Kimono Patterns - Kimono Styles

Kimono Patterns
Japanese kimono much like U.S. clothing are worn to compliment the seasons. In the spring, bright colors and spring floral kimono patterns are worn. In autumn, fall colors and fall kimono patterns are worn. In the winter, especially near the holidays, kimono patterns with designs such as the bamboo, pine trees or plum blossoms or worn for they signify good luck and prosperity. 

Customarily, woven kimono patterns, dyed clothing and repetitive patterns are considered informal. Formal kimono have free-style designs dyed over the whole surface or along the hem. Originally, the kimono was worn in multiple layers of different colors. Up to a dozen or more colorful layers of contrasting colored kimono would be worn. Today, the kimono is normally worn with a single layer on top of a slip style undergarment called juban. 

Kimono Styles
There are many types of kimono, each worn according to the persons age, season or the event. However, the formal kimono can be basically broken down into two main categories based on the persons age and marital status. Young unmarried women wear kimono with long sleeves called furisode. The sleeve length can vary from slightly long to very long reaching the ankle. Young women's kimono are very vibrant, colorful and rich with patterns.

Older women or those who have married, wear a kimono with short sleeves called tomesode. The kimono designs are smaller or solid and the colors are more subdued. There are also special kimono made for ceremonies and  paying respect called the tsukesage, komon and the homongi. 

Today, kimono producers and designers have modernized the kimono to meet the consumers everyday demands, economics and life style. New kimono patterns, designs, colors and fabrics are made to be "generic" to the persons age or marital status, thus being much more versatile.