Everybody needs a robe. Whether you use it for bathing, lounging around at night over your jammies, lounging around the pool or just lounging around period, a robe not only keeps you warm and dry but can also be a great fashion statement, a way to express your unique style and fashion sense.
And what could be a more unique and classy robe than a vintage Japanese kimono? And you don't have to go to Japan to find a great kimono, they are easily found online these days.
I love it when I see an actor in a movie wearing a kimono as a robe like Sandra Oh in "Under The Tuscan Sun", Michelle Pfiefer in "White Oleander", and Miranda Richardson and Polly Walker in "Enchanted April".
Most kimonos are made of silk although some synthetics can be found. This is something to take into consideration when thinking about the care involved with a vintage kimono. Since most vintage kimonos are also lined with silk you really can't wash them without risking shrinkage, so they do have to be dry cleaned, something to consider if you are sensitive to dry cleaning chemicals. If so then a synthetic fabric would be a better choice since those usually can be washed. Or you could find an unlined kimono and wash it very carefully and line dry.
Another great option is the Japanese cotton summer kimono called a Yukata. These are very popular in Japan to wear during the hotter summer months and are also used as bathing robes. This is also a great option for men as cotton kimonos are available in a wider range of sizes than silk kimonos.
Unless you are a size 14 and under you will have a harder time finding a vintage silk kimono that will be roomy enough to be comfortable. There are two reasons for this. One is that since the Japanese people are so small on the whole there really isn't a demand for larger size kimonos. And the other is that the silk fabrics that vintage kimonos are made from are much narrower in width, which is why kimonos have a seam down the back.
But contemporary kimono manufacturers are making larger kimonos so you might want to find a new kimono instead of a vintage one if you are a plus sized gal.
So if the only robe hanging in your closet is your basic cotton terry cloth or perhaps your dad's old cast off, think about updating your lingerie wardrobe with a gorgeous vintage Japanese kimono.
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