Kimono with sneakers? Why not, says Osaka fashion retailer (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to wear sneakers with a kimono? ›

If you do not have access to geta or they hurt your feet, any type of sandal is OK. Do not wear sneakers, shoes, or heels with yukata.

Kimono Shoes: Zori

They have a taller wedge-shaped heel that is covered in fabric. Never wear geta under a kimono, but always wear zori kimono shoes. Even if it's a casual kimono.

Zori are the best choice for kimono, but they can also be worn with yukata. These rounded sandals can be made from vinyl, cork, brocade or any number of modern materials. Traditionally, zori are low but modern styles can have platforms in varying heights.

Can foreigners wear kimono? To get straight to the point: As long as a kimono is worn out of respect and appreciation of the Japanese culture, it's perfectly fine to wear a kimono as a foreigner.

“Sneakers and ethnicwear can be a brilliant combination but people need to keep in mind that the most important thing is to dress right for the occasion. So make sure that the sneakers you're pairing are compatible, avoiding much of a colour statement.

Bare feet and fancy socks are not recommended! A little advice if you wish to wear a kimono someday: put on your pair of tabi before putting on your kimono because, once you are wrapped in this straight garment, it won't be easy to reach your feet.

Zori. Zori are traditional sandals that look similar to geta, and can be made of rice straw, cloth, lacquered wood, leather, or rubber. Women's zori are always raised in the heel while men's zori are always flat. Some beautifully decorated women's zori are worn with kimono.

The original motivation for wearing the high platform shoes was not fashion, but practicality: to keep feet and kimono from coming in contact with things on the ground, such as dirt, filth, water, or snow.

95% of those ensembles I wore with flats instead of geta or zori ! I would say though that footwear like flipflops usually aren't worn with kimono, regardless of which formality.

Shoes. Sneakers are a modern fashion staple in Japan and are versatile enough to mix with casual, sporty or even formal clothing. But go with something minimalist (Converse or Superga are good choices) and make sure your kicks are well worn in and comfortable before you hit the streets.

What are traditional Japanese shoes called? ›

Geta and zori are both traditional kinds of footwear that have been used in Japan since ancient times. Before the introduction of western culture, Japanese people didn't wear shoes, but instead wore geta and zori when venturing outside.

Uwabaki (上履き) are a type of Japanese slippers worn indoors at home, school or certain companies and public buildings where street shoes are prohibited.

While a Japanese person living in Japan may think nothing of a non-Japanese person incorporating a kimono into their look, a person in a setting where they're a minority or marginalized may feel differently.

Can tourists wear kimonos in Japan? Yes, tourists can hire and wear kimonos in Japan. Locals don't mind when foreigners wear one (some are even amused when they see tourists donning them!).

For both the nagajuban (kimono underwear) and the kimono there is one important rule. Always, absolutely always, wear the left side over the right side. Only dead people have their kimono worn right over left.

The other important highlight of such shoes is that they make for a versatile pick, as they can pretty much complement with every attire. Be it a kurta pyjama, a formal suit, or even as simple as a tee and a pair of jeans - you can trust a white pair of sneakers to elevate your overall look.

They even look great with a suit. From chinos to suits, jeans, and blazers, from casual summer shirts to trendy waistcoats and even your ethnic kurta can look outstanding with the right pair of white sneakers adorning your feet.

Bring comfortable walking shoes

Generally speaking, the only people who wear white running shoes are Americans in sneakers. Leave them behind. Best to don comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones and city environments, as Europeans love to walk. No cheap flip-flops or running shoes either.

The short answer is yes, wearing the garment often does fall into the area of cultural appropriation — but not in exactly the same way as, say Victoria's Secret using Native American “inspired” headdresses in their fashion shows. Turns out there are lots of ways to appropriate!

Yes. It's possible. Japanese also like Kimono and Yukata, so they are happy to see foreigners wearing them. There are rental kimonos at sightseeing spots, so you can experience it easily.

Is it OK to casually wear a kimono? ›

For one, it's a lot looser in silhouette, and most people choose to leave the robe open instead of tying it with a customary obi. They're not worn as formal attire. Instead, they're typically fashioned casually during the warm season.

As with women's kimono, men's kimono and yukata are mainly distinguished by materials: kimono are usually silk, whereas yukata, lightweight robes for the summer months, are usually made from cotton or linen. This isn't a hard-and-fast rule however, as kimono can also be made of cotton or linen.

The kimono fell out of fashion during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), when the government encouraged people to adopt Western clothing styles.

Wear White Tabi Socks

Kimono is a traditional formal garment and therefore you should always pair it with white tabi socks, we do not recommend that you go barefoot or wear funky socks when wearing a Kimono. In addition, if you are going to get dressed in a kimono: put on your white tabi socks before wearing a kimono.

When paired with your favourite pair of jeans, this outfit can create a personal style that is timeless yet on-trend. A combination of old and new, kimonos pair beautifully with a ton of outfits, especially jeans.

White should be avoided, although at a more casual wedding you may be able to wear black. On the other hand, it's not all rules and customs. Bright colors and patterns are welcome at a wedding, as it is a celebration after all — although anything too flamboyant may be seen as inappropriate.

Dress up

In summer, many people choose to wear longer skirts or slacks instead of shorts, and few wear tank tops. Pack clothes that aren't too flashy and make sure they're appropriate for the activities and the season you have planned. Bring a dressier outfit if you plan on eating somewhere nice.

