Inside KAZOO's Wardrobe (20) NHK E-Tele "SNS Eigojutsu" #WorldTeachersDay (aired 20

1.Black button-down shirt by Seibu Shibuya Department Store

This black button-down shirt is something I ordered at Seibu Shibuya Department Store in August. Previously on the show I wore a shirt I had made at Isetan Department Store; this fall I’ll be incorporating shirts that I’ve had made at department stores into my wardrobe.

The fabric is a plain back fabric from time-honored British luxury brand Aquascutum. The fabric is delicate and requires care, especially when laundering, but the cozy fit and feel are worth it. As I won’t be wearing this with a necktie, I asked for a short button-down collar; in terms of cuffs I got my usual—French cuffs; as for buttons, instead of my usual silver-lipped pearl oyster buttons, I ordered white buttons to contrast with the black fabric.

While white dress shirts are a business style staple, black shirts, on the other hand, are a go-to for parties or a night out on the town. Pair a black shirt with the wrong suit and necktie, and the shirt will overpower your ensemble—turning into “black hole” of style. Exercise caution.

Recently, it seems that both here and overseas all-black outfits have become stylish. But putting together a fashionable all-black ensemble is harder than you’d think. Wearing black because it’s stylish is easy enough, but wearing black stylishly is a whole different matter. With black shirts and suits, the quality—or lack thereof—of the fabric and sewing are put on full display. So if you’re going to try to rock an all-black outfit, be sure not to skimp on your budget.