How to wear a kimono: 5 steps

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Last Updated on September 2, 2021 by Shravani Priya

Countless numbers of efforts on how to wear a kimono in the proper fashion is a common struggle. This delicate yet dressy dress requires few practices before you can perfect it in the eyes of your beholder. Come learn with us how to tie a kimono!

Image source – Pinterest

What is a kimono?

A T – shaped traditional Japanese garment which also happens to be the national dress of Japan is a wrap-around apparel. Being an aesthetic dress it has caught the attention of foreigners. The only reason why it is not so trendy is because of its complex arrangement. If you too find it daunting to put on this traditional attire, here we are to help you tie it right!

Parts of a kimono:

Image source – aimseijinsiki.jp

First things first. Wearing a kimono requires certain accessories which are necessary while wearing them. However, some parts of a kimono are optional too. Kimono was always worn along with accessories and additional garments, so the use of the accessories is important to enhance the overall appearance of the dress. Get your accessories right whenever you plan to put on a Japanese display. 

Here’s a list of garments which constitute the parts of a kimono. You need to check off your kimono list:

Kimono – the main garment, any fabric, any print as per your taste

Juban – an undergarment used specifically with kimono

Koshi-himo – A waist wrapping tie like a sash to keep the kimono intact

Obi – The outermost cloth wrap used to tie a kimono. 

Datejime –  a type of a belt that is put over kimono to shape the obi

Tabi – socks meant to be worn with traditional Japanese footwear. It has one peculiarity; the toe section is divided into two.

Geta/Zori – Traditional Japanese foot wears with a kimono. Suit yourself either a wooden “tik-tok” Geta or a modern looking synthetic product which comes in all colors and patterns – a Zori

 How to wear a kimono step by step:

Did you too give up tying this traditional attire after one or two failed attempts? Ease your breath as we are here to make it simple for you. Practice is what makes a man perfect, revise these “how to wear a kimono step by step” on and on for a few more times before you are ready to accept admiration for your neat Japanese look!

Let us now take you through the enticing journey of how to wear a kimono step by step 

STEP 1  

Remember how the best advice while draping a saree is to put on your heels first? Well, that’s exactly what we keep in mind while wrapping a kimono. Put on your traditional Japanese socks – tabi as the first thing when you start wearing a kimono. 

STEP 2

We tend to wonder ‘what do you wear under a kimono?’. Well, you put on the Juban – the undergarment traditionally worn with a kimono. You can choose to stick to our basic sports bra or a t-shirt too.

 

Image source – voyapon.com

 

STEP 3

Put the sash now to hold the garment in shape. Obi is the sash that goes over a kimono while Datejime is wrapped around Juban.

Image source – voyapon.com

 

STEP 4

Bring around the kimono and align it with your body’s central points. A quick help is to hold the lower seams of the collar in front of each other. Even if one of the two are longer than the other one, you might want to give it a thought and re-do it. Once we have the kimono right in place, grab the koshi-himo in one hand, and begin wrapping the kimono around your legs. Fact check – there is one rule, never tie the kimono right over left. Only a deceased person is supposed to wear it that way. So remember to put your kimono right over left and not left over right.

STEP 5

Tie the kimono. With koshi-himo in hand, tie the kimono in place. We tie it right over our torso keeping it tight as it is the main sash holding the whole attire. Tuck away the extra fabric in order to do away with some mistakes that you might have encountered during your first try. And lo! your kimono is tidily tied around your body. Put on the Geta/Zori and rule the place with your absolute unavoidable “tik-tok” walk!

Image source – voyapon.com

And with these steps, you will end up wrapped in a traditional Japanese outfit, kimono. Wearing it might seem a little tricky but once you know how to carry it, you will love the comfort and the style. So, try a kimono today to give a Japanese touch to your looks whenever you go on a beach trip or a date.

 

Source: Pinterest

Not to forget to look at this space for more blogs. Contact us for any assistance regarding traditional dresses and we’ll see you next time!

Stay tuned to styl-inc blogs for more tips on traditional dresses.

Signing off

Staying fashionable

Divya Jain.