Haori - Authentic Japanese jackets

In line with their tradition, the Japanese put on the haori over a kasode. The haori is a type of jacket that is worn over robes. It can extend up to the hip or thigh. You can either wear a haori jacket open or close it using some strings which connect the labels.

During the Sengoku period, the haori that was worn did not come with sleeves. People wore this traditional jacket over the armor. Though it symbolized class, people in the middle class started affording this piece during the Edo period. Men initially wore it, but things changed during the 1800s. Traditional women dancers known as geisha started wearing the haori over a kimono to make a style statement. By 1930s, wearing this stylish jacket had become the norm.

When worn over a kimono, the haori appears a bit shorter. The jacket contains different layers of silk and cotton, which increase comfort when worn. It is also designed to fit loosely over the body and comes in a T-shaped. Unlike a kimono, the haori jacket is not designed to overlap. You can use braided silk cords to secure the haori if you don't want it to hang open.

The haori is the chief garment that is used to display family crests or mon during different occasions such as funerals and weddings. Mons are some decorative designs of symbols which families adopt. These days, people wear an authentic haori over various types of garments such as dresses or jeans. This garment suits different ages and comes in lovely fabrics that make it look elegant. Haori jackets blend well with western world clothing. Feel free to add a touch of Japan to your closet. You can match some of your favorite outfits with a haori.

Though people nowadays use belts to tie a haori, the traditional method of fastening a haori is with a single tie. You can use a himo to hold the fronts of the jacket edge to edge. If you still prefer using a belt to fasten it, get one that is wide and elastic. Due to the unique design, you should know how to store it properly to avoid creases. In Japan, there is a technique used to fold a haori as well as a kimono to ensure that they maintain the correct shape. You don't have to keep on ironing them. The market offers haori in different patterns that are suitable for various occasions.