(click here for "socks to underwear" portion of the guide)

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Kimono (or Nagaki)

The most important things to remember when putting on a kimono are:

You wrap the kimono left over right, the other way around is 'reserved' for the people who died.

Kimono follows the body | | and does not spread like a long skirt / \

Some quick pointers before the instruction video's:

Now for some instruction videos:

Kimono size chart

An accurate kimono size chart is difficult to show because many websites use different lengths for LL, 3L, etc.
For one seller 3L is for 185cm sized people but with another seller the size would be LL or 4L.

Main point to remember is to focus on the 'dress length' and 'shoulder width', when you have found out which of those values fit you the best, suddenly searching for a new kimono becomes much and much easier

Koshi-himo too tight ?

Check out the 'For your convenience' page where among other things the kistuke-belt and elastic koshi-himo is detailed. Especially the elastic koshi-himo is a breather when using as the first cord !

Kimono too tall ?

If you haven't bought a tailor made Kimono then there is a chance the Kimono length be a bit too long. This isn't much of a problem, when putting on the Kimono and after tying (an extra) Koshi-himo (cord), you pull the Kimono up and let it fall back again over the cord. This part will be covered again by the Obi or if you want with an extra layer with the use of a Datejime.

Obi / Sash

Time to put on the obi / sash, for women a daunting task, for men a relative simple task and fast to put on.

I have created a seperate section ( "How to tie the knot" ) where you can find a collection of different knots for the various kinds of obi and how you can create them like:

Some examples of obi knots that men can use:

The different kinds of obi types that are available for men are:

Haori / Jacket

An Haori is a kimono shaped jacket designed to be worn on top of a kimono.
When going outside, except when when wearing a summer kimono, you can put on an haori. Putting one on increases the level of formality. Not much to show on how to put on this clothing piece, see the next part (haori-himo) of this posting how to 'button' this jacket.

Just one thing, fold the collar down in half at the back so that the haori neck part is lower than the kimono color. Only the back part of the color though, let is go back naturally to full width in front. (see most right image)

Haori size chart

Beside the standard Haori jackets I also have found these:

sode-nashi haori size chart

rikyu haori size chart (indication, every store seems to have different sizes)

Haori-himo

The haori is not wrapped around the body and hold firm by a sash but hangs loosely connected by a Haori-himo.
Wearing an haori without an himo is perfectly acceptable if the haori isn't formal. Also note that summer haori are usually worn without himo. Sodenashi (sleeveless) haori were traditionally worn without himo but it seems it's trendy to wear a himo with them now.

Please go to the haorihimo section in the 'How to tie the knot' sub page for the different kinds of haori-himo and how to attach them.

Attaching a haori-himo to the Haori when it hasn't got a click on clip.

The original Japanese page where these images came from can be found at http://homepage2.nifty.com/910/yumi2/d03_02f.html [ Kimono Taizen ] (site not found anymore)

Hakama

For those official times (together or without an Haori) or when practicing martial sports (without haori).

An hakama is a pleated garment with 7 folds, a stiff backboard and long ties that have a complex way of being tied. The Hakama has significant meaning applied to its design.
The seven folds in the hakama represent seven virtues of the Samurai - Yuki (courage), Jin (humility), Gi (justice), Rei (chivalry), Makoto (honesty), Chugi (loyalty), and Meiyo (prestige).

When wearing a hakama the most common knot for the obi would be an ichimonji where after the kimono is tucked up into the obi at the back.
The hakama is then secured to the body using the four hakama himo.
The most formal knot is a jūnoji, which resembles the kanji for the number 10. The semi formal knot is the ichimonji, which resembles a bow tie, and the simple square knot for the casual feel.

hakama size chart

size	your height	dress length
S	159cm-165cm	87cm
M	166cm-172cm	91cm
L	173cm-179cm	95cm
LL	180cm-188cm	99cm

Beside the video's below you can check out the instruction video at the 'How to tie the knot - Hakama' section on how to put these on.

