Elevate Your Everyday with Re Zen's Modern Japanese Style

An Invitation to a New World of Japanese Style from Re Zen

Nestled on Kyoto's Shinkyogoku-dori Street, the Re Zen store stands out with its unique exterior, reminiscent of a modern art temple. Step inside, and you'll find a sophisticated space blending Japanese and Western aesthetics, inviting visitors to experience the joy of wearing culture and tradition. The brand name Re Zen combines RE, meaning again, with Zen. As symbolized by its logo—a modern take on the lotus crest—we offer borderless fashion that transcends gender and time. We don't just sell clothes; we facilitate an encounter with your own special piece, an item that infuses the essence of Japanese culture into your modern lifestyle. Today, we'll introduce how to incorporate Re Zen items into your daily life and enjoy your unique style.

Bring the Kimono Experience into Your Daily Life with Re Zen

When you hear the word kimono, you might think of formal attire for special occasions or a traditional culture that feels a bit unapproachable. However, Re Zen proposes a new kimono experience that is freer and more accessible. While incorporating traditional elements, our items blend modern design and functionality, adding a splash of color to your daily life just like your regular clothes. Items such as haori jackets, hakama pants, and Japanese-style shirts merge Japanese aesthetics with contemporary fashion through an approach different from conventional kimonos.

We offer a diverse range of collections inspired by Japan's seasons and culture. From plant motifs like the cluster amaryllis, chrysanthemum, lotus, cherry blossom, peony, and camellia, to unique themes such as the crane, butterfly, Kabuki/Hanafuda, Onmyoji/fox/yokai, you can choose the perfect piece while connecting with the story behind each collection.

Enjoy Borderless Fashion with Unisex Designs

• Many of Re Zen's items feature unisex designs that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of gender. They are characterized by a black base accented with modern splashes of color. This opens up more ways to enjoy fashion, such as sharing pieces with a partner or friend and drawing inspiration from each other's styles.
• Another appeal is the relaxed, loose-fitting designs that can be worn comfortably without worrying about body shape. They fit a variety of body types, allowing you to pursue your own unique way of dressing.

Styling Re Zen's Signature Pieces: Integrating Refined Japanese-Mode into Your Everyday Look

You might look at Re Zen's unique designs and wonder, How do I style this? In reality, you can effortlessly create a sophisticated Japanese-mode style by simply adding one piece to your everyday outfits. Here, we'll introduce specific styling tips centered on Re Zen's signature haori and hakama pants.

1. Revamp Your Usual Style with a Haori

Re Zen's haori follows the traditional Japanese haori shape but features modern materials, contemporary cuts, and vibrant accent colors. It's lightweight and comfortable, making it a versatile piece for various occasions throughout the year.

• Layer a haori over your favorite t-shirt and jeans: This is the easiest way to style it. Just by throwing a Re Zen haori over a simple t-shirt and jeans, you can instantly achieve a chic Japanese-mode look. It pairs perfectly with both sneakers and boots.
• Elevate your office style of a shirt and slacks: Adding a Re Zen haori to a crisp shirt and slacks combination can create a business-casual look that is both unique and elegant. A black-based haori, in particular, lends a chic impression.
• Pair with a dress or skirt: Layering a haori over a feminine dress or a long skirt can add a modern, edgy vibe that isn't overly sweet. You can enjoy different looks depending on the haori's length and material.
• Express your personality with themed haori: For example, a Sakura themed haori can create a light, airy outfit that evokes the arrival of spring. An Onmyoji themed haori can produce a mysterious and profound atmosphere. Choose from the collections to match your mood and the occasion.

2. Create a Relaxed, Modern Look with Hakama Pants

Re Zen's hakama pants and skirts incorporate the silhouette of traditional Japanese hakama but are designed to match modern fashion. Their charm lies in their ability to convey a sophisticated impression despite their relaxed fit.

