Classic Kimono Dresses with a Fashionable Modern Twist

Kimono dresses are traditional full-length Japanese robes worn by both men and women. In the 21st century, kimono dresses are predominantly worn on special occasions, but they were considered everyday attire until the beginning of the 19th century. A woven silk is cut into rectangular strips to allow kimono dresses to be easily taken apart, repaired and re-dyed. The kimono dress is not figure-flattering because of the straight-edged pattern, but it provides glamour with intricate prints, colors and various styles.

The heritage borne by kimono dresses represent a colorful and illustrated history handed down through generations in the Japanese culture. The dress itself has evolved constantly to suit the needs of changing times and societies, emerging as one of the most popular traditional fashion garments of the Oriental culture. Layered with exquisite designs and tranquil prints, kimono dresses have established a universal comfort oriented fashion design which continues to be the primary reason for its growing popularity.

Wearing a kimono in the traditional Japanese way would require one to purchase an elaborate “obi” or sash to wrap around the waist. In today’s more casual culture, it’s more common to wear colorful silk kimonos as loungewear or as a robe at a resort area. When shopping for kimono dresses, most women find that a lightweight cotton Yukata dress is a better choice.

A small cotton Yakuta can be used as sleepwear, while more traditional embroidered silk kimonos can be used at luxurious hotels, bath houses or to grace formal parties and events. Traditional silk kimonos, or Obis, still find a huge demand despite being expensive because they form the major cultural drape in the coming of age ceremony for a Japanese woman. The rising popularity of kimono dresses has also led to a more universal demand across the fashion market, for those who want to experience the serene richness and nobility of Oriental fashion.

A big cultural advantage in favor of kimono dresses is their firm establishment in the heart of traditional Japanese culture, enhancing their uses in a variety of formal and non-formal occasions. Kimonos can be worn everywhere and special types have been created for every social and personal event.

Although the kimono dress is simplistic in pattern, it often takes an experienced family member or friend to assist in the dressing process. The robe requires certain creases to be smoothed and adjustments to be made to its length by creating folds and overlapping. A number of less-visible ties called koshi himos are used to hold the different folds and alignments in place.

A kimono is usually handmade and extremely expensive because of traditional sewing and coloring patterns. They must be folded and preserved properly and handled with extreme care. The cost of dry cleaning is huge, so one must always look after the kimono for a lasting value. In today’s fashion universe, where trends change by the minute, kimono dresses have proudly held the banner of tradition and time.

Modern day fashion designers have updated the look, keeping the most attractive aspects of the traditional kimono while updating the cut and drape for modern use. You can find out more by checking out contemporary kimono dresses.