Japanese-style Living and Removing Shoes

It is because cleanliness and hygiene are important concepts in Japan. Most Japanese people will take off their shoes in their houses. So a Japanese home will very often have a designated place to leave shoes right after entering a home, even if there is not much space.

Since it is traditional in Japan to remove one's shoes when entering most indoor spaces, Zori were easy shoes to slip on and off quickly. Tabi socks would then stay on the feet and could be worn like slippers, keeping the feet warm, comfy, and clean.

Zori (/ˈzɔːri/), also rendered as zōri (Japanese: 草履 ぞうり , Japanese pronunciation: [d͡zo̞ːɾʲi]), are thonged Japanese sandals made of rice straw, cloth, lacquered wood, leather, rubber, or—most commonly and informally—synthetic materials. They are a slip-on descendant of the tied-on waraji sandal.

What are Japanese socks called? ›

Tabi are traditional Japanese socks worn with traditional Japanese sandals. Tabi socks present a split-toe and they are commonly white. They are worn by both men and women with traditional Japanese clothings, such as kimonos, in formal circ*mstances, like tea ceremonies.

In most Japanese schools, everyone has to change out of their outside shoes and into their inside shoes (called Uwabaki or Uwagutsu) when they enter the school. By wearing indoor shoes they avoid bringing in dirt from outside.

Okobo (おこぼ), also referred to as pokkuri, bokkuri, or koppori geta (all onomatopoeic terms taken from the sound okobo make when walking), are traditional Japanese wooden sandals worn by young girls for Shichi-Go-San, young women during Coming of Age Day and apprentice geisha in some regions of Japan.

Waraji are arguably the simplest footwear on our list. These straw-rope sandals were the basic everyday footwear of old Japan. In the feudal era, samurai, as well as soldiers called 'ashigaru,' were known to have worn this type of shoe. In modern times, waraji are still worn by Buddhist monks.

The black color is often used in Japanese Kimono to represent power and elegance. The black fabric of a kimono is often used to represent femininity and beauty in Japan. The color's deep shade was originally created as an alternative for cherry blossom flowers, which were not available during winter months.

The kimono (きもの/着物, lit. 'thing to wear') is a traditional Japanese garment and the national dress of Japan. The kimono is a wrapped-front garment with square sleeves and a rectangular body, and is worn left side wrapped over right, unless the wearer is deceased.

Vibrant purple robes usually are used to honor a member of society. In contrast, vibrant green and pink floral patterns are used on kimonos and other clothing articles to symbolize peace, life, and happiness. The geisha famously wore a different colored kimono for every month of the year.

When wearing a Kimono, you are expected to wear a “hadajuban” and “koshimaki” directly on your naked skin (the “juban” comes over those). Traditionally, you don't wear panties, but nowadays most women do.

Men wearing kimono may sit with their legs crossed, but women should not, as it would expose the legs.

If you are headed to a special night out, be it dinner, a wedding, or a glam party, then a customised kimono is the perfect way to take your look from drab to fab! Slip on a bodycon, or slightly fitted dress. Neutral colours work best, if your kimono incorporates a lot of colour and design.

What is the pillow on the back of a kimono for? ›

Maybe you've seen something that looks like a pillow or bag at the back of a kimono. That's used to help tie the obi properly. It's not there for storage, or to sleep on!

Long story short, you can go all out and be creative with your hair and makeup when wearing kimono, especially casual ensembles.

So in modern time, the only time someone ties it at the front, he either don't know how to wear kimono, or he is in the process of practising. We men can tie our obi at the front first before rotating it to our back, though care needs to be taken not to skew the kimono.

Always wear the left side over the right side. Only dead people have their kimono worn right over left. So unless you are at your own funeral, remember this basic but important rule for wearing a kimono! A useful and amuzing memory aid for this rule is the phrase “leftover rice”.

It's a look that's become somewhat ubiquitous in recent years, part of the unavoidable streetwear takeover that's infiltrated every corner of menswear. In the same way that minimalist sweatshirts are now suitable office wear, it's perfectly acceptable to do sneakers with formal.

The kimono is the traditional dress of Japan. It's got long sleeves and reaches from the shoulders all the way down to one's heels. Different types of kimono are worn depending on the occasion; kimonos for everyday wear are a lot simpler than those for formal occasions.

When wearing a Kimono, you are expected to wear a “hadajuban” and “koshimaki” directly on your naked skin (the “juban” comes over those). Traditionally, you don't wear panties, but nowadays most women do. Men's kimono does not have holes under the arms. It is convenient to adjust the kimono when it gets loose.

The best sneakers to wear with a suit are minimalistic in style and are made of leather or suede. It's also vital to choose a trendy suit with a slim, modern silhouette if you're going to sport sneakers as your footwear (that is, keep trendy looks with trendy cuts).

Sneakers:

Unless you are applying for a creative position, ditch the sneakers. Don't attempt a GQ model style and wear sneakers with that suit. While it may look stylish and quirky, it does not do much for your interview prospects. It just seems immature and trying too hard when you come to a job interview in sneakers.

An alternative to the yukata for men to wear in the summer is jinbei. Jinbei are two-piece garments consisting of a kimono-like top and loose-fitting, mid-calf length trousers. The best are made from natural fabrics; you can take a look at some men's jinbei in our collection.