[Attending a Wedding in Kimono in Omotesando] Homongi, Tomesode or Furisode — Which Should You Choose?

With many wedding venues, hotels, and restaurants nearby, Omotesando is an area where people often attend weddings and receptions.

It's a special day, so you may want to attend in kimono.

But you might be wondering:

"Is a homongi fine for a friend's wedding?"
"Should I wear a tomesode as a relative?"
"What's the difference between kurotomesode and irotomesode?"
"Can I wear the furisode from my Coming-of-Age Day to a wedding?"

Many people find choosing a kimono confusing.

The right kind of kimono for a wedding depends on your relationship to the couple, your role, whether you're married, and the formality of the venue.

In this article, for guests attending weddings around Omotesando and Harajuku, we explain the differences between homongi, kurotomesode, irotomesode, and furisode, and how to choose.

For a Friend's or Colleague's Wedding: Homongi

When attending a friend's or colleague's wedding in kimono, the homongi is an easy choice.

A homongi features vibrant patterns flowing from the shoulders and sleeves down to the hem, and can be worn for many formal occasions — weddings, Shichi-Go-San, Omiyamairi, formal dinners, parties, and more.

For a wedding, we recommend elegant yet celebratory colors and patterns that don't outshine the bride and groom.

Homongi in pale pink, cream, blue, or wisteria purple suit festive occasions and look beautiful in photos.

We've just added new homongi that are ideal for attending weddings.

Beyond choosing the kimono, we can also help you coordinate the obi, obijime cord, and obiage scarf.

Attending as a Relative: Kurotomesode or Irotomesode

When attending a wedding as a relative, choose your kimono based on your relationship to the couple, your role, and the formality of the venue.

Kurotomesode (black tomesode)

The kurotomesode is a highly formal kimono worn by married women.

It has a black ground with vibrant patterns concentrated around the hem, and is generally worn by the mothers of the bride and groom or close married relatives.

For the mothers of the couple in particular, it's important that both families match the formality of their attire.

Before deciding, it's a good idea to check what the other family is planning to wear.

Irotomesode (colored tomesode)

The irotomesode is a formal kimono with a ground color other than black and patterns concentrated around the hem.

It has a softer, more colorful feel than the kurotomesode, and is often chosen by the couple's sisters, aunts, and other relatives.

The formality of an irotomesode changes with the number of family crests and other details, so choose one that suits your role and the formality of the wedding.

It's also a great choice if you want a proper outfit as a relative, but in a brighter color than black.

Can Relatives Wear a Homongi?

Some people wonder, "Do relatives always have to wear a tomesode?"

Even as a relative, a homongi may be chosen depending on your relationship to the couple and the style of the wedding.

If you'd like a softer, more colorful look, or your role doesn't call for the formality of a tomesode, a homongi is also an option.

If you're unsure, check the following before choosing:

• Your relationship to the couple
• Whether you are married
• The formality of the venue and ceremony
• What both families will be wearing

For Unmarried Women: Furisode Is Also a Beautiful Choice

The furisode, the most formal kimono for unmarried women, is also appropriate for attending a wedding.

With its long sleeves and vibrant patterns, it can be worn to the weddings of sisters, relatives, and friends.

If you have a furisode from your Coming-of-Age Day that you haven't worn since, a wedding is a great chance to wear it again.

By changing accessories such as the obi, obijime, and obiage, you can create a more refined look than on your Coming-of-Age Day.

At HARAJUKU KIMONO HOUSE, we offer furisode rental as well as dressing for your own furisode or one handed down from your mother or family.

Homongi, Kurotomesode, Irotomesode or Furisode — Which to Choose?

As a rough guide for wedding kimono:

However, even among "relatives," roles differ depending on the relationship to the couple.

The appropriate attire also depends on the wedding style, the venue, and the views of both families, so if in doubt, we recommend checking in advance.

For a Wedding in Omotesando, Get Dressed and Styled Together

When attending a wedding in kimono, dressing and hair styling are just as important as choosing the kimono.

At HARAJUKU KIMONO HOUSE, we can take care of:

Kimono rental, dressing, hair styling, and makeup

— all in one visit.

If you're attending a wedding around Omotesando or Harajuku, you can get ready at our shop and head straight to the venue.

If you have a set time you need to be ready by — for example, "the wedding starts at 11, so I need to be finished by 10" — we'll work backward from that time to suggest your arrival time.

Want to Wear Your Own Kimono? We Offer Dressing for Kimono You Bring

"I want to wear the homongi my mother passed down to me."
"I have my own irotomesode."
"I'd like to wear my Coming-of-Age Day furisode again."

If this sounds like you, you can book dressing only with your own kimono, without a rental.

We'll prepare you according to the type of kimono — homongi, tomesode, furisode, and more — and the occasion.

If you have a kimono but are wondering:

"I'm not sure I have all the accessories I need."
"Will this obi work with it?"
"It's an old kimono — can it be worn as is?"

please feel free to ask us in advance.

Depending on the item, some missing accessories are available to rent.

→ More about dressing for your own kimono in Omotesando

New Homongi Have Arrived

We've added new homongi suitable for formal occasions such as weddings, Shichi-Go-San, and Omiyamairi.

We're gradually expanding our lineup, focusing on kimono that are vibrant yet elegant to wear.

We'll ask about the venue, your age, and the look you prefer, and coordinate the kimono, obi, and accessories together with you.

If you're not sure which colors suit you, come and choose while seeing the kimono in person.

Looking for Wedding Kimono Rental & Dressing in Omotesando or Harajuku?

A wedding is a special day to celebrate a milestone in the life of someone dear to you.

By choosing a kimono suited to your role — homongi, kurotomesode, irotomesode, or furisode — you can enjoy an elegance quite different from Western formalwear.

HARAJUKU KIMONO HOUSE offers kimono rental, dressing, hair styling, and makeup for wedding guests in Omotesando and Harajuku.

In addition to homongi and furisode rental, we also offer dressing for kimono you already own.

It's fine to come to us even if you're at the stage of "I want to wear kimono to a wedding, but I don't know what's right for me."

We'll ask about your relationship to the couple, the venue, and the atmosphere you'd like, and choose a kimono together.

If you're looking for wedding kimono rental and dressing in Omotesando or Harajuku, please feel free to contact HARAJUKU KIMONO HOUSE.

→ Kimono rental & dressing plans