Elevator Shoes for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony (Seijinshiki) | How to Choose for a Suit or Hakama, Plus Photo Tips
For Men Preparing for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony | A Guide to Choosing Your Footwear
Coming-of-Age Ceremony (Seijinshiki)
How to Choose for a Suit or Hakama, and Look Great in Photos
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime photo, so I want to look taller in a natural way." Here's the full rundown: dress shoes and loafers that go with a Coming-of-Age Ceremony suit, lifts your classmates won't notice, and when to order.
The Coming-of-Age Ceremony (Seijinshiki) is a day when the photos of you in a suit will last a lifetime. "I'd like a little more height when I'm standing next to my classmates" and "but I don't want anyone to know it's the shoes" are worries you can solve simply by choosing the right pair.
The short answer: for a Coming-of-Age Ceremony suit, the basic choice is black cowhide leather elevator dress shoes or loafers with a 5 cm or 8 cm lift. At LEVANO, the Cowhide Elevator Business Shoes no20 (8 cm lift), the Cowhide Elevator Loafers no21 (8 cm lift), and the Japan-made Cowhide Leather Casual Shoes no29 (5 cm lift) are rated ◎ for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, and the Suede Elevator Loafers no07 (5 cm lift) are rated ○. Sneaker-type models don't suit a Coming-of-Age Ceremony suit, so this article covers only the models that work for the ceremony, walking you in order through how to choose, how they look in photos, what to do if you wear hakama, and when to buy.
What You'll Learn in This Article
- Which shoes suit the Coming-of-Age Ceremony and which don't
- Colors, styles, and lifts that go with a suit, plus a comparison table of the ◎-rated models
- Lifts that look natural in photos and at the reunion (5 cm vs. 8 cm)
- How to use them if you attend in hakama
- Preparing for January cold and snow, and how to walk on the day
- When to order, given the 7-day size-exchange window
POINT 01
Can You Wear Elevator Shoes to the Coming-of-Age Ceremony (Seijinshiki)? Suitable and Unsuitable Shoes
The Coming-of-Age Ceremony is an all-day event spent in a suit, from the ceremony itself through the commemorative photos to the class reunion. The dress code isn't as strict as a wedding's, but black dress shoes are the standard. There's nothing wrong with wearing elevator shoes; what matters is choosing a model that looks like an ordinary dress shoe from the outside.
At a wedding, lace-up dress shoes are sometimes considered the safe choice, but at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony you're the guest of honor, there's more freedom, and loafers are common too (for wedding etiquette, see Can You Wear Elevator Shoes to a Wedding? A Guide for Grooms and Guests). Looking at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony column of the occasion-suitability ratings on our product pages (◎ ideal / ○ suitable / △ not recommended / × not suitable), the lineup breaks down as follows.
Coming-of-Age Ceremony ◎ | Black Cowhide Leather Dress Shoes and Loafers
Cowhide Elevator Business Shoes no20 (8 cm lift), Cowhide Elevator Loafers no21 (8 cm lift), and the Japan-made Cowhide Leather Casual Shoes no29 (5 cm lift) are the 3 pairs in this group. All are black cowhide leather, and because the height comes from an internal insole structure, they look no different from ordinary dress shoes on the outside.
Coming-of-Age Ceremony ○ | Suede Elevator Loafers
Suede Elevator Loafers no07 (5 cm lift) are casual-leaning loafers that pair navy-toned suede with a light-colored sole. They're better suited to a jacket-and-trousers look at the reunion or after-party than to the ceremony itself; if you're attending the ceremony in a suit, prioritize the 3 ◎-rated pairs.
Coming-of-Age Ceremony △ | Usable, but Another Model Is Recommended
The black suede-look loafers no03 (synthetic leather, 6 cm lift) weigh a light 295 g and are well suited to dates, but they're rated △ for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. You can wear them, but if you're attending in a suit we recommend one of the other models above.
