So recently I've moved to Japan to teach English for a little while. The move and new job has kept me pretty busy. But finally I had time to go kimono shopping.
Now, I only brought 2 kimono with me to Japan, one formal houmongi and one casual komon. My goal is to buy everything cheap in Japan, and bring it back with me to America.
My first stop was Gallery Kawano's 1000 Yen kimono sale. Now the real Gallery Kawano is in Tokyo, but every so often they have a sale down here in Kyushu at The West Coast (西海岸) in Yanagawa (Fukuoka prefecture). They fill the entire second floor of The West Coast with kimono, obi, and other accessories. My neighbor and I made the one hour drive to indulge ourselves.
Now, I only brought 2 kimono with me to Japan, one formal houmongi and one casual komon. My goal is to buy everything cheap in Japan, and bring it back with me to America.
My first stop was Gallery Kawano's 1000 Yen kimono sale. Now the real Gallery Kawano is in Tokyo, but every so often they have a sale down here in Kyushu at The West Coast (西海岸) in Yanagawa (Fukuoka prefecture). They fill the entire second floor of The West Coast with kimono, obi, and other accessories. My neighbor and I made the one hour drive to indulge ourselves.
Number of items bought: 26
Final price: ¥20515 or $201
I actually bought some things from the 1000 Yen sale and some things from downstairs at The West Coast. I was pretty happy with everything I bought, although I admit the bingata kimono is far too short for me, and I ended up buying it just because I've always wanted bingata. I hope to be able to put that one on display or use it to dress other people.
Now it's been raining a lot around here, so I haven't been able to wear any of my new pieces out, but I threw together a few coordinates using only the new items I bought.
Final price: ¥20515 or $201
I actually bought some things from the 1000 Yen sale and some things from downstairs at The West Coast. I was pretty happy with everything I bought, although I admit the bingata kimono is far too short for me, and I ended up buying it just because I've always wanted bingata. I hope to be able to put that one on display or use it to dress other people.
Now it's been raining a lot around here, so I haven't been able to wear any of my new pieces out, but I threw together a few coordinates using only the new items I bought.
Now this outfit combines the one casual komon I brought with me along with two new hanhaba obi I bought. This is a good example of how you should always focus on buying more obi than kimono, because a different obi can give your outfit a completely different look.
Okay, that's all for this time. Their next sale is in November, so maybe you'll see part two in a few months.