Wearing the kimono today: contemporary instructions
The kimono is no longer content to be a ceremonial garment from elsewhere. Today, it has once again become a key piece of the contemporary wardrobe. Whether worn as a jacket, a dress, or a lightweight coat, it combines elegance and freedom with rare ease. In a world where originality is sought as much as comfort, the kimono is making a comeback: hybrid, fluid, stylish. It's a silent manifesto—a way of saying a lot without overdoing it.
At Atelier Sarita, we have chosen to reinvent this icon for the city.
Our kimonos are handmade in Paris, as unique pieces or in very limited editions, from natural or recycled fibers. A Parisian signature, responsible and bold.
Discover our contemporary kimonos, handmade in Paris
The kimono today: a strong and stylish comeback
From tradition to everyday wardrobe: a new perception of the kimono
Long considered a purely ceremonial garment, laden with symbolism and reserved for formal uses, the kimono has been confined to the world of costume or folkloric exoticism in the Western collective imagination. However, by moving away from its rigid Japanese roots to embrace the codes of a freer contemporary fashion, it has successfully reinvented itself.
Today, the kimono is no longer a cultural relic, but a universal silhouette, embraced by fashion designers and those who embrace elegant everyday life. This shift in perception is part of an era in which clothing is becoming a vehicle for personal expression, values, comfort, and awareness.
A hybrid piece in an urban wardrobe
In a context of seeking versatility and uniqueness, the kimono stands out as an in-between garment: neither a strict jacket, nor a flowing dress, nor an overly structured coat. It offers a valuable alternative in an urban wardrobe, adapting to different body shapes, styles, and moments in life.
The strength of the contemporary kimono lies in its ability to embody several stylistic identities at once: it can be worn as a blazer for work, thrown over a dress for an evening out, or taken on a weekend getaway as a lightweight, easy-to-wear coat.
At Atelier Sarita, this hybridity is at the heart of the design: each kimono is conceived as a bridge between heritage and modernity, between couture and real life, between aesthetics and utility.
When and how to wear it on a daily basis?
During the day: assert your style effortlessly
The kimono isn't just for special occasions. It's a piece perfectly suited to daytime wear, especially in professional or creative environments. It's a great replacement for a suit jacket or blazer, adding more fluidity, comfort... and, above all, personality.
For a client meeting, a meeting, or a professional lunch, a structured kimono in a noble material like jacquard or thick cotton asserts a silhouette without stiffening it. It can be worn open over high-waisted pants, or belted to emphasize the waist, and gives a sophisticated look without being strict.
For concrete examples of feminine and masculine looks:
In the evening: enhance without overdoing it
The evening kimono doesn't need sequins to impress. Its mere presence, cut, and quality of fabric are enough to transform an outfit. Worn belted over a black dress or even raw jeans with pumps, it becomes a statement piece, elegant, and assertive.
For a dinner party, a cocktail party, or an evening event, a long kimono in a flowing fabric (light jacquard, silk, or cotton satin) adds an instant couture touch without being overly eccentric. It can be dressed up without being rigid, enhances movement, and remains comfortable all night long.
Are you hesitating between a long or short kimono for an evening? Long, short, dress or jacket: choosing the right kimono
Relaxing: chic, even at home
The kimono isn't just a casual garment; it's also a piece of living. Worn over a casual or loungewear ensemble, it becomes a stylish cocoon. It adds structure to your look without weighing it down, allowing you to feel comfortable without sacrificing your sense of elegance.
Ideal for brunch at home, a remote work session, or simply some time for yourself, the homewear-style kimono revisits the codes of chic comfort.
At Atelier Sarita, each cut is designed to blend into real life, without ever sacrificing silhouette or allure. A way of life, every day.
Women, men: clothing for everyone
Sarita's mixed and inclusive approach
At Atelier Sarita, the kimono isn't gendered. It's free, transversal, and personal. Because an iconic garment doesn't require rigid codes, we've chosen to design our pieces inclusively—thought to fit all identities, all body types, and all desires.
Whether you're a woman looking for a statement piece, or a man seeking a bold style without falling into clichés, the kimono is an elegant, natural, and modern solution. It transcends genres and standards. It doesn't impose itself, he reveals.
Our cuts are deliberately open: the same piece can be worn differently depending on whether you wear it new, leave it open, or layer it. This is the power of this garment: a solid base for an infinite number of personal interpretations.
Explore our inspirations by genre:
Silhouettes and cuts: enhance without constraining
The kimono has this rare ability to respect the body without constraining it. Whether worn long or short, belted or loose, it follows the silhouette fluidly while creating a strong line. A piece with character, but never rigid.
Our models are designed in three main cuts, designed to adapt to different body shapes:
- The short kimono, ideal for a dynamic and structured look,
- The kimono jacket, a modern replacement for the blazer, easy to integrate into a professional outfit,
- The long kimono, flowing like a dress, powerful like a coat.
These cuts are not gender-specific, but can be adapted to suit individual sizes and proportions. For those who want a perfectly fitted piece, we also offer custom orders, made in our Parisian workshop.
To find out which cut suits you best: Long, short, dress or jacket: choosing the right kimono
The key pieces to have
The short kimono: structure and modernity
The short kimono, styled like a small jacket, is an ideal piece for structuring a silhouette without stiffness. Worn open or lightly belted, it easily replaces a denim jacket or blazer. Its dynamic format makes it perfect for the office or meetings, especially when made from a clean-cut fabric.
It fits naturally into an everyday look: over high-waisted pants, a dress, or even shorts, it adds a touch of sparkle without overdoing it. An essential all-rounder.
The kimono jacket: the happy medium
With its mid-length (approximately 65–70 cm), the kimono jacket is the heart of the Sarita wardrobe. Neither too short nor too long, it easily complements an urban wardrobe and offers a confident silhouette without being formal.
This is the signature piece to adopt if you're looking for a balance between casual style and visible elegance. It can be worn with or without a belt, making it a garment to adapt throughout the day.
The long kimono: fluidity and presence
Worn as a dress or a lightweight coat, the long kimono is a statement piece. It elongates the silhouette, accentuates movement, and gives the wearer a real visual presence.
Crafted from a flowing fabric, it transforms a simple outfit into a stylistic statement. It's the perfect choice for those who want to assert a strong style without ever falling into ostentation.
Reintegrating the kimono into real life
The kimono has spanned centuries and continents to become one of the most relevant garments of our time: free, ethical, elegant, and personal. At Atelier Sarita, we believe in its strength, but also in its softness. In its ability to tell a story without shouting, to assert an attitude without disguise.
Whether short or long, worn at the office, in the evening or at home, the contemporary kimono fits into a conscious, creative and code-free wardrobe.
Ready to find yours?
Discover our contemporary kimonos, handmade in Paris
Read on:
-
The kimono according to Atelier Sarita: a Parisian couture manifesto
- From Tokyo to Paris: The History and Culture of the Kimono
- When the kimono becomes a style statement
- Women's Kimono: Everyday Looks for Style and Comfort
- Men's Kimono: The Revival of the Men's Jacket
- Long, short, dress or jacket: choosing the right kimono