Kimono and other clothing in Japan
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 12:54 pm
The Japanese kimono and the yukata are two of the most commonly worn garments in the country. A kimono is a full-length silky robe, worn by both men and women. Men's kimono is simple, black or brown-colored, but there are different designs of this dress for women. Traditionally, an unmarried woman wears a furisode (swinging sleeves) kimono, which has rather long sleeves (1,1 meter in length). Out of the 9 to 10 different styles of kimonos, a woman chooses one depending on various factors, like her age and marital status, type and color of the garment used, its symbolism, and the sort of occasion. In winter kimonos made of woolen fabric are worn more often. For funerals, a black kimono is worn by both sexes.
Yukata. The yukata is also a part of Japanese traditional clothing, it's a kind of a casual version of the kimono. People generally wear a yukata after bathing, which is a common sight at traditional Japanese inns. These garments are meant to cool the body. That's why they are made from fabrics like cotton.
Nagajuban. This is a robe that takes the shape of a kimono, and is worn underneath it. Kimonos are usually made of silk, so they are difficult to clean. A nagajuban is worn to avoid contact between the silk and ones skin. Only the edges of the nagajuban collar are visible from outside the main garment, the kimono. Often, the collar of the nagajuban is covered or wrapped with a haneri for decorative and/or cleanliness purpose.
Haori. The haori is a loose-fitting, coat-like, knee-length garment. This formal-looking coat was originally worn only by men, but nowadays, it has become popular among women too. It is lightweight and generally used as a coat to keep the kimono clean.
Yukata. The yukata is also a part of Japanese traditional clothing, it's a kind of a casual version of the kimono. People generally wear a yukata after bathing, which is a common sight at traditional Japanese inns. These garments are meant to cool the body. That's why they are made from fabrics like cotton.
Nagajuban. This is a robe that takes the shape of a kimono, and is worn underneath it. Kimonos are usually made of silk, so they are difficult to clean. A nagajuban is worn to avoid contact between the silk and ones skin. Only the edges of the nagajuban collar are visible from outside the main garment, the kimono. Often, the collar of the nagajuban is covered or wrapped with a haneri for decorative and/or cleanliness purpose.
Haori. The haori is a loose-fitting, coat-like, knee-length garment. This formal-looking coat was originally worn only by men, but nowadays, it has become popular among women too. It is lightweight and generally used as a coat to keep the kimono clean.