So... I keep seeing artists drawing Kimono or Yukata and getting it wrong, so I thought it was about time I did a tutorial on it...

Here’s a thread on some basics on Kimono and Yukata.

I’ll keep adding to this thread as I finish them.

I hope this helps!:
#kimono Part 1: The basic shape of a kimono

Kimono is all about straight lines and squares. There are no curves, and the only triangle bit is the collar area.

The basic shapes are the same for men and women, but the holes in
sleeves are different.
#kimono Part 2: Kimono accessories

There are several accessories used when wearing a kimono.

Men is just obi (a sash to keep the kimono in place)
But women use a lot more to keep the shape of the kimono and the obi in tact.

Kimono is a formal wear, so you never go bare feet.
#kimono Part 3: Footwear

Unlike flip flops, the straps are placed right in the center, and there is no difference between the right or the left.

Men’s footwear is usually rectangular and wider, and women’s are oval shape and narrower.
#kimono Part 4: Collar

I see this mistake a lot... The kimono collar is ALWAYS left over right, no matter the gender.

Right over left is reserved for the dead.
Japanese ghosts are drawn with the collar right over left because they are the dead.
#kimono Part 5: Obi

Obi is kind of like a sash that holds the kimono together.

There are many different colors and patterns.

There are also different ways to tie an obi.

Some are appropriate for formal occasions, and some are more for celebrations.
#kimono Part 6: Yukata vs Kimono

Yukata is casual, kimono is formal.

Yukata is made as a summer wear, so the fabric is thinner and lighter. Women enjoy more western decorations for Yukata (like bows and laces)

Kimono is more expensive and there are more accessories and layers.
#kimono Part 7: Men vs Women

Although the basic shape of the kimono is the same, how they are worn is different.

Unmarried young women wear Furisode (long sleeve kimono) on special occasions, like New Years and Adult Ceremony.
#kimono Part 8: Beauty in the shape

This is part of the reason why we were so angry with Kim Kardashian’s attempted “kimono”

The beauty of kimono is about straight lines, not curves of the body.
#kimono Part 9: Wrinkles

Because of the type of fabric, there are not too many wrinkles.

There are also more fabric surface, so it doesn’t contour to the body shape.
Not everyone who liked this tweet looks at my other tweets, so I’ll add other kimono-related tweets here too.

https://twitter.com/chihirohowe/status/1283794284865449986?s=21">https://twitter.com/chihiroho... https://twitter.com/ChihiroHowe/status/1283794284865449986">https://twitter.com/ChihiroHo...
https://twitter.com/chihirohowe/status/1283587618857316352?s=21">https://twitter.com/chihiroho... https://twitter.com/ChihiroHowe/status/1283587618857316352">https://twitter.com/ChihiroHo...
And here’s an example on how a women’s kimono can look more masculine (in a modern way):

https://twitter.com/yuukikanon42/status/1283723211272679424?s=21">https://twitter.com/yuukikano... https://twitter.com/yuukikanon42/status/1283723211272679424">https://twitter.com/yuukikano...
#kimono Part 10: Hakama

This particular one is called “Umanori-Bakama (ooh-mah-noh-ree-bah-kah-mah) which is used when men rode on horses (which is why the ends of the hakama is split like pants)

Hakama is closer to skirts, since the crotch part is so low down and loose.
#kimono Part 11: Hakama part 2

Hakama is worn over regular kimono.

The common one women wear is a skirt type, where it’s completely open on the inside.

This outfit was worn by female students in the early 1900s.
Now it’s mainly worn for graduation.
#kimono Part 12

Haori is like a cardigan, and it is also part of men’s formal wear.

The length of the Haori depends on what’s trendy at the time.

Haori for men and women has slightly different features.

There are different types of Haori-Himo that you can mix and match.
#kimono Part 13

There are different types of Mon.
Kamon (kah-moh-n) is a family crest, and different families have different designs.

But there are also a lot of families who don’t know their Kamon, so there are many generic Kamon they can use for their kimono.
I realized I didn’t add this answer thread of how women with fuller figure and bigger breasts look like when wearing kimono/Yukata to this thread:

https://twitter.com/chihirohowe/status/1285409412044087301?s=21">https://twitter.com/chihiroho... https://twitter.com/ChihiroHowe/status/1285409412044087301">https://twitter.com/ChihiroHo...
#kimono Part 14: Shiromuku

There are several types of wedding kimono in Japan.

Shiromuku is the oldest type.

Typically it’s all white, but sometimes they put accents (red or gold).

The wedding kimono has the longest sleeves, around 114cm long.
#kimono Part 15: Iro-Uchikake

Another form of wedding kimono.

Iro means color, and this one is more colorful.

If a headpiece is to be worn, it would be the Tsuno-Kakushi, worn with a specific type of Japanes hairstyle called “文金高島田 (Bunkin Takashimada)”
#kimono Part 16: Hiki-Furisode

These wedding kimono can be styled with “Japanese hair” (traditional style) or “Western hair” (typical updo).

If the hair is long enough it can be styled into the Japanese hair by itself, but if it’s short “half wig” or “whole wig” can be used.
Here is a link to a step-by-step photos (and Japanese description) of how Shiromuku/Iro-Uchikake is put on: http://www.studio-quon.net/shirouchikake/ ">https://www.studio-quon.net/shirouchi...
Some points to know on this thread of how to draw Kimono:

https://twitter.com/chihirohowe/status/1289636793017491456?s=21">https://twitter.com/chihiroho... https://twitter.com/ChihiroHowe/status/1289636793017491456">https://twitter.com/ChihiroHo...
Kimono/Yukata sleeves explained. https://twitter.com/ChihiroHowe/status/1300493065216339968">https://twitter.com/ChihiroHo...
More info on Yukata/kimono: https://twitter.com/mainichi_kimono/status/1286111824765530114">https://twitter.com/mainichi_...
How to buy a kimono/Yukata that’s a good size for you:

Pinch the middle of the collar and lift it up. If it’s the same length as your height, that’s a good size. https://twitter.com/ochicochiya/status/1327466203338534912">https://twitter.com/ochicochi...
Thread on how “Juni-Hitoe” is worn.

←Heian way (Heian period: AD 790s- AD1180s)
→Modern way https://twitter.com/iroha_4tg/status/1186969310448631808">https://twitter.com/iroha_4tg...
Some of the ways Obi is tied for men’s kimono/yukata https://twitter.com/sakone_shogen/status/1343096629146972161">https://twitter.com/sakone_sh...
https://twitter.com/sangatu_26/status/1349024657941426177">https://twitter.com/sangatu_2...
https://twitter.com/sangatu_26/status/1349040885774774273">https://twitter.com/sangatu_2...
https://twitter.com/takatsuyo320/status/1363059765820018689">https://twitter.com/takatsuyo...
https://twitter.com/chihirohowe/status/1377656661255446531">https://twitter.com/chihiroho...
Raising the hakama and putting on the tasuki https://twitter.com/harima_mekkai/status/1378692736409198592">https://twitter.com/harima_me...
https://twitter.com/q_micke/status/1434084043914571780">https://twitter.com/q_micke/s...
Dyeing a kimono fabric https://twitter.com/ikeuchiyuzen/status/1451447415182016520">https://twitter.com/ikeuchiyu...
https://twitter.com/mainichi_kimono/status/1512204479797817347">https://twitter.com/mainichi_...
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