ダボダボ

• Reading: ダボダボ
• Romaji: dabodabo
• Pronunciation: /da.bo.da.bo/

Meaning

Baggy; oversized clothing that hangs loosely on the body.

ダボダボ is an onomatopoeic word describing clothes that are noticeably loose and baggy. It can be used positively (when oversized fashion is the goal) or negatively (when clothes are just too big and unflattering). In the current oversized trend era, ダボダボ has a more neutral-to-positive connotation, but in more fitted-fashion contexts, it can imply sloppiness. The word captures the visual and physical sensation of fabric hanging and swaying loosely.

Examples

1. わざとダボダボのパーカー着るのが今っぽいよね。 Deliberately wearing a baggy hoodie is so on-trend right now.
2. お兄ちゃんのTシャツ借りたらダボダボすぎて部屋着になった。 I borrowed my brother's T-shirt and it was so baggy it became loungewear.
3. ダボダボのデニム履いてストリート系のコーデにしてみた。 I tried a street-style look with baggy denim.

Usage Guide

Context: fashion, daily conversation, shopping

Tone: descriptive, can be positive or negative

Do Say

• ダボダボのスウェット着てると楽でやめられない。 (Once I wear a baggy sweatshirt, it's so comfortable I can't stop.)
• あえてダボダボに着るのがこなれ感出ていい。 (Deliberately wearing it baggy gives off an effortless vibe.)

Don't Say

• 「その服ダボダボだけど大丈夫？」はスタイルの否定になりかねない (Saying 'those clothes are baggy, are you okay?' can sound like you're criticising their style)

Common Mistakes

• Always using ダボダボ negatively — in current oversized fashion trends, it is often intentional and desirable

Origin & History

Japanese onomatopoeia (擬態語) describing the appearance and movement of loose, baggy fabric. Has been in use for decades but gained renewed relevance with the oversized fashion trend of the 2020s.

Cultural Context

Era: Long-standing word, renewed by 2020s oversized trend

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across Japan. A classic Japanese onomatopoeia (擬態語) describing loose, baggy fabric movement.