Japanese Clothing - Clothes

Japanese Clothing - Japanese Clothes and Seasons
In the spring, bright colors and spring floral patterned japanese clothing is worn. In autumn, japanese clothes with fall colors and fall patterns are worn. Japanese clothing designs may include chrysanthemums or maple leaves. In the winter, especially near the holidays, japanese clothing with patterns and designs such as the bamboo, pine trees or plum blossoms or worn for they signify good luck and prosperity. The fabric of the japanese clothing also plays a role in the seasons. In the summer, cotton clothes are worn whereas in the fall and winter, heavier or lined clothing is worn. 

Japanese Clothing - Japanese Clothes and Events
Customarily, woven patterns, dyed clothing and repetitive patterns are considered informal japanese clothing. Examples of traditional informal japanese clothing are; cotton yukata, woven cotton haori and dyed ikat kimono. These types of japanese clothes would be used as daily wear, for bath houses or for informal friend and family visits. 

Formal japanese clothing normally takes on either of two characteristics; very elaborate designs or a simple elegant designs. A few examples of elaborate designed japanese clothes worn for an event are uchikake wedding kimono and festive happi coats. The more elegant designs, subdued colors or solid pattern formal japanese clothes would be worn for paying formal visits, funerals or by married women for weddings or formal functions.    

Japanese Clothing - Japanese Clothes and Age
For women in particular, traditional japanese clothing like the kimono is not only worn based on the persons age but also by their marital status. Young unmarried women wear kimono with long sleeves that are very vibrant, colorful and rich with patterns. Married women or older women would wear simpler more subdued clothes.

Traditional Japanese Clothing Types
The traditional forms of japanese clothing or japanese clothes in general is called wafuku. Traditional japanese clothing can be broken down into the following clothing categories.  

Kimono - meaning clothing or things to wear is the basic japanese clothing

Yukata - the summer kimono

Nagajugan - undergarments

Clothing Accessories - obi, shoes, socks, etc.

Haori - short silk jackets

Michiyuki - Overcoats

Hakama - japanese pants

Uchikake - most formal kimono

Shiro-maku - wedding kimono