What is the right kimono size? The complete guide
Choosing the right size kimono can seem complicated… until you discover that a well-designed cut can naturally adapt to many body shapes. At Atelier Sarita, one size is not a compromise, much less a shortcut: it's a construction philosophy based on controlled fullness, a fluid drape, and meticulously considered lengths.
Because a kimono should accompany the body, never constrain it, we have designed models that respect proportions, enhance the silhouette and adapt to everyone's style.
To understand our overall approach, this reading complements and enriches the article Materials, cuts and sizes: choosing your kimono well .
In this guide, you will discover why one size works, how to choose the right length according to your body shape, and what adjustment options exist for a perfect fit.
Why does the one-size-fits-all approach work at Atelier Sarita?
A garment designed to adapt to the body
The kimono, in its traditional form, was never intended to be a fitted garment.
Without darts, without shaping, without seams that mold to the body, it follows the silhouette rather than sculpting it. This founding principle is at the heart of Atelier Sarita's creations.
Our one-size-fits-all approach is therefore based on essential elements:
- a controlled, never excessive, range of motion that offers fluidity without engulfing the body.
- Straight or slightly structured sleeves that frame the silhouette without making it appear rigid,
- a flexible shoulder, capable of adapting to different body shapes without losing its line.
The result: an inclusive, comfortable and elegant garment that respects proportions while allowing room for movement.
The secret: controlled volume + carefully considered length
The adaptability of the kimono lies not in a proliferation of sizes, but in the mastery of proportions and lengths. At Atelier Sarita, a model sometimes exists in only one width, but its purpose can completely change depending on its length.
We offer four key lengths, designed to suit different styles, body types and uses:
- Crop (very short): dynamic silhouette, instantly structuring the upper body. Ideal for modernizing a look or pairing with high-waisted trousers.
- Short, jacket-style: the equivalent of a light jacket. Versatile, urban, easy to wear every day: it's the most intuitive cut.
- Mid-length: the most universal length. Light, flattering, modern, it naturally suits all body types.
- Long: fluid presence, enveloping elegance, elongated silhouette. Perfect for those who want a more theatrical or couture kimono.
These lengths replace traditional sizes: they allow you to choose a kimono according to the desired effect, not according to a fixed measurement.
Read again for more information: Materials, cuts and sizes: choosing the right kimono
To explore related styles:
What length should you choose based on your style and body type?
The crop kimono
Short, clear, incisive: the format A cropped crop instantly adds structure and modernity to a silhouette.
It accentuates the natural waistline and creates a dynamic silhouette. It's especially flattering for petite or compact figures, as it never visually shortens the vertical line. It pairs easily with high-waisted jeans, a long skirt, or a flowing dress, adding a contemporary touch to any outfit.
Read: Kimono with jeans: the perfect match
The short kimono jacket
This is the most accessible and versatile length in the Sarita wardrobe, an essential for beginners.
It suits all body types, without exception. Easy to wear every day, it naturally replaces a denim jacket, blazer, or overshirt. Its lightweight structure helps to define a silhouette without making it feel stiff.
For women: Women's kimono: everyday looks for style and comfort
For men: Men's kimono: the reinvention of the men's jacket
The mid-length kimono
The mid-length hair, a point of balance between fluidity and structure, is the most universal length.
It covers the hips without excessively lengthening the silhouette. It complements a modern, fluid, contemporary look, ideal for everyday wear. It's the preferred choice for A, V, or H body shapes, as it subtly rebalances proportions.
To learn more: Which kimono suits which body type?
The long kimono
The long garment is a strong, elegant, enveloping piece, perfect for asserting a style.
It elongates the silhouette, whether for an evening look or everyday wear. Its fluidity enhances every movement and gives it a natural presence. It's ideal for taller figures, but also works on smaller sizes when worn open, with visible vertical lines.
Read: When to wear a long kimono?
And: Long, short, dress or jacket: choosing the right kimono
One size fits all: how can I be sure the kimono will fit well?
