The Kimono is a Japanese traditional garment worn by both males and females. It is a T-shaped full-length robe with long sleeves. Due to its beauty, the kimono has found its way to the fashion world across the globe. You have to wear several accessories with the kimono to complete the elegant Japanese traditional look.
In Japan, the kimono is the appropriate attire for formal traditional events and festivals. People also wear it to tea ceremonies, weddings, and funerals. You have to choose the appropriate style and type of kimono for the occasion you want to attend. Besides, marital status and age also influence a wearer’s choice of the traditional robe.
Part of the Japanese culture
The Kimono is Japanese popular traditional clothing. Its existence dates back to the Heian period. Crafted from handmade fabrics, kimonos come in silk, hemp, and linen. However, rayon, polyester, and cotton are often used in recent times. These textile materials are hand-decorated by dyeing, painting, and embroidery.
In addition to the type of fabrics used, the layers of kimonos can be altered to suit the season. The social status of the wearer, as well as the occasion, also determines the number of layers worn with a kimono. The traditional robes made for women have vibrant colors and gorgeous patterns. However, men’s kimonos are less colorful than the female version.
Essential accessories for a kimono
The Japanese are proud of their traditional clothing. If you want to try on the kimono, you need some Japanese clothing accessories to complement the attire.
Obi
The obi is the wide decorative belt that usually accompanies the female kimonos. Used for securing the robe, the obi comes in beautiful colors and rich patterns. The rectangular piece of cloth is usually long, measuring some meters in length. There are several approaches to tying an obi. You can secure it with different types of knots and bows.
The obi can give a touch to your look on kimono. You need a matching fashionable piece of the belt for each kimono. You can shop various size & colors of Japanese obi belts to complement your kimonos. Eye-catching obi belts will elevate your outfit and improve your look. You can make a fashion statement with various styles of obi.
Obiage, Obijime, Obidome
Besides choosing the perfect obi for your kimono, you can accessorize the decorative belt. Accessories such as obiage, obijime, and obidome can help you personalize your look. Wear the obiage, a narrow cloth, over your obi. The obiage conceals the obi padding placed inside the kimono sash. It also secures the obi knot.
The obijime is tied above the obi to hold it in place. The thin belt fits around the obi and through its rear knot. The obidome are little decorative pieces attached to the obijime. They can be pearls, precious stones, tortoise shells, wood carvings, and lacquer. You can find an obidome that complements your obijime.
Kanzashi
Hair ornaments are essential accessories for women when they wear the traditional Japanese attire, Kimono. They use decorative items known as kanzashi to beautify their traditional Japanese hairstyles. They can be in the form of flowers, hairpins, barrettes, and even decorated hair combs
Tabi
The Japanese men and women wear traditional socks, tabi. The tabi has been in existence for thousands of years. The socks are made of cotton. There are also tabi with embroidered patterns. The Japanese wear split-toe socks for formal occasions. They are worn with Japanese footwear, zori.
Geta sandals
The Japanese wear traditional wooden sandals that resemble flip-flops. Geta has an elevated wooden base and a V-shaped thong, hanao, on top of it. If you want to step out in style when wearing a kimono, wear geta sandals. You can shop Japanese geta sandals to complete your look when on a Japanese traditional garment.
Zori
Similar to geta is another Japanese traditional footwear, zori. While women’s zori has raised heel, men’s version is flat. The zori sandals are made of leather, cloth, rubber, rice straw, or even lacquered wood. Some women’s zori is decorated. Zori sandals are worn with tabi to complement kimonos.
Silk hand fans
A hand fan comes in handy when you feel heat resulting from the layers of the kimono. The folding fan is an ideal accessory when you wear a kimono.
Accessories are essential to improve your look and make you comfortable when wearing kimonos. Also, a clutch bag can add an elegant touch to your outfit. You can use Japanese clothing accessories to personalize your look and make a fashion statement.