Summer Kimono

Hello from Yuka from Ichiroya. Today I like to talk about summer kimono. You might have noticed there are not so many summer kimono compared to regular kimono. Yukata is the BEST to wear for summer but this time I am writing about a bit more formal summer kimono.

There is a certain kind of kimono made only for mid summer - they are ro and sha silk, and they were for only two months-July and August. However, summer is getting much hotter than olden days, and wearing these kimono from mid June to mid Septemer will be just fine - this period may become longer as our earth has more global warming!

Please see the complete style of summer kimono:

I am sure you think this looks just the same with reguar kimono - basically the style, kimono plus obi (and accessories) is the same.

The points are two-

underkimono †

summer fabrics and accessories †

Let's see from the beginning. First, you do not want to wear too many layers underneath kimono of course. Basically, to complete regular kimono style you wear:

undersear-juban-kimono

Now, fake juban ('usotsuki juban') is a very popular item and it has a collar and sleeves like juban (the part can be seen) but the body part is made of cotton. Here is the typical usotsuki juban - usualy they are the separate type.

The collar is made to show (the collar of this season is also ro), and bottom part - wrap skirt type is popular but pants style bottom also is very popular. Kimono wearers seem to have their own favorite way to keep cool before wearing kimono:-)

If it is not too hot, of course wearing kimono slip like this underneath juban is fine:

Please notice, it is underwear (slip) not juban. There is no collar attached and sleeves are not kimono sleeves.

I prefer simple way, so wearing usotsuki juban (the fake one) and kimono (only two of them!) is my favorite.

You can settle the waist line with datejime, a narrow tie.

You can wear kimono over the fake juban, adjust the length by folding at the waist - the same with all the kimono dressing.

Again, datejime, a narrow tie is good before tying obi.

It is always good to have a nice neck line at the back of your neck by pulling the standing collar downward, especially during the summer; this makes it much cooler.

Now please take a look at the fabrics - can you see the ro collar and ro kimono? (Ro=A kind of lacey stripe summer fabric)

All the things worn over kimono too have summery feel - lighter and thinner fabrics. (Obi are oftne unlined. Ro, sha and other semi see through fabrics.)

Kimono wearer try various methods with under-kimono, but wearing sha or ro fabrics are said to be for other people. Of course these fabrics are cooler but wearing summer kimono are said to make other people feel summery and cool. The other day I wore summer kimono to my church and some people said, "You are giving cool atmosphere, that is good." Wearing summer kimono is like putting Furin, glass wind bells. In Japan Furin is summer item, it does not actualy give you cool air or anything but the sound gives us summer atmosphere. I heard wearing summer kimono is for other people - and I did not quite understand that before - but since traditional seasonal items are becoming fewer, summer kimono may be playing the role of Furin. My grandmother used to wear asa (hemp) kimono during summer and had a parasol in her hand, even on very hot days she looked very cool. Maybe graceful behaviour might be good to be added to summer kimono! :-)