There are a lot of things one needs to consider when buying a quality silk kimono. First, you should look at the color and feel of the silk. It should be vibrant, rich, and smooth. The weave should be tight with no loose ends or threads showing through. Finally, it should not have any discolorations or stains on it.
If you need a new silk kimono that will last for years, then this guide will help you find one that meets all your needs!
Excellent Craftsmanship
A good quality kimono has excellent craftsmanship. The silk fabric should be rich in texture and feel and should be able to endure the test of time. The stitching should be tight and neat without any loose threads. The back of the kimono should be stitched with a slip-stitch pattern, making it easier to put on and also take off.
The lining of the kimono is also essential as it helps keep the body warm during winter. The lining can have various patterns depending on the season, personal preference, or occasion. It is better to use natural materials such as cotton or bamboo for lining as they are more comfortable and absorbent than synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon, which tend to make one sweat more during hot weather.
Exquisite Hand Painted Designs
The quality of silk, design, and painting are the most essential things to look for when buying a kimono. The silk should be thick and soft and not at all coarse or rough. It should feel good against your skin. The designs have to be intricate and detailed to make them stand out from other kimonos in the market. The embroidery work, too, should be done with care and precision.
The best quality kimonos have been hand-painted by experts with years of experience in this field. Many have honed their skills over generations, have an eye for detail, know how much ink is needed for each part of their work, and can easily paint the most intricate designs while keeping them looking natural and authentic.
The best way to identify such artists is by checking out their portfolio online or by visiting their studio personally so that you can see what kind of work they do and then decide if it matches your taste or not.
Dyed with Natural Dyes
The dyeing process is the most vital thing to consider when buying a silk kimono. The best silks are dyed with natural dyes, which are more expensive but better for the environment. Natural dyes are made from plants and insects and come in various colors.
Silk kimonos can be dyed in different ways, depending on the sort of fabric and how it’s woven together. Following are a few of the common types of dyeing:
- Spot dyeing: This is used for solid-colored fabrics woven by hand rather than by machine. The dyer dips each thread into the dye bath individually, so there might be variations between threads in color intensity or brightness.
- Batch dyeing: This is used for solid-colored fabrics woven by machine. The dyer dips all threads into a giant vat of dye solution so that they all take on similar colors (or shades) at once.
