What’s My Size?

When buying a kimono or yukata, you don’t need to worry about finding your exact size. Women’s kimono usually come in just one size, which will probably be longer and wider than you need. They are adjusted to the right size by folding them at the waist.

Sleeves tend to be worn shorter than you may be used to – between the wrist and elbow.

How to Check if a Kimono or Yukata will Fit?

To check if a kimono or yukata will fit you, you just need to measure your height and around your hips (or waist if that is wider). Check the length and width of the kimono or yukata in the ‘Details’ section above.

1. Check the Height

To wear a kimono in the traditional way, you would normally choose a garment that seems too long for you. This means any kimono that is either longer than your height, the same as your height, or up to 10” (25cm) shorter than your height. The excess material is then folded over at the waist.

If the kimono is around 12” (30cm) shorter than your height you can wear it without any fold. This is becoming a popular modern take on wearing kimono for young women and is also the way that men traditionally wear kimono.

If the length of the kimono is over 12” (30cm) less than your height it will be too short to wear as a kimono, although you can still wear it as a robe! To see where the bottom of the garment would fall, measure the length of the kimono down from your shoulders.

2. Check the Width

A kimono with a width that is at least 16” (40cm) greater than your hip size will fit perfectly.

A kimono with a width between 10-16” (25-40cm) greater than your hip size will fit. However, if you want to wear it in the traditional way, you may have to tie it quite tight around the waist to prevent your legs being visible as you walk.

If the width of the kimono is not at least 10” (25cm) greater than your hip size, your legs may be visible as you walk. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but it’s not the traditional way!

Sleeves

To see where the sleeves will fall on you, check the sleeve length in the product details. This length is measured from the spine at the base of the neck.

Adjusting the Length

Pull up your kimono until the bottom reaches the correct length, then tie it in place round your waist with a ribbon or a koshi himo (kimono tie). Fold the excess material down over the tie.

Adjusting the Width

Wrap the front of the kimono around your body so that it is tight and comfortable. Tie in place with a ribbon or a koshi himo (kimono tie). Fold the excess material down over the tie.