The traditional women's kimono is an emblem of Japanese culture and history. The term Kimono means "clothing", before the opening of Japan when Western clothing became the norm, this iconic Japanese dress was worn by everyone. The kimono, even today, continues to influence the fashion world.
If your are looking for a night kimono dress, check our Japanese Pajama Outfit. It's the best sexy Geisha style you can find on a Japanese store...
When can you wear the women's kimono?
Historically the kimono was only worn during special events such as tea ceremonies. Today, it can be worn at weddings, graduations, funerals and also coming of age celebrations.
The traditional, longer Japanese kimono is very expensive which is why these precious kimonos are passed on from generation to generation. The kimono that we know today is the result of a long evolution throughout history, originally being made with materials such as silk, satin and gold thread. These have now given way to cotton, elastane and polyester, fabrics that are both more comfortable and easier to shape.
Please refer to the size guide because all our products are in Japanese sizes! If you wish to kit yourself in full geisha clothing, here is a summary of all the Japanese accessories you may need. Of course, this list is not exhaustive, if you want, you can definitely wear them without having the complete set.
You will, of course, need a traditional kimono, a nagajuban, an obi belt, tabi socks (socks with split ends). Other optional items would include geta wooden sandals, a Sensu folding fan, a furisode (Japanese bag), a Kitsune (a Japanese umbrella), and a Japanese Kanzashi comb jewel that you may use to maintain your beautiful hair!
If you're feeling uncertain of how to wear it, here are the 5 steps you need to respect in order to put your kimono on right:
- Step 1: put on white tabi socks
- Step 2: put on the susuyoke and hadajuban (traditional Japanese underwear)
- Step 3: put the nagajuban over the hadajuban to protect the material of the kimono
- Step 4: put on the kimono, the nagajuban must be visible at the collar of the kimono. It is absolutely necessary that the left side of the kimono is put on the right side. A kimono whose right side is folded on the left side is reserved for the deceased. In Shinto funeral ceremonies, attendees are dressed in a white kimono
- Step 5: close the kimono with the koshi imo belt and then the Obi belt. This is a wide band of rigid fabric that we tie around the waist to bring more femininity to the slightly masculine straight cut of these traditional clothes!
Within Japanese culture, it is important to follow the correct etiquette, making sure to wear the right kimono at the right time. During the new year, patterns of traditional Japanese women's clothing are composed of plum trees, bamboo and pine!
Japanese Kimono types
Discover the other types of Japanese women's kimonos you might need...
1. Japanese Yukata
The yukata is a Summer kimono, made of cotton or polyester, with bright, flowery colors. This light kimono differs from the traditional kimono as it has no lining at the collar. It is the perfect Japanese clothes to wear when participating in a matsuri festival. These take place every year during the Summer time. The women's yukata kimono is a casual outfit that doesn't have all of the strict etiquette attached to it as the kimono. The term Yukata comes from Yu which means bath in Japanese and Katabira which means linen. The nobles of the national palace used to wear this traditional dress as a kimono dress in their rooms after their evening baths in the onsen (Japanese public baths).
2. Women's kimono jacket
This kimono jacket is called a haori. This Japanese jacket is worn over a kimono. In the current fashion world, people tend to mistake it with kimonos! Don't hesitate to have a look at our traditional jacket collection if you want to add a splendid kimono jacket to your Japanese wardrobe!
3. Kimono pyjamas
This kimono dress is very appreciated for its lightness, its oversized and ample cut, as well as for the softness of the material. This makes it a kimono for inside occasions that is super pleasant to wear. Some people use it as a night kimono dress or a kimono pyjama with long or short sleeves! The kimono babydoll is perfect to feel comfortable at home. Choose a short or long kimono according to your desire!
4. Kimono furisode
This kimono is the traditional Japanese suit worn by women when they graduate! It is a silk kimono with bright colors. Each Japanese pattern is painted or embroidered. The sleeves are so long, they almost touch the ground!
5. Kimono Homongi
Homongi translates as visiting suit. It's the traditional Japanese outfit worn by married women. This kimono is identifiable by its short sleeves. Historically, this kimono sleeve was used to carry out household chores of everyday life.