Not counting traditional holidays and actions, Japanese robe themselves in full dress only for participating in official ceremonies, for instance, on Full Age Day, Graduation Day or wedding.

Full dress consists of long kimono, cloak haori and trousers hakama. Kimono and haori ought to be decorated with five family arms.

Long kimono and haori are sewed from white silk habutae which is dyed black. In summer they put on long chiffon kimono. Formerly it was in order to get on white silk kimono without bright painting under the black one. But now they just put on special token collar. In case of mourning the collar ought to be gray or black.

Lining of bridegroom's haori always must be white. In other cases it could be other color. Tapes ought to be white in case of holyday and gray or black in case of mourning.

Trousers hakama are divided into hakama for riding (umanoribakama) and hakama in the shape of lantern (andonbakama). Hakama are sewed from sendai-hira, widespread striped fabric. But in summer they usually put on chiffon hakama.

Belt of man kimono is made from one-colour fabric hacata or from brocade. In summer they get on chiffon or crape belt.

Japanese socks tabi ought to be white. Usually they are sewed from muslin, but from chiffon for festive attire. It's necessary to note that in case of mourning tabi stay white. But in some regions of Japan it's in order to put on black one.

Sandals setta are shoes for full dress. Setta with white small straps are got on in case of holiday and with black ones in case of mourning.

Last trappings of full dress are white bamboo fans. It's in order to carry fan regardless of season.

Reductive version of full dress
Reductive version of full dress is usually put on for tea-ceremony, celebrations of engagement, official reception etc. In such cases the main thing is presence of arms on the clothes. So often it's enough to put on only haori.

Fabric for long upper kimono and haori is pick out depending on importance of ceremony which you'll take part in. If ceremony is very solemn, you ought to put on kimono from colored (but not black) silk fabric habutae. In less solemn cases you can put on kimono from striped crepe. Kimono from silk fabric like tussore is put on everyday. Kimono from such fabric even very expensive couldn't be considered as ceremonial.

Previous