QUESTION: I have a beautiful silk kimono dress that I bought when I was visiting Thailand. It is very colorful and respectable, and has a black sash belt. I am slim, 5′8″ tall, and I know it looks great on me. I have been invited to a cocktail party that’s in a very large garden, spring, late afternoon. Can I wear my lovely silk kimono dress, and if so are there any suggestions as to accessories?

ANSWER: Of course you can! A silk kimono dress, especially with a colorful pattern, that comes just above the knee on a tall slim lady such as you are, is ideal. I suggest either dark-colored, or metalic slipon heels and leave your hair loose with light makeup. Silk kimono dresses are delightful styles and can come in some quite beautiful colors. If you go to the party alone, I’m sure that you won’t be for long.

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QUESTION: Can anyone tell me the names of the different items used in a full kimono ensemble by Geisha? I am not just seeking the parts of the kimono, but the objects of the outfit eg obi ita, obi makura, tabi, okobo/geta etc. I would very much appreciate any help with this.

ANSWER: Tick off this list: kimono slip, juban (usually a two-piece hadajuban), han eri, many himo, the kimono itself (hikizuri or susohiki), obi ita, obi makura, obi (usually a darari obi for a maiko), obi age, obi jime, tabi, and okobo/pokkuri or zori (not geta). Maiko and geisha wear a variety of different kinds of kanzashi, although a maiko or geisha outfit has the same requirements as any other kimono outfit. Geisha usually wear a wig; Maiko will usually have an obi dome on their obi jime.

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QUESTION:  At school International Day is coming and each class is representing a country.  My class is Japan.  I have a big, swirly pattern robe and I want to make a kimono from this robe.  How should I make it and WHAT do I need? 

ANSWER:  I’d just add an “obi” to the robe (an obi is a long wide sash that’s wrapped around and around the waist and diaphragm area) and it will look just like a kimono.  You could also put a couple of decorative chopsticks or something similar in your hair at an angle to each other, and wear thongs with socks (just push the thong part down into the sock after putting the sock on) and the whole kit will give the impression of a genuine kimono robe outfit.

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