Coming-of-Age Ceremony × | Sneaker, Boot, and Sandal Types
LEVANO's elevator sneakers, boots, and sandals are all rated × for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. They're great for everyday wear, but not for a ceremony you attend in a suit.
POINT 02
How to Choose Shoes for a Coming-of-Age Ceremony Suit | Color, Style, and Lift for Men
Coming-of-Age Ceremony suits are usually plain navy or dark gray, or a slightly dressier stripe or check, and black is the shoe color that goes with every one of them and is hardest to get wrong. Brown tends to make your feet stand out in photos. For style, it comes down to 2 options: lace-up dress shoes or loafers; for socks, go with plain black or dark navy, long enough that no skin shows when you sit down. The basics are covered in How to Choose Elevator Dress Shoes for a Suit: Natural Height at Work.
The ◎-rated models come in 2 lifts, 5 cm and 8 cm: no29 is 5 cm, while no20 and no21 are 8 cm. First, here are the specs of the 4 pairs that work for the ceremony and the 1 pair rated △.
Comparison Table: LEVANO Elevator Shoes for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony
Cowhide Elevator Business Shoes no20 | The Most Formal-Looking Lace-Up
A business-shoe style in black cowhide leather with laces and subtle brogue perforations at the toe. Besides ◎ for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, it's rated ○ for formal occasions and ○ for business, so you can keep wearing it for the commute and for weddings once you start working. It's rated △ for job hunting, so if you're also looking ahead to job interviews, choose no29 instead. Among our business elevator shoes, it's the top pick for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
Cowhide Elevator Loafers no21 | Bit Loafers That Slip On and Off Easily
With no laces, they're quick to slip on and off, which is handy on ceremony day when you'll often be removing your shoes, such as at a tatami-floored reunion venue. This glossy black cowhide bit-loafer style works with both a suit and a jacket-and-trousers look. At 430 g they're lighter than no20 and, at 8 cm, they have the highest lift of all our men's elevator loafers.
Cowhide Leather Casual Shoes no29 | Made in Japan, Hard to Notice at 5 cm
A plain-toe shoe in cowhide leather made in Japan, weighing a light 390 g, with a silhouette that doesn't look thick-soled from the outside. It's the only model rated ◎ for both job hunting and business, so you can wear the same pair from the Coming-of-Age Ceremony through job hunting and into your first job. Sizes run 24.0–26.5 cm, so if you wear 27.0–27.5 cm, consider no20 or no21 (24.0–27.5 cm), and if you wear 28.0 cm, consider the ○-rated no07 (25.0–28.0 cm).
POINT 03
How Much Lift for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony? Heights That Look Natural in Photos and at the Reunion
What makes the Coming-of-Age Ceremony different is that the people around you are your junior high and high school classmates. Unlike someone you're meeting for the first time, your classmates have a rough memory of how tall you are. That's the yardstick for choosing a lift.
5 cm Lift | The First Choice If You'll See Many Classmates for the First Time in Years
With 5 cm, the change in how you stand reads as little more than "better posture," and it's a height that rarely looks off in a group photo even with classmates standing right next to you. It also works as-is for job hunting, so choose the 5 cm no29 if you're undecided.
8 cm Lift | Bigger Effect, but Adjust Your Hem Length and Walk
8 cm has a bigger effect, so the chance of someone asking "did you get taller?" is higher than with 5 cm. Choosing the 8 cm no20 or no21 comes with two conditions: set your hem so it just touches the shoe and doesn't expose the heel, and keep your stride the same as usual. For hem length, see What Trouser Length Works with Elevator Shoes? The Right Hem Length and Silhouette.
