The Fashion of Persona
The Persona games have some surprisingly stylish outfits in a genre that's known for terrible outfits. In this entry I want to explore the inspirations in the clothing of characters in the Persona series and how it relates to their character. I never got the chance to finish Persona 3 and after looking for a while I can't quite tell if Persona 3's cast has casual outfits like in 4 and 5 and also a part of me wants to wait until I actually get to properly play 3 so I'll pass on discussing Persona 3, but in Persona 4 Arena the cast gets all new outfits. They are definitely more costumes than traditional clothes for the most part: Yukiko has a superhero look going on with her, which after playing Persona 5 makes me think maybe in this universe she's an actor for that Featherman TV show and is the pink ranger. Junpei is a professional baseball player I guess. I'm not sure what's going on with Akihiko, that robot is still a robot, and Mitsuru... Mitsuru. I love this outfit. It's glam, it's badass, and it's sexy.
She is the only person I know who can rock a stealth suit with a fur coat and she kills that shit! Yo, I wonder if Solid Snake could pull that shit off.
I'm currently playing through Persona 4 Golden on Steam and I noticed how the series was slowly leaning into the more fashion and trendy side that will be in 5. I immediately noticed the Persona 4 protagonist has a similar style to Persona 5's protagonist as soon as I saw his winter outfit. I said to myself "I could definitely see Joker wearing this." P4's protag does have his shirt tucked in for his summer outfit which Joker doesn't do or wear belts either, but since his shirt isn't tucked you wouldn't see it if is wearing one anyway. P4's protag looks more like he's going to work in his summer clothes though.
Yosuke is hard for me to describe. All I can say is that he's casual and the headphones is a safe accessory to his look.
Chie definitely gives me the sporty vibes even though she is not an athlete. She kind of does the rebel thing like Kanji and Ryuji by not wearing the school uniform properly. I think she's just wearing her jacket over it, but she still looks out of place from the rest of the students. Speaking of that jacket I love it! The design is simple, but the colors pop so well. I actually bought one for myself from Insert Coin and even used it for a cosplay. Her winter clothes I feel is too similar. The jacket here is green too and looks a bit similar, but it's a darker green kind of olive-like and there's a yin and yang symbol on the back. I don't really like the tops here either. The outfit is whatever.
Her summer outfit I think is better. You get the brighter green and yellow back and then the denim shorts. It feels springy and bubbly. I kind of like it, but it still feels kinda plain to me.
Yukiko I like the red jacket she has on her school uniform. Although it is the same situation as Chie it fits better. The jacket does make her look more like she's from a different school. I like the red. It's distinct. Her winter clothes she wears a simple red dress with a square collar which looks alright on its own, but it's her accessory that makes it stand out. The scarf makes her outfit look chic. I haven't seen her summer one just yet, so I'll hold off on it.
Kanji has the whole rebel boy look going. There's not much for me to say here on that. It fits him.
I've only briefly gotten to Teddy's human form and his outfit is definitely an homage to those romantic ladies man characters in corny tv shows and romance novels. Him speaking French on top of it confirms it.
Rise. I just met her. I mean she's an idol. I have to play more to have an opinion on her.
Marie I feel like I can say more on. I feel like she just has that one outfit since she's an attendant in training. She's definitely an alt girl which reflects with her personality. She seems to be going through an internal struggle with herself and is unsure of just who she is. There is pain in her heart. The long striped socks, finger-less gloves, and platform boots are staples among the alt and goth scenes. I really also like the button up with the top button undone and the necktie. The only thing that's out of place or should be out of place is the chauffeur's hat, but it somehow goes with the outfit. It might be because of the matching messenger bag.
The glasses the investigation team wears in the TV world is a nice touch. This simple accessory brings everyone's style up. I especially enjoy the protagonist's glasses and Kanji's sport sunglasses.
Moving on to Persona 5 now.
In Persona 5 each of the Phantom Thieves has their own style and like Persona 4 each character has a color or two associated with them: Joker has a kind of chic, but casual style. His clothes usually have something black or blue in them. Ryuji's colors are yellow, purple, and red. Ann's is Red, Makoto's is black, Yusuke's is blue, Futaba's is Green, Haru's are pink and purple, Akechi's is brown, and Kasumi's is red. Like with Persona 4, Persona 5 makes each character's design unique despite all of them wearing the same school uniform. Even their gym outfits are worn differently from one another. Joker wears his basically like most of the students except he has the jacket zipped down, Ryuji wears it without the jacket and with the pants legs rolled up, Ann wears hers like the protagonist's but just with the sleeves rolled up, Makoto has shorts instead of pants for hers, Haru's wears her standard, but it looks a bit oversized, and Kasumi well she just wears hers like most of the students.
