Selling Things You Are Addicted to- Good or Bad Business?

Kimonos are gorgeous beyond words.  They are a girly girl’s dream come true.  Beautiful fabrics, one size fits  all, hides all your bodily flaws, never goes out of style, perfect for bad hair days because a simple updo is ideal, 2 pairs of slippers (one dressy, one casual) is enough, no jewelry required, you can mix and match to eternity, you dont need to wash it for ages.  ( cost, restricted movement and discomfort, skill required to put them on, knowledge required to wearing them appropriately according age, season, occasion, and marital status, the time it takes to put them, take them off and store them away properly, and other such disadvantages will not be mentioned in this post). Yes, a kimono is the ultimate in elegance.

I got the idea to add kimonos to my online store because I was shocked at the quality of the items being sold.  No disputing they were cheap, but what exactly are you going to do with a kimono that is riddled with stains, has holes or is otherwise damaged.  An obi with a stain will requiring some amount of manouvering to ensure that the stain doesn’t show when the obi is tied.  These old kimonos and obis are perfect for those who will wisely recycle them to make bags or skirts etc. but for those who need kimonos to wear then even though cheap they were not ideal.

I started my search for kimonos without stains, tears, discolouration and it is hard work.  They do exist but on the vintage kimono market they are a minority and quite pricey.  However time consuming the process, it is loads of fun and I was able to find a few priceless pieces that fit the bill.

Fastforwarding, I have put a few kimonos online and because of the price factor they are slow sellers.  You would think I would be bummed out, but it is quite the opposite.  I am ecstatic.  You see, when I put a kimono up for sale, I match it with an obi, put it on a mannequin and usually by the time I am done, I have pangs in my stomach because I don’t want to sell the kimono anymore.  It rarely fails to happen, it is an addiction isn’t it.  I force myself to put it online for 30 days, but then I fret and worry that someone will buy it.    Sometimes I am lucky and get to add a kimono that was not sold to my personal collection but sometimes I am left pinning about the one that got away.  A kimono or the obi by itself can sometimes work magic, but that is nothing compared to when a kimono and obi are perfectly matched together.

Below I will show you some of my darlings that didn’t sell, that I have greedily added to my personal stash.

Number 1

Houmongi in pale blue

Kimono paired with an obi

Number 2

Kimono by itself

Next up is a komon, that I have now realized is a head turner because the combination is so vivid and bold.  When I feel under appreciated, I wear this one because I know I will get tons of compliments from complete strangers.  Even people in cars will try to get my attention at the traffic light to say a word or two.

Kimono paired with an obi

Back View

Number 3

Really quite a plain kimono but non-the-less it is for formal occasions only

This next one that didn’t sell is a formal kimono.  It is called Iromuji or plain kimono.  It comes with its own winter coat, has a crest  and is  basically perfect for all formal occassions.  One of these is a must have in any Kimono wardrobe.  I haven’t worn this yet but I am grateful to still have it, because while I do have other plain kimonos, they don’t come with a matching coat and I am still yet to find a suitable obi for some of them.

crest

paired with a fukuro obi

Back of Obi, this obi is a little stiff and difficult to tie, but once you get the job done it is a beaty.

Ensemble with matching Haori coat

Number 4

Tsukesage, semi-formal kimono

I am not sure if I had actually put this one up for sale.  I know that I was dressing the doll and I got a call inviting me to a concert featuring a modernized version of traditional Japanese dance usually seen in Noh plays.  I chose this and wore it to the event; so either I didn’t actually put it up for sale or I ended the auction early.  Either way bad for business right?

back view

Same kimono as above but with a different obi

Back view

Number 5

Friendly, easy to wear tsumugi kimono

I am very surprised that this one is still here.  This is the jeans of the kimono world and unlike the others above, I have no problems going eating and drinking in this one.  Japanese izakayas (pubs) are smoke -filled sometimes and I wear this with no fear.  This is made of wool, it is unlined but still keeps me warm in winter.  I now have 2 because I had one before I bought the extra one to put up for sale.  Now I use it to dress friends who are scared to wear silk and rent it to visitors who come to Japan for sightseeing .

with nagoya obi

same kimono with han haba or half obi

back view. this type of obi is normally worn with yukata

Number 6

This is not an exciting kimono, it is a tsukesage just like the one abovem made of wool and has tiny pink and red flecks that are not easily seen.

Unfortunately the next one did not even make it online.  The kimono is not exciting but I bought it because it met my condititons (it had no stains or damage and was in perfect condition). It was  perfect for the cold season so I thought it would be a quick seller.  Lo and behold I found the perfect obi that brought out the  delicate pink and red details that are in the kimono and my addiction took over. It is now a favourite when I am going to tea class and also when I am going out to Izakayas.

when I matched it with the perfect obi it came alive

Number 7

Next one is divine.  This one made me sweat while I waited out the 30 days it was online.  I knew I would not have been able to duplicate this look.  The color of the kimono is rare, and the obi with its generous amounts of gold threads is luxurious.  I am yet to wear this one, but it’s not just about wearing it, I want this kimono to have a proper debut.

See how the purple hues in the obi just falls in harmony with that of the kimono

There you have it.  I have given you a peek into a small part of my kimono wardrobe and now you know the story of how I collected them.  I have stopped buying kimonos for personal use.  Now I just wait for the left-overs from my store.  I suppose serious entreprenuers are probably in shock at my lack of business sense and I do agree with you.  However when all is said and done, my business may be broke but I look GOOD.

Are you also operating a small business handling things you are addicted to.  Write and tell me what items you sell, and how disciplined you are in keeping your hands off.

Warm Regards and thanks a bunch for visiting