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<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nKimono and yukata are traditional Japanese garments that have charmed people around the world with their beauty, style, and traditional aesthetic. They are full-length T-shaped robes that have long sleeves and are secured in place with a decorative belt. There are many specific rules for when and how to wear kimono and yukata, known as kitsuke<\/i>. The rules for kimono are much stricter as they are considered formalwear, while rules for wearing yukata are more relaxed.<\/p>\n A kimono is a traditional style of dress that became part of the normal Japanese wardrobe back in the Muromachi period (1392-1568). Over time, styles shifted to denote the wearer\u2019s social rank and occupation. The rules for kimono settled into place during the Edo period (1603-1868), and since the eighteenth century, there have been very few major changes.<\/p>\n Today, only a small percentage of Japanese people wear kimono every day because they are expensive and difficult to put on. A kimono is an extremely dressy garment, so wearing one every day would be the equivalent of wearing a formal dress or fancy suit wherever you go.<\/p>\n The style of kimono worn depends on both the occasion and the status of the wearer. Komon<\/a> <\/i>is a casual type of kimono that can be worn throughout the year by both married and unmarried women, while young unmarried women can also wear furisode<\/a><\/i>, a type of kimono with long sleeves to indicate that a woman is eligible for marriage. In addition, there are many other types of ceremonial kimono worn for special occasions.<\/p>\n A kimono consists of twelve or more parts, which can make wearing them very complicated. The first layer is the underclothing. This consists of an inner kimono called the nagajuban<\/a><\/i>. Under this, you may also wear a hadajuban<\/a><\/i>, which is like an undershirt that prevents the nagajuban <\/i>from becoming soiled. The kimono layers are tied down with a thin sash called a koshi himo<\/a><\/i>. Over the underclothing you wear the outer kimono layer. Remember to put this on with the left panel over the right. The upper center line on the back of the kimono should be in line with your spine. The full length of the kimono should be within 5 cm(2 inches) of your full height. Lift the kimono so the hem is at your ankles, tie it in place with a koshi himo<\/i>, and then fold down the remaining fabric. This creates a special fold in the fabric called an ohashori<\/i>. For women, it\u2019s important to buy a kimono that\u2019s long enough to fold down, as it\u2019s considered bad kitsuke<\/i> to wear a kimono without this fold.<\/p>\n Next, a colorful belt called an obi <\/i>goes over the outer kimono layer. There are many different lengths, fabrics, and styles of obi<\/i>. Hanhaba obi<\/a><\/i> is the informal obi<\/i> for everyday kimono wear, while a fukuro obi<\/a><\/i> is the ceremonial one worn for formal occasions. There are also obi accessories like the obiage<\/a><\/i>, a length of silk tied around the torso and underneath the obi that helps to give the body a tube-like shape, and the obijime<\/a><\/i>, which is a decorative cord tied around the obi<\/i> that helps to keep its knot in place.<\/p>\n Zori<\/a> <\/i>are the traditional kimono footwear. They\u2019re sandal-like shoes made of fabric, brocade, or vinyl and must be worn with tabi<\/a> <\/i>socks, the white traditional socks used with Japanese footwear. Nowadays, you can also get other non-traditional colors<\/a> of tabi socks such as the light blue one you see below.<\/p>\n Men\u2019s kimonos tend to be much simpler and come in muted colors like black, gray, brown, and dark blue. For formal occasions, men wear a montsuki<\/a><\/i>, which is a formal black silk kimono worn over a white under-kimono and hakama<\/a><\/i>, traditional Japanese trousers. Men also wear zori<\/i>, usually made of imitation plastic straw, but they are not required to wear tabi<\/i> socks with their zori<\/a> <\/i>like women.<\/p>\nWhat we cover:<\/h3>\n
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What is a kimono?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nHow to Wear a Kimono<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nHow to Wear Kimono Video:<\/strong><\/h2>\n