Do gaijin look good in a "Kimono"?

[Jack]

Now I don't mean to offend any "gaijin" out there with this question....
I don't know about all you other gaijins out there but in my eyes, -as good as all you gaijin look in a "kimono"- it just doesn't look right on our larger frame.......... No I don't mean "fat".... I mean, taller, larger breasts(on average), more pronounced butts(on average), rounder eyes, bigger feet, and more free mannerisms.....

What do you guys/gals out there think??????

Please vote. And if you vote and have a free moment could you please share with us why you voted the way you did...

[Shibuyaexpat]

By Gaijin, do you mean those of the Caucasian persuasion? I'm technically a gaijin (American of Korean descent), and have been told that I look pretty good wearing one. :P

[Jack]

i believe the term "gaijin" is a japanese term, meaning foreigner if im not mistaken.

[Kara_Nari]

I voted for the sheep. I think little lambies would look cute as pie in iddy biddy kimonos!
I havent worn a kimono for years... since about the time when I had barely a bust, or but. My eyes are large, but I dont think they're that round... there was a time that my hair was long, straight and dark (as it is now, but hasnt been for many a year).
I was complimented at this time, but then I wasnt in Japan. Maybe I would have been ridiculed had I been in Japan? Who knows.
When I get skinnier, and lose my boobs I will go to Japan and try it out. Might pass on next months trip there though.
One traditional set of clothing is enough for next month. I have to squeeze myself into a Hanbok (yeah yeah I know they are the size of a tent, but you still have to tie it up around your bust).

[Jack]

Are sheep a rarity in the countryside of japan?

[Kara_Nari]

I dont know, but they're up in the north!

[Ewok85]

I look shocking in a kimono or yukata, much much better in a hakama or keikogi :)

[Jack]

so does anyone own a kimono? do they wear it on special occassions?

[pipokun]

Some say your beer belly fits for men's kimono. The beer belly for kimono? No, I don't want. :)

[Maciamo]

I have added a 5th choice, as none of the others were suitable for me.

[RockLee]

I voted 'no' as I don't think western people look good in a kimono.It would be the same as an asian person wearing lederhosen -__-; western people don't have that 'KAWAII' factor that asian girls have (mostly Japanese,Chinese girls seem to lack that skill also...at least I saw very little in China)

[MeAndroo]

I think your 5th choice is misleading, because not all gaijin are westerners. That being said, it's the one I chose anyway.

[Jack]

I have added a 5th choice, as none of the others were suitable for me.

very good idea, good maciamo you've excelled yourself again,

[Dekamaster]

I voted for the "5th amendment" haha. A bit off-topic here, but they say that you can judge the marital status of the one who wears the kimono based on the width of the sleeves. Longer means you're single while a shorter, much conservative width means you're married.

[-Rudel-]

Let me know...hahahaha.

http://www.jref.com/entertainment/gallery/data/511/Mike_Akemi_2a.jpg

[Jack]

im unsure about this one,
this is question for the great FRANK, he surely knows, if not we are doomed.

[Silverpoint]

Jeez Rudel... I gotta do that photo soon. I was just about coming to terms with it and now you've freaked me out again ;-) I was gonna go for a darker color though.

[-Rudel-]

hehehe. I think we chose white because of my skin complexion. I have my mother's skin. I can't tan worth a crap. All I get are freckles and a burnt skin.

It was really fun getting into one though! There is so much padding and time taken, to put everything on.

It's worth the experience.


I think anyone can look good in a Kimono. It's all how you present yourself in it. :-)

[sakura-girl]

i think i look pretty good in a yukata, but i never really tried a kimono,

[Silverpoint]

hehehe. I think we chose white because of my skin complexion. I have my mother's skin. I can't tan worth a crap. All I get are freckles and a burnt skin.


I'm not so dark myself so I'll bear that in mind. Actually I'm more concerned about the combination of myself and my fiancee. She goes pretty dark in summer (not deliberately - she just tans very easily). I often look ghostlike in comparison when we're photographed together. I've been thinking about jumping on the tanning bed for a couple of sessions just to balance us a little.

