The outfits worn in One Piece are wildly eccentric. Our Straw Hat pirates come from a diverse and vibrant crew, the characters boasting unique designs and distinct personalities. Throughout the series, we’ve enjoyed witnessing their growth as Oda unfolds their stories, along with their quirks and styles. As a fan, I’ve enjoyed the various outfits our pirates don, with these transformations reflecting their environment. While I truly appreciate the outfit changes across different arcs, I occasionally find myself wondering—was it laundry day for some of our pirates on board?
Here are my top (though very much not in order) “what the hell are you wearing?” looks in honor of One Piece week.
Sanji in Skypiea
You’d probably assume my problem with this look is the shirt. The truth is, I love the shirt. It’s bold, it’s colorful, and I’m delighted to know it’s tucked away somewhere deep in Sanji’s closet. The thought that, at some point in his journeys, Sanji spotted that shirt and said, “Yep, gotta have that.” Wonderful. This look has landed itself on my “Laundry Day” list because of the pairing of this top with what appears to be cropped dress pants and slip-on loafers. It’s just an odd enough combination to make me pause and wonder what look he was aiming for when getting ready that day. I don’t have an answer.
Nami in Arlong Park
I adore Nami and like getting to see her more athletic looks. In Arlong Park, we get to see one of her more recognizable looks consisting of a tank top and bike shorts — which are fine. Absolutely. Her strappy, heeled sandals along with them? It’s giving “I have to help mom bring in the groceries,” so you find yourself quickly slipping on whatever’s closest to the door and awkwardly hobbling out to carry in six bags at once because “you’re not a wimp” and can do it all in one trip. This combo is mismatched enough for a “Laundry Day” look.
Post Time Skip/ Fish-Man Island Robin
Yeah, yeah, I already know what some of you will say. We can agree to disagree. I love Robin with all my heart but struggle to understand this outfit. The sunglasses with the cropped biker-esque, maybe athletic, could be a bathing suit (I really can’t tell) zip up…hot—the wrap skirt your aunt wears to the pool on a family vacation, not so much. With the addition of her red pumps, I’m lost in describing this outfit. The pieces individually could work in some capacity, but together, they are screaming “Laundry Day.” There are too many conflicting vibes.
Usopp post Punk Hazard
Post-timeskip, Usopp experienced what I view to be a positive transformation. The green overalls have been ditched, or at least banished somewhere to the back of a wardrobe, and his new yellow high-rise ones are introduced. While they might seem puzzling, with the fur details and harem-styled, capri-length legs, I truly do appreciate them. Fashion often involves a level of risk. Some pieces aren’t immediately comprehensible on their own, so it takes a discerning eye to recognize their potential and wear them confidently. That being said, Usopp’s outfit as they sail towards Dressrosa is one I’d classify as “Laundry Day.” We’ve seen him make these pants work, but paired with the tracksuit jacket and…bonnet? Not so much.
Franky in Dressrosa
Let’s be honest: it would be easy to label any outfit Franky has worn throughout the series as a “Laundry Day” look, especially given his perpetual lack of pants. However, that’s his signature style – his quirky charm – so I won’t criticize him for that. This specific outfit stands out because of the striking contrast between the button-up shirt and suit jacket paired with just a speedo. Let’s not forget to mention his braided hair, fake beard, and hat, which certainly enhances the absurdity of this ensemble. I know the top half was only adorned as a disguise, but it’s still fitting (buh dum tis) that this look deserves a place on this list. Side note — it does not go unnoticed how funny it is to question Franky’s outfit with Luffy in the frame looking like that.
Chopper leaving Wano
This one might seem nitpicky — I don’t care! Chopper’s outfit completely clashes with his little pastel hat. Is it offensively bad? Not at all. But Chopper usually follows a color scheme, and I do not see it here. This feels like a “Laundry Day” mishap.
Sanji Post Thriller Bark
With this outfit, my criteria for what constitutes a “Laundry Day” look might seem inconsistent. But it’s all about intent (though I admit that might not always be the case, but it’s my list — if I’m a little contradictory then sue me!) Sanji is our suave chef, with a wardrobe overflowing with sleek suits of several designs. Some looks, while less fashionable than others (I’m looking at YOU, Hawaiian shirt from Egghead. He had several other choices!), don’t necessarily meet this model. That’s why the depression hoody from Thriller Bark is so noticeably a laundry day look. How often do we ever see Sanji in such casual clothing? Previously, if he’s ever sported a simple t-shirt, it was typically for part of the running joke where most of the crew ends an arc in swag from the latest location. His sad little blue sweatshirt is not the norm, and for that, it is “Laundry Day.”
Nami post Thriller Bark
Who did she borrow this from, Tashigi? Nami has showcased a wide variety of outfits throughout the series. As our fashion-forward cat burglar, there are some styles that I might not prefer, but I can acknowledge their playful flair. The real issue here is not simply that the look is unattractive but that it’s boring. It wouldn’t be worth commenting on for someone a little plain-jane, but it certainly stands out for Nami.
Luffy on Amazon Lily
We only enjoy this outfit for an episode at most, but what better captures the “Laundry Day” sentiment than having no alternative clothing options? Luffy, like anyone who finds themselves in that predicament, was not happy. He modifies the look quickly, but I’ll never forget his distress from the grandma-core floral knit vest.
While curating this collection of outfits, I came upon some interesting discoveries. The first is that Zoro truly has never (from my findings, at least) experienced a fashion mishap. This here is an example of the effectiveness of a capsule wardrobe. Having multiple items of clothing that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits, Zoro has successfully avoided any look that I would deem “Laundry Day.” With his signature piercings, haramaki, and bandana, his ensembles are always full of character and appear effortlessly stylish.
Next — Brook’s style is far too eccentric to have any look be determined as “Laundry Day.” This is the strength of his bold choices, which render all his fashion choices unquestionable. He’s pairing striped pants and a patterned shirt with a cravat and tophat. Sure, why not? It suits him perfectly. He also rocks floral pants with a matching pink t-shirt, and without a doubt, he looks fantastic.
Lastly, Jinbe would be too responsible with how he manages his laundry that he’d never find himself in a situation where he’s desperately stuffing a washer with everything he owns. His style is consistent, typically a kimono paired with a coat and wooden sandals — a look that has served him well. The most outlandish we’ve seen him is the current Egghead Arc, and that look is merely based on circumstance. He has yet to experience what I would classify as a “Laundry Day” moment.
Images courtesy of Crunchyroll and Toei Animation.
