, we recommend one more. You can use it for skiing or snowboarding. In recent years, many athletes wear kigurumi over equipment for warming and attracting attention. Also in overalls you can arrange a family photo shoot or pajama party. With the help of kigurumi you can create a truly unusual look!