Kimonos are ancient Japanese robes, but they are still popular in Japan today. Women often wear them during festivals, weddings, and as casual clothing. Many people do not know that men wear kimonos too. There are also schools that teach girls how to wear a traditional kimono. Over the past few decades, though, fashion designers have put new twists on the kimono design. This guide is to teach others what a traditional kimono is, tips of how to wear a kimono, traditional accessories, and some official kimono terminology.

Kimonos

Traditional fancy uchikake or wedding kimonos are 100% silk and made by hand. They also have large, loose sleeves shaped like rectangles. The designs on kimonos are embroidered, dyed, and/or painted on. Phoenixes, cranes, flowers, butterflies, and complicated oriental designs are commonly found on kimonos. Fancy men's kimonos have a more masculine design with dragons, koi, and kanji symbols.

Traditional uchikake kimonos usually cost between $100 to $500 depending on their quality. Many kimonos have gold and silver embroidery. The most expensive kimonos are usually the wedding or uchikake kimonos made by well-known Japanese designers. These kimonos can cost well over $2000. When buying this type of kimonos, check for signatures and the reputation of the seller.

There are also shorter kimonos named haori. These types of kimonos are usually worn over the longer kimono. These short kimonos are worn by both men and women. They have the same long, loose sleeves as long kimonos. Most haori kimonos are very simple. It is common to see a shibori-dyed kimono. Shibori is the oriental way of tie dying, but the colors are usually not brilliant. Haori kimonos are made for a more casual setting. Good silk haori kimonos usually cost about $50. It is extremely rare to see a haori kimono over $100.

Another kind of kimono is called the yukata. These are also worn by men and women. They are made for summer weather. Yukata are traditionally made out of cotton and are longer than haori kimonos, but not as long as wedding kimonos. The fabric may be plain, or can be very bright and scenic. This type of kimono is the kind often worn for the casual setting and for Japanese festivals.

When wearing a kimono, always wrap the right side around first. Then overlap with the left side. This is for both men and women. The only time the right side overlaps the left side is for funerals.

Sandals

Geta is the traditional sandal for kimonos (both men and women). They come in two designs. One geta design looks like a normal wooden flip-flop sandal with a heel. The other design that is "abnormal" is the one with two square heels. This type of geta is made to keep the person's feet from getting wet when walking across a puddle. They also have a strap that comes in between the toes like a flip-flop. Underneath the "abnormal" geta, the tweed used to make the shoe's strap can be seen. There is also a metal latch that keeps the strap in place up front. When spelling geta, never add a s' to the end. Geta can be singular or plural.

Another common sandal seen with kimonos are called zori sandals. These are like the geta, but have a flat bottom. There are also tatami sandals that are like the zori, but are even more casual. These shoes are not considered geta because they do not have a separate heel.

Special socks have been made for the geta and other the types of Japanese sandals. These are called tabi socks. They are split-toed socks that are more comfortable to wear with Japanese sandals. They come in all sorts of colors from white to hot pink. The tabi socks should be put on before the kimono since putting on socks can be difficult in a big kimono.

Purses

The kinchaku is a purse often included with kimonos, especially yukata kimonos. They are usually small and can be tied shut. Kinchaku purses can be elaborate, but are usually simple and dyed the shibori fashion.

Belts

There are actually four traditional belts of the kimono. The most notable traditional belt of a kimono is a wide sash (the obi) wrapped around the entire waist with a big bow in the back. The traditional obi is usually 4 meters long, while the causal obi is much shorter. The sash can be simple or elaborate depending on the kimono. They can also be made of cotton or 100% silk. High quality obi sashes can cost over $50.

There are three other belts of the kimono- the koshi himo, date jime, and obi jime. The hoshi himo sash is the first belt tied around a person's waist after putting on the kimono. The hoshi himo is not seen. Then the obi is tied around the waist. The third belt, the date jime, is a thin silk ribbon-like belt. This is tied over the obi. The final belt is the obi jime. This belt is a silk braided cord that is tied over the date jime. The obi jime comes in many colors.

The bow of the obi is difficult to tie. This is why there are some obi belts that have a fake bow on the back. These are called butterfly obi. They are also sometimes called pre-tied obi belts.

Pants

The only type of pants worn with kimonos are hakama pants. They look like long, pleated skirts, but they do have a slit for the legs. Some hakama pants are actually skirts for special ceremonies. Be sure to check this during auction listings. Contrary to popular belief, both men and women wear hakama pants. Men commonly wear gray hakama pants with a black haori, and a black yukata. When wearing the hakama, it should come over the yukata. The haori should not be tucked into the hakama at all.

Collars

An eri sugata is a special collar made for kimonos. Traditionally, an undergarment is worn under the kimono. Just the collar of the undergarment shoes. This undergarment (the juban) can be very hot during summer weather so the eri sugata was created. The eri sugata is just the collar of the undergarment. It is used to make the kimono more formal.

Quick Guide of How to put on a Kimono-

1. First put on the tabi socks.
2. Put on the eri sugata collar or the juban undergarment.
3. Wrap the right side of the kimono around first. Then overlap with the left side.
4. Make sure the collar of the eri sugata or juban is showing.
5. Then put on the hakama pants over the kimono if desirable.
6. Put on all of the sashes unless you are wearing the hakama (look below for more details).
7. Put on the haori kimono.
8. Slip on your sandals last and grab your purse.

Quick Guide of How to put on the Sashes-

1. Tie the simple hoshi jimo sash first.
2. Wrap the big obi over the waist next.
3. Put on the date jime over the obi.
4. Tie the obi jime over the date jime last.