Is wearing a kimono disrespectful?
In short, you will not be viewed as 'stealing' Japanese culture if you wear a kimono and you are respectful when doing so. In fact, many Japanese would be pleased to see you wear a kimono as it demonstrates your passion for Japanese culture.
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.
Kimono Rule #1: Left over Right
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”.
There are no rules about when you can and can't wear a kimono. Don't forget kimono were still worn daily in Japan by most people just a few decades ago, so kimono are really just normal clothing.
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!
“o*k, fine. You can wear the kimono while you're in Japan, but not outside (or to non-Japanese events) because that would be disrespectful”
Printed Kimonos in both light and dark colors are popular for casual wear among men as well as women.
This is an event, a celebration and a joyful time, there's no clear restrictions on who can or can't attend nor what wear is considered to be acceptable. Granted, Japan has it's own cultural beliefs etc- however you wouldn't be asking if this was obvious, as such, I see no harm in it.
Today, the vast majority of people in Japan wear Western clothing in the everyday, and are most likely to wear kimono either to formal occasions such as wedding ceremonies and funerals, or to summer events, where the standard kimono is the easy-to-wear, single-layer cotton yukata.
What's great about having a kimono in your closet, is that you can wear it casual or dressy. Add it to your tee, shorts and sneakers outfit for a casual vibe, or add it to a solid color dress and heels to complete your outfit.
Is it OK for foreigners to wear yukata?
Yes. Octoberfest, marathons, charity events etc- yes to all. There's nothing barring you from joining in and participating in the spirit of the event any more than there is stopping you from wearing a Yukata. Enjoy yourself, with others and have a pleasant time.
Whether the wedding is traditionally Japanese or westernised, a kimono is still acceptable and appropriate to wear. Being a guest at a wedding is thought of as a great way to meet potential partners, and so it is common for young unmarried women to wear a brightly coloured kimono to attract a potential suitor.
What's great about having a kimono in your closet, is that you can wear it casual or dressy. Add it to your tee, shorts and sneakers outfit for a casual vibe, or add it to a solid color dress and heels to complete your outfit.
Believed to live for a thousand years and to inhabit the land of the immortals, it is a symbol of longevity and good fortune. Specific motifs were used to indicate virtues or attributes of the wearer, or relate to the season or occasion such as weddings and festivals where it bestows good fortune on the wearer.
