Wednesday, May 5, 2010

How Much - Furisode Ensemble

Notes and Disclaimers: If you're thinking about putting together a kimono look, to wear normally or for a cosplay or costume, you might be wondering how much you're probably going to spend. I've seen hideously overpriced items in my time collecting, and ones that are real steals. This ongoing series, "How Much?" will give you my highly subjective, personal experiences in Kimono Price Land on what is a good price, what you should snap up immediately and what you should pass on with raised eyebrows. ;)

Before I get started, and I'll repeat this in every entry for this series, it's not impossible to occasionally see a really high-priced item, due to age or rarity, etc. However, most of the time in my opinion you're more likely to see prices in this range. I pull my estimates from a long time spent on Ebay looking at vintage pieces, online with various vintage dealers, and a bit of convention-going thrown in. Brand-new kimono items, please note, will often be astronomically higher (thousands of dollars for a kimono/obi set).

The lowest price is the lowest price I've ever seen, and the highest I consider reasonable, give or take a few bucks, with both prices including shipping if you see this on an online site. Usually most pricing will fall around the middle.


Furisode Ensemble (Formal Young/Unmarried Women's Kimono)

What You Need (most important items):
1. furisode kimono: ~$80-$200, barring higher prices on antique ones in great condition
2. very nice Nagoya or fukuro obi, depending on the formality of the furisode: ~$60-$120
3. juban (underkimono): $15-$75
4. obi-jime cord: $10-$25
5. obi-age scarf: $20-$45

Don't Forget! You'll also need...

-Sports bra
-Kimono underwear or a white tanktop and white skirt or leggings/shorts
-under-accessories kit (koshihimo ties, obi makura pillow, obi ita board, etc.)
-tabi socks
-zori sandals

Image copyright Estemi

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