JOKER
As I mentioned the Persona 5 protagonist has a casual chic style. He wears his Shujin uniform like the most of the random NPCs you see in the school so nothing much to say there. Joker does sport of pair of glasses in his design. At first I didn't think anything of it, but after playing Royal and finding out that they were fake and then playing Persona 4 Golden I think they were a stylist choice to harken back to the glasses from Persona 4 Golden. His winter casual fit has him in a black blazer with a white v neck sweater, blue jeans, and a pair of black boots. If he's out and about he accessories with a black cat in a brown leather gym bag. The design is simple, but the added blazer puts some flair to his outfit. If he just had the sweater his outfit would look too ordinary.
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| A 3D render of Joker's summer outfit by arisumatio on Deviantart |
His summer outfit technically is ordinary and plain and while it's true, its simplicity works. It's the color contrast that keeps him from looking too much like an NPC. The white short sleeve button up with the black shirt and blue jeans creates a light to dark, to medium dark light contrast that makes him visually appealing. In the late game when The Phantom Thieves go after Shido Joker is presumed dead by the police so he wears a disguise. He puts a gray zip up hoodie on over his the sweater and underneath the blazer he wears in winter clothes. While he should try to change his hair and his overall appearance this outfit does make him more unassuming. Gray is considered a neutral color so it doesn't stand out in a crowd. Also wearing layers and a hood is a common trope in movies with characters who are on the run or in hiding.
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| Steve Rogers also as a fugitive in Captain America: The Winter Soldier |
SKULL
Ryuji is definitely more casual with streetwear with a fondness for graphic tees and his clothes usually have yellow, red, or purple in it. Nothing much to say about his school uniforms, but his summer uniform shirt does reflect his rebel personality. The "No Mo' Rules" on it is corny, but you get it. His summer casual fit has him sporting a yellow tank with footprints on it with the text "On Ur Mark!" on it, some khaki shorts with a thick white belt, light blue Adidas, and a wrist band, and a string necklace. Actually, this outfit gives more a beach vibes than streetwear. This is something you'd likely see someone wearing on a boardwalk. The graphic on the tank also reflects Ryuji's track background. I really enjoy the colors in Ryuji's winter fit. The light purple zip up hoodie contrasts well with his dyed hair, the smiley face on his t-shirt and his golden converse. I sometimes go in this full Ryuji cosplay on my days off. It's one of the few cosplays I could wear in public without causing unwanted attention.
PANTHER
Ann's parents actually work in the fashion industry which also ties in with Ann being a fashion model. With her outfits I kind of see it, but I do wish it pushed a little further. It's a little too safe and plain for me. Ann's style is akin the casual wear you would see in magazines or in an ad in a mall clothing store like The Gap or Forever 21 which makes sense with her hobby. I do like her Winter Clothes outfit a lot, but her Summer Clothes outfit is just, mmm, a little bland to me. She wears a black tank top with a pair of sunglasses clipped onto them, denim shorts with a plaid shirt tied to the waist, and some red converse. I can't quite make out what it says on her shirt. It looks like UFO, but the shades are in the way. If it is, it's kind of random since it really has nothing to do with her character, but then again people do it in real life and that still fits with the kind of shirts you see in those stores. It definitely evokes the casual summer girl who's probably on a boardwalk either with her dog or on skates.
Ann sports a blue button up shirt with the top two buttons undone over a white dress with a red letterman jacket on top with some black leggings, red circular earrings and the red converse. It's a very casual look and I think the earrings help set it off especially well. It's a fit inspired by American academic wear, but like always she finds a way to dazzle it up. I do think Ann ties with Makoto for the best winter Shujin uniform. I mean she just puts a hoodie underneath the blazer, but I like the contrast of the colors and the design of the hoodie. It has a Letterman font and the four leaf clover on the back of the hood catches your eye. The red leggings also helps make this outfit pop. Ann said if I have to wear a school uniform then I'm going to make it my own.
In Ann's Confidant storyline we get to see her work as a model and do a photoshoot in this outfit above. This akin to a chic outfit you would see in magazine. Since Persona 5 takes place in Tokyo you can hang out with her and other characters in Harajuku. Harajuku is a district in Tokyo famous for its fashion subcultures. You can access the this hang out spot by an invitation or buy reading an in-game magazine called Vague which is clearly a pun on the real world fashion magazine, Vogue. When taking a confidant here characters will talk the people dressed up in the area and in an event with Ryuji, Mishima, and Ann, Ann comments on how Morgana sticking out of Joker's bag could be considered an accessory and she suggests to dress him up in all kinds of clothing.
