Ideas to upcycle a vintage kimono?

I have a very old kimono that must have come home with my dad or maybe one of my mom’s other friends back in the post-WWII era. I wore it once when I was in high school for a costume but it’s been stored ever since and I think it’s time to do something with it, as it is currently taking up hanging space I’d prefer to free up.

I poked around Pinterest for ideas, but most of them are a bit too crafty for my taste. I don’t think I need a tote bag of kimono fabric, although I could see making something smaller like a jewelry pouch. But it’s a lot of fabric, and it’s silk, so not super sturdy for tough use. The outside is not in bad shape, although a little musty. The lining is pretty rough, as you can see in pics 3-4.

Any ideas?

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3 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

When we were house hunting, we toured a home where the sellers had a kimono displayed on a wall above a stairwell. There was a dowel running through the sleeves with eyes screwed into the ends. 2 hooks or nails on the wall held the rod. You could probably use a curtain rod and hanger system as well. Quilts are often displayed this way, too.

Here is a link to a 3 yo thread with some photos of kimono that shows the rod through the sleeves. https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....what-i-saw

chewyspaghetti

I was just going to suggedt the same thing as Carla- displaying it like art.

Janet

(website)

I thought about that! I used to housesit for a couple who had a kimono displayed like that. Problem is, we don’t have that kind of wall space left. The large pieces of art we own already have taken over the spaces large enough to display a kimono. We have a lot of windows.

nemosmom

Throw pillows??

Another good idea… but also realizing it doesn’t exactly mesh with the colors we have decorated with.

Maybe I should see if my niece would like it…

@ Janet - did you find a home for the vintage fur coat you were musing over last year? I’m keen on re-homing special fabrics with fabric artists. Not so much for clothes or costumes, but for collages and sculptures like these

https://www.janicewrightcheney.com/

https://www.janicewrightcheney.....coywolves/

Anonymous

Could you repair the lining and wear as a robe?

Glory

Janet this is so gorgeous. Would it be worth considering altering to a shorter length and reducing the width of the arms? In my mind that would make it more accessible to wear.

cat2

For many years I wore a kimono of similar vintage as a robe, with just the obijime cords at the waist. I would not recommend trying to cook in it, but it was fine for evening lounging.

Synne

Wow, wow, wow! What a shame it doesn't get WORN! What a masterpiece. Can you do anything about it to make it more wearable? Cut of the extra flowy arms? Would it be cultural appropriation to dress up in this? It is so beautiful. I would wear this over tonal red cropped pants.
I actually have both a cheongsam and a traditional chinese jacket. A kimono is on my sewing list. I think East Asian garments and fashion is so beautiful.

It is really pretty. I wonder if something could be done to make it more wearable in a way that I would actually wear. Unfortunately this isn’t the kind of thing I’d use for loungewear — with two big rambunctious dogs, I stick with hoodies that can just be thrown in the wash and I don’t mind if they get snagged or full of dog hair.

I have a friend who is a wonderful dressmaker and costume designer. Maybe I should see if she and I can brainstorm something together.

A wrap top, fkowy jacket, or vest maybe?

rebekahphoto

very pretty color and pattern! I like the idea of talking to your dressmaker, what about a longer vest like some you have--that could be a 3rd piece, for a gallery opening etc?

its funny because I was just pulling out some of my piles & I have a vintage blue kimono and a greenish silk dress that is a kimono style. But I have few occasions to wear them these days! need something to pop up on the social calendar...

Rebekah, the idea of a vest sort of floated through my mind — I like the idea of a longish one. Hmm.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Hem it and wear it over a dress, maybe. Keep it as long as the sleeves when your arms are down. Pretty!

Brooklyn

You could remove the sleeves and wear it as a gilet. Putting small shoulder pads in it might give it more structure (check out Trinny Woodall, Closet Confessions). You could then also wear it with a belt like a sleeveless wrap dress. (Yes, you can do it!)

eta: I think you might need to shorten it just a little.

Joy

Our neighbors had a beautiful kimono as wall art as described. At an art show in Japan was someone selling long scarves made of old kimono fabric. I bought one in black and navy that has become a favortite.

Jaime

It is beautiful material and I like the idea of consulting with your costume designer friend and/or donating it to an artist that would use it in their work.

Helena

No brilliant ideas to add, but just chiming it to echo how absolutely stunning it is - truly art!

RoseandJoan

Hi Janet, if you have a seamstress you trust would you consider relining a blazer or evening jacket with the kimono fabric?

Alternatively, you could line an evening purse.

The sleeves could be a nice size for wall art!

rachylou

How beautiful! It would probably be overwhelming as a dress… I’d be tempted to have it remade into a skirt and jacket.

Kate

I would use it to line a coat. You can also have a seamstress create a scarf, or scarves, for you.

RobinF

Definitely talk it over with your designer friend! It's gorgeous and would make a fabulous long vest or jacket. It could be fun as a lining but seems a shame to keep it hidden.

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