Well, today was the kimono debut of my friend, Kat. We went to an art show at our university, and she was excited to wear kimono out in public for the first time! She was very adamant that she wear my hakama, so we coordinated matching outfits around them.
We took these photos before heading out. There was a photographer at the art show, and we made quite the splash, so who knows….we may end up in print somewhere soon!
Without the haori:
As you can see, Kat stole it from me lol:
Finally someone who will go out in kimono with me! 
Yup, we’re best friends! <3
It’s always good to find someone who shares your passions. Have you ever visited Japan?
No, I’ve never been there before. I have some close friends who moved back though, and I hope to visit them someday.
Good luck
. If you need any pointers on Japanese, be sure to let me know!
Thank you, and will do!
I tweeted your blog when I found it, and it was noticed by this website: http://paper.li/tokyo_jack003#!stories. Thought you would like to know.
Wow, really cool! And thanks for the tweet. (Really nice of you!)
Both ensembles are beautifull coordinated! I love the hakama look, and I think a pair will be my next kitsuke purchase.
Thanks! Oh, definitely get some hakama! They are great, especially for hiding the hemline of an otherwise-too-short vintage kimono.
Whilst not a fan of bold kimono, I have to say I always really admire your ensembles: you always look so pretty and sweet but girl, you rock those loud colours and patterns so stylishly! xD
You both look fabulous – you must have got lots of comments whilst at the exhibition! I haven’t yet been brave enough no had the occasion to venture out in kimono, so how do you find people’s comments and interest in you?
Oh wow, thanks for saying that! You really are too sweet!
Yes, we got a lot of comments while we were out! Honestly, people’s reactions are going to depend on where you are and what you’re doing, but as a general rule, people are going to stare when you go out in kimono. It’s a bit intimidating at first to be honest, but you learn to take it in stride. If you are confident, people will see that. For example, when we went out, we had people tell us how much they liked our kimono. We had a nice chat with them about why we were wearing them and our interest in kitsuke. We also had people who just looked at us, and probably talked about us after we left (for good or bad). We even got one comment along the lines of “Nice outfit”, which judging from the tone could have either been sincere or snide….kind of hard to say. Honestly, it takes a bit of daring to go out in something that pretty much guarantees that you will be the center of attention. As I said to my friend, if someone looks at you, just look them back in the eye and smile!
You have to learn to be confident and not care so much about what others think about it. If they like it, then good. If they think you’re weird, then….so what? I can bet you are enjoying life much more at that moment than they are.;) As far as occasions for kimono, if none present themselves, then make them! I’ve gone to the store in kimono, (even pumped gas into my car once when on the road lol!). I don’t have anyone else besides my friend who will go out in kimono with me, and the Asian base around here is Korean, rather than Japanese, so there are no odori or matsuri to attend. I don’t let that stop me, though! :p
I hope you gain the courage to go out in kimono! (Honestly, my first time, I was nervous and embarrassed, wouldn’t even look people in the eye…but after I got home, I thought, “Hey…I didn’t die! That was easy!” lol. And after a couple of times, I gained enough courage to go out and be confident in wearing them.)
Thanks for your reply to my comment; it’s lovely to hear from you and hear your thoughts on venturing out in kimono
I’m really quite a shy and introverted person, so picking an interest like kimono where you’re wearing something so different and attention-grabbing seems pretty contradictory 8)
I find my confidence growing each time I practice kitsuke, so I think once I feel secure in my own ability it’ll be a great help for when I do finally venture out. I’d really love to attend the KDJ here in the UK, but most are just too far away for me since I don’t drive; a shame as it’d be THE perfect excuse to wear kimono out, plus you’d be in a group which always helps you feel braver. Kimono lovers unite, yeah!! XD
There is a taiko drumming show coming to my local theater later in the year which I’d considered going to, but really I think I’d be going just for the excuse to wear kimono; I find taiko just ‘okay’ so I’m not sure I’d want to see a whole show of it, haha
) I’m sure my opportunity to make my kimono debut will come soon; I just have to take a deep breath and go for it once it gets here! 