How to wear a kimono, the best combinations. Japanese kimono: history, features and traditions

Translated from Japanese, the word "kimono" means "clothes". Moreover, initially all types of vestments were called so. But over time, the term was assigned exclusively to the "robes", which to this day are worn by many Asians of all ages.

The shape of the traditional Japanese kimono is very long (reaching the ankles) and looks like the letter T. But at the same time, absolutely all the seams are straight. There is also a collar. Sleeve width always different lengths and can tell a lot about the owner of the kimono. For example, girls of marriageable age have kimonos with long and wide sleeves. Moreover, the length can reach the floor, and the width can be up to half a meter.

How to tie and wear?

The Japanese kimono is wrapped in such a way that the left end is on top of the right end. In other words - on right side. In a similar way both women and men dress. And on left side it is smelled exclusively on the deceased.

The soft and wide belt of the Japanese kimono is called obi. It is wrapped several times around the body and tied on the back with an elaborate bow. If the knot is in front, then the girl wearing the kimono is a representative of the most ancient profession - jero. It should be noted that not all shoes are suitable for Japanese clothes (you should forget about modern ones in general), but only traditional ones. It is called zori or geta. And usually kimonos are worn in the "plural". That is, under the top, which is the most richly decorated, they put on several lower ones that look worse. They got the name "nagajuban". Now you know how to tie a Japanese kimono and wear it. Let's go further.

History of occurrence

The Japanese kimono was copied from the Chinese national Hanfu costume in the 5th century. n. e. Just at that time, cultural ties were actively developing between these Asian countries. Well, the kimono acquired its final form in the Heian era, which lasted from 794 to 1192. Since then appearance traditional Japanese clothing remained unchanged.

All women's kimonos are made in one size. Well, only then the owners themselves adjust the clothes to fit their figure, tucking it in the way that suits them. The Japanese costume is sewn from one piece of fabric, which in the old days was made by hand. It was also embroidered by hand, so it cost big money and worn with great care. Now in Japan, for tailoring a traditional costume, they produce special fabric specified width and length. It only needs to be cut into rectangles and stitched.

Wash

In ancient times, in order to wash a Japanese kimono, it was torn open and then sewn back together. Modern methods of cleaning fabrics have negated this need. Although in some places the traditional Japanese costume continues to be washed in the old fashioned way. To avoid unnecessary wrinkling, wrinkles and tangling of the layers of Japanese clothing, it is swept with loose and large stitches.

Female and male

Over the centuries, many of the most different options colors, fabrics and shapes of traditional Japanese costume. There are also various styles kimono - from frankly frivolous to the most semi-official. The degree of formality of the traditional women's clothing primarily determined by the model, fabric and color. The sleeves on a kimono for a girl are much longer, for an older Japanese woman. In addition, youth traditional clothing is much more difficult in terms of embroidery.

Japanese kimono (male) has only one shape and is sewn exclusively from fabrics of muted colors. And the formality of clothing is determined by the color and type of accessories, the type of fabric, as well as the number (or absence) of family coats of arms. The most desirable fabric for a Japanese costume is silk. He is the most official. The second place is confidently occupied by cotton. And on the third polyester, kimonos from which are quite rare.

Now both male and female traditional costume can buy required size. Since the Japanese kimono is sewn from one roll of fabric, it is very difficult to find clothes. big size. Well, tailoring a large suit will cost quite a lot. It is authentically known that all sumo wrestlers have clothes made to order.

Price

The cost of a traditional Japanese costume can easily exceed $10,000. Well, the price of a complete set (strings, tabi, sandals, obi and underwear) sometimes reaches up to 20 thousand dollars. Even one belt, made in a single copy, can cost as much as a whole kimono.

However, many Japanese costumes owned by historical reenactors or collectors are cheaper. Activists make their own clothes: alter old ones or use standard ones as an example. Well, dyed silk is replaced with machine-woven fabrics. In the domestic market, such a worn kimono costs about 500 yen, and women's obi made according to the pattern costs 1,500 yen. Men's belts are short and narrow, so their price is much lower.

