In recent years, more and more women who wish to look stunning in furisode for important occasions such as coming-of-age ceremonies or weddings have turned to this traditional Japanese attire. Japanese traditional garments not only photograph beautifully but also leave a positive impression on those around you. Let your special day shine with a gorgeous and elegant kimono.

What You Need for Furisode Dressing

To dress in a furisode properly, you first need to prepare the following undergarments:

• Undergarments: Items like the hadajuban (inner kimono), tabi (socks), hada-gi (undershirt), and susoyoke (slip) are essential.
• Body Correction Aids: To ensure a flawless silhouette, using correction pads or towels to adjust your figure is very helpful.
• Intermediate Garments: Between your undergarments and the kimono, you need to wear a haneri (half-collar) and a nagajuban (long under-kimono). The way you wear the nagajuban greatly affects the final look of your furisode.
• Accessories for Fixing and Shaping: Items such as the waist belt (koshihimo), Itajime (binding cord), makura (padding), zenma (front board), and gomawari (back board) are necessary for securing and shaping the kimono.
• The Most Important Items: Naturally, the furisode itself and the obi (sash) are the most crucial. Choose colors and patterns according to your taste to ensure you won’t have any regrets. Also, items like the obijime, obiage, and Itadek collar are important for adding the finishing touches.
• Other Accessories: Don’t forget the hair accessories, zori (sandals), and bag, which can subtly elevate your overall look.

Why Body Correction Is Necessary

For a beautifully fitted furisode, body correction is key.

• Japanese vs. Western Silhouettes: Western clothes often accentuate curves like a cinched waist or rounded hips, whereas traditional Japanese garments tend to flatter a straighter, more tubular figure. Thus, it’s important to smooth out the chest, back, and other areas to create a uniform, sleek line.
• How to Correct:
  • For those with a larger bust, wearing a specialized under-bra for Japanese garments can help flatten the chest;
  • If you have deep hollows in your shoulder blades or back, adding some cotton or a towel can help create a smoother silhouette;
  • For those with a very defined waist, wrapping a towel or correction pad around the midsection can eliminate an overly pronounced curve.
    Using correction pads tailored to your body makes the entire process much easier and ensures a perfect fit.

The Order of Dressing

1. Wear Your Undergarments and Correct Your Figure: Once you’ve put on your undergarments and made any necessary corrections, put on your nagajuban. Make sure your back is straight.
2. Check for and Smooth Out Wrinkles: After tying your cords, inspect your entire outfit to ensure all wrinkles are smoothed out. Any looseness here will affect the final look.
3. Drape on the Furisode: Gently drape your furisode over your shoulders and adjust the hem so that it just covers your ankles. Ensure that the hem is parallel to the ground—a key point for a neat appearance.
4. Fix and Shape: Secure everything with the waist belt, adjust the folds (ohashori), and then fix the front board over the folds.
5. Finally, Tie the Obi: There are many ways to tie the obi, so choose one that suits your personal style and complements the furisode’s color and pattern.
   After finishing, be sure to check your overall appearance in a mirror. Since furisode dressing is quite intricate, it’s recommended to have someone assist you and to check your progress frequently. Also, be mindful of your posture and movement afterward to keep your kimono pristine.

• Walking Tips:
  • Stand up straight and avoid taking overly large steps;
  • Hold the edge of your kimono lightly with your right hand to prevent the hem from flaring out, thereby maintaining a graceful posture;
  • Walking with your knees slightly turned inward can help you move more gracefully.

Conclusion

Although dressing in a furisode may seem challenging at first, with practice, anyone can achieve a beautiful and proper look. The key is to follow the steps correctly and maintain good posture—slouching or uneven standing detracts from the overall elegance. Take your time, dress carefully, and soon you’ll be able to dress in a furisode confidently on your own.