How to Achieve Stylish Japanese Traditional Attire? A Comprehensive Guide to Accessorizing with Popular Salon CUCURU! ♡
2016.10.21 published
If you want to aim for cuteness in traditional Japanese attire, the key is in 'dressing up with accessories.'
Hello. I'm Natuko, the producer at "CUCURU," a bridal kimono specialty store in Aoyama. Every day, many brides who want to look cute in traditional Japanese hairstyles come to CUCRU from all over the country.
The secret to CUCURU's popularity is that it fulfills the wishes of brides who want to be stylish in kimono! Our salon is designed to focus on the joy of choosing accessories, and the "coordinate that can only be achieved here" with our original accessories is attracting brides' attention☆
➡ Click here for CUCURU's website
At CUCURU, all accessories are custom-ordered. The slightest difference in color can determine the overall balance that creates elegance, so we pay attention to every detail, crafting unique pieces in collaboration with skilled artisans♡
This time, we will introduce popular stylish coordinates for brides using CUCURU's original accessories.
CUCURU's Fashion Point ①☆ First, feel the Japanese aesthetic.
One of CUCURU's features is its focus on the joy of choosing kimonos and accessories. The moment you step inside, you can immerse yourself in the CUCURU world♡
CUCURU was the first salon in Japan to allow brides to coordinate kimonos while freely choosing accessories. That’s why, from the moment you step into our salon, you can see and actually touch each kimono and accessory, which is our pride☆
CUCURU's Fashion Point ②☆ A rich variety of accessories
Inside CUCURU, there are hundreds of half-collars (haneri) just for putting at the neck! There's a wide selection of original nuance-colored date collars (date-eri) and obi-age (obi-age), giving you plenty of options to choose from♡
In typical rental salons, it's uncommon to have the option to choose half-collars or obi-age. But at CUCURU, we overturn that norm because we want you to wear it in your own style. This attention to detail is why brides from all over Japan flock to CUCURU☆
➡ Check out CUCURU's Instagram for more coordinates
CUCURU's Fashion Point ③☆ The impact of the 'half-collar'
The half-collar (haneri) is the accessory that CUCURU pays the most attention to! The combination of the kimono and half-collar can change the look to elegant or cute, making it a very important point. Since it’s the closest accessory to your face, the color and pattern can drastically change the overall impression.
At CUCURU, we collaborate with artisans to request the desired colors, crafting each piece by hand. That’s why we can offer such a collection of original half-collars that no two pieces are the same. Check out our collection that even stylish brides agree upon♡
CUCURU's Fashion Point ④ Five-piece set of bridal accessories
The five-piece bridal accessory set, which you can choose from nearly 100 types, consists of original items that can only be found at CUCURU♡
The five-piece set includes accessories that every bride must wear. Let’s check out what’s inside!
☑ Dagger (kaiken)
Originally, this was a short sword carried by women of samurai families for self-defense, a remnant of a time when the uchikake was a bridal garment for samurai ladies. It’s also believed that swords were considered sacred, serving as an amulet against evil spirits.
☑ Box purses (hakoseko)
In the Edo period, women of samurai families carried mirrors, face powders, red brushes, and other cosmetics in these, which can be considered a beauty pouch today.
☑ Folding fan (suehiro)
The suehiro is a type of folding fan. The shape symbolizes "prosperity and auspiciousness," and that’s why it’s given this name.
☑ Maruguke
Unlike regular obijime, it's a cylindrical fabric filled with cotton, making it plump. There are about three types: flat, round, and maruguke, but brides use the maruguke.
☑ Obi for holding up the hem (hakae-obi)
This obi is used to hold up the hem when the kimono is lifted. It’s referred to as the shigoki-obi, which is abbreviated to shigoki. Nowadays, it remains as an accessory tied to the bottom of the obi.
This is the basic five-piece bridal accessory set.
CUCURU's Fashion Point ⑤ Choose your colorful zōri (slippers) ♡
At CUCURU, the secret to style lies in the feet. With this in mind, we have a variety of original colorful zōri available. Some advanced brides even coordinate their outfits starting from the color of their zōri, just like choosing shoes for clothing.
Colorful zōri are particularly important for brides who will be having their ceremonies outdoors or a dessert buffet! Since the feet are often visible as you walk, you can’t let your guard down. Just like choosing wedding shoes, find your favorite zōri♩
Now, let’s introduce some popular stylish coordinates from CUCURU's collection!
A sophisticated and cute coordinate focused on purple total shibori kakeshita ♡
The highlight of this coordinate is the CUCURU original total shibori kakeshita paired with the white ground color uchikake.
The kakeshita refers to the furisode worn under the uchikake. Although white is common, the uchikake allows for personalized color matching. Hence, choosing the color of the kakeshita is very important.
Showcasing color combination! A vibrant coordinate with an original bouquet ♡
In this highly popular kimono at CUCURU, we add colors through an original CUCURU bouquet vigorously, transitioning from subtraction to addition. This accentuates the modernity of the kimono☆ It's no wonder that this combination is immensely popular among brides.
➡ Check out more coordinates on Instagram
Classical coordination creating an antique look with a black half-collar and black total shibori kakeshita ♡
The kimono with red classical patterns is arranged in a classical way using black. The original black total shibori kakeshita pairs with a black half-collar embroidered with cranes in cream. The same kimono can have a completely different expression with various coordinates, which is the secret to stylishly wearing kimono♡ Try to challenge your unique style!
An advanced bride's coordination showcasing nuances of red ♡
Based on red, this advanced coordination changes the color nuance within the same red for the half-collar, kakeshita, and obi-age. This is a coordination possible thanks to CUCURU's rich color variations, leaving even kimono-loving guests impressed♡
A stylish and cute coordinate adding femininity with a bold color uchikake and chirimen kakeshita ♡
The bold color uchikake depicted with seasonal flowers on a navy ground is paired with a soft chirimen kakeshita in purple, adding femininity. On top of that, a gold five-piece bridal accessory set maintains the overall edge, resulting in a stylishly cute look♡
A charming bride coordination showcasing spring colors ♡
The charming water-blue uchikake is combined with a five-piece bridal accessory set in young green inspired by fresh greenery, pursuing cuteness♡ The kaki-colored kakeshita and half-collar are also kept in a soft gradient to create a gentle impression around the face.
An impactful and stylish adult bride coordination with shiny kimono and accessories ♡
The stylish point of this outfit is the shine. The sheen of the kimono, obi, and five-piece bridal accessories are unified to create a balanced whole. Choosing these details together is a shortcut to becoming a stylish bride♡
A classic coordination that beautifully colors the traditional kimono ♡
For brides wanting to please their parents or grandparents, this coordination is recommended. While combining a classic aesthetic kimono typical of a bride with traditional bridal items, the stylish appeal is achieved through small tricks with date-eri and obijime♡ It’s uniquely possible to make such fashionable tricks at CUCURU.
A retro-inspired modern coordinate styled from a black hikifurisode ♡
The simple hikifurisode with a black base and pine leaves has added nuance through a white half-collar richly embroidered with white and gold threads, giving a classic impression with the black and gold obi. By keeping the color palette understated, a retro feel is enhanced♡ You can achieve the bridal style you aspire to, so make sure to communicate your desired stylishness!
How did you like the tips for fashionable traditional brides from CUCURU? Since you don't often get to wear kimono, it might seem a bit daunting, but discovering your unique fashion points is essential. Please come visit CUCURU at least once!
➡ Click here for CUCURU's website
➡ Click here for CUCURU's Instagram