Exploitation

Kimono in Japan has never been wasted. old clothes used to make various things:

  • Children's kimono.
  • Haori.
  • Handbags and other accessories are made from large pieces of fabric.
  • Also, the fabric is used to repair a similar kimono.

If the traditional Japanese costume was damaged below the waist, it could be worn with a hakama - wide pants that looked like a skirt. There were also craftsmen who managed to dissolve the spoiled kimono by strings and twist them into new fabric, equal in width to the male obi. Similar Method clothing renewal was called saki-ori.

Modern period

Now kimonos are usually worn only on formal occasions and, as a rule, only by girls. Older women (and some men) wear traditional Japanese clothing on a daily basis. Kimonos are also worn by professional sumo wrestlers every day. In public outside the ring, they are required to wear it. And kimonos are also worn at tea ceremonies, weddings, various sport competitions(kendō, etc.) New Year, seeing off the dead, National holidays, graduation from a university or school, etc. By the way, for a foreign tourist with a camera, it is considered great luck meet a Japanese woman (Japanese) in a kimono on the street.

In the country rising sun there are a lot of "kimonomaniacs" who love to wear traditional clothes and attend courses where they are taught how to do it right. In the classes, they talk in detail about the history of the origin, the choice of appropriate clothing for the upcoming event and the season, how to tie an obi, fabrics, and much more.

When, if not in summer, dress in bright bohemian outfits in oriental style? We tell and show how and with what to wear a stylish kimono this season!

The kimono is a loose, flowing cloak with folklore patterns and designs. This summer fashion designers They offer to put on a kimono not only on the beach, but also to walk around the city in it. Bright, stylish, spectacular and conveying the spirit of the East - what you need for the hot season!

Fashionistas around the world quickly picked up the trend and flaunted with might and main in colorful kimonos, combining them with completely different items of clothing. What to wear with a kimono? Let's figure it out together.

The most popular combination this summer is kimono + jeans + t-shirt. A colorful kimono will make even the most modest look brighter, so you can safely choose loose plain jeans (best suited light shades), gray, white or black plain T-shirt. It is the kimono that will become the main accent, so give preference to models lavishly decorated with flowers, birds, curlicues and other patterns.

Kimono with light jeans and t-shirt

Shoes can be both bright and calm neutral shades. Girls vertically challenged you should focus on models of shoes and sandals with heels, and beauties of high and medium height can choose between fashionable grandmothers, mules, slippers and sneakers, or give preference to shoes with heels or platform.

If you don't know how to put on a kimono, just throw it over your shoulders as a cape. And you can also mix it with black trousers and top. contrasting shades. Depending on the color and brightness of the kimono, you can create a bohemian look for romantic date, and a rather strict look for a business meeting.

Combination of kimono with black trousers

The combination of a kimono and a long flowing dress looks incredibly gentle and airy. Complement this look with neat heeled sandals, and the admiring glances of passers-by are guaranteed to you! Also pay attention to the dress in the form of a kimono - perfect option for hot summer!

Anime and cosplay fans are not just weirdos. Many of them are seriously interested Japanese culture and traditions. In particular, Japanese clothes, and how to wear a kimono.

How to put on a kimono

Your kimono is now on. But it still lacks something. It's because the time has come upper belt- obi.


Choose an obi that matches your kimono

Each type of obi has its own unique shape and sizes, and can be used to tie a variety of musubi bows. The picture shows a beautiful black nagoya obi sash embroidered with camellias, which is tied with an otaiko musubi bow. To tie such a musubi, you will need an obi, an obi-makura (a special pad to hold the knot), an obi-age scarf, an obi-jime cord, a small obi-ita board and so many belts, knots and himo (bandages for the belt), as much as you wish.

Depending on your obi, you may need to roll it lengthwise up to where the seam on the obi is. Then drape the narrow end of the obi over your left shoulder. If you have an obi-ita with knots, you can place it on the obi now.