The three checkpoints
Even in a one-size-fits-all design, a kimono can offer a flawless drape, provided its construction is meticulous. At Atelier Sarita, three key principles guarantee a harmonious silhouette:
The shoulders: designed to suit all body types, they fall naturally without creating a break. Their flexible structure allows the kimono to remain elegant, whether worn by a slim, athletic, or more curvy figure.
The fit: the fit is carefully calculated: generous enough to accommodate a thin sweater, but never excessive. The result: a controlled volume that flatters the figure without overwhelming it.
Length: It is the length (crop, short, mid-length or long) that truly determines the visual effect of the kimono. It influences the verticality, proportion and overall look, far more than any traditional notion of size.
Adapt to your personal style
The same garment can be transformed depending on how you wear it. The kimono adapts to you, not the other way around.
Worn open: the look is more urban, relaxed, modern. Perfect for adding a touch of dynamism to jeans, a dress, or straight-leg trousers.
Worn belted: this structures the silhouette, emphasizes the waist, and naturally slims the figure. An ideal option for days when you want a more defined presence.
Worn in layering: superimposed on a thin sweater, a shirt or a turtleneck, it adds character and depth to the look without ever losing its fluidity.
Read: Layering and dressing: secrets to a modern look
Advice based on your height or body type
You are small
Certain lengths allow you to instantly elongate your silhouette without adding bulk.
Preferred option:
The crop top, which structures the upper body.
The short jacket style, ideal for energizing the silhouette.
The mid-length style, which covers the hips without breaking the vertical line.
To be avoided (unless there is a clear fashion intention): the very flowing long kimono, which can overwhelm a small stature.
Silhouette tip: a belt, even loosely tied, creates an upward line and lengthens the silhouette in one gesture.
You are tall
Tall figures have the freedom to explore all lengths.
All options work, from cropping to long.
The long kimono creates a spectacular, harmonious, and cinematic look.
The crop top, on the other hand, structures the upper body and can balance a slender silhouette.
This variety allows you to play with the volumes depending on the occasion or the mood of the day.
You are between two sizes in your usual clothes.
The kimono, by definition, transcends standard sizes. Its flexible cut and controlled volumes allow for natural adaptability.
The shorts act as a fitted jacket.
Mid-length is a safe bet, easy to wear, and flattering on all body types.
The length rests on the body without stiffening it, providing a subtle yet striking presence.
The choice depends more on the desired look than on any measurement constraints.
Explore Women's Kimono: Everyday looks for style and comfort
Frequently asked questions: how to choose the right one
"Isn't a long kimono too dressy?"
Not necessarily.
The long kimono makes a striking impression, but when worn open, it transforms into a light coat, very easy to incorporate into everyday life. Over jeans, straight-leg trousers, or a simple dress, it adds a natural elegance, never excessive.
"How can I prevent it from being too loose?"
At Atelier Sarita, the amplitude is controlled: it accompanies the silhouette instead of engulfing it.
And if you prefer a more structured look, simply add a belt, thin, wide or tone-on-tone, to redefine the waist, slim the line and adjust the volume in one easy step.
"Can you wear a kimono even if you're not used to flowing garments?"
Yes, absolutely.
For a first attempt, the short kimono-style jacket is ideal: it replaces a blazer or denim jacket, while offering more comfort and personality. It's the most intuitive, urban, and easiest style to match.
Choosing the "right size" of kimono is not about choosing a letter on a label: it's about choosing a length, a look, an attitude.
Thanks to Atelier Sarita's one-size-fits-all approach, everyone can find a kimono that fits perfectly, that accompanies the body without restricting it, that adapts to movements, seasons, and moments in life.
Short, mid-length, or long: the right cut is the one that reveals your style and flatters your figure. And above all, the one that gives you the confidence to wear a garment that truly reflects who you are.
Discover all our lengths and models here .
To continue reading:
Materials, cuts and sizes: choosing the right kimono
A kimono with jeans: the perfect match
Women's kimono: everyday looks for style and comfort
Which kimono suits which body type?
Layering and layering: secrets to a modern look