woman in white and blue floral dress holding yellow flower bouquet standing beside blue wooden window

Fall fashion trends are exciting to follow, from the stunning color palettes that are considered “in” to the chic layers you can add on top of your favorite staples. One such clothing piece that is perfect for fall layering is the kimono. With its origins in Japanese culture, this flowy clothing piece is sophisticated and chic and can generally be found in bright, boho patterns and a range of rich fabrics. 

You can wear kimonos in a wide variety of ways to create trendy outfits, but there are a few basic rules you’ll want to keep in mind when styling them. These rules don’t exist to constrict the way you dress but rather to help you get the most out of your kimono outfits. To narrow down the many ways you could style your kimono, and to be inspired with new ideas, keep reading to learn four basic rules for wearing a kimono.

Mix a Patterned Kimono With Neutral Under-Layers

A great way to wear a kimono is with an eye on layering. Whether it is cropped or full length, simple or extravagant, made of lightweight or heavy material, kimonos are the perfect pieces to add over top of your basic outfits. You might have those days where you add a kimono to your look once you feel chilly, or you might plan your outfit around this layer specifically. 

When you intend to wear a kimono as an accent piece, you’ll want to plan the background parts of your outfit to complement this final layer. For example, with a bright patchwork-print kimono, simple blue jeans and a single-color top are perfect underlayers. They contribute to making your outfit look relaxed and chic, but they don’t draw attention away from the kimono. Similarly, dark pants and a dark top are ideal neutrals to layer a kimono over, whether it is cropped or long. 

Belt Your Kimono to Reveal Your Figure

Because kimonos are flowy, drapey, and made with plenty of fabric, you do run the risk of swimming in the material if you get the wrong size, especially if you’re a petite person. Long kimonos have excess material spanning the length of your body as well as folds of material around your arms and torso. While the flowy nature of the kimono is one thing we love about them (and something special they add to otherwise basic outfits), this can make them feel hard to work with and style just right. 

A basic rule about kimonos is that you can make them feel less voluminous by belting them around the waist. Take a plain belt in a simple shade if you’re wearing a patterned or printed kimono, and loop it around the smallest part of your waist. This will bring the swing of material in towards your body and allow you to arrange how you want the fabric to tuck and fall. 

Kimonos Make Fabulous Dresses

Speaking of belting your kimonos, by pulling the material in around your waist, you also keep it secure around your body, so you don’t need additional layers underneath. Did you know that kimonos can be worn as dresses that are stylish, flattering, and graceful? Kimonos are stunning when used as dresses because they aren’t constricting or form-fitting—they still swish around your legs and arms, but when belted at the waist, they give you shape where you want it. 

Some kimonos come with buttons or clasps down the front, so you don’t even need to use a belt to secure them. This look will be less form-fitting and more bohemian in shape, so the preference is yours. The only action you need to follow to make your kimono into a dress is to ditch the extra under layers and ensure your kimono is covering your chest and torso the way you like before you leave the house.

Wear Cropped Kimonos That Fall at Your Waistline for Elongated Lines

Kimonos come in all shapes and sizes, most of which span from a cropped-at-the-waist length to just-above-the-ankles length. As mentioned, long kimonos can somewhat swallow the body of a petite person because they are also flowy. Regardless, all kimonos look great, so follow your personal tastes when determining if that is a look you like. But when you want to elongate the lines of your body, you should align the waistband of your bottoms with the hem of your kimono. 

For example, pair a kimono that crops where your jeans hit your waistline to give a lengthening effect to your lower body. This works because your kimono and pants meet at the same place on your torso, which allows the eye to follow the full line of your hips and legs, not cutting them off and seemingly shortening them. 

Kimonos are incredibly versatile pieces of clothing that can be worn in many ways. In order to keep your outfits trendy, flatter your figure, and find inspiration in new ideas for kimono looks, follow these four basic rules for creating outfits with kimonos!