Kimonos are traditional Japanese garments that date back to the eighth century, and the word means “thing to wear.” While worn as a customary and often formal ensemble in Japan, the western take on the garment offers an unbeatable combination of versatility, comfort and style. Western kimonos that feature bold designs – and are made from silk or breathable synthetic fibers – can add sophistication to a casual outfit or provide the finishing touch to a dressier approach. They are also the perfect choice on a hot summer evening when a thick cardigan or jacket would be stifling. 

• Endless options: You can slip into a kimono jacket on a fall evening to keep chills at bay, or you can cinch them with a belt to mimic the look of a flare dress.
• Art in motion: Flowing kimono wearable art clothing allows you to express yourself. Choose a delicate pattern to add interest to a casual outfit or pick an art-inspired design to match your lifestyle.
• Packing made easy: Kimonos weigh very little and take up almost no space in a suitcase, which makes packing a snap.
• Easy sizing: You won’t have to worry about getting the right fit with a kimono because one size fits all. This also makes it easy for you to swap kimonos with your friends for even more options. 

How to Wear a Kimono with Jeans

If you are wondering what to wear with a kimono, jeans are a good place to start. Both of these garments are extremely versatile, which means the options are endless when they are combined. A long kimono paired with tight denim pants is a popular look, but these garments can also be worn with traditional or even flared jeans. 

Kimonos can also be used to punctuate outfits and provide contrast. You could do this by wearing a delicate kimono over a pair of distressed jeans or adding a long kimono to an outfit that includes jeans and platform boots. Kimonos work so well with jeans because they add a “thrown together” aura to an already casual look. 

How to Wear a Kimono Cardigan

Our Après Wear Kimonos in colorful names like Mother Earth, Fireworks and Brilliant You make a fashionable overlay that you can pair with anything from a tank top, shorts and sandals, to tattered jeans with chunky, high heels.

Styling a Kimono with a Skirt or Dress

Kimonos are most commonly worn with jeans or swimwear, but they can also add a dash of style to skirts and dresses. Short kimonos can be cinched at the waist to enhance the lines of fit and flare dresses or worn open to enhance pencil skirts, and longer styles could add glamour and sophistication to maxi dresses. Slipping into a kimono can change the look of a revealing dress or skirt from provocative to demure, and you can pair the garments with hats, shoes and accessories for a hippie chic or coquettish vibe. 

Styling a Kimono with Swimwear

Kimonos started to enter the mainstream after women discovered how comfortable they are to wear at the beach or beside a pool. The garments make perfect swimsuit cover-ups because they are so easy to put on and take off. They also look equally at home at a backyard barbeque or a five-star resort. You can wear a kimono with a bikini or one-piece swimsuit, and you can keep it on when the sun goes down and it is time to relax or head out. Mid-length kimonos work best with swimwear, and they can be either belted or left open depending on your mood.

Purchase Your Own Wearable Art Kimono

If you would like to add a dash of sophisticated elegance to your wardrobe, limited edition wearable art kimonos from Sara Anderson could be just what you are looking for. Sara’s designs can be seen at the High Museum gift shop in Atlanta, and they can also be ordered online from the comfort of your home. Choose from an eclectic range of designs in either silk or breathable rayon, and then pair your new kimono with jeans, skirts, dresses or swimwear all year round.