Hi everyone! First off I want to apologize if there is a thread for this already. I did search for one, but came up empty so - here I am.

I have a bit of a dilema; I am always struggling to come up with hairstyles that suit the various kimono. There are tutorials for geiko and maiko hairstyles I've found, but nothing for "civilian" dress. My hair is long, but thin, so a bun isn't the most flattering style for me as it makes me look like an old woman (I'm 24 and my kimono reflect that, so it's not the best look for them).

In particular, I'm attending my brother's wedding in couple of weeks. It's a standard white-dress-white-flowers kind of wedding, but guests are told to "come as they are", even in jeans. So I've opted for a casual kimono, given the casual dress code; I'm going in a nice, comfortable cotton yukata. It's still pretty hot here in Texas (September is considered somewhat to be part of summer here), so I figured I could get away with it. Dark blue background, so it's low-key (or as low-key as kimono get, anyway) white hibiscus flower print. Obi is deep pumpkin orange with a check pattern.

I don't want to look like I'm trying to upstage the bride, so I don't want to get too fancy with the updo (wouldn't work for yukata probably anyway). I don't like the way long hair down looks with kimono though, so I need some way to put it up that doesn't make me look like someone's grandma but doesn't make me look like I'm attending Junior Prom either. I have a pretty little plastic orangish-pink "bubble" fish hair pin that I'd like to use, since Koi are supposed to be lucky and I do wish the new couple luck. Any ideas?

Also, does anyone have any hairstyle tips for the other types of kimono - furisode, houmongi, komon etc.? If so, please post them here! I would like to see a thread someday that focuses not just on kanzashi but on how to style hair to actually use them (since I'm pretty lousy at styling my hair beyond the simple bun, ponytail, braid or "fan" twist). Many thanks, and I look forward to seeing what everyone has to say!

http://zajcev-ushastyj.livejournal.com/103096.html
That is in Russian, but you only have to click the pics

hey, those are great!

thanks for your contribution, hope!

What about a basic French Twist? There are loads of instructions for it online, and you won't be in any danger of upstaging the bride.

That might work with a more formal kimono, but yukata are just so casual and french twists are just so elegant (I think so, anyway)...I think I am going to go with the braids I saw through the link in Hope's post (they were specifically for yukata). But a french twist would be great for a houmongi! Especially with comb or fan-shaped kanzashi tucked into the side, that would be so elegant!

MOAR Hairstyles please!!

I have exactly a month before I go to this snazzy dinner event in December!

Cortana - sorry this took so long, I didn't think anyone was posting in this thread!

Anyway, I discovered this hairstyle that might work with kimono; it's a European Edwardian style, but it's elegant and resembles what I've seen on some women in my kimono book:

http://www.intimelyfashion.com/hair/edward1.html

Done a little more neatly, it should support Kanzashi well. It's a little old-fashioned though...

Here's some images of more modern styles as well (no instructions though):

http://kimono.sighvogue.com/japanese-ki ... l#extended

And an article on kanzashi...mostly useless, but the pics may give good ideas:

http://kimono.sighvogue.com/japanese-ka ... l#extended

I hope this helps, and good luck!
Please post pics too! I have some from my brother's wedding, but my dad has them right now and I haven't been able to get copies yet I will try to post them when I get them though.

So what hairstyle did you ultimately decide on?