Your wife looks lovely by the way.

[kirei_na_me]

I'm kind of like Rock on this one, but for different reasons. As far as women are concerned, I think Westerners are usually too curvy to look good in a kimono. In kimono, you're supposed to have a straight figure, and I just don't think westerners can pull that off, even when bound up like that. I also wouldn't say the natives are more "kawaii". Maybe they are "kawaii", where I'd describe Westerners as "pretty, not cute". Besides, I don't think "kawaii" goes with kimono anyway? I have always thought of kimono wearers supposedly trying to give the effect of gracefulness and elegance. Not cuteness. That's just me, I guess... :p

[Pachipro]

Like Rudel says, "you be the judge."

Not the best picture BTW.

[Drkns]

I decided not to respond to this thread at first, as I was undecided. After some time spent considering the different aspects of wearing kimono, I would say that I do not believe a Westerner (by complexion, build, and facial features) can look good in a kimono. Man or woman. Just like any other item of clothing, some people are better suited to them than others - there's no guarantee that every Asian, or more specifically every Japanese person, looks good in a kimono.

While a range of colours and designs are available, I simply cannot visualise a Westerner - as defined above - looking good in a kimono. Firstly, their complexion is often too pale - even with a white kimono and especially those of darker colours. Then their chest is often of greater depth (?) than the average Asian person, which affects the proportions of the kimono and thus the overall aesthetics. And finally, facial features. The facial characteristics of Westerners just don't seem to blend well with kimono, although a trim beard often appears to help - most likely because it reduces the amount of pale flesh exposed.

I'm a strong believer in doing what one wants to do, but at the same time, if you know something *really* doesn't suit you, don't you think you should try to avoid wearing it? I have yet to see a Westerner who truly suits kimono and have reached these conclusions as a result, but please feel free to prove me wrong.

:D

[Dutch Baka]

i dont care much about the word gaijin anymore i am not offended... i was wearing a Yukata.. i walked on the station and heard a bit to loud * i knew it was about me, she looked in my face* KAKOII * cool*, and my girl said i looked kakoii.. she never ever say that haha....ill post a photo soon :wave:

[Sensuikan San]

I think some "petite" dark haired western ladies look OK.

My wife is 4'-11" tall - I think she would look rather nice in a Kimono ...

....around 1968 ...

Aren't I rotten ?

ジョン :homer:

[-Rudel-]

in 1968? hahaha. That's rotten. :-)

Originally posted by Silverpoint
I'm not so dark myself so I'll bear that in mind. Actually I'm more concerned about the combination of myself and my fiancee. She goes pretty dark in summer (not deliberately - she just tans very easily). I often look ghostlike in comparison when we're photographed together. I've been thinking about jumping on the tanning bed for a couple of sessions just to balance us a little.

Your wife looks lovely by the way.

Perhaps the photographer can photoshop your pictures. You know....add contrast, de-saturation. You should ask. Thanks for the compliments. My wife is pleased. :-)

[furan]

I voted 'no' as I don't think western people look good in a kimono.It would be the same as an asian person wearing lederhosen -__-; western people don't have that 'KAWAII' factor that asian girls have (mostly Japanese,Chinese girls seem to lack that skill also...at least I saw very little in China)
*dies laughing*

Japanese... in lederhosen...... :lol::lol::lol:
please thell me you've read that book and it's got nothing to do with the fact you're German?
:D:D:D:D

i vote SHEEP!
because... i really do.. :worried:

ANYWAYS... i have a kimono... not a very good one tho.. it's more a 'dressing gown'... but it is from Japan :?
and we used to have these vietnese ones... (like, when i was 7 - hence why i don;t any more :relief:)
i was always told i looked cute in it...
heh, i loved that thing to shreds :relief: (would be another reason why i don't still have it :D)
but.. then i had big blond curls and large round sky blue eyes (i said had.. my hair's now pinky-red :D)... and i got called cute no matter what i wore :relief:

.... my sister's never siad i look bad... and trust me, she'd be the first to let me know... :okashii:
i don't think i look...bad as far as i go (tho... it's not the most flattering of colours on me - white)

tho i am forever forgetting which side goes over which >.<

[Chipi]

My answer: No.

