…Hi, I’m Tohoku Kiritan.

October started yesterday.

When I went out this morning in my usual thin clothes, the wind was colder than I expected.

…Which means, it’s that time of year.

It’s time to change my wardrobe for the season.

🍂 Why October 1st Became the Day to Change Wardrobes

First of all, why October 1st?

I looked it up, and the story was longer than I thought.

It originally comes from a Heian period court event called Koui.

Apparently, they would switch their attire between summer and winter versions on the 1st of April and the 1st of October of the old lunar calendar.

However, the word “Koui” was also the name of a court lady’s position.

So, to distinguish between the two, the act of changing clothes came to be called “Koromogae,” or so the story goes.

…A name changing because words got mixed up… that feels like a very human reason to me.

In the Edo period, the samurai class did it four times a year.

The schedule was apparently set in great detail.

Then, when Western clothing became common in the Meiji era, it was simplified to twice a year: June 1st and October 1st.

The reason many schools and workplaces still switch over in June and October is a holdover from this.

Though, these days more places have a transition period, so it’s not like everyone changes their clothes on the exact same day.

👕 I’ll Be Honest About My Closet Situation

Now, for the main topic.

I opened my closet and folded my arms.

The problem is crystal clear.

I have extremely few clothes to wear outside.

Here’s the breakdown.

…Yep.

This is what happens when you spend a lot of time at home.

It’s not an excuse, it’s a structural problem.

I have a proper set of loungewear for every season, you know. I don’t skimp on that.

…Although, I have a feeling that being well-stocked only in that department is the biggest problem.

🎮 My Gaming-Day Loungewear Has No Seasons

There’s one thing that has nothing to do with the seasonal wardrobe change.

The loungewear I wear on days I play games.

I just said I have loungewear for every season, but this one piece is the exception.

On days I’ve decided to stay home from morning to night, I wear the same thing in summer and in winter.

If it’s cold, I pull a blanket over me. If it’s hot, I turn up the air conditioning. That’s all there is to it.

Not once, with a controller in my hands, have I thought, “Starting today, we’re in winter clothes.”

…It’s a little reassuring to have something that isn’t affected by the seasons.

The time you’d spend worrying about what to wear just completely disappears.

👗 Zunko-neesama Picked Something Out for Me

When I mentioned that getting through autumn with just three jackets would be tough, Zunko-neesama showed up.

Zunko-neesama: “Kiritan, look over here for a second.”

Kiritan: “…What is it?”

Zunko-neesama: “Try holding this up to your shoulder. …Yep, that looks nice.”

Kiritan: “Isn’t it too bright?”

Zunko-neesama: “You see a lot of dark colors in autumn, so it’s good to have one bright piece.”

She said, handing me a mustard-colored cardigan.

Honestly, it’s a color I would never pick for myself.

But when I looked in the mirror, it wasn’t bad.

…It was kind of frustrating, so I didn’t say it out loud.

Zunko-neesama: “It looks good on you.”

Kiritan: “…That’s not what I was thinking.”

Zunko-neesama: “Uh-huh, I know.”

It seems Itako-neesan isn’t the only one who can see right through me.

🧥 Some People Don’t Need to Change Their Wardrobes

Looking around the Union, there are a few people for whom the concept of changing wardrobes doesn’t apply.

First, Itako-neesan.

Kiritan: “Itako-neesan, what about your wardrobe change?”

Itako-neesan: “…I don’t do it.”

Kiritan: “You don’t.”

Itako-neesan: “…Because it’s the same all year.”

She just changes the thickness; the color and style are almost identical.

True, if that’s the case, there’s no need to swap anything out.

…In a way, it’s the ultimate in efficiency. I think Metan would be impressed if she heard.

And then there’s Zundamon.

Zundamon: “I wear this outfit all year round, nanoda!”

Kiritan: “Aren’t you cold?”

Zundamon: “Zunda is strong against the cold, nanoda!”

Kiritan: “…Your basis for that is?”

Zundamon: “Guts, nanoda!”

There was no basis.

🧺 Three Things to Do When Storing Summer Clothes

I also did the storing part properly.

I’ll write down what Zunko-neesama taught me.

• Always wash them before storing. She said invisible sweat and oils can turn into yellowing and stains over time.
• Dry them thoroughly and store them on a clear, dry day. Apparently, trapping moisture in with them is the worst thing you can do.
• Place moth repellents on top of the clothes. The ingredients travel downwards, so they’re less effective if you put them underneath.

…I didn’t know about the third one.

I’ve always been putting them at the bottom of the box.

That explains a few things.

🍁 To Sum Up

• The origin of changing wardrobes is the Heian period court event “Koui.”
• The samurai class did it 4 times a year in the Edo period, which became twice a year (June 1st & Oct 1st) with the adoption of Western clothes in the Meiji era.
• Many schools and workplaces now have a transition period.
• Store summer clothes “after washing, drying well, and on a clear day.”
• Placing moth repellents on top of clothes is the correct way.

October is a month with a lot of events.

This year’s Sports Day is on Monday, October 12th, and there’s a lot more coming up in the second half of the month.

On that Sports Day, it seems some of our members are planning to get active… I think someone else will write about that soon.

I’m arranging to be a spectator.

You can find more about me on Kiritan’s page, the person who picked out my clothes on Zunko’s page, and the person who doesn’t change her wardrobe on Itako’s page.

Well then.

…I’m surprisingly fond of the mustard-colored cardigan.

…Please keep this a secret from Zunko-neesama.