Sleeping kimono?

[chiiyo]

Note: I'm not referring to the padded old style sleeping kimono yogi.

I've seen it a few times in manga, and I saw one for sale in Daimaru some years back. They had labeled it "Sleeping Kimono". It's a cross-over short top with side seams open, connected with criss-cross string? The bottom seems to be some variant of shorts. When I refer to my "Make Your Own Japanese Clothing" book, John Marshall refers to it as a jimbei top, which is a male top.

This is my question: I can reproduce the top by following the instructions for the jimbei top, but does anyone know what the bottom looks like? I saw some cloth being sold in Spotlight the other day that would go well as a sleeping kimono, so I would really appreciate any suggestions or comments.

Also, since I don't know anything about this sleeping kimono, does anyone else have any more information on this clothing? In the manga the character was wearing it in bed when she was sick, if that gives any kind of clues. Also, since the jimbei top is male, would it be improper for me, a female to wear it?

[Kiyoaki]

Hello again, Lili

There are 'jimbei' sets listed on E-bay from time-to-time. You could check them for appropriate length and proportions.

I think the shorts are quite simple with a drawstring waist. There probably aren't any pockets, so the cut seems to be straight forward.

The sets I've seen remind me of the clothes worn by many manual laborers. The open laced seams is often a 'summer' effect, so I'm unconvinced they're really a necessary part of the program.

When I was kid, I used to wear pyjamas that had short sleeves and pant legs. Of course I lived in hawaii then, so I'm uncertain if the Japanese influence or the weather dictated those features. Naturally they weren't made of flannel, but a thinner cotton.

Oh, oh......... I should end here (otherwise I'll wax nostalgic for several more paragraphs).

Kiyoaki