Nagare Haori - White

流れ (nagare): "flow, the current of a stream."

In Iga, in Mie Prefecture, braiders still work silk threads on round wooden stands into kumihimo, the braided cords that tie a traditional haori shut. Haori never had buttons: a pair of these cords, the haori-himo, hooks onto small loops inside the front edges and knots in the middle. They set the tone, too. A groom's black crested haori takes a thick white pair finished with tassels.

This one leaves the cords off: the Nagare is open, no closures, so the broad band collar and front edges simply hang. The white is a warm cream, softer than shirt white, and the rayon falls long, past the hip, with the wide kimono sleeves swinging free.

Cream over a black tee is the sharpest contrast of the six colors; over white it turns soft and summery. Wear it to a garden party or a beach dinner. Mind the Asian sizing, which runs small. Start a summer set of lightweight traditional Japanese pieces here, then add the white hakama.

• Fabric: soft, lightweight rayon with a fluid drape
• Front: open, no closures
• Sleeves: full-length wide kimono sleeves
• Fit: long and loose, falls past the hip
• Sizes: S to XXXL, Asian sizing that runs small
• Size reference: 6 ft 2 in, 172 lb wears XL; 5 ft 11 in, 198 lb wears XXL

Measurements for every size are in the size guide.