These days, more and more brands and designers are reinventing traditional Japanese attire to make them relevant again to city folk. These refreshed styles are slowly making headway with the international fashion set, who have shown great interest in adopting the modern interpretations and the new ways of wearing. Here are our favourites.
Truth is, most of us don’t get to wear kimono in our daily lives, but Wonder Fabric has a genius solution to help foster our love for the traditional garment. The brand is breathing new life into vintage kimono and obi-sashes by upcycling the fabric into a modern fashion staple – the cap. The best part is, every cap is unique since there’s limited amount of fabric in each piece of kimono.
If you’re searching for a stylish and contemporary take on the kimono, yukata or haori, look no further thanthe renowned men’s kimono tailor Y. & Sons. It has a knack for designing traditional attire with a modern eye, bringing these garments bang up to date. The heritage inspiration in its outfits is evident, but they now look so effortlessly cool and street ready, thanks to a keen eye for cut and fabrication. Besides ready-made pieces and the accompanying accessories, Y. & Sons also offers bespoke services.
Japanese outdoor lifestyle creator Snow Peak has shocked the local fashion scene by launching a line of stylish kimono for outdoor adventures. This new rugged kimono is made with a light, breathable and water-resistant material, perfect for a camping trip or just a stroll in the woods. Created in co-operation with a long-established kimono manufacturer, Snow Peak’s outdoor kimono is easy to wear and can be quickly fastened with buttons or using a thin detachable sash that’s fitted with snap-fit buckle. Or, you could just wear it open as a fancy coat.
As you may have read in our guide to traditional Japanese attire, haori is gaining popularity in the global fashion scene. Local label Trove regularly releases new types of the lightweight coats under their label 'WaRobe', a portmanteau on the words 'wafuku' (Japanese-style clothing) and robe.
These stylish haori are made from nylon and are perfect as daily wear. If you want to give your outfit a more relaxed flair, go for the tasuki-kake look by pulling up the sleeves with a detachable cord. This style was common in the past, as the 'rolled-up' sleeves help make daily tasks easier to handle.
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