Cardigans are simple yet stylish, and with kimono cardigans, you give your look a little twist. This is all you need to know about women’s kimono cardigans.
What Are Women's Kimono Cardigans?
Kimono cardigans are a specific type of cardigan that’s designed to resemble that of a Japanese kimono. Kimonos are ornate pieces of clothing worn by Japanese women on special occasions, and the beauty of the kimono is known far and wide, even outside of Japan. Many clothes designers try to emulate and capture that same beauty in modern clothing, hence the creation of the top women’s kimono cardigans in 2023.
Why Do You Need a Women's Kimono Cardigan?
They’re light and comfortable
Cardigans are one of the best ways to cover up a bit of skin in relatively warm weather. They are made out of thin materials, and this makes them very comfortable and breathable even during the hottest of days. Wearing a cardigan won’t let you work up a sweat, and you’ll still be able to feel air passing through your body with no issue at all.
This is partially thanks to the fact that cardigans are, by design, open in the front. Cardigans separate themselves from other sweaters and jackets by this simple fact. An open front means two things - your inner top is visible, and more practically, there’s more room for air to pass through. This natural ventilation provides the perfect environment for your skin, so no matter how hot it may be, your cardigan won’t make the situation even hotter.
You get to show off your top
Another advantage of cardigans is that you can easily show off the shirt or top that you’re wearing beneath. If you were wearing a sweater or hoodie, for example, you’d either need to take off the sweater or unzip the hoodie to show off your tee, but with a cardigan, it’s easily visible. This opens up quite a few options fashion-wise, and you can get really creative.
With an open front, you can mix and match both your cardigan and your top to your liking. You can match the colors on both pieces of clothing, or you can contrast them so that each piece is distinct and easy to see. Either way, this allows for more creative freedom, and that’s never a bad thing if you have an eye for fashion.
It’s very kimono-esque
If you’ve ever seen a kimono in person, then you probably know just how beautiful they are to look at up-close. The ornate patterns and designs woven onto the fabric of the kimonos make each dress look like a work of art, and indeed they are, for many people spend thousands of dollars to buy a great kimono that’ll leave a lasting impression.
Now, unfortunately, kimono cardigans do not emulate this experience perfectly. In fact, you may not even see the similarities between the two at all if you’re being a little nitpicky. But the beautiful flower patterns combined with the soft and premium-looking fabric do remind you of that kimono-like style, and that’s enough for people to draw the connection. And besides, these kimono cardigans look great to wear, whether or not they were inspired by traditional Japanese clothing.
Things to Consider When Buying Women's Kimono Cardigans
Length
Cardigans are usually designed to be loose, and many of them hang far lower than your waistline. This produces a very laid-back, relaxed, and calm vibe with the cardigan on. As such, you’ll want to pick a length that matches the vibe and look you’re aiming for.
In general, the longer the cardigan, the more “casual” it’ll look. This is because, with very long cardigans, you’re getting into the “oversized” territory, a type of fashion that’s almost exclusively casual (except for maybe a few fashion pieces). Shorter cardigans look far more formal, but in a way, that also defeats the purpose of wearing a cardigan in the first place, so think about what you want to achieve by wearing your kimono cardigan.
Pattern
One of the reasons kimono cardigans are called as such is because they resemble the kimono in terms of design and patterns. Many kimonos feature beautiful shapes and patterns, often including various flowers of assorted colors. Kimono cardigans often have a flower or a set of flowers printed on them, hence the association. More patterns and flowers will make your cardigan pop even more, but some may consider this look to be a little too “busy”, with too much going on in a single piece of clothing.
Luckily, not all kimono cardigans are covered head-to-toe in flowers and leaves. Some only have part of the cardigan with prints, and others barely have any patterns at all. Again, it’s a subjective choice, so it’s ultimately up to you whether you’d want to go all out and stand out with your kimono or choose something that’s a little more low-key and manageable.
