Traditions and Novelty in Japanese Style Clothing

Japanese style clothing is very mannered and fanciful. On the one hand, it impresses by its riot of colours and, on the other, it embodies rich traditions and interesting culture of Japanese nation. Usually, people in Japan wear two types of clothing. One of them is a traditional kimono and the other – western style clothes.

Speaking about kimonos, they are an integral part of tea or wedding ceremonies. Moreover, at present time, this type of clothing is worn by representatives of older generation as casual variant of clothes. Additionally, this Japanese style clothing may be put on for any formal occasion.

The choosing of kimono depends on social status, woman age, ceremonial functions of coming event as well as season. Moreover, every female kimono carries its definite message. So, it’s necessary to distinguish the following types of Japanese traditional clothing:

• Kurotomesode. A black kimono with design below waist. It’s a special garment for official ceremonies, which is worn by married women. Such Japanese style clothing is often put on by mothers on wedding. As a rule, it features five kamon (family arms).

• Furisode. Literally, it is translated as “waving sleeves”. The sleeve edge practically reaches ankles. This Japanese style clothing, being decorated along the full length, is worn by unmarried girls. Usually, furisode is put on for seijin shiki (a full age ceremony).

• Irotomesode. This is a single-colour garment with design below the waist. Being worn by married women, it features from three to five kamon.

• Homongi. Such Japanese style clothing represents shoulders and side seams flowing patterns. This kimono may be worn nevertheless the social status.

• Tsukesage. A garment that has restrained and modest design below the waist.

• Iromuji. Single-colour kimono dressed on exclusively by unmarried girls. The dyed silk of this attire may feature its own lappet similar to jacquard.

• Komon. This type of kimono means “magnificent pattern” in translation. Such Japanese style clothing is decorated with fine prints, which are multiply repeated.  

• Yukata. Unofficial summer kimono made up of cotton, flax or hemp.

Men’s kimono is much simpler embracing only five components. The most formal garment is of black colour. It hasn’t any patters. Moreover, there exists less formal variant with three kamon. However, both exemplars are usually worn with white underclothes and accessories.

Regarding the Japanese style clothing influenced by the west tendencies, it comprises its own peculiar features. Practically all young Japanese girls wear bows. Moreover, leopard prints enjoy a great popularity among the representatives of fair sex. One more interesting detail of Japanese style clothing is a big knitted cap with pompon.

Such thing of the wardrobe may be worn even it’s very warm outside. Additionally, Japanese style clothing assumes the wearing of high-heeled jackboots together with multilayer miniskirts. In such a way, modern Japanese females look really fanciful.

As to the present men clothing style, it is much more reserved and modest. Usually, Japanese males prefer simple black suits. The older men also choose suits but of grey or navy blue colours. Therefore, the Japanese style clothing of any men looks very restrained and modest.

Thus, speaking about Japanese style clothing, it should be considered that such attire may be really different. However, in any way it will demonstrate the rich spirit, culture and charisma of Japanese people.