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Kimonos
With a history that spans more than 1,000 years, the kimono has amply earned this simple yet emphatic translation. The uncomplicated T-shape design, cut from a single bolt of (usually glorious) cloth, was protected by law in 1950, deemed bunkazai hogo ho, “cultural property,” something that provides insight into Japan’s art, history and way of life.
But the garment’s allure knows no boundaries, national or otherwise. “You can’t love fashion and textiles without loving kimonos,” says Katy Rodriguez, founder of the luxury vintage design boutique Resurrection. Adds Bridgette Morphew, owner of the eponymous Morphew, “It’s unisex and appeals to all sizes and ages.”
It’s the kimono’s balance between two competing identities — cultural icon and fashionable attire — that underlies its attraction today.
But here’s the thing: More likely than not, we’ve got the kimono all wrong. We gaze at elegant images of geisha from our limited Western perspective and think with reverence, “How timeless! How unchanging!” Not true, insist the curators of two exhibitions that opened in 2020.
Browse a collection of kimonos on 1stDibs, and read about the history of this garment at The Study.
Finding the Right Clothing for You
Start building your collection of covetable and iconic vintage clothing today — no matter where you roam, there is a curated selection of designer dresses and gowns, sweaters, shirts, dazzling shoes and more on 1stDibs that will keep you covered in the hottest styles from head to toe.
From elegant museum-worthy vintage Chanel dresses and jackets to audacious T-shirts and trousers from provocative punk designer Vivienne Westwood, one thing is abundantly clear: If the clothing for sale on 1stDibs could talk, it would certainly make a statement.
For fashion lovers, the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers — think John Galliano and Roberto Cavalli — but maybe ‘80s accessories are among your (guilty?) pleasures.
Playful, boldly colored coats and outerwear from Moschino, Ralph Lauren and other titans of the era can take a simpler ensemble to the next level, while chic and practical suits from the likes of Christian Dior and Balmain endure for haute couture advocates and beyond.
And vintage is the name of the game on today’s red carpets, too. Celebrity stylists are turning to archival pieces created by the likes of Bob Mackie, Thierry Mugler and Jean-Paul Gaultier as alternatives to new gowns plucked straight off the runway. Wearing such sought-after items gives celebrities instant allure and suggests a personal style that’s not only achingly glamorous but intellectually informed and influenced by a love of craftsmanship.
Those seeking contemporary luxury looks and in-demand street-style fits can indulge in designs by Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu and Loro Piana, while pieces from Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Versace endure as examples of fashion’s most covetable goods.
The future — and glamorous past — of fashion is yours for the wearing. Find vintage clothing and accessories for sale on 1stDibs, including designs by Balenciaga, Valentino, Celine, Loewe and more.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To respectfully wear a kimono, first wrap it left over right. Then, position the collar so that the opening is between one and two fists wide. Wear the obi or sash in the back. Find a range of kimonos on 1stDibs.
- What is a kimono shirt?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Kimono shirts are a traditional Japanese garment. It is characterized by its open front and boxy ‘T’ shape. A kimono shirt can be a solid color or feature a vibrant all-over pattern. Shop a collection of kimono shirts from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- What is a kimono stand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A kimono stand is the setting for displaying your ornate Japanese textile. The robe's exquisite needlework is highlighted by the stand, which also protects it from the stress that could cause the seams to separate. Traditional ikou, or kimono stands, are huge, expensive, and often hard to come by.
- What is a silk kimono?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Kimonos are traditional Japanese garments often crafted with silk material. The kimono is T-shaped with rectangular sleeves, and is wrapped left over right and secured with a sash or “obi”. You can shop a collection of silk kimonos from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- What is a kimono sleeve?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Kimono sleeves mimic the sleeves on traditional Japanese dresses known as kimonos. The sleeves are cut in one piece with the bodice as opposed to being cut and sewn on the bodice separately.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To tell if a kimono is made from silk, look for silk’s signature pearlescence, sheen and luster. Run your fingers over the fabric — it should feel smooth. Hold the kimono up from a single point at the neck. The fabric and it should drape luxuriously. If the fabric has a flat sheen, feels rough, or doesn’t drape well, it’s probably not real silk. Shop a collection of authentic silk kimonos from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a kimono style robe?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A kimono-style robe, or kimono, is a long loose outer garment like a robe. It is a traditional Japanese garment and the national dress of the country. It is a T-shaped, wrapped-front garment. The kimono features square sleeves and a rectangular body. It has numerous parts and in Japan, it isn’t worn everyday as it is reserved mainly for special occasions like weddings and festivals. Find kimonos today on 1stDibs.
- What is a kimono jacket called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021The kimono jacket is called a haori. It's a hip- or thigh-length jacket worn over a kimono, an article of traditional Japanese clothing. The haori is normally designed with a tiny collar and two thin, triangular panels sewed onto each side seam. Two short cords, known as haori himo, are normally tied in the front of the haori and attached to small loops stitched inside the garment.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The difference between a haori and a kimono is how you wear it. The kimono is a wrap-around garment worn like a dress, while a haori is a jacket worn over top of a kimono or other clothing. You'll find a collection of traditional Japanese apparel on 1stDibs.
- What is a wedding kimono called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A wedding kimono is also known as the shiromuku. The shiromuku is entirely white, as is the bride's entire outfit, from her outer robe, called the uchikake, to the kimono worn beneath the robe, known as the kakeshita. Shiromuku wedding kimonos are typically made of a rich fabric such as silk or satin and feature elaborate embroidery and beading. Shop a range of vintage wedding kimonos on 1stDibs.
- Are kimonos made of silk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, authentic Japanese kimonos are made of silk. Mulberry silk, which comes from the mulberry silkworm and accounts for around 90 percent of the world’s silk, is the most popular type used to make kimonos. Shop a selection of authentic silk kimonos on 1stDibs.
- How do I store an old kimono?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To store an old kimono, first air it out for roughly four hours to eliminate moisture. Then, use an emonkake, a hanger designed specifically for kimonos, to hang it in a dry, dark location. Shop a collection of vintage kimonos on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A Japanese kimono is sometimes called a gofuku. However, you will most often see it referred to as a kimono. The garment developed from traditional silk robes worn in China during the Wu dynasty. You'll find a collection of kimonos on 1stDibs.
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