Creating My First Casual Kimono Guide
I’ll be hosting a kimono booth at an international festival this October.
My booth will feature a kimono dressing experience and a display of various kimonos.
In addition, I decided to create a free paper to help visitors who are interested in kimono start wearing them casually and easily.
What kind of information is useful?
The first step was to decide what information to include in the free paper.
Initially, I considered adding information about different types of kimonos, such as furisode, houmongi, and komon, and explaining the formalities associated with them.
However, when I asked my husband, who never wears kimono, what kind of information he’d like if he were interested in wearing one, his answer was surprising.
He said he’d want to know, “What do I need to start wearing a kimono, and how much would it cost to get everything?”
His answer gave me a fresh perspective: people need to know “how to easily start wearing casual kimono.”
It was also the kind of information I would have wanted when I first started wearing kimono casually.
This insight made me completely rethink the structure of the free paper.
The final content I decided on includes:
- Essential items to get started
- Recommended types of kimono and obi for beginners
- Guidelines for choosing the right size
- Where to buy and the price range
- Suggested shops
Essential Items: Surprisingly Few
"Doesn’t kimono require a lot of accessories?"
This is a common assumption.
But if you mix kimono with Western clothing, all you need are a kimono, an obi, and two ties. That’s it!
You can pair them with regular innerwear and shoes.
For more details about the benefits of mixing kimono with Western items, check out.
Recommended Kimono and Obi Types
There are many types of kimonos and obis, but which ones should beginners choose?
Kimono: Choose a hitoe that’s washable at home
Hitoe is a kimono without a lining.
Depending on the material, it can be worn for a longer part of the year.
I recommend cotton, linen, or synthetic materials that are washable at home.
As for the type, “komon” and “tsumugi” are great for casual wear.
Obi: Half-width obi, any material works!
For beginners, I recommend a hanhaba obi (half-width obi).
The reason is simple: you can tie it without needing an obijime or obiage—just the obi itself is enough.
While there are many materials to choose from, just like with kimonos, the obi doesn’t usually get dirty enough to need frequent washing, so any material is fine.
Ties: Two koshi-himo
For an affordable option, search “muslin koshi-himo” on Amazon or Rakuten.
You can find a set of three for around 600 yen.
Despite the name, koshi-himo are also used to secure the chest area.
What About Size? Know Your Kimono Length and Sleeve Length (Yuki)
There are many different measurements for kimono sizes, but for now, focus on two key measurements: kimono length (mitake) and sleeve length (yuki).
Kimono length: Vertical length (for women)
Mitake refers to the length from the bottom of the collar to the hem of the kimono.
It’s generally recommended to choose a kimono that is within ±5 cm of your height.
For example, I’m 158 cm, so I look for kimonos between 153 cm and 163 cm.
Sleeve length: Shoulder width + arm length
Yuki refers to the length from the center of your back (spine) to your wrist.
You can measure this yourself, and it’s helpful to know your own size.
The fit doesn’t have to be exact, but if the yuki is too long, the sleeves might cover your hands and make it difficult to move.
If it’s too short, it might look odd with your arms sticking out.
A good guideline is to choose a yuki within 5 cm of your measurement.
If you plan to wear long-sleeved innerwear, this can cover up a shorter yuki.
Where to Buy and Price Range
There are many options for purchasing kimonos, including made-to-order items from bolts of fabric, pre-made new kimonos, recycled or antique kimonos, or hand-me-downs from family or friends.
If you’re buying your first kimono, I recommend starting at a shop that sells recycled kimonos.
The reason is that you can often find good-quality items at reasonable prices.
Plus, at a recycled kimono shop, you can ask the staff for advice, which is very helpful for beginners.
You can say something like, “I’m looking for a washable, casual hitoe kimono and a matching hanhaba obi.”
They’ll guide you to items that match your needs and size.
If shopping online, search for keywords like “hitoe,” “komon,” or “tsumugi.”
Be sure to check the measurements listed on the product pages.
Also, keep in mind that even among hitoe kimonos, the texture can vary depending on the material, so check the recommended season for each item as well.
Most websites provide detailed descriptions of the fabric’s texture (smooth, thick, sheer, etc.).
As for the price, a recycled kimono can be found for a few thousand yen to around 10,000–30,000 yen, depending on the store.
A hanhaba obi usually costs less than 10,000 yen if bought second-hand.
My Recommended Shops
Here are some shops I’ve visited or would like to visit:
- Kyoto: [Ochikochiya]
- Kyoto: [Ya-Ya]
- Shiga (near Kyoto): [Tento]
- Osaka: [Semba Center Building]
- Okayama: [Kimono Kanamitsu]
- Online:
[Ichirin]
[Yumekichi Kimono]
There are so many amazing stores that I could keep listing, but these are just a few that I’ve personally enjoyed or have heard good things about.
You can also find great shops by searching for “recycled kimono” on Instagram or checking out stores featured in kimono magazines.
While shopping online is convenient, visiting a store to see and try on kimonos in person can provide that “aha” moment (at least, in my experience).
Including Information I Once Needed
Looking back, the questions like “What do I need to start wearing kimono?” and “How do I get started?” were exactly what I wanted to know when I first began wearing kimono casually.
Gathering and organizing that information into a free paper was a rewarding experience.
I hope that, on the day of the event, many people will pick it up and discover the joy of casual kimono!
Thank you for reading until the end.
If you enjoyed it, I’d be happy if you gave it a like or recommended it!
Feel free to follow me as well.
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