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Brides in Japan are Turning Their Long-Sleeve Kimonos Into Stunning Wedding Dresses

kimono wedding dress

Weddings in Japan are changing. Many couples who marry are shying away from the traditional Japanese nuptials, which favors a private ceremony between them and a few select guests. Nowadays, it’s increasingly popular to combine elements of this tradition with a Western-style Christian wedding—namely, the aisle and procession in front of many family and friends. This also includes the dress—a big deal for Westerners. But rather than a white gown, Japanese brides are opting for a unique alternative with a kimono wedding dress.

Taking a traditional furisode long-sleeve kimono, brides-to-be modify it into a stunning strapless dress. To do this is easy. The sleeves are first folded down and then tied into a decorative bow in the back. The surface decor—which include flowers, birds, and scallop patterns—adds a colorful, eye-catching riff on the Western-style gown. Best of all, it only takes about 10 minutes to change and nothing is permanently altered. So unlike many wedding dresses, the brides can really wear it again.

In just 10 minutes, this stunning transformation is made:

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

kimono wedding dress

h/t: [Rocket News 24]

All images via The Oriental Wasou.

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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