Translation guide
Clothing that is normal, everyday, or not special. Japanese has several words depending on whether you mean casual wear, everyday clothes, or clothes that are not formal or not a uniform.
Clothes you wear on a normal day, as opposed to formal wear or special occasion outfits.
Literally 'usual wear'. The most common and natural word for ordinary, everyday clothes. Used for clothes you wear at home or on casual outings.
普段着で来てください。
Please come in your ordinary clothes.
休日は普段着で過ごす。
On my days off, I spend the day in casual clothes.
Often used in contrast to a uniform or work clothes. Common in school or workplace contexts when you are allowed to wear your own clothes.
明日は私服で出勤してもいいです。
You can come to work in your own clothes tomorrow.
私服の日は好きな服を着られる。
On casual clothes days, I can wear whatever I like.
Means 'ordinary clothes' in a slightly more formal or written register. Often used in invitations to indicate no need for formal attire.
平服でお越しください。
Please come in ordinary clothes.
Clothes that are not a uniform, costume, or specialized gear; just normal street clothes.
Again the most natural choice. Can be used in contrast to any special clothing.
コスプレじゃなくて普段着で来た。
I came in ordinary clothes, not a costume.
Especially when contrasting with a uniform or work-specific clothing.
Clothes that are not flashy, not fashionable, just ordinary-looking.
Literally 'plain clothes'. Used when you want to emphasize the lack of flashiness or decoration.
彼はいつも地味な服を着ている。
He always wears ordinary, plain clothes.
Literally 'normal clothes'. A very straightforward way to say ordinary clothes, but can sound a bit vague.
普通の服が一番落ち着く。
Ordinary clothes are the most comfortable.
普段着 emphasizes everyday casualness, while 私服 emphasizes 'one's own clothes' as opposed to a uniform or provided attire. In many contexts they overlap, but 私服 is more common in school/work uniform situations.
普段着で買い物に行く。
I go shopping in my everyday clothes.
学校は私服登校が許可されている。
The school allows students to attend in their own clothes.
The direct translation '普通の服' is understandable but can sound unnatural or too vague. Use 普段着 or 私服 for more natural Japanese.
After work, I changed into my ordinary clothes.