If you are looking for something that will flatter your figure, is easy to wear and makes you look stylish all at the same time, look no further than a kimono. And with the dry season upon us, a kimono is the perfect thing to wear on a hot day. The kimono is globally known as a traditional Japanese garment, however, sources say that during the 8th century, the earliest forms of the kimono were influenced by the traditional Han Chinese clothing, known today in Japan as Hanfu. The design quickly became a trend around the world as the robe doesn’t just feel comfortable, but also looks elegant. According to Nadine Kanyana, a fashion designer and the CEO of ‘House of Kanyana’, kimonos are trending because many fashion brands have gone into the zero waste way of making clothes as a major tool to save the environment, and kimonos happen to be one of the clothes made as a zero waste fashion. “Kimonos are super comfy and will make you look good without trying so much, yet they can match with everything in your wardrobe. They are your go-to attire if you want something to cover yourself with but not thicker than coats. You can own as many as you can and you won’t regret it. They are made for all shapes and sizes, which means, they are fit for every body size and type,” she says. Kanyana adds that you can wear a kimono on any day, at any function, for instance; professional meetings, dinners, church, and all kinds of casual or business appointments. She says that you can create any look you want with the kimono, either casual or official. “You can style them with your jeans, and tank tops. Adding a pop colour to your black outfit (palazzo pants and tank tops). Alternatively, blend it with your skimpy dress, you may be surprised by the outcome, imagine a dress that you no longer wear because somehow you added weight and it’s too skimpy to move out of the house with. With the kimono, the dress is complemented and can still be put to use,” she says. Kanyana further adds that during summer, you can style a kimono with your shorts, or make it a throw on for a bikini. When it’s hot, she urges going for a light kimono, and the heavy ones or cardigan kimonos for the cold weather. She adds that to acquire an exquisite look, feel free to add a belt on your kimono just to change its appearance. Fashionista Yanick Ishimwe, the founder of F and Y Universal Printing, a fashion house, says that there are many qualities of the kimono that allow it to be liked and used by many ladies. Although you may look stunning with a kimono paired with jeans, you can try them with mini-skirts, long dresses, and mini trousers. You can wear a kimono open or closed. He notes that the kimono cuts across, it’s one attire that can be worn by people of all ages. The young and the old can all look sophisticated in them. With the innovation in the fashion industry nowadays, kimonos look different. Although they are connected to Japanese cultural style, the most trending kimonos are totally different from the initial style. “Usually at our shop, kimonos are among the clothing people buy as gifts for women because size doesn’t matter,” he says. Ishimwe suggests a pair of light blue faded jeans, and a white or black t-shirt and a printed kimono. You can choose prints that are busy, or any simple patterns. He says that you can “dress to kill” at any function such as a wedding if you pair the kimono with darker colours, like navy blue or black and others, and choose richer materials such as silk. He highlights that you can choose to match the kimono with any type of shoes depending on the occasion. Sneakers, heels, sandals, boots can all do. Most kimonos are made of silk, linen, cotton or wool, among other materials. Take your pick.
