It has become the Tsuyu (梅雨, rainy season in Japan) and is getting really hot and humid. From now on, the weather will be scorching even more day by day. Today, I would like to introduce the tips for wearing Kimono in a cool and elegant way in summer.

-Air-condition the dressing room thoroughly in advance. In fact, Kimono is a comfortable kind of cloth and once you get dressed, it doesn’t feel so hot and humid as it looks. However, the dressing process is somewhat a hard work and can easily make you sweat. Air-conditioner is a powerful tool not to spoil your day with a waterfall of sweat before even going out.

-Lower the rear neck line than usual, arrange the skirt length shorter, and wear Obi (帯) belt lower. These dressing techniques help a lot. In fact you may find Kimono more comfortable than Western clothes.

-Wear Suteteco (ステテコ, long drawers) under the Kimono. Suteteco contributes to ventilating the air between your legs by absorbing the sweat. Nowadays, a variety of the product are available. For Yukata (浴衣, summer cotton Kimono), I use a long camisole instead.

-Apply menthol spray on your underwear or Juban (襦袢, underclothing for Kimono). This is a very effective way. Not for sensitive skin.

-Avoid using Obimakura (帯枕, oval shaped Obi filler pad).

-Put a Washi (和紙, Japanese craft paper)-wrapped refrigerant between your Obi and Kimono. Washi prevents bearing water-drops around the refrigerant.

I am sure these tips will keep your cool. Why don’t you try Kimono this summer?

Click here to see a Blog by a Former Maiko, “Do You Know?”

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