Getting the Japanese Vibe with Summer Kimonos

I love kimonos, no, I’m pretty crazy about kimonos! They're so relaxed but still dressed up and you can pretty much wear them year round... from my part of the world though, I can! Although I cannot shake the urge to compare it with a cape and the superpowers a Kimono might hold.

Just think about it! What if you'd turn into a superhero when wearing one. A superhero in a Kimono who can wear pink hair in 20-inch stilettos, ride motorcycles through the desert without an inch of hair getting out of place, sing better than Beyonce. Not such a bad idea, isn't it? All these may be too stretched from reality, but hey, give the Kimono a try. It is after all pretty versatile and fabulous, a hidden superpower may not be such a far cry from the truth.

The kimono is an iconic Japanese garment that was worn for thousands of years. It literally means a thing to wear (ki- “wear” and -mono “thing”). But recently, Kimonos have become everyone's favorite current "trend." I use that term lightly because kimonos are a timeless and classic summer staple. Summer kimonos come in a million different styles: long, short, midi, with prints, with fringes, silky, oversized. Kimonos are an excellent way to brighten up any outfit. It’s incredibly feminine, very sexy, it’s boho chic, it’s Alexa Chung meets Vanessa Hudgens cool and it always adds just the right amount of oomph to any look. One can wear this over anything, even over a posh skirt or jeans. They do look most fabulous over a pair of shorts, mini skirts or short dresses, tank tops, bustier tops, over swimsuits, and just about over anything you’d actually wear on a hot summer day or night. Wear it as a silky jacket or as a sexy, sophisticated cover up. Or wear it at home over your grungiest pair of shorts or PJs, and you’ll still end up looking fab while having coffee. Wear it for the jazz of it, not because you’re cold or you’d look better in it, but because it adds a bit of color and sophistication to an otherwise boring outfit. If you chuck something big and gaudy over the top, it tricks people into believing you’ve made an effort.

How to wear a summer kimono? Just throw one on. It can be bohemian, gypsy knock out beauty, western cool, effortless sexy housewife , feminine, grungy, posh boho – incredibly trendy! Whichever way you choose to wear it there is no denying the kimono is the perfectly practical and endlessly versatile summer staple.

What do you think? Oh and did I tell you I get my kimonos from GAMÂ Handcrafts, an arts & crafts store in Cebu City, Philippines.