Hakama
Hakama For Men And Women
Hakama are best described as a long pleated skirt-like garment. Hakama trace their history back to the early days of Japan, as far back as the Heian period. In the Heian period, they were first developed for SAmurai to wear while on horseback. Today Hakama fill many different roles and are considered mostly semi-formal to formal attire. Though both genders wear hakama atop of their Japanese kimono, there are differences between hakama for men and hakama for women. Most notable is the style in which the genders wear this hakama differently. Women wear the hakama top of their kimono under the breast line, female hakama also do not have a back plate. Men's hakama are worn about the hips and feature a back plate.
Hakama In Fashion Trends
Hakama today have fallen into use in a wide variety of manners. While traditional hakama still exist and play a role in more formal functions, there has been a push to modernize the look and blend hakama into more modern aesthetics. There are several Japanese name brands that even have modified traditional hakama into cyberpunk wear, and even lolita fashion. Traditional Hakama fill many different roles and are seen being worn to events such as archery demonstrations, in religious events as worn by shrine maidens, and even at the coming of age celebration.
How To Wear Hakama
Hakama And Kimono Fashion
Typically hakama are worn atop of a Japanese kimono, with a haori worn as the very top layer. Haori are not worn under hakama traditionally. Men and women wear their hamaka differently: women's under the breast line and men about the hips. There are many ways in which one may tie the cords of a hakama. The most common style in which hakama ties are tied for visible display is simply in the manner of a bow tie. There are many complex manners in which hakama may be tied. A great resource on how to wear and tie your hakama is youtube. On youtube, you can find a great selection of videos that demonstrate how to tie hakama in different styles as well as the dressing process for the hakama and even full Japanese kimono.