I loved wearing yukata (even tried on a wedding kimono once), and I absolutely love the feeling of obi and geta, but i still think I look a little weird in kimono etc.
It doesnt matter how handsom or beautiful, attractive you are as a person, but in general, if a gaijin wears kimono it just doesnt look as authentic and beautiful as when the Japanese wear it. And, i think the Japanese have the inborn skill to wear kimono in an elegant, beautiful way.

Before I tried the yukata on for the first time, i was actually against wearing it.. somehow I think its like a national costume, that belongs only to the native Japanese. i felt as I didnt have "the right" to wear it.. (and was actually really surprised about all the positive comments I got from the Japanese people when wearing yukata)

[Silverpoint]

I absolutely love the feeling of obi and geta

You enjoy having your breathing restricted, and being virtually unable to eat!?

;-) ;-) ;-)

[Mars Man]

Of course the answer has to be the last one, in all reasonableness. I have seen a number of Western women wearing kimonos who looked just as natural as the Japanese. The body's mass, is no obsticle, and shape affects little, but with an artist's perception, would say that overall proportions make the difference. These ladies I've seen who do look so good, have been here for a while, have professional jobs (like running an Japanese inn[okami san], etc.)

Guys, I don't know I have seen few. I looked o.k., if I may say so, in the kimono I wore for the wedding pictures, but then, it was the kimono, and not me that made it look good. Earlier I was given a kimono to wear, but I did not look good in it (basically because my lower legs are naturally not built up well enough. But if it looks good, wear it. Some do, some don't !! :-)

[deadhippo]

im sure id be damned sexy in a kimono, damned sexy but to tell the truth i have no interest in wearing a kimono
of course i chose the sheep option because i really would like to see that

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a55/deadhippo/samurai_cow.jpg

[kirei_na_me]

Hehe...I like that...

[Jack]

lovin' the pic,

[Kinsao]

Hehe that pic is very good!

I'd be interested to try wearing a kimono. In fact, I think it looks like quite a flattering style, no matter what is your figure... but I could be proved draaastically wrong, lol. I guess maybe I could get away with it because I'm quite short (5' 3''). Although I think I have the wrong sorts of curves. :okashii:

Hmmm, I do tend to think it looks maybe odd on gaijin though (I mean people who are obviously looking like not Japanese in descent), not because of the flatteringness or otherwise of the garment, but because of all it's cultural associations. It looks like someone playing dress-up.

[lexico]

Rudel & PachiPro look nice ! :cool:
And the smiling ox, too.

edit: Do I sense a prejudice against foreigners wearing kimonos ?
I cannot believe only 3 said yes, 6 said no, and 16 said depends.
Insecure or shy ? ;-)

[nurizeko]

I have a Yukata, but ive never worn it except once or twice to look in the mirror (im bad :relief: ).

I would say in general westerners dont look good in them, but, thats only because its not expected dress for us.

Still, im sure ive seen westerners in kimono's and yukata's who've looked okay.

[Flashjeff]

Yo, deadhippo! That pic is outrageous! I love it! And to answer the question, while I can't speak for the rest of western civilization, the only thing I know is that I'd suck like a Hoover in one! Hell, I barely look normal in any sort of clothes!
:D

[Minxie]

Aside: My mother has one that will be passed down to me... one that has been in my family for 2 generations... its really pretty & i heard very expensive.

I think it all depends on how you wear it. My dad has kimonos (hes Euro-Scandinavian), and he looks fine... and he's tall. I think its also because my mom knows what kimono (style etc) will look good on him. I'm sure if she picked up a crappy, cheap one, he'd look weird *LOL*...

