Hello, tanuki!
I do so adore your blog. You select the most interesting patterns and colours to showcase; it’s a feast for the eyes and brain!
I understand this may be a liiiil outside your wheelhouse, but as Goggle continues to degrade, I thought I’d have less frustration searching elsewhere: is there a Japanese equivalent to White Tie dress?
Thank you very much for all your work!
—shmoo
Hiiii your ask sat in my inbox for so long I apologize T_T
As anglo-saxon "white tie" expects super formal gala type of dress, same goes for Japanese hyper formal events.
Nowadays, most Japanese people would more easily favor Western style attire, but if choosing kimono, top two rows of pic below show equivalents:
Irotomesode for married women / women of a certain age. Kurotomesode could be worn in an official setting, but for a more light-hearted gala, wearer would present herself as pretty "traditional" minded if picking a kurotomesode imo (?I don't know it could work for older women though?)
Furisode, THE best choice hands down for young women / artists of all ages. Bring all the bling!!!
Formal hômongi is a great option, allowing more expression than demure irotomesode (tbh hômongi is probably the closest thing to a Western cocktail dress ^^)
Men do not have as many options sadly: 紋付羽織袴 montsuki-haori-hakama attire is pretty similar in formality to the classical American white tie. This formal wear pairs, as name stresses, haori (with tassel haori-himo, see different types here) + nagagi (men kimono) + hakama.
Kuromontsuki (black base montsuki, the most formal) or iromontsuki (colored montsuki) are both acceptable. Choices in fabrics, patterns, and colors would show wearer's style.
For men and women alike, the more formal the event is, the more mon (crest) garments presents (5 crests being the maximum). Crest should be dyed into the fabric (not outlined with thread which is the less formal way the wear crest).
Hope that helps ;)
