One Outfit, Endless Possibilities: The Magic of the Kimono After 60
I first discovered the beauty of wearing a kimono on a beach holiday in the sun. I love elegant clothes and fabric that moves with my body and makes me feel free and comfortable. Since that holiday, I realised that Kimonos are not only fantastic for holidays but for many other occasions too. I wear them to go shopping, meet friends, evenings out and so much more.
Start with a Simple Canvas
I love the simplicity of adding a kimono to a basic outfit and in an instant your look is transformed. There is something wonderfully liberating about discovering that you don’t need a wardrobe bursting with clothes to look stylish. In fact, some of the most versatile wardrobes begin with the simplest foundation: a classic black skirt paired with a black top.
Think of it as your canvas.
On its own, it’s timeless, flattering, and appropriate for almost every occasion. But add a kimono, and suddenly that same outfit tells an entirely different story.
Great for Every Size
One of the reasons I love kimonos is that they bring colour, movement, and individuality without sacrificing comfort. As a plus size model, I love the way they skim rather than cling, making them beautifully flattering for every body shape. They allow us to express our personality while embracing the confidence that often comes with dressing more simply. This is important because no matter what age we are, we need clothes that work with our body and not against it.
For example, skirts that are too tight draw the attention to your waist area, which can cause many women to feel self-conscious or overly focused on this part of their body.
Feeling Free, Confident and Elegant
As a body confidence coach, I know that how we dress and how we feel are two key factors in being able to express our own unique style and personality in life. One of my favourite recent purchases is a bright pink organza Kimono that I wore at a public speaking engagement. The last thing that I want to worry about are my clothes and this made me feel comfortable, free and elegant.
When you match your style with your personality and how you desire to feel, you create a beautiful recipe for dressing in ways which are aligned to your authentic self.
Romance Your Body with the Clothes You Wear
In the past, when I was younger, I would have worn clothes that made me feel self-conscious about my body: skirts too tight, tops that hemmed me in rather than expressed my shape and styles that simply didn’t honour who I am. Today, I love to romance my body with the clothes I wear and I enjoy the way that a kimono flatters my figure and moves with me.
As many women grow older, they become less interested in fashion that feels restrictive or uncomfortable. We want clothes that move with us, flatter us, and reflect who we are today. A kimono does exactly that.
It also allows us to experiment with colour more confidently. Perhaps you’ve always admired vibrant turquoise, coral, fuchsia, or rich autumn tones but hesitated to wear them from head to toe. Worn over black, these colours feel balanced and sophisticated, bringing warmth and light to the face while remaining wonderfully wearable.
Travel Light
Travellers know another secret: kimonos are among the easiest pieces to pack. They weigh very little, take up almost no room in a suitcase, and barely crease. Pack one black outfit with three or four different kimonos, and you’ve instantly created multiple outfits for your holiday without overloading your luggage. Fabulous!
Body Confidence Is Body Freedom
The greatest gift of a simple wardrobe is freedom. Instead of standing in front of a crowded wardrobe wondering what works together, you begin with one trusted outfit and allow your kimono to become the star of the show.
For me, fashion after 60 isn’t about following trends or dressing to please anyone else. It’s about embracing ease, confidence, and the joy of expressing who we are.
Sometimes, all it takes is one beautiful layer to remind us that style doesn’t have to be complicated. A black skirt. A black top. A favourite kimono.
One outfit.
Countless possibilities.
And perhaps most importantly, the confidence to wear each one with a smile.
A Few Styling Tips for Women Over 60
- Rather than choosing a kimono that overwhelms the body, look for one that falls around knee length or mid-thigh.
- Soft, fluid fabrics drape beautifully, while an open-front style creates a long, flattering line.
- If you’re petite, a shorter kimono can help maintain balanced proportions.
- For added polish, choose colours that complement your complexion and let the black outfit underneath provide a sleek, elegant backdrop.
- Accessories can further transform the look. A long pendant creates a relaxed bohemian feel. Pearls add timeless refinement. A favourite belt worn loosely over the kimono can define the waist, while a beautiful scarf or bold earrings introduce yet another layer of personality.
