Make Mine Princess Style
Just to be contrary, you want to wear a kimono to the shrine on New Year’s Day instead of jeans and a nanopuff jacket, but puh-leeze, not one of those boring styles that make you look like a 1970s tourist souvenir!
All stylin’ princesses know that kimono-hime is the way to go. First, ignore all those tedious seasonal references and go for a kimono emblazoned with…peonies! Pick an obi that has different patterns on each side, so when you tie it, they both show. And about that undercollar: lace, polka dots, anything but white. Add a couple of bows and be sure to wear a pillbox hat with a veil and some lace-up boots, and the kami-sama will be sure to grant you all your hearts’ desires!
Here are a few more shrineworthy styles from the pages of Kimono Hime magazine!
Thanks to Kimono Hime magazine (#10) for the gorgeous new style kimono photos! If you’d like to visit the Parco store in Shibuya the next time you’re in Tokyo, a map is on my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had.
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Jonelle Patrick View All
Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. I'm a graduate of Stanford University and the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Tokyo, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters In Crime. When I'm not in Tokyo, I live in San Francisco. I also host a travel site called The Tokyo Guide I Wish I'd Had, so if you're headed to Japan and want to check out the places I take my friends when they're in town, take a look!
Jonelle, I’d say those out-of-season-for-New-Year’s flowers are peonies. And man, are *they* out of season!
Major botanical points to you, you’re right about the peonies! ANd Yeah, this one will come into season around May…
That green striped kimono is to die for. I’ve been looking out for the perfect striped kimono for my collection, and huge bonus if it’s green!
I do love the look of hime-style for kimono but I’m a little more of a traditionalist in my own kitsuke habits. Maybe someday I’ll try hime style.
Now that you mention it, the only striped kimono I usually see are the ones with an overall narrow striped pattern that just reads as a sort of complicated color! Do you buy vintage kimono, or new ones?
I’m so envious of people who can wear kimono well! really love them, but I can’t wear them in traditional style because my body is wrong in every way. Hime-style is the only way I might be able to pull it off without looking like I’m wearing a costume. >_<
Oh it’s so cute! I love the colors. But whew….that’s one complicated-looking obijime knot! I’d totally wear mine like that if I could figure out how to tie it.
Now that I inspect it, it looks like she used…two obijime? One white one, and one that’s half pink and half purple? I wonder if someone who regularly works in the shop tied it? I’ll ask next time I’m in Parco, and if it’s possible to explain, I’ll write out the instructions!^^;;