Tsukesage
This is a kimono that is considered less formal that a houmongi.
The tsukesage was created during the war as an alternative to the more extravagant houmongi. It is less formal than a houmongi yet ranks higher than a komon, so it can be worn at many different occasions.
The tsukesage is seen to be less elaborate than the houmongi. It is often sold as in the form of a tan-mono (fabric roll). The pattern does not extend across the seams of the kimono, so some tsukesage can look like a houmongi while others may look like a casual komon. The prints on a tsukesage flow upwards both in the front and the back.
The obi of a tsukesage is chosen to match the pattern. They can be worn in both formal and casual styles. A tsukesage with gold/silver-leaf patterns can be matched with a gold obi for a friend’s wedding ceremony while a tsukesage with a more casual design can be worn to a concert or a dinner party. At more formal events like a tea ceremony, a crested tsukesage can be worn with a fukuro obi. A Nagoya obi can be used for less formal gatherings. Tsukesage in subdued colors or those made of pongee can be worn to casual outings such as a lunch or to watch a play.
[quote style=”boxed”]In Japanese
付下げ
訪問着よりも軽い略礼装です。
戦時中に華美な訪問着の代わりに作られました。訪問着より気軽で小紋よりも格が高いので広く着ることができます。
訪問着に比べてあっさりとしていてやや地味に感じます。反物で売ってあることが多く、柄が裁ち目や縫い目でつながらないものの、訪問着にも見えるもの、普段着に近い小紋にみえるものもあります。前も後ろも柄がすべて上を向くのが付下げの特徴です。
付下げは柄によって帯を合わせ、礼装からカジュアルな街着までいろいろな着こなしができます。友人の結婚式には金銀の箔のある柄に華やかな金地の袋帯を合わせたり、コンサートや食事会では個性的な好みの柄や帯をコーディネートするなど広く楽しめます。お茶会などでは格式のある場では紋付きに袋帯、気軽な集まりでは軽い装いに名古屋帯など季節を感じる装いが好まれます。お昼のランチや観劇にはアースカラーや紬地の付下げなどでも普段着の外出の感覚で着ていけます。
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