“Style isn’t about having a bigger wardrobe. It’s about seeing new possibilities in the one you already have.”
Style Directory
The following give a selection of Kimonos ranging in price from budget options to more expensive pieces. However, you can often find fabulous items in charity shops or second-hand vintage stores. The only limit is your imagination and how you put your own authentic style together. Experiment, play and enjoy the process.
Europe
- Love Forever – Boho Style clothing.
- Zalando – Carries kimono jackets from many European fashion brands across a wide range of prices.
- Zizzi – A wide range of clothing including Kimonos.
USA
- KIM+ONO – Beautiful, high-quality silk and satin-inspired kimonos with elegant floral designs. Their collections are sophisticated and particularly appealing for women who appreciate timeless style.
- Soft Surroundings – Offers flowing kimono jackets and lightweight layering pieces designed with comfort and elegance in mind.
- Wolf & Badger – Wolf & Badger is the B Corp-certified home to more than 2000 independent brands from around the world, creating a forward-thinking global community built upon the age-old pillars of skill and craftsmanship.
- Amazon – Wide selection of Kimonos for all shapes, styles and sizes.
UK
- Boohoo.com – Offers a selection of kimonos.
- Asos.com – A selection of kimono inspired styles for most shapes & sizes.
- Never fully dressed – Feel good dressing for a wide range of styles and inclusive sizing.
- Next – Varied selection of Kimonos.
Do join me on Instagram for all of my positive and inspiring life tips. It would be great to have you there as we travel this journey together.
Please check out my website and sign up for my newsletter which will keep you in touch with everything you need to feel fabulous in your 60с and long beyond.
Let’s Chat:
How do you keep your wardrobe versatile? Which timeless pieces work for you? Where do you shop for clothes that you love wearing over and over?
It looks incredibly frumpy unless you pair it correctly! Shorts go with long kimonos and some body hugging structure in your shorts or top. Otherwise the kimono just looks unkempt and hobo like. NOT BOHO!
I didn’t see a single model on any of the sites that was over 60 years old! Photos should illustrate more women who are older than just the article’s author.
Hi Marion, thank you so much for your comment. I agree with you that websites should include more photos of women who are older. It was difficult finding sites that offered good kimonos and were modelled by older women. Please do let me know if you come across any. I find myself focusing on the kimono (or outfit) rather than the age of the model and imagining whether the style would suit me. I value and appreciate your comment and for reading the article. Have a lovely day. Warmly, Astrid (Author)
I was surprised I didn’t see Lotus and Luna in your list !
Hi Dee, Many thanks for your comment. I hadn’t come across Lotus and Luna but will look them up. Thanks so much for your input. I’m really grateful. Have a lovely day. Warmly, Astrid (Author)
As a small, very short waisted 84 year old petite, I don’t find clothes I love wearing over and over so I can’t speak to that conversation. I love fashion, but practically nothing is appropriate or desirable that is in my size. I DO mind matronly and I will not show a lot of skin. Finding the basics is difficult, 95% needs altering and they rarely come in the pretty colors that I look good wearing. (Black is not one of those and neither is white, beige or gray.) It brings me to tears. (I have a slim Boho kimono and love it, but finding it was a huge challenge with many returned orders.)
Hi Claudia, many thanks for your comment. Finding the right clothes that really suit us can be hard. I remember, as a younger person trying to find clothes that came in a larger size and was so frustrated when nothing fit me properly or looked dreadful on me. Your boho kimono sounds lovely though. I do wish fashion houses would cater for many more shapes, sizes and different measurements. Thanks so much for taking the time to write. Have a lovely day. Warmly, Astrid (Author)
I love comfortable clothes. A little boho, feminine and romantic. Will be visiting the websites to see what’s on offer. You’re so pretty, love your sense of style!
Hi Beth, thank you for your lovely comment. I too love boho, feminine and romantic clothes. The website Love Forever does a lot of boho clothing. Also, Lotustraders (which are not on the list in the article). Thank you so much for your kind words. If you find any more romantic style clothing do let me know. Have a beautiful day. Warmly, Astrid (Author)