I admire and collect Japanese kimono. They're beautiful and there are so many layers of meaning and significance attached to the style and design that it would be difficult to get bored. With the help of the internet it's not difficult to find authentic kimono without spending lots of money - although true collector's pieces still fetch a premium (I can dream!).
There's such a lot to know about the correct way to wear kimono, for men and for women, and to know which rules are fixed and which can be bent to achieve a stylish combination. The kimono aesthetic is so different to Western dress but the more I study kimono the more the look and sensibility appeals.
If you'd like to find out more about kimono, try the links page. A great place to start is Immortal Geisha, an information site with a great forum full of kimono enthusiasts of all nationalities and skill levels.
The kimono is the national costume of Japan. Today, kimonos are most often worn by women, and on special occasions. A few older women and even fewer men still wear kimonos on a daily basis. Kimono hobbyists in Japan can take courses on how to put on and wear kimonos. Classes cover selecting seasonally and event-appropriate patterns and fabrics, matching the kimono undergarments and accessories to the kimono, layering the undergarments according to subtle meanings, selecting and tying obi, and other topics. (taken from Wikipedia) (image from Kimono Hime magazine)
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