What Stands Out in Photos Isn't Sole Thickness but Hem Length and Color Coordination
In a full-body photo, a hem so short that your socks show, or socks that clash with your shoes, stands out far more than sole thickness. Get 3 things right (black shoes, black socks, and a hem that just touches the shoe) and the photo looks natural at 5 cm or 8 cm. In seated photos, don't cross your legs; pull your heels back toward the chair and the shoe's thickness is less visible. In the front row of a group photo your feet are in the frame, so stand in the 2nd row or further back and the shoes won't show, leaving only a natural difference in height. In full-body shots, point your toes straight at the camera and the sole thickness visible from the side is harder to see.
POINT 04
Attending the Coming-of-Age Ceremony in Hakama | Zori vs. Elevator Shoes, and the Reunion After You Change
The footwear for formal haori and hakama is zori or setta sandals. LEVANO doesn't make footwear for Japanese dress, and rather than forcing dress shoes to work with hakama, the following approach is more practical.
Zori for the Ceremony and Photos, Elevator Shoes for the Reunion
Most people return their hakama after the ceremony and attend the reunion or after-party in a suit or jacket-and-trousers look. The time after you change is when you'll spend the longest with your classmates, so this is the moment for hakama wearers to switch into loafers such as no21 or no07 that slip on and off easily. For slacks, the Style-Up High-Waist Slacks no33 are an easy match thanks to a hem length designed for elevator shoes, and they're priced at ¥9,980 (tax included).
If Your Pre-Ceremony Photo Shoot Is in a Suit, Treat It as the Dress Rehearsal
If you wear hakama only on the day itself and do your pre-ceremony photo shoot in a suit, that shoot is your only rehearsal in a suit.
What About Pairing Hakama with Boots?
There's also the retro shosei (old-time student) look of hakama with boots, but LEVANO's boot types are rated × for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, so we don't recommend them for it.
POINT 05
January Cold and Snow, and How to Walk on Ceremony Day | Try Them Out at the Pre-Ceremony Photo Shoot
For a January Coming-of-Age Ceremony, there are 3 things to watch: sock thickness, road conditions, and the break-in period.
Thick Socks Change the Fit
If you wear thick socks for warmth, your usual size can feel tight. The rule of thumb is to go with the same size as your usual sneakers, but always try them on with the socks you'll wear on the day. The reasoning is explained in Elevator Shoe Sizing: Why Your Usual Sneaker Size Is the Right Choice.
On Rainy or Snowy Days, Shorten Your Stride, and Air-Dry Them If They Get Wet
Cowhide leather and suede aren't water-resistant materials. On rainy or snowy days, shorten your stride and land gently on your heel. If they get wet, wipe them with a dry cloth and let them air-dry out of direct sunlight and away from heaters. The internal insole structure isn't designed to be removed, so don't wash them in water.
Walking on the Day | Land on Your Heel, and Place Your Whole Foot on Each Step Going Downstairs
The basics are "land on your heel and push off with your toes," and if you keep your stride the same as usual, your upper body won't sway and you'll look natural. Going downstairs, stay on the handrail side and place your foot all the way onto each step before shifting your weight. For details, see How to Walk in Elevator Shoes Without Being Noticed: Tips and Practice.
Break Them In Before the Photo Shoot and the Ceremony, but Confirm Your Size Indoors
When they arrive, first try them on indoors with the socks you'll wear on the day and confirm your size (don't remove the product tags or accessories). Once the size is settled, break them in by walking around the neighborhood. Size exchanges only cover unused shoes tried on indoors, so be sure to confirm your size before wearing them outside. Once your size is confirmed, wear them 1 or 2 times at the photo shoot or on an outing to check how they look in photos, your hem length, and your walk before the big day.
POINT 06
When to Buy Shoes for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony | A Countdown Schedule Built Around the 7-Day Size-Exchange Window
LEVANO covers shipping within Japan and usually ships orders within 1 business day of confirmation. But since the ceremony date can't be moved, it's reassuring to count backward and allow for a possible size exchange.