• Pair with an oversized top for a relaxed feel: Re Zen's hakama pants feature a loose silhouette. Combine them with an oversized t-shirt or sweatshirt to complete a trendy, relaxed style. The look changes with different material combinations, so try them with various tops.
• Create a slimming effect with a compact top: In contrast, pairing them with a shorter top or a fitted knit will accentuate the volume of the hakama pants, creating a flattering effect. By making your waistline appear higher, you can also achieve a leg-lengthening look.
• Style it like a set-up with a Japanese-style shirt: Re Zen also offers a rich variety of shirts with Japanese-style details. Pairing them with hakama pants in the same black base creates a coordinated, set-up-like look. Using an item with a pop of color as an accent is also a great idea.
• Change the vibe with your footwear: The impression of hakama pants changes dramatically depending on your choice of shoes. You can create a chic look with leather shoes or boots, dress them down with sneakers, or go all-in on the Japanese-mode style with Re Zen's original footwear.

3. Enhance Your Look with Accent Colors and Accessories

While Re Zen's items are primarily black, some collections incorporate modern accent colors. By skillfully using these colors and adding accessories like Japanese-patterned belts and jewelry, you can create an even more unique and appealing style.

• Choose accessories that pick up the accent color: By incorporating accessories (like a bag, socks, or jewelry) in the same color as an accent in your outfit (e.g., red or blue), you can create a sense of unity in your overall coordination.
• Add an accent with a Japanese-patterned or obi-style belt: Even with a simple combination of a t-shirt and hakama pants, adding a Japanese-patterned belt or an obi-style belt at the waist will instantly elevate the look with a Re Zen-esque Japanese-mode vibe.
• Add a personal touch with original accessories: Re Zen also offers accessories like rings, earrings, and necklaces. These pieces, which incorporate the lotus crest and other Japanese motifs, will add a subtle touch of personality to your attire.

Practical Steps to Find Your Personal Style at Re Zen

If you're thinking, I'm interested in Re Zen's clothes, but I'm not sure how to choose, don't worry. At our Re Zen store, we prioritize offering style suggestions tailored to each customer. We invite you to visit our store on Kyoto's Shinkyogoku-dori Street to touch the items and try them on for yourself.

1. First, trust your intuition: When you enter the store, if an item or design catches your eye, don't hesitate to pick it up. Re Zen's collections feature a wide variety of themes, from natural motifs like the cluster amaryllis, chrysanthemum, and lotus, to traditional designs like Kabuki and Hanafuda. Following your intuition is the first step to finding your unique style.
2. Start by trying on a haori and hakama pants: The haori and hakama pants, which are symbolic of Re Zen, have the power to dramatically transform your everyday wear with just one piece. First, try on these items to experience their comfort and silhouette. They are unisex, so you can try on various types regardless of gender.
3. Get inspired by the unique store atmosphere: From the temple-like exterior to the sophisticated, blended Japanese-Western interior, the Re Zen Kyoto store itself is like a gallery. Trying on items in this space is sure to lead to new discoveries. Our staff is also here to support you in your style search.
4. Imagine pairings with your own clothes: Let your imagination run wild. This haori would look great with the white shirt I own, or I wonder how these hakama pants would look with sneakers? Since many items are black-based, you'll find they blend surprisingly well with the clothes you already have.
5. Get styling tips from social media: On the official Re Zen Kyoto Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), we share various styling suggestions from our staff and information on new arrivals. Check them out before your visit for hints on finding your favorite style. (Instagram: @rezen_kyoto, X: Official rel=noopener noreferrer>@REZENOfficial)

Embark on a Journey to Find Your Own 'Wa-Mode' in Kyoto with Re Zen

Re Zen offers modern Japanese fashion that respects tradition while reconstructing it with a contemporary sensibility. Our borderless style, which can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of gender, age, or nationality, provides an experience akin to embodying a renewed Zen spirit in one's attire.

Why not visit the Re Zen store on Kyoto's Shinkyogoku-dori Street and experience the discovery of your own special piece? Through a new form of Japanese attire that blends into daily life—a departure from the traditional kimono experience—we hope your every day will become richer and more uniquely colored. Please come and feel the world of Re Zen for yourself and discover new possibilities in fashion. We look forward to welcoming you here in Kyoto.