Plus Size Silk Kimonos

Kimono Style Basics

The kimono is a "T" shaped, coat-like garment with a horizontal piece across the top to make the "T" shape. This horizontal piece provides the shoulders and sleeves. The boxy, straight up and down sides of the kimono allows it to be worn easily by men and women.

Kimonos have evolved from the heavy silk garments of the Orient to lighter-weight kimonos in a wide variety of fabrics from silk to polyester. The silk kimono is preferred by many women for its silky softness, cool touch and the fabric's ability to absorb and keep deep colors and rich prints.

The kimono usually has a band of continuous fabric which goes up one side, around the back of the neck and down the other side. This same band of fabric is usually repeated around the ends of the sleeves.

You close the kimono by pulling both sides together in the middle, lapping one side over the other and securing the kimono with a sash. Some kimonos have an internal tie which secures one flap to the inside seam. This internal tie keeps the kimono closed across the front of the body if the outer sash comes untied.

The advantages of the kimono's style are:

• V-neck – the open neck area is slimming for fuller necks and faces
• Wrap-around style – the tightness of the wrap can be adjusted for comfort
• All-in-one-sleeve – the large arm openings are comfortable for all size arms
• T-shape – the sleeves are designed to be three-quarters in length, so they fit a variety of arm lengths

Uses For Plus Size Silk Kimonos

The kimono's shape works well as a jacket, blouse, coat, dress or robe. Just because you buy your kimono in the lingerie department doesn't mean that you can't wear it as casual or evening wear.

Lingerie

Daytime or Evening Wear

The plus size silk kimono also works as a fashion separate:

• Evening - Wear it belted over pants or a straight skirt. A kimono looks great as a jacket over a sleeveless or strapless dress.
• Daytime -Wear it open over a tank with jeans or belted like a jacket with pants or a skirt.

Traveling

Silk kimonos are perfect additions to your traveling wardrobe. The silky fabric folds into a very small space in your suitcase and the style lets the kimono serve many functions when you reach your destination:

• Bathrobe – Perfect for modesty when room service is delivered
• Swimsuit coverup – Wear to and from the pool and at poolside
• Over fitness pants and shorts – Throw it on over your sports bra and shorts as you walk to and from the hotel's gym

Where to Buy Kimonos

Many plus size lingerie sites offer kimonos. Remember that just because you bought your kimono in a lingerie store, that doesn't mean that you can't wear it with other non-lingerie fashion pieces. Some great locations include:

• Import stores – offered in unisex sizing. The straight style makes it easy to pick the correct size. Just select the size that fits your largest measurement, either your bust or your hips.
• Peggy Lutz Plus – Custom-made kimonos for robes or fashion separates in the fabric of your choice
• Hips and Curves.com – Kimonos with matching sleep separates
• Nordstrom – Various styles of kimonos for lingerie or daytime separates
• Ulla Popken – Kimonos with matching daytime separates
• Simosilk.com – Long and short kimonos for lingerie with matching sleep separates
• The Pajama Shoppe – Beautiful kimono robes with matching sleep separates