During my first playthrough I got excited when Harajuku was unlocked. I expected it to be an explorable area like Shibuya and when I entered Central Street for the first time and found the clothing store, but was immediately disappointed when I found out you couldn't buy anything from there. I had hopes you could buy clothing for your character there and customize your look like in a WRPG.
FOX
Yusuke's style is hard for me to identify. I am still new into the fashion scene so I don't know everything. I do feel that Yusuke's outfits fit his cliche artist personality, but artist is a broad category, not all artists dress alike. All of them are distinctly Yusuke that's undeniable. Yusuke is the only person I've ever seen wear a damn hoodie at the beach.When the beach episode came up I was like "Aren't you hot in that? I feel hot just looking at you!"
QUEEN
Makoto dresses very conservatively and I see some prep inspiration in her fits as well. Her winter Shujin uniform is very 90s to me. It feels like something I would see in Clueless with the turtleneck and the corset on top of it. Look here. This is a similar look from Dionne.
Remove the bandana and flip the colors around and it'll look almost just like Makoto's outfit. Makoto has my favorite outfit for the winter clothes. She wears a blue pea coat with a turtle neck and black slim pants that highlights her figure. From her outfit you can tell that Makoto is a very proper person. Her summer outfit took made me confused at first since it has long sleeves, but if the material is thin like it looks here I think she'll be fine unlike Yusuke who wears long sleeves and leather pants in the goddamn summer!
ORACLE
When we first see Futaba she is definitely comfortable. It reflects her lifestyle. She almost never leaves her house let alone her room so she puts no effort in her clothes, but I just wouldn't call this fit just some pajamas. It still shows a bit of Futaba's personality in it. The JLMK on her shirt is an abbreviation for just let me know which is usually seen in text messages. She wears a stripped sleeve underneath again adding a bit of alt flair to it which I think still fits with Futaba. Most alt people I know are into at least into one nerdy thing and Futaba's definitely a nerd. Speaking of alt fashion shout out to Tae Takemi, the punk rock doctor. I have to iterate how unique it was for Persona to include a doctor that's into the punk rock subculture. They could've just been safe and designed an ordinary doctor like how they did with Maruki, or the cliché sexy female doctor look with the lab coat acting as short dress with some high heels, well Tae is still wearing heels in her doctor uniform, but they made her overall appearance more distinguished.
Futaba's summer clothes is definitely gamer. A top with Tetris and some khaki pants; yep. The fanny pack makes it look a tiny bit more interesting at least.
Actually, I take back what I said earlier about Makoto. Futaba has the best winter outfit. That combination is like moi. The parka jacket is the what sets the whole thing off. The red on the white t-shirt is a complimentary to the green and the black tank underneath matches the bottom half of the fit. We have some black shorts with a studded belt, the black stockings and the return of the platform boots. She also sports some headphones for an accessory taking cues from Yosuke. She wears the jacket off the shoulders giving it more pizazz. It wouldn't hit quite as hard if it was on the regular way. You killed this Futaba. Good job!
NOIR
Haru's style is definitely girly and her outfits symbolize her social status. Haru dons a light purple zip-up tunic sweater over her uniform in the winter. Just that simple extra touch makes her look a bit more sophisticated. That goes for her summer uniform as well. The light purple tops she wears over her school uniforms are fine, but her casual outfits are the standouts here.
You got the baby blue coat with the extra fluffy fur collar and a bow to tie everything together. She looks like she bought her outfit from a luxury brand like Bernadette.
Her swimsuit is definitely inspired by 1950s swimwear. The outfit itself is quite nice, but it's the straw hat that sells the luxurious aesthetic.
Akechi's style is mix between preppy and what I like to call "TV detective" of course in his uniform as you know he dons a brown trench coat with slacks and black gloves. You can also see a button up underneath with a tie. You know basic detective shit in fiction. His summer school uniform is more like a modern detective. He wears a white short sleeve button up with a black and white vertically striped tie and dress pants with dress shoes. It's basically his winter uniform without the trench coat. Like he's about to go sit at his desk. The only casual fit Akechi has pre-3rd semester is his winter fit. Here he wears a v neck diamond pattern sweater vest with a long sleeve button up with the top button undone, some beige slacks, and brown loafers. It fits his clean good boy image that he made for himself.