[SekiRay]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a55/deadhippo/samurai_cow.jpg

OMG :o That looks like one of those damn silly cows placed like everywhere in stockholm O.O I HATE THOSE, they scare me.. and you can buy small ones to have in your home too, on tables and so.. if you're rich or are a "dumb tourist" .. :souka:

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I think its how you wear the kimono and what your body shape is like. I've seen some pics of westerners wearing kimono right and wrong- it looks terible when they wear them the wrong way like they are wearing a dressing gown or somthing.
Alot also depends on the kimono and obi's design and how the colors and patterns/pictures compliment you, i would like to wear kimono somday and i am a english girl but i know i could never look good in say, a pink or yellow kimono or anything else bold or brightly colored. Even if you are japanese you have to chose your kimono very carefully.

Padding helps alot as if you are realy curvy it helps neutralise your curves if you use and wear the right type of padding. Kimono are also supposed to be worn quite loosely apparently, if you wear them all tight it just doesn't look right wether you are japanese or not. If you have a rather angular face but have long hair, wearing your hair down helps draw attention away from places like your cheeks, nose, chin or forehead.
I also suppose things like plucking your eyebrows helps make them seem less pronounced and also wearing foundation will help make the contours of your face seem less obvious. Other touchs like using mascara on your eye lashs and eyebrow pencil on your eyebrows to darken them i guess would also help as i've noticed alot of japanese women have thick dark lash's and thin dark eyebrows.

Wearing the kimono correctly itself and having all the right other peices of clothing to go with it helps alot.
I think men find it easier to wear kimono and look alright than women in general. I think if you are a woman though, as long as you are slim, have reasonably long hair, don't have a broad nose or square face you should look good in kimono :) .

[deadhippo]

@Tokis-Phoenix
its seems that you are saying that if you make yourself look as japanese as possible you may look good in a kimono :p

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Lol maybe, but the kimono in my opinion is supposed to look realy slender and straight which most japanese are blessed at being from what i've gathered. Most westerners are just too bulky or angular- some westerners don't even look good in their own clothes, like say how many girls could you say pull off a skin clinging size 12 sexy black little dress realy well? Even for that most of us would have to change our appearance a bit to look good in it.
Everybody looks alright in things like jeans or T-shirts or trainers, the kimono in that sense is like the sexy little dress- most of us can't wear it very easily. A tall broad curvy western girl with a broad nose and angular cheeks just wouldn't be able to wear the kimono as it should be very well. Most japanese don't have that sort of frame though which is why think they look better in kimono in general- it was designed for them to wear over hundreds of years.

[deadhippo]

Lol maybe, but the kimono in my opinion is supposed to look realy slender and straight
I could be mistaken but I'm pretty sure that the opposite may actaually be closer to the truth. I've heard that in the olden days japsnese ladies were supposed to be a bit stout in order for the kimono to look good and the same is true for them today. Of course the japanese stout is no comparison to the modern stout girl in the west. (No, I'm not talking about beer)
If you have ever seen a thin japanese girl put on a kimono you will easily understand what im saying. The kimono is indeed designed to be straight but not so slender. Thin girls have to put a lot of padding around their waists and I meana lot to fill out the kimono.

Again i could be wrong, and when I get the chance I will seek some confirmation.

[Silverpoint]

My wife wears about half a dozen towels tucked under her obi

[budd]

i cant find the quote button on these keyboards after five years, oh well
anyway

(and was actually really surprised about all the positive comments I got from the Japanese people when wearing yukata)

they expect it ime
staying in hotels, its not enough just to speak japanese to them
using the yukata and drinking the tea seems to get so much more positive attention from them

THEY think we look cool, its we who think we look ridiculous

girl who loves louie vuitton to death and always has those sweater sets sent me a yukata and getas for my birthday

still trying to figure it out, as the yukata + getas are too small for me
of course i sent several gifts and said thanks as well, but still

[名無し]

It is rather surprising that regular posters who are supposedly somewhat "knowledgeable" about Japan have all chosen to conviniently forget her.

Anyways,
Fujiya (http://web-jpn.org/trends/people/peo040126.html) Site (http://www.ginzanonsen.jp/fujiya/)

[Tokis-Phoenix]

i cant find the quote button on these keyboards after five years, oh well
anyway

(and was actually really surprised about all the positive comments I got from the Japanese people when wearing yukata)


Can we see a pic of you in yukata please? I would realy love to see a pic!

