BUNKITSU TOKYO

The uniform project for BUNKITSU TOKYO began with a realization from the floor: bookstore work is surprisingly physical. Staff reach up and crouch down at the shelves again and again, walking the store all day — sometimes covering close to 30,000 steps.

The shop-coat uniform used at the existing store, some felt, had been quietly generating stress amid all that movement. And with no size range, it could not fully serve staff of different builds — another issue raised from the floor.

But easy to move in is not, by itself, enough. Where the existing store — "a bookstore with an admission fee, where you drink in culture" — offers a calm, stay-awhile reading experience, BUNKITSU TOKYO is the flagship, carrying a new concept: delivering the joy of reading in a bookstore that is simply fun, to a far wider audience. Precisely for that reason, the uniform needed not only function but a style that melts naturally into the space and the world of books. Expressing that intent through the uniform itself felt essential.

Our answer was the vest. Not a supporting player worn under a jacket, but a single garment that lets each staff member's own tops and pants show their individuality — while still holding together, unmistakably, as a uniform. Based on a work jacket, the vest drops the collar and adds deep slits, so it flexes easily with walking and crouching. Anticipating a daily routine of earpieces and notepads, the left chest pocket is cut deep, buttons are deliberately omitted, and large pockets hold what is needed within instant reach.

It comes in three sizes, cut with a relaxed silhouette. To confirm it would suit any height or build, we ran repeated fittings with staff of every kind, checking carefully as we went. There were some nerves along the way — so hearing "if anyone can wear it, that's a relief" was a genuine milestone.

For the fabric, we kept polyester's easy care and wrinkle resistance while insisting on a texture that would not shine under the bright store lights, in a gray that never looks heavy. By keeping the components deliberately simple, the vest stays easy to care for.

The renewal accompanied a graphic refresh, on a tight schedule — yet buttons and fabrics were chosen from a wealth of options, and every wish that could be thought of was laid on the table. The result is a uniform the team can genuinely say they built together. Staff say they can wear it without breaking their own fashion, and that clothes they would wear on a day out settle naturally into the workplace. Easy to pair with skirts and pants alike, it has become a presence that makes each working day a little more comfortable.