Jersey Fashion: Japan Women’s 2018 Uniform

On June 28th, the Japanese Volleyball Association and their women’s jersey supplier Mizuno presented the design for the host team of the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship. Mizuno has called their design concept “Switch.”  The design is very different that what the Japanese women’s team had worn the last two seasons from Mizuno. However, upon first seeing the above picture, I was in love with the look.

The primary color for the Japanese women’s team over the years has been red. Mizuno is calling theirs “Adrenalin Red,” which strengthens the team’s spirit (when shown with the fans as well in the same color per the press release). In the shot below, you can see the solid line in the middle of the chest. According to Mizuno, that line is the path to prepare for the 2020 Olympics (not stated but implied) and from Japanese women’s coach Kumi Nakada. Additionally, you can faintly see four different shades of red (from light to dark) in a chevron (V) pattern. It is much easier to see in the graphic shot further down the page. Also, there many little vertical lines, some of which lead from the top shade to the bottom.

Courtesy of Mizuno

Additionally Mizuno has added “Reflex Blue” and “Violet Sapphire” as the color options for the women’s team. All three colors stand out in their own ways. The blue ties into the blue worn during the 2016 Olympics (slightly different shade of blue), while few teams wear purple and it gives Japan a unique alternate color.

Courtesy of Mizuno

With the shorts, they are all two tone, with a darker shade of each color around the leg openings, while lighter shades covering the majority of the short from the waist down.

Courtesy of Mizuno

Courtesy of Mizuno

Courtesy of Mizuno

Mizuno has also added passing sleeves for each of the colors which use Mizuno’s pattern that we’ve seen on the side panels of their jerseys.

Courtesy of Mizuno

All told, this is a very bold design from Mizuno and they are hoping that their design will drive the Japanese women to have a successful tournament on home soil in October.