Translation guide
Clothing that is normal, everyday, or not special. Japanese has several words depending on whether you mean casual wear, everyday clothes, or clothes that are not formal or not a uniform.
Clothes you wear on a normal day, as opposed to formal wear or special occasion outfits.
Literally 'usual wear'. The most common and natural word for ordinary, everyday clothes. Used for clothes you wear at home or on casual outings.
Please come in your ordinary clothes.
On my days off, I spend the day in casual clothes.
Often used in contrast to a uniform or work clothes. Common in school or workplace contexts when you are allowed to wear your own clothes.
You can come to work in your own clothes tomorrow.
On casual clothes days, I can wear whatever I like.
Means 'ordinary clothes' in a slightly more formal or written register. Often used in invitations to indicate no need for formal attire.
Please come in ordinary clothes.
Clothes that are not a uniform, costume, or specialized gear; just normal street clothes.
Clothes that are not flashy, not fashionable, just ordinary-looking.
普段着 emphasizes everyday casualness, while 私服 emphasizes 'one's own clothes' as opposed to a uniform or provided attire. In many contexts they overlap, but 私服 is more common in school/work uniform situations.
I go shopping in my everyday clothes.
The school allows students to attend in their own clothes.
The direct translation '普通の服' is understandable but can sound unnatural or too vague. Use 普段着 or 私服 for more natural Japanese.
仕事が終わって私服に着替えた。
After work, I changed into my ordinary clothes.
Ordinary clothes are the most comfortable.