When we've put the final piece on, check if the neck part at the front is correct.

The collar should be arranged neatly and naturally.
The naga-juban should/could be a little bit visible at the front, the kimono neck part must be standing up and the harori flat on the shoulders.

Check if the neck part at the back is correct.

Unlike women, the collar should be touching your neck

Check the obi that it looks like a single wrapping and the knot is good centered at the back

The obi rests on the hipbones and comes slightly below the stomach at the front so that the back part is slightly higher then the front part.

Check the hemline

The bottom of the naga juban should be 1 cmd above the kimono. The hemline of the kimono should be even with the ankel bones.
(search images)

Coats

There are several coats available that a man can wear with a Kimono, some are harder to find than others.

Kakusode (square sleeve) coat size chart

body height	Dress length (back)	Sleeve width	sleeve length	Back width
L	110	76	48	33
LL	115	80	48	33

Michiyuki (Traveling coat) coat size chart

body height	Dress length (back)	Sleeve width	sleeve length	Back width
L ?	104	75.5	49.5	37

Footwear

When all garments are put on and the outside world calls, footwear is needed. The standard choices available are Setta, Geta and Zōri.
The materials used for making a setta can range from vinyl to rush grass, leather, cotton or even denim.
More reading about setta like the sole types, shirigane types and materials and more background and usage information check out the (english) pdf from Yamato Kobo.

Hanao (thongs) is attached evenly to the sandal, so there is no difference between the left and right setta. By swapping the left for the right, you may avoid the wearing down of one particular side of the sole. For this reason, you are supposed to wear them with you fifth toe hanging slightly out of the edge of the sandal.

International Shoe size comparison chart

Some variations of the geta / Japanese Style Raised Wooden Sandals

The way to wear geta is to allow your heel to slightly (1 to 3cm) stick out over the geta heel. A size smaller than your actual foot size is recommended, bigger size should be avoided especially for those who are not used to wearing geta. This type of footwear is worn only by a thong between the big toe and the second toe, if the sole is longer than your feet, your toes would have the burden of that weight and you probably will drag the end of the sole on the ground.

Walking on setta

Until you are used to wearing setta, you may feel discomfort or even pain in your heel. If you feel pain, move your heels in and out of the setta so that the angle that your skin is rubbing against the hanao changes. If you skin becomes raw,use a band-aid.
Your toe skin can also be sensitive to the rubbing on the hanao at first, once your skin is used to it ,it will not longer hurt.
Major cause of discomfort with new setta is usually that the hanao may not be softened enough yet. The hanao material will gradually be come more soft and fit to your feet, unless your hanao is made of a Particularly stiff material.
One more reason can be that your setta may not be suitable to your feet. If the hanao is extremely tight or loose, it may not only hurt your skin at the point where your skin rubs on the hanao but may also make you feel tired and affect your health.

For those pilgrimage walks the waraji can be choosen. Not sure what the formality level is, but I guess it is casual as the geta footwear ?

How to walk

• Walk dragging your heel (this is the basic style) but be careful not to flipflop the setta, which is considered sloppy. I found it harder than expected to not flipflop.
• Straighten your back and shuffle your feet rhythmically and elegantly, if you drag your heel well enough the heel metal will make a fine clicking sound and that is considered stylish.

The original English page where this info came from can be found at Zheng Fai Limited

An how to walk course from Mr. Maeda in Japanese. (Have not been able to find an english instruction video yet)

Bag

You will see lot of sites which advertise a kinchaku bag (巾着) when you want to carry your belongings, but did you know there are other fashionable options that you could use ?

If you want more foto's/ideas of men in kimono wearing bags I recommend Otoko Kimono no kato where above images came from.
* obi hanging pouch with netsuke: The cord between the bag and the netsuke goes behind the obi.

Scarf

For the cold days, don't forget the scarf!

Was suprised, but yes, a scarf seems an acceptable clothing accessory (nowadays ?).

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