Vintage Clothing – The Vintage Kimono

Dressing gowns are the ultimate in comfort and practicality for morning coffee and TV; and I’m not talking towelling robes. A nice, soft thin cotton or silk is all you need. Having a pretty gown tied around the waist in exotic colours is both elegant and sexy. They look good on any size or shape and never fall out of fashion.

If you want vintage then you might enjoy looking for that special gown that can’t be replicated and you wouldn’t go far wrong by looking for a Vintage Kimono. They hang beautifully, come with beautiful prints and a wide selection of colours. And of course, they don’t have to be Japanese. At My Vintage, we have some super pretty vintage kimonos and dressing gowns; some of which are so beautiful that they can be worn as outer wear too…

Kimonos originated from Japan, although people started wearing separate two piece garments, by the time they reached what was known as the “Heian” period the techniques for kimono making had been developed and as they were cut from simple shapes they didn’t have to worry too much about the shape of the wearer’s body (another good reason to love the kimono). They were easy to fold, and were usually made of breathable fabric, which meant they were good for hot weather and during winter you could layer them up.

As they became more concerned with fashion they began experimenting with colours and as time wore on they came to represent different kinds of status and power through the eras, warriors would use them as a form of uniform to identify each rank and the colours and patterns represented each domain. As Japan became more westernised during the latter half of the 19th and early 20th Century, people would only wear them for special occasions.

If you are looking for a vintage kimono you just need to get to know your local vintage shops. Some will sell online; others will ask that if you wish purchase you visit their store in person. They can come with the traditional sash also known as the “obi” or without. Sometimes they may have been lost or damaged and have been replaced with a different sash or cord to keep the garment closed. It is entirely up to you whether you’re bothered by this. If you are looking for a traditional kimono you may wish to look for one that comes with its own obi.

As the cut of a kimono hasn’t changed in about a hundred years it can be difficult to be totally sure which era the kimono comes from. If you’re looking for a truly authentic kimono then it helps to know that most Japanese periods have names. 1989 to the present day is known as the Heisei Era, 1926 to 1989 is the Showa Era, this helps determine how old they are. But there are also many different types of vintage robes that can be worn as kimono jackets. This gorgeous silk robe in black, is printed with delicate florals and was actually a wedding dressing gown in the 1940s! There are lots of optionw when you really start looking, some of which are utterly incredible and one of a kind.

They make a wonderful gift and they’re not always expensive depending on age and quality. Keep your eyes on our shops both online and in Darwen for vintage kimonos coming back round for the summer and autumn seasons…

Until next time

Em xx