Asian Inspiration and a Kimono Quandry

Last week I posted a picture of this Asian Inspired dress that I purchased at a thrift shop.  I couldn't wait to wear it and today, I did.  It is too sheer to wear without a slip, so I wore a black full slip that I also thrifted.  As my son/photographer were getting ready to leave to take him to VBS, I had an 'inspiration'; I found the paper fan that my niece brought me from Okinawa and decided to do some cute pictures. 

I also found the Japanese sandals and some Kimono waist ties that she brought over and wore them for a couple of pictures.

The bottom of the shoe is a wooden platform, about 1 inch high

These are the authentic sandals that are worn with summer Kimono.  They are surprisingly comfy and easy to walk in.  They have a slight rocking motion when walking, but they are easier to wear than flip flops.

Fan detail

This is how I really wore the dress today.  The Japanese accessories were just for the pictures although I really like the pink tie belt and the Japanese sandals with the dress.  Technically the dress is not Japanese style.  I think it looks more Chinese, but I was having some fun with the Asian influence and went with what I have.

This is traditional Japanese.  This is the lovely Kimono that my niece brought me from Okinawa when she travelled to the US for the first time three years ago. She was 19 at the time and it was my first time meeting her. Tiffany, my brother's daughter, is Japanese American and now lives in Tokyo.

I love the dainty print.  This is a summer Kimono.  In the full length picture, it looks very long and it is.  The dress is folded and bloused to adjust the length.

Traditional Kimonos (the word means 'a thing to wear') are not often worn in modern Japan.  There are some who do still wear them and 'maiko' also wear them.  There are typically 12 or more pieces to a Kimono and each piece is placed in a specific manner.  It's quite complicated!  My Kimono came with an instructional video, but I still have a difficult time with it.

This is one part of the Obi.  There are four other parts to mine.

This is the undergarment worn beneath the Kimono.

I love my Kimono, but I don't wear it.  It's so lovely I don't want to alter it, but I have considered shortening it so that I could wear it as a robe or a costume.  As it is, it sits in my closet looking pretty.  That's my quandary.  I don't want to alter the integrity of the piece, but I hate to let it sit.  I will keep it always, but I can't bring myself to make it wearable right now.  I won't ever sell it, so I don't have to worry about monetary value; it's value to me is that it was a gift from my niece and her mother.  I would love to enjoy it more than just occasionally admiring it hanging in my closet.  

Any opinions?