SCHOOL UNIFORMS: GYM

By Rio

Here we'll take a look at the uni-

forms worn during gym class at
Japanese schools

Everyday Uniform

The basic gym uniform for girls

consists of a t-shirt and a buruma
or bloomer. Let's start with the top.
It can be let out loose or tucked
into the buruma and it usually has
a circular collar. You can change
the collar though with a V-neck or
the tennis-style collar with buttons
if you really want something not-
so-common.

To draw the top, you can draw the

body first and then draw the shirt
around it. From there, add the
wrinkles according to the body's
movement and shape. Usually be-
low the chest, sometimes above it
and if the top is tucked in, at the
bottom. Click on the image to the
left for a bigger view. The anat-
omy was not erased for a clearer
idea how to draw the top and wrin-
kles.

Speaking of the back view, here is

a look at the back with the loose
and tucked shirt. Normally, in most anime's and manga's I've
seen, the girls wear their shirt tucked in their buruma.
Though that may be just for easier drawing and uniformity.
Moving on, let's take a closer look at the...

Buruma (Bloomer)
There are really two types of buruma. The first has a thinner
side than the other. Looking at the first two drawings in the
next page, there are two buruma's. The first is further down
from the belly and rises high from the thigh. The second type

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stretches out coming closer to the belly button and to the thigh.

For a better look, the next pair of drawings shows this much clearer. As you may notice, there is a seam at the
sides.

To draw the buruma, you just basically draw the back as normal, then run a slightly curved line at the waist
and across both of the butt. Once done, you can shade it in or adjust it too look like the buruma is over the pos-
terior and not wedged in. ^ . ^;;

Here are some more views of the buruma at different angles. From the back sitting down, draw the butt in a W
as normal and color or tone it in. From the side, make sure it rises at the center where the seam is located.

Regulation Swimwear
The girls bathing suit are designed as shown in the next page. A one-piece suit with the top going further down
and covering a majority of the hips and butt but not completely.

There are seams at the side like the buruma but also at the bottom and center of the back. Also there is a seam
at the shoulder as shown below.

If using a swimming cap, long haired girls will pull their hair up and hide it under the cap.

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only. For other uses, please contact the author for permission. PAGE 2
Shorts
Boys gym clothes for swimming and regular gym class are less complicated. Basically shorts and a top for
gym and trunks for swimming. To the right we have several ways of drawing shorts for guys. The first has
simple elastic waist,
and no special feature.
This would be the usual
swimming trunk used.
Next, the short has a bit
of edging at the end and
has a minor slit at the
side. The elastic waist
even has additional lin-
ing for that extra detail.
Last, we have the short
with the draw-string.

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only. For other uses, please contact the author for permission. PAGE 3
The next step to consider when drawing gym attire for boys is the length of the shorts or swimming trunk.
There are three types from left to right: short, average, and long. Short length shorts are generally seen for
those in track (running, jogging, etc) while the longer short is more for the basket ball player. Average sized
shorts are good for all around general sports usage. In the last image, there is a spandex underneath the short
which you may or may not choose to have your character wear.

Moving on, above are some examples on how to draw shorts at side and back views. Note that the butt is not
as pronounced as on a female and is less curvy. A minor note, most shorts these days tend to have the "racing"
lines at the side which gives that sporty look.

Tops
Moving on the tops guys wear during gym class, there are two types: the tank and the shirt. The tank tends to
be loose and long allowing ease of movement. Shirts is similar to the female shirt and you can differ the collar
much like the girls are well. Also, you can have the guys wear it out or tucked in.

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only. For other uses, please contact the author for permission. PAGE 4
In manga, I've seen specific uniforms worn by the boys when playing a certain sport. For instance, when they
play soccer - they would have a soccer uniform. Basketball, a basketball uniform, etc. It's up to you if they
wear specific clothes for specific games but I would suggest a standard uniform for general gym and swim-
ming and specific uniforms for those in the school sport teams.

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only. For other uses, please contact the author for permission. PAGE 5