Impeccably-Tailored for Your Japanese Kimono Outfit

When it comes to the obi belts, go for a Japanese kimono obi style that makes you feel good and beautiful and that depicts the color and design theme that you love. And, in as much as you would go for an impeccably-tailored obi, do not be afraid to pull-off a very 21st century Japanese kimono outfit, such as one which combines a brightly-colored obi and a subtle-hued kimono or Yukata with festive prints, which brings together a Japanese kimono and an obi belt with contrasting colors and designs, and which ties together the design influences of the old and the new, like by having a striped obi to give a traditional Japanese kimono with Edo Period-inspired print a modern update.

The Obi is a traditional Japanese belt or sash that helps to keep the Japanese kimono in place. It is quickly distinguished for its width, which range in sizes, that's up to about 4 inches wide for the men's obi and between 5.5 inches to 26 inches wide for the women's obi. It is usually made of fine fabrics, with the cotton, raw silk, wool, and polyester obi as the most popular choices for the everyday and casual kimono, like the Komon kimono and Japanese Yukata, and the more elaborate brocade or fine silk Japanese obi belt as the sophisticated choices for the finest, often formal, and special occasion kimono. It is long enough to wrap the body several times and be tied into an ornamental bow.

And, it is secured by tying the ends together into a knot, called Musubi, thus, men's Japanese obi are long enough to wrap up to thrice around the hips and be tied into a simple knot, while women's obi is tailored long enough, that's at least 3 feet long to up to 6 meters long, to handle the great length that is required to create a very beautiful obi knot, which adds an interesting touch to the back of the Japanese kimono.

Types of Japanese Kimono Obi for Men and Women

Gentlemen can go for the two (2) most popular types of men's Japanese kimono obi, and these are the:

• Heko Obi. Extra-wide and made of soft fabrics, like silk, the heko obi measures from approximately 30 cm to 45 cm wide. It is loosely tied into a knot and worn with the daily kimono and the Japanese yukata. Traditionally worn only by men and children, the Heko Obi can also be found these days in many feminine colors and designs so women can use them, too, as stylish casual obi.
• Kaku Obi. Stiff and narrow, the Kaku obi is the most popular type of men's Japanese obi. They are approximately 3.5 to 4 inches wide and worn by men not only for the traditional Japanese kimono, but also for select Japanese martial arts clothing. Casual men's Kaku obi is typically made of cotton, while formal occasion men's Kaku obi is made of fine silk.

Women's Japanese obi belts also come in many types. And, four (4) of the most popular are the:

• Kyuzun Nagoya Obi. Uniquely structured, the Nagoya obi has a belt part, which is folded and sewn in half up to one end, and a tare (or tail) part, which is full width up to the other end. It is usually made of silk. The belt part measures more or less 6 inches wide and the tare part measures more or less 12 inches wide. And, it is usually tied into a drum knot or Taiko Musubi. Nagoya obi is originally worn for the daily kimono. But now, women wear them, too, with the Komon (kimono with small and repeated print), Yukata (summer kimono), Tsumugi (woven kimono), Tsukesage (kimono with clusters of designs that form an overall cohesive pattern), and Iromuji (solid-color kimono) on casual occasions.
• Hanhaba Obi. Also known as half-width obi, the Hanhabi obi will dress-up your casual kimono, like Yukata, Tsumugi, and Komon kimono. It measures approximately 6.5 inches wide and 9 feet to 13 feet long. Women delight them, too, for the way they can be tied so easily and in so many ways.
• Fukuro Obi. Your formal kimono, like the Tsukesage, Iromuji, Houmongi, Furisode, Irotomesode, and Kurotomesode, will require the classy look of the Fukuro obi. It is made of the finest fabrics, like silk, measures approximately 12.5 inches wide and 15 feet long., and regarded as the most formal obi, second to the Maru obi, which is worn by the brides, Maiko, and Geisha.
• Tsuke Obi. Also known as the pre-tied obi, the tsuke obi comes so handy when donning the Japanese kimono. It consists of a wide sash and a pre-tied bow, thus, so you will always have the perfectly-tied obi every time.

The Perfect Japanese Obi for Every Occasion

The perfect obi for your Japanese kimono, basically, follows the type of kimono that you are going to wear it with. As with modern-day belts and sashes, the Japanese obi belts are made from different types of fabric. There are the durable and maintenance-easy Japanese kimono obi, like the cotton, wool, and polyester obi, which are customarily worn for the daily kimono and casual kimono. There is also the finest obi, like the Fukuro and Maru Obi, which are traditionally reserved for the special occasion kimono. And, when it comes to size, each Japanese obi is also created wide enough to ensure that it provides the support your kimono needs. Also, they are tailored long enough to ensure that you can adjust it to your size and give you the freedom to tie it into the obi knot that you like and that is suited for the occasion.

For going around town, ladies can dress their Yukata, Komon, or Tsumugi with a Hanhaba obi matched with a Rinzu or Chirimen obiage and casual kumihimo obijime. And, if extra hands are not available to help you create a perfectly-tied obi, do not hesitate to invest in a Tsuke obi, which also comes so handy when you need to wear the kimono while traveling and on events, like school performances. Men can go for the casual look of the soft and thin Heko Obi tied in a loose bow. Or, they can sport the Kaku obi, which is a classic pick for all occasions.

Prepping-up for dinner at a fine Japanese restaurant with a kimono dress code? Ladies can go for the Fukuro or Nagoya Obi to match their Komon, Iromuji, or Tsukesage kimono. As guests for formal occasions, like tea ceremonies, receptions, weddings, and Coming-of-Age day, ladies can opt for the Fukuro obi, which is the most formal obi used today, for their Furisode, Iromuji, Houmongi, or the Irotomesode. The married female relatives of the bride and groom, of course, ought to wear an obi that matches the colorful print of her kimono to signify the occasion as a happy celebration.

Buy Japanese Kimono Obi – Authentic from Japan!

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