If the size does not fit, you can exchange it once within 7 days of delivery (return shipping is paid by the customer; we cover the shipping of the replacement pair). Size exchanges only cover unused shoes tried on indoors; leave the product tags and accessories attached and include the packing slip. Returns are subject to the same conditions. Also, with "TryBee" on the product page, you can try the shoes on for 7 days at ¥0 before deciding to buy (see the product page for conditions).
A Rough Purchase Schedule Counting Back from the Ceremony
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will my classmates notice I'm wearing elevator shoes at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony?
The shoes themselves look like ordinary dress shoes, so if anything gets noticed, it's the change in your height. If you'll be seeing many classmates for the first time in years, choose no29 (5 cm lift); if you're prioritizing effect, choose no20 or no21 (8 cm lift), and get your hem length and walk right.
Q. Can I use them if I attend in hakama?
Rather than pairing them with the hakama itself, the practical approach is to wear them at the reunion or after-party once you've changed into a suit or jacket-and-trousers look after the ceremony, or at a pre-ceremony photo shoot done in a suit.
Q. 5 cm or 8 cm: which is better for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony?
If in doubt, 5 cm. It's harder for classmates to notice and works for job hunting too. 8 cm has a bigger effect, but it calls for adjusting your hem length and walk, plus a break-in period.
Q. Should I order my usual shoe size? What if it doesn't fit?
The rule of thumb is the same size as your usual sneakers. Sizes run 24.0–26.5 cm for no29 and 24.0–27.5 cm for no20 and no21; no07 runs 25.0–28.0 cm. If the size does not fit, you can exchange it once within 7 days of delivery (return shipping is paid by the customer; we cover the shipping of the replacement pair). Try them on indoors, with the socks you'll wear on the day.
LEVANO
For the Photos That Last a Lifetime, Step Out in One Pair Rated ◎ for the Ceremony.
Choose a black cowhide leather model that carries you from the ceremony to the reunion in a single pair, from our products rated ◎ for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. If you're unsure about lift or size, don't hesitate to ask us on LINE.
Summary
For a Coming-of-Age Ceremony suit, choose black cowhide leather elevator dress shoes or loafers. Rated ◎ for the ceremony are no20 and no21 (8 cm lift) and no29 (5 cm lift); no07 (5 cm lift) is ○; no03 (6 cm lift) is △, so another model is recommended; and sneaker, boot, and sandal types aren't suitable.
At a Coming-of-Age Ceremony full of classmates, 5 cm is the hardest to notice; with 8 cm, adjust with your hem length and walk. Photos look natural with 3 things: black shoes, black socks, and a hem that just touches the shoe. For hakama wearers, the practical approach is zori for the ceremony and elevator shoes at the reunion after you change.
Try them on indoors with the socks you'll wear on the day, and order at least 4 weeks before the ceremony. If the size does not fit, you can exchange it once within 7 days of delivery (return shipping is paid by the customer; we cover the shipping of the replacement pair).
Products Featured in This Article
8cm UP Cowhide Elevator Business Shoes no20 | Coming-of-Age Ceremony ◎. The most formal black cowhide leather lace-up. ¥20,980 (tax included)
8cm UP Cowhide Elevator Loafers no21 | Coming-of-Age Ceremony ◎. Easy-on, easy-off black cowhide leather bit loafers. ¥20,980 (tax included)
5.0cm UP Cowhide Leather Casual Shoes no29 | Coming-of-Age Ceremony ◎, job hunting ◎. Made in Japan, 5 cm lift. ¥29,680 (tax included)
5cm UP Suede Elevator Loafers no07 | Coming-of-Age Ceremony ○. For the reunion or a jacket-and-trousers look. ¥14,980 (tax included)
6cm UP Suede Loafers no03 | Coming-of-Age Ceremony △. For the ceremony, we recommend the models above. ¥13,980 (tax included)
[Designed for Elevator Shoes] Style-Up High-Waist Slacks no33 | For a jacket-and-trousers look at the reunion. ¥9,980 (tax included)
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