Traditional Beauty: Key Points to Remember When Wearing a Kimono
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What Is the Most Important Rule for Wearing a Kimono?
A kimono is worn as a one-piece garment, wrapping it around the body like a **wrapping skirt**, with the two sides overlapping. The most important rule is to **always place the left side on top**. This tradition is closely tied to Japanese funeral customs. For deceased individuals placed in a coffin, the kimono is dressed with the **right side on top**, so wearing it this way in daily life is considered bad luck.
What Is the Second Most Important Rule?
The second key rule is to **choose a kimono appropriate for the occasion**. There are many types of kimono, just like Western clothing, ranging from casual to formal. It is important to select the right type of kimono based on the event and location. For instance, wearing a **yukata** to a wedding or a formal party is too casual, while wearing a highly formal **houmongi** (visiting kimono) to a summer festival would be overly formal. Understanding the level of formality for each type of kimono and matching it to the setting is essential.
Rules for Footwear
The footwear worn with kimono also follows certain guidelines. For women, the options are **zori** (formal sandals) and **geta** (wooden clogs). For men, there are **setta** (formal sandals) and geta. While zori and setta can be used for both formal and casual occasions, geta are strictly casual. The materials also play a role: zori are typically made from materials like straw, leather, or fabric, whereas geta are primarily made of wood. Be sure to match your footwear to the type of kimono you’re wearing.
Etiquette After Dressing in a Kimono
Wearing a kimono is akin to donning a formal gown, so graceful movements and posture are part of the tradition. When walking, take small steps instead of large strides, and gently hold the hem of your kimono’s skirt with your right hand to prevent it from riding up. The long sleeves of some kimonos should also be handled with care: for example, when reaching for something, use your opposite hand to hold your sleeve for a more elegant gesture. Especially for women, be mindful to keep your knees together and avoid spreading your legs when sitting.
In the past, when kimono were worn daily, practicality often took precedence over elegance. For example, when running, people would tuck the hem into their **obi** (sash) and use a technique called **tasuki-gake** to tie their sleeves back with a cord to prevent them from getting in the way. Even today, tasuki-gake is commonly used when performing tasks in a kimono, combining functionality with tradition.
A kimono is worn as a one-piece garment, wrapping it around the body like a **wrapping skirt**, with the two sides overlapping. The most important rule is to **always place the left side on top**. This tradition is closely tied to Japanese funeral customs. For deceased individuals placed in a coffin, the kimono is dressed with the **right side on top**, so wearing it this way in daily life is considered bad luck.
What Is the Second Most Important Rule?
The second key rule is to **choose a kimono appropriate for the occasion**. There are many types of kimono, just like Western clothing, ranging from casual to formal. It is important to select the right type of kimono based on the event and location. For instance, wearing a **yukata** to a wedding or a formal party is too casual, while wearing a highly formal **houmongi** (visiting kimono) to a summer festival would be overly formal. Understanding the level of formality for each type of kimono and matching it to the setting is essential.
Rules for Footwear
The footwear worn with kimono also follows certain guidelines. For women, the options are **zori** (formal sandals) and **geta** (wooden clogs). For men, there are **setta** (formal sandals) and geta. While zori and setta can be used for both formal and casual occasions, geta are strictly casual. The materials also play a role: zori are typically made from materials like straw, leather, or fabric, whereas geta are primarily made of wood. Be sure to match your footwear to the type of kimono you’re wearing.
Etiquette After Dressing in a Kimono
Wearing a kimono is akin to donning a formal gown, so graceful movements and posture are part of the tradition. When walking, take small steps instead of large strides, and gently hold the hem of your kimono’s skirt with your right hand to prevent it from riding up. The long sleeves of some kimonos should also be handled with care: for example, when reaching for something, use your opposite hand to hold your sleeve for a more elegant gesture. Especially for women, be mindful to keep your knees together and avoid spreading your legs when sitting.
In the past, when kimono were worn daily, practicality often took precedence over elegance. For example, when running, people would tuck the hem into their **obi** (sash) and use a technique called **tasuki-gake** to tie their sleeves back with a cord to prevent them from getting in the way. Even today, tasuki-gake is commonly used when performing tasks in a kimono, combining functionality with tradition.