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伊達の薄着 (だてのうすぎ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression
wearing light clothes for style ; dressing lightly to look fashionable
A set phrase describing someone who wears thin or insufficient clothing in cold weather out of vanity or a desire to appear stylish. Often used critically or humorously.
薄うす
着ぎ
で
、
寒さむ
そう
に
震ふる
え
て
い
た
。
She was dressed lightly for the sake of fashion and was shivering in the cold.
Written forms 伊達だて の 薄うす 着ぎ
Standard kanji spelling for this set phrase.
だての 薄うす 着ぎ
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; the first part is often written in kana.
Kanji 達 accomplished, reach, arrive 薄 dilute, thin, weak (tea) Similar words 伊達だて Refers to stylishness, dandyism, or showing off. 伊達の薄着 is a specific phrase using this concept.
薄うす 着ぎ Simply means 'lightly dressed'; 伊達の薄着 adds the nuance of doing so for fashion or vanity.
Etymology The phrase combines 伊達 (date, 'stylishness' or 'dandyism') with 薄着 (usugi, 'light clothing'). The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects the idea of prioritizing appearance over practicality.