  • Extend your arm back and make a triangular fold in the obi so that the fold is facing your legs and the open side is facing your head.
  • Wrap the obi around your body. If you have an obi-ita without knots, you can put it on the obi.
  • Stop when the seam is in the middle of the back. Throw the belt over your left shoulder, make a triangular fold so that its corner is directed towards the legs.
  • Take the obi makura and wrap it carefully around the obi-age.
  • Basically obi Makura have an oval-curved shape. The curved part looks up when you put it on. Press the obi-age against the triangular fold you just created, and use it to press the fold evenly against your back. Tie the obi makura in front of you.
  • Gently unfold the obi age and tie it in front over the obi makura knots.
  • You will see that the end of the belt just hangs down on the right side.
  • Turn the end so that it forms beautiful square. There should be a valve inside the square. Then carefully pull the cord through the first loop formed by the pleat.
  • Tie this lace in front. It doesn't have to be pretty, as it's temporary.
  • Pass the small end of the belt through the second loop.
  • Tie an obi-jime. All you have to do is place the obi-jime over all but the outermost pleats in the square, and then tie it in the front with a square knot.
  • Tuck everything in so everything sits in place, remove the temporary cord, and you're done.

Some women believe that the kimono is completely unsuitable and not practical clothes for the bustle of the city, but we can assure you that this is no longer the case. Modern designers have long been able to adapt these clothes women's wardrobe for all our whims and needs. And now let's figure out how to wear a kimono and what it can be combined with.

What is a kimono?

Based on this name, one can guess that the main features of this clothing came to us from Japan. And I would like to note that this year the trend will again be in fashion, so if you have found some interesting models then you shouldn't give up on them.

If we talk about kimono, then America adopted the fashion for it at the beginning of the 20th century. It is clear that today various kinds of changes have taken place in the design of the kimono, which began to concern not only him external image but also status.

What to wear with a kimono? In general, kimono itself loves catchy and flashy combinations. It harmonizes very well with wide trousers or flare. But here it all depends on your preferences.

If you want to give your look a little bohemian, then kimonos should be purchased from light fabrics, such as silk, organza, or chiffon.

As far as shoes are concerned, summer time preference should be given to wedge shoes or high heels. And for the autumn season, a kimono goes well with ankle boots. Massive jewelry made of natural wood in the hippie style is best suited for this type of clothing. See photo.


What are the types of kimonos?

To begin with, let's take a look at the most common models of this clothing, which are developed on the basis of Japanese national outfits. Among them are the following options.

  1. Kimono coat.
  2. Kimono jacket.
  3. Kimono blouse.
  4. And a kimono dress.
  • What is a kimono coat?

This coat looks like an elongated jacket. Its length can be up to the knee, as well as a little lower. It is made from fine wool. Such a kimono coat is designed to protect against bad weather, so you need to wear it on the main outfit.

As for the length of the sleeve, it all depends on the season. Models can be represented as long sleeve, sleeveless or three-quarter sleeves.


  • Kimono jacket

In style, it is somewhat similar to a jacket, but there is a slight difference here, instead of angular lines, its bottom is presented in a free cut. The length of such a jacket can be different, it can even reach the knees, or maybe a little higher.

The kimono jacket is mostly worn with blouses, shirts or tops. Therefore, it is impossible to say that this element of clothing is an independent item. Depending on the material from which the clothes are sewn, it can be divided into kimono cardigan and kimono jacket.

The cardigan is made mainly from dense fabrics, but lace can be added as a decor. But the jacket is sewn from thin fabrics such as cotton, silk or polyester. When we hear the word kimono, the image of fabulous Japan immediately appears in our heads.

Very often, a jacket and cardigan can be found with a fringe. This trim can be on the sleeves or on the hem.

  • Kimono blouse and dress

By style , kimono blouse, reminiscent of Japanese national clothes, because the free cut is taken as the basis. Now such blouses are gaining popularity among women. And in combination with other elements of clothing, they are considered very stylish and fashionable outfits. A kimono blouse with classic trousers looks very good and impressive.

An outfit such as a kimono dress is considered an independent element of the women's wardrobe, so it does not need to be selected additional items. After all, such outfits have distinguishing feature, they are sewn from bright fabrics free style, so it is not recommended to load them with other various accessories, and, as a rule, a belt decoration very often comes with such a dress.

