Japanese Obi Belt Comes To The West

You may have seen them as thick sashes on kimonos and geishas, but the Obi belt is the hottest Eastern fashion staple to meet Western catwalks this summer season. In Japan, this look features checkerboard or other patterns, with colourful touches that hold the kimono firmly in place. On western runways, Gucci designer Frida Giannini designed colourful metallic obis paired with more conservative pencil skirts. To make this top waist accentuater look work in the real world stick to softer fabrics with fewer details, such as leather, in black or neutral tones, instead of the glamorous sequin and satin that appears on runways.

The obi belt can add great shape to this year’s hot maxi dress, especially if you need a waist cincher for your voluminous style maxi. This look can also work for the office by wrapping it around a blouse or light knit sweater paired with trousers. If you need a summer evening cover-up, add shape to a chunkier cardigan by tying an obi-style belt around it. The obi can works with just about any style you have in your wardrobe.

A hot fashion accessory for summer, top magazine Vogue predicts the obi style belt will be a lasting trend in fashion, so it is easy to carry this look into the autumn, when cooler temperatures hit. Invest in one or two obis, a glitzier type to carry into the night and a more conservative piece for daywear.