Fashionable women are always looking for something new and different to wear, especially as a new season approaches.  In recognition of the recent tragedies in Japan, and as a way to support the Japanese economy, expect to see a lot more women wearing a Kimono robe dress around the pool this summer.  While they are worn more traditionally in Japanese society, Western woman have adopted these soft and lightweight robes as a “loungewear staple”.

Imagine yourself getting out of a hot tub on a breezy summer evening and wrapping a silky and colorful print Kimono robe dress around you.  These robes are comfortable enough to be worn around the home all day long, and they look great when you are entertaining overnight guests.  The fluid T-shaped design of a Kimono robe dress hasn’t changed all that much over the centuries.  As a casual summer essential, it is a lot more relaxed than some more restricting cover-up ensembles.  It is also a whole lot more modest without losing its femininity.

 If you prefer to wear 100% cotton clothing in summer, then a Japanese Yukata may be your first choice. Shown here is the pink cherry blossom Yukata, which is nothing more than a lightweight cotton version of the Kimono robe dress.  The benefit of wearing these around the pool is how quickly they dry in the sun. 

But one questions people ask about Kimono robes and Yukatas is how they should be accessorized.  Some women try to wear their hair in a chignon bun when wearing a more traditional Kimono robe dress.  Others struggle with the type of belt they should wear, or which sandals work best – strappy sandals or flip flops.  While there are many ways to interpret this traditional Japanese style to match Western aesthetics, it helps to know how Asian women wear a kimono robe dress.  First, they don’t call the belt on a kimono a “belt”; it is called an “obi” or sash, and is usually made of a thick piece of textured silk or cotton fabric and tied in the back.  Secondly, while flip-flops work with almost everything, the appropriate footwear for a Kimono robe dress is either Geta sandals or Tatami Zori Sandals, both of which are available at Chopa.com.  When wearing a Kimono or Yukata indoors, some prefer to wear Tabi socks, which are also at Chopa. 

Picture yourself relaxing in the silken splendor of a Japanese Kimono robe dress.  Shop at Chopa.com for the best selection.

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