We select images

When choosing a kimono, you should not adhere to any standards, because in principle they do not exist. Let's make some images:

  • For work in the office, kimono should choose a cropped cut. You can combine it with a fitted dress in a plain light or dark tone. A kimono jacket looks very harmonious in combination with tight trousers or a pencil skirt. Under the kimono, you can wear a plain top or shirt.
  • For everyday wear, suitable combination with skinny jeans or trousers, with dresses and skirts of any length fitted or straight cut. Under a kimono, it is best to wear things that will be without any fasteners, these are sweaters, T-shirts, T-shirts, shirts or blouses. If we talk about shoes, then it goes well with a heel or flat sole, the main thing to remember is that the design of the shoes is sophisticated and not rough.

  • For evening out you can wear a kimono robe, length to the very heels, in combination with blue shorts and a top. Suitable for shoes short boots on low heels.

Watch an interesting video here.

The article provides a description of the traditional Japanese costume and the basic rules for wearing it.

The kimono was not originally "invented" in Japan, but borrowed from China around the time of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and until the 1960s was casual wear both men and women. Today, the kimono is worn only for special days or at certain events.

Kimonos differ not only for men and women, but within each group there are several varieties of this type of clothing. For example, "furisode" (fluttering sleeves) - kimono unmarried girls. When a girl got married, she picked them up, which symbolized life experience and femininity, hence the name of the garment married women- "tomesode" (selected sleeves). Black tomesode with hem pattern and five family crests(on the back, fronts and sleeves) is considered ceremonial and is called "kurotomesode" (black tucked up sleeves) or "montsuki" (kimono with coats of arms). "Yukata" - home or Summer clothes for relaxation, but a “numaki” similar to it - nightwear. There is also a wedding kimono "shiro-maku", "nemaki", etc.

The male costume usually consists of a mid-thigh or knee-length kimono, sometimes a hakama or short trousers. Woman suit- a kimono usually ankle-length, often also with pants, a wide obi belt.

Also, kimonos are divided into upper - "furisode" - and lower - "juban", which used to be worn under the top. Now instead of it they usually wear a white scarf and, perhaps, petticoat. The scarf (or collar of the lower kimono) should be visible.

In general, wearing a kimono is an art that is taught in Japan in the same way as ikebana, origami or bansai, but there are a number of rules that you can learn at home.

Firstly, kimonos do not have sizes, each additionally tightens and ties it up on its own. The hem should be strictly raised 10 cm from the ground.

Both men and women wrap their kimono so that the right floor is on the bottom and the left is on top (according to European concepts, this is called “manly”), and not otherwise. On the contrary, only the main actor funeral rite.

First things first, the kimono rises to the desired length, and is tied at the waist narrow belt"kosi-himo" (it crosses at the back and ties in front).

Then the kimono is finally leveled, folds are smoothed out, etc., and the whole structure is fixed a little more wide belt"date-jime". The fold formed during the length adjustment can be seen from under the obi, then the illusion is created that the suit consists of two parts.

Actually obi is a huge strip of fabric (modern official obi has a length of 4 m and a width of 60 cm, folded - 30), which wraps around the waist twice and is tied at the back with a complex bow or knot. How to tie is a separate art. One of the relatively simple ways— double bow-butterfly. If you need not a reconstruction, but a stylization of the costume, you can tie or even sew a bow in advance and make it on the belt hidden clasp- after all, even good fabric creases in place of knots, and a bow tied for the second or third time may lose its decorative effect - it is easier to keep a finished bow beautiful.

Finally, a decorative obi-jime cord belt is put on top of the obi, its knot or clasp is in front.

Good illustrations on this topic are present on the site:

http://www.yukatalism.com/html/ktkv2_sash.htm

With a men's kimono, it is somewhat simpler: its belt is narrower (no more than 10 cm) and runs along the waist or below the abdomen. Waist pleat and decorative cord missing.

Hakama is worn over a short (mid-thigh) kimono. Both belts must be wrapped around the waist and tied in front. A haori cape or a long top dress (for women) can be worn over it. Both usually also have a linear cut.


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