from ABC News (Australia)

Zentai: Japanese dress in full-body suits to escape pressures of modern life

Zentai crazeUniversity student Yukinko dresses in the lycra suit once a week and says she only feels totally liberated and free in her “second skin”. (ABC News)

Japanese professionals, office workers and pensioners are dressing in full-body lycra suits to escape the pressures of modern day life.

According to experts, the craze called Zentai, provides welcome relief from a society that demands conformity.

University student Yukinko spends most of her time in the library or at choir practice by day, but she is also a member of the secret Zentai club.

“My family is conservative. They like me to be quiet and feminine but in secret I wear all over tights and let loose,” she said.

Yukinko dresses in the lycra suit once a week and said she only feels totally liberated and free in her “second skin”.

“I’m a different person wearing this. I can be friendly to anyone and I feel as if I can do anything,” she said.

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