VIOLET
Lastly, we have Kasumi Yoshizawa. Kasumi's style is definitely vintage. The argument can be made for Haru as well. The pea coats and sweaters she wear were popular in the sixties and the cowl neck sweater from the thirties, but the way Haru wears them is more akin to current upper class fashion while Kasumi is more align to middle class vintage of her respected eras. Kasumi's winter school uniform is nothing special. You have the ribbon in her hair and the long black stockings to make her stand out a bit more. She also wears what looks like red ballet shoes too. The ballet shoes representing her dancer background. Oh, and I didn't notice this until recently, but in her winter uniform she even wears a ribbon tied into a bow at the collar like in her hair. Her summer uniform has her in a cream colored cardigan with a white button up underneath, the Shujin skirt with short white athletic socks and I think those are brown ballet shoes or they might be loafers. I think those are loafers.
Her casual outfits are the most interesting. In the summer time Kasumi likes to wear a polka-dot blouse off the shoulders with white loose cuffed shorts, and sandals. This outfit was definitely popular in the 50s. Polka dots come and go but their real popular period was during the 50s and polka dot outfits in media were always presented in a sunny way which fits Kasumi's bubbly personality. Her winter clothes has her wearing a long sleeve white frilled sweater with a long red skirt and black boots.
Persona 5 Royal added in new outfits for each character in the 3rd semester. Shujin students got this new long jacket that looks way better than wearing those boring blazers. Joker keeps his fit fresh rocking a blue scarf with his and the blazer underneath is completely buttoned leaving this split triangle shape at the bottom. Ryuji keeps it street with a red graphic hoodie and a blue shirt underneath. A skull is on the hoodie representing his code name. On my first playthrough I mistook Ann's uniform for her casual outfit. Understandably because it looks similar to her winter outfit. She wears another Letterman jacket, but this one's white and brown over her Shujin uniform and she brings back the red leggings with red shoes as well. This one I don't really like. The color of the jacket I dislike and it clashes with the rest of the outfit. It doesn't match.
Yusuke dons a teal coat over his school uniform. It kind of looks like a tail coat in the back. Makoto just wears the new Shujin coat over her winter uniform with some gloves, nothing too different. Haru's got a pea coat herself for the third semester. This light purple coat she wears over her uniform and accessorizes with some pink earmuffs and matching mittens. For the bottom half she has gray stockings and red ankle boots for some pop. You know keeping it classy. Sumire wears the new Shujin jacket over her winter uniform, but adds a pink scarf.
The casual winter outfits are where most of the characters branch out. Joker also stays swaggy with the fits. He got a black turtleneck sweater with a charcoal jacket. This outfit looks like something Kyle Barker would've worn on Living Single. Ryuji's is too busy for me. Still keeping with the street aesthetic he got himself a purple puffer jacket and another red sweatshirt with a paint splash design and I'm not sure what it's called, but I don't think the camo thing he has around his neck goes with the outfit and I just don't like the shape of the puffer jacket. It ain't that bad though. Ann's is really cute. You got some skinny jeans with a print of a heart on it, a cute little call to her being of the Lover's Arcana. Scarves are definitely in this semester too. It goes great with the leather jacket. Makoto stays with the conservative look and her sister even gets a trench coat too. Futaba has another gamer piece, but I want to like hers, but that hoodie she's wearing is way to big for her. There's a weird shape at the bottom of it. I like the actual design of the hoodie itself, but that shit is way too big on her. I guess that does inline with her nerd background though as it has been said a lot even on here that gamers wear ill fitting clothes. I do like the straps she has on and the knit cap and headphones.
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| A luxury coat with a fur interior that extends to the collar and sleeves. |
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| Haru in her 3rd semester days off from school |
In the 3rd semester winter Sumire wears a long red overcoat with black
leggings and some dark green Mary Jane heels. The overcoat was invented
in the late 1800s and got popular on and off throughout the decades. The
style she wears here again is similar to the 1950s style that was
popular among the working class and the Mary Jane heels she wears is an
early 1900s shoe that again is a recurring trend in fashion.
I don't really care for covering the dancing game outfits. I don't like any of them except for Futaba's which is pretty similar to her regular winter outfit so I really couldn't. The rest of them seem to be trying too hard and Ryuji's offends me. Ryuji's dancing outfit is definitely taking from late 90s early 2000's hip-hop culture, but the shit is too much like a caricature and after Ryuji's whole "I'd totally be a gangsta" line I do not co-sign this. I went on with this longer than I intended so to conclude I think the Persona series is one of the best with fashion in gaming and I'm looking forward to see the new looks in Strikers. Let me know what you all think about the fashion in Persona in the comments below.
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