[anjusan]

I believe it is not a really a question of ethnicity but rather poise...

With Buntaro's permission, I would like to use the following picture to emphasize my theory.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/tsunade1/buntaro001.jpg

Don't they look too cute?!

[.::b|ue Ash::.]

Gaijin = Non Japanese. So it applies to anyone of any race.

I have no idea as I have seen little to no foreigners in Kimonos. Being that I am skinny, with no breast, no butt and pale I'd probably not look to shabby in one myself. lol.

[deadhippo]

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/tsunade1/buntaro001.jpg
Don't they look too cute?!

Thats very cute. :-)

[anjusan]

@ b|ue ash - take a look at some of the pics of people on this thread and give us your opinion... I am sure you would look nice in a kimono! It just takes a bit of confidence IMHO. When I go to Japan... I hope I can rent a nice kimono and do it up with a wig and make-up just like Shirley MacLaine in that movie 'My Geisha'... then I would have a nice picture taken...

@ deadhippo - thank you. ^_^

[kooo]

I've worn a yukata and looked quite nice. A kimono might look nice on me, but it doesn't really suit me. If you want me to be blunt I've found that most foreign women look nice in traditional Japanese clothes with foreign men more often look out of place.

[ricecake]

For females,I think Japanese Kimono is better fit for " petite " women regardless of ethnicity.

[Faustianideals]

Why yes, I do believe the kimono can be worn by gaijin and still look good. However, I'm not sure about myself. I'm 6'4, and I have the build of an american football linebacker.

[KittKatt]

I voted the fifth one, though I'm not sure. I've never seen a gaijin in a kimono.

[kellymich]

I decided not to respond to this thread at first, as I was undecided. After some time spent considering the different aspects of wearing kimono, I would say that I do not believe a Westerner (by complexion, build, and facial features) can look good in a kimono. Man or woman. Just like any other item of clothing, some people are better suited to them than others - there's no guarantee that every Asian, or more specifically every Japanese person, looks good in a kimono.
While a range of colours and designs are available, I simply cannot visualise a Westerner - as defined above - looking good in a kimono. Firstly, their complexion is often too pale - even with a white kimono and especially those of darker colours. Then their chest is often of greater depth (?) than the average Asian person, which affects the proportions of the kimono and thus the overall aesthetics. And finally, facial features. The facial characteristics of Westerners just don't seem to blend well with kimono, although a trim beard often appears to help - most likely because it reduces the amount of pale flesh exposed.
I'm a strong believer in doing what one wants to do, but at the same time, if you know something *really* doesn't suit you, don't you think you should try to avoid wearing it? I have yet to see a Westerner who truly suits kimono and have reached these conclusions as a result, but please feel free to prove me wrong.
:D

I dunno ... I think rudel looks rather dashing.

I'm sure he doesn't wear it to the office though. :-)

[Riyko]

I think that anyone can look good in a Kimono. I've seen a few japanese and non japanese people wearing Kimono's. I used to wear one around from time to time, but it was too tight and heavy so now i wear my yukata from time to time and I admit i get some weird looks from people because of how i'm dressed, but alot of people will come up to me and ask me questions about the yukata. I go to the Odon celebration that is held in Odgen every year dressed in my yukata and I haven't once heard a bad thing about me wearing it, they like it when foreigners dress up in the traditional japanese clothes.

[MrWabu]

An obaasan said I looked good in a yukata so I vote Yes.

[-Rudel-]

I dunno ... I think rudel looks rather dashing.
I'm sure he doesn't wear it to the office though. :-)

haha. :p Thanks.

I dont think I could wear this to work everyday. It's to white and I wouldn't want it to get dirty.

Good thing it was only a wedding picture :-)

[Live91]

Well, I haven't seen many gaijin wearing kimonos where I traveled or on TV or in magazine so I wouldn't really know but I guess that having the "right" kind of body for the clothes would help? A lot of people say that "petite" women look good in kimonos but I was just wondering if the frame mattered? You know? Small,medium,large?

