Kyoto is the city where Japan's cultural requirements for considered dress are most directly relevant — the Fushimi Inari shrine with its 10,000 torii gates, the geisha district of Gion, the Zen gardens of the Ryoan-ji and Daitoku-ji, and the tea ceremony culture that rewards a wardrobe of quietness and restraint. For women visiting Kyoto specifically, the dress choices produce different experiences at these cultural sites.

The Gion and the geisha district. The Hanamikoji Street in Gion — the most observed street in Kyoto, where the visual standard of the visitors interacts with the traditional culture of the maiko and geiko. A PP women's linen shirt in white or a composed natural with linen trousers and leather shoes or leather sandals. Kyoto's most traditionally observed quarter rewards understated, composed natural fabric over anything branded or loudly coloured.

For the Zen gardens and temples. The Ryoan-ji rock garden, the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), the Philosopher's Path in spring. Covered dress is appropriate at all temple and shrine sites. A PP women's linen shirt fully buttoned with linen trousers and leather shoes. The natural greens and stone of the Kyoto gardens reward natural fabric in white and warm natural colourways.

For the Arashiyama bamboo grove. The bamboo grove of Arashiyama in the western hills — a PP women's linen shirt in white or a warm natural with linen trousers or linen shorts and leather sandals. The Tenryu-ji garden adjacent to the bamboo grove requires covered dress.

For the Kyoto evening and the kaiseki dinner. The kaiseki restaurant experience — the highest expression of Japanese cuisine. A PP women's linen shirt in a composed colourway with linen trousers and leather shoes for the Kyoto formal dinner; the Amelia linen dress shirt in Oyster for the most formally composed Kyoto evening.

What to Wear in Kyoto  ·  What to Wear in Tokyo Women  ·  Women's Linen Collection