Men's kimono: alternative blazer or statement piece?

For decades, the structured jacket (blazer, trench coat, perfecto) has embodied masculine elegance: reassuring, codified, sometimes rigid.
But today, things are changing. Men are looking for more freedom, movement, and personality. This is where the kimono finds its place: a fluid alternative to the classic wardrobe, balancing style and casualness, heritage and modernity.

At Atelier Sarita, the kimono is not just a garment. It's a jacket with character, capable of replacing a blazer during the day as well as standing out as a key piece in the evening.

This article expands on our guide: Men's Kimono: The Rebirth of the Masculine Jacket

Here we explore the two possible approaches: the kimono as a reinvented basic element or as an assumed stylistic manifesto.

The kimono as an elegant alternative to the blazer

A man wearing the RICHELIEU kimono in khaki wool and cashmere by Atelier Sarita, a jacket-style garment with large patch pockets. This structured kimono is handmade in Paris from Italian wool sourced from the surplus stock of luxury fashion houses. A warm, elegant, and timeless piece, photographed in a Parisian urban style.

Same function, different posture

The kimono, like the blazer, structures a silhouette. But it does so without the rigidity of a tailored collar, without the constraint of padded shoulders or the imposed fastening of buttons.
Where the blazer imposes, the kimono accompanies. It follows the movement of the body, offers fluid gestures and provides the controlled relaxation that modern men seek.

It's a garment that conveys presence: it provides poise without stiffness, style without excess. The short kimono or jacket-style kimono, for example, embodies this transition between structure and fluidity, perfect for a creative office, a dinner out, or a less formal business meeting.

Further reading: Long, short, dress or jacket: choosing the right kimono

Easy to wear every day

Contrary to popular belief, the kimono is not a difficult garment to wear. It's all about choosing the right cut and fabric. A kimono in textured cotton or lightweight wool is a perfect substitute for a blazer for a semi-formal look: over a white shirt or a plain t-shirt, with straight-leg trousers and minimalist derbies.

Open-back, it exudes a more natural look; belted, it elegantly sculpts the silhouette. It's this dual appeal, both flexible and refined, that makes it an essential piece of urban fashion.

For concrete inspiration: Men's kimono: the reinvention of the men's jacket

The kimono as a statement piece, a signature style?

Man wearing the COLBERT Atelier Sarita long kimono in black caviar wool with oud-colored cotton velvet trim. A loose and architectural design, handcrafted in Paris, conceived as a unisex winter kimono coat.

When the kimono becomes the focal point of the look

Some days, the kimono does not just accompany the outfit: it defines it.
In its long, structured versions or in noble materials (silk, jacquard, cotton velvet), it becomes a piece of expression.
A long black kimono, a deep midnight blue or a textured ivory can transform a simple silhouette into a stylistic statement without falling into provocation.

It's more a question of attitude than trend. The kimono attracts attention, not through ostentation, but through balance. It creates a visual presence, somewhere between elegance and character.

Also read: Kimono and masculinity: a contemporary alliance

Adjust the remaining ingredients to achieve a balanced result.

The secret to style lies in mastering contrasts. The bolder the kimono, the more understated the other elements of the outfit should be: straight-leg trousers, a light-colored shirt, and simple shoes. Conversely, a minimalist kimono in raw cotton can become the neutral base for a bolder look, with colorful sneakers, graphic accessories, or light layering.

This approach to controlled layering is at the heart of the Atelier Sarita philosophy: a fashion that plays on volumes, materials and breathability.

To learn more: Layering and layering: secrets to a modern look

The Atelier Sarita vision: a balance between comfort and distinction

A man wearing the DODAT Atelier Sarita kimono, a black caviar wool kimono jacket with oud-colored cotton velvet trim, photographed outdoors in the sun. A unisex model, handmade in Paris, with an urban and architectural style.

At Atelier Sarita, each kimono is conceived as a link between the rigor of tailoring and the freedom of flowing garments. Handmade in Paris, in limited series, using natural or recycled fibers sourced from the surplus stock of fashion houses, it embodies a responsible and aesthetically pleasing approach.

Our men's kimonos reflect this search for balance:

  • Denim cotton for a structured, everyday look.
  • Fine wool for a timeless style,
  • Silk for a subtle and refined look.

To discover our finishes and materials: Materials, cuts and sizes: choosing the right kimono

Blazer 2.0 or statement piece? The men's kimono navigates freely between the two.
Sometimes discreet and structured to replace a classic jacket, sometimes expressive and assertive as the centerpiece of the look, it appeals with its versatility and character.

At Atelier Sarita, we see the kimono as a masculine couture manifesto: a garment that does not conform, but that harmonizes.
A piece that does not claim to be different, but embodies freedom of style.

To learn more:

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