[-Rudel-]

Depends what your prefrences are for "looking good"

Do you like Small, Medium or Large?

[Thunderthief]

I would say no in general, dressing like that is Japanese culture and it really doesn't really fit non-Japanese. On average americans are larger, and the clothes don't fit very well.

When I went to Japan I had trouble getting normal clothes in my size, the majority of stores didn't carry it.

[Live91]

Depends what your prefrences are for "looking good"
Do you like Small, Medium or Large?
I like medium^^, but I'm large framed. ( I hope everyone understands what I mean by that o.o: I have a dense/large bone mass so I have some trouble finding clothes in casual stores and I can't really do anything about it you know...:( )

[Goldiegirl]

I think it just depends on the persons looks in general. I saw a wedding with an American girl in a Kimono and she looked really nice, but, she was very petite so it seemed to fit her well. Then there was another wedding with a western women (I didn't know her nationality) and she looked beautiful as she was a bride, but the kimono made her look really big to me. She was big (not fat...just tall and large framed) so it just looked like she was carrying around a lot of fabric. I think though, that you should wear what ya like and who cares what anyone else says...

[-Rudel-]

Actually, if she was wearing a proper Kimono, she was wearing a lot of fabric around her body.

[Nana007]

While I look Kimono I prefer Saris, as Kimono does not look good on me. I have a Yukata, and it looks a bit...strange. But a Sari works for all women.

[Goldiegirl]

Oh, I know that the kimono IS a lot of fabric...the point was the larger the person the more fabric is used and therefore you look even bigger. Both brides were beautiful, just that to my eyes being a little smaller made the kimono look less overpowering.

[japantvhost]

If they are good lookin, then they will look good in one. Duh?!

[MoBay]

He looks absolutely rediculous!!!!!!!

[blue_rebel]

I don't see why gaijin shouldn't look good in a kimono. It's because we associate kimono and other traditional Asian clothing (jinbei, samfu, sarees, baju kebaya, etc) with Asians with Asian features, and understandably so, that a non-Asian wearing any of said clothing is an unnatural (and not very nice? not necessarily) sight.

[Broken Rose Ren]

It depends on who's wearing kimono. I think gaijin can look good in it, I've seen a girl who was in Japan with her man (who's Japanese) and she looks so great in a kimono. So yes, it's possible.

[taeter_tot]

Any woman can look gorgeous in Japanese kimono as long as she's taught how to dress it properly and walking etiquette.

[212809]

Don't they look cute?
That's really nice. :-)

[Dark Gami]

I look good while wearing hakama and I think the miko costume would look good on me as well. I can't wait for the chance to put that on! :cool:

[yukio_michael]

They look okay in those yukata/pajamas you get at hotels... But I think they sort of look like a Valley Girl wearing a sombrero... A bit odd, and out of their element... that or overzealous Japanophiles...

[-Rudel-]

I don't see why gaijin shouldn't look good in a kimono. It's because we associate kimono and other traditional Asian clothing (jinbei, samfu, sarees, baju kebaya, etc) with Asians with Asian features, and understandably so, that a non-Asian wearing any of said clothing is an unnatural (and not very nice? not necessarily) sight.

I'd like to add, that why is Japanese wearing the American Urban look? Do they look good in it? I think they have style in it and fit in very well. Especially the females. :-)

It's jut to add to your point Blue_Rebel.

[doinkies]

Like most people have said, some gaijin look good in a kimono, and others don't. doinkies hasn't worn a kimono, though, so I don't know whether I'd be one of the good-looking ones or the doinky-looking ones. ^^;;

[Qu_Qu]

have confident in oneself doinkies,i think anyone can look good in kimono if kno how to dress properly

[pipokun]

米国出身の新人アイドル、リア・ディゾン（２０）が成人の日の８日、東京・世田谷区役所で成 人式に参加した。
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2007/01/09/KFullNormal20070109026_p.html
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2007/01/09/08.html

Leah Dizon from the US participated in the coming of age ceremony in Setagaya, Tokyo.

[Yoko_Kisaragi]

As long as one is not a "tubbo" I think they would look fine in it :-)