Kimono Dress Up

Margie dressing me in the under-kimono

In my Japanese tea and culture class last week, we had the most amazing experience!  Our teacher dressed us in kimono, from her own collection.  Thank you Margie!

Assembling the kimono is an intricate process requiring great skill on the part of the dresser (either oneself or a helper).  To begin, you must choose the right kimono and obi.  Appropriateness is based on the event and season.  Kimono for tea are formal and refined. Dressing continues with the base layer (not shown here), a cotton gown.  Then comes the under-kimono, the white gown above.  Securing is done with ties and wraps.  Other layers can be added, based on the time of year.  Padding may also be used if one doesn't have a cylindrical kimono figure.  Finally you step into the outer kimono. 

Margie is preparing to secure my outer kimono with a tie

My sewing friends will find this fascinating...kimono are fitted to the person, but not in the way of Western thinking.  Only straight seams are used, and with lots of extra ease in the fabric.  The magic of fitting comes in the tucks, wraps and folds - the skill of the person dressing.

Margie is fitting the kimono to me, then securing it

The obi (the sash around the middle) is typically a contrasting color.  It's made from a very long piece of silk.  There are many ways to fashion it at the back.  We are using a popular "drum" style.    

Margie suggested we pull our hair back, as it's the practice to show the nape of the neck. The Japanese find this to be a very beautiful part of a woman.

In kimono, with our sweets papers and silk cloth tucked in, just above the obi


What a great day! I cannot imagine doing this dressing by myself. Margie can dress herself in kimono in less than 15 minutes!