French fashion brand had netizens in stitches!

Motorbikers covered from head to toe in protective gear, face masks, and shades are very familiar sights in Vietnam’s traffic.

Vietnam coverup version

According to The Smart Local, this type of protective gear is often worn by ladies who want to protect their skin from the sun and pollution while commuting.

Whereas Westerners crave for a suntan, white skin is a plus for most Asian women, and can be seen as a status symbol too!

This driving getup is so popular among locals that it is fondly dubbed “the ninja outfit” and has become the inspiration for many memes and songs.

While this casual outfit can be seen anywhere in Vietnam, seeing it launched on the official page of high-end fashion brand Louis Vuitton had netizens in stitches. 

Image credit: Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton has been known to go the extra mile just for the sake of style instead of simply utilitarian purposes, so its most recent collection isn’t the first time this brand flexed its over-the-top creativity. 

However, what made its high-fashion outfit go viral among netizens was that it bears a striking resemblance to the protective gear worn by Vietnamese motorbikers.

With full coverage from head to wrist, complete with a face cover and shades, this familiar getup is inevitably reminiscent of the “ninja outfits” we see all the time on Vietnamese roads. 

“Ninja outfits” and Vietnamese people’s love for sun protection

A Grab passenger with barely any skin left uncovered
Image adapted from: 1 phút Sài Gòn Image credit: Docbao.vn

“Ninja outfit” protective gear started to gain popularity among female motorbikers about 10 years ago.

It first started with a face mask to prevent sun exposure and pollution, and then a protective jacket to cover the arms.

A few years later, stores started selling long protective skirts that cover the legs, and more and more people sought to cover themselves from head to toe to make sure no body parts could be reached by the sun.

However, being fully covered in these outfits also hampers motorbikers’ movements and their ability to see their surroundings carefully.

Many have gotten themselves into accidents such as making turns without looking properly. 

After many road accidents caused by ladies clad in these outfits, locals started to call them “ninja” or “ninja Lead”. 

The original for the latter term comes from the fact that an unusually large number of ladies wearing protective gear ride Honda Lead motorbikes, Vietnam’s most popular motorbike model that markets to ladies.