Posts Tagged ‘Kimono Shop’

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Top Selling Kimono for January 2022

Friday, February 18th, 2022

Chopa is one of the leading online shops offering fine Japanese Kimono and Yukata robes. We like to provide our customers a list each month of what is popular right now.  There are many options available when choosing a kimono shop. Since we have been operating since 1994, we are confident that we offer some of the best choices out there.

Our goal has always been to enlighten and educate customers about the beauty and symbolism of Japanese Kimonos.  Whether you admire the cultural significance, the bright, vivid colors, the symbolic patterns, or the luxury and comfort these robes provide, we take the guesswork out of online kimono shopping.  Our fast shipping is just one component that sets us apart from the crowd.  Chopa is your Kimono Source and as such, we ship most orders within one business day. Many orders ship the same day if your order is placed early in the day. Most orders are delivered within 2-3 business days, weather permitting.

Chopa ships your order safely and securely from a warehouse in the Northwest Panhandle of Florida.  We do the importing for you and carry over 100 styles, colors, and patterns that are in stock and ready to ship. Orders of $75 or more ship Free anywhere in the USA, including Hawaii and Alaska. You avoid duties, taxes, and import fees when shopping with us.

Every week, we hear from customers expressing how happy they are to have found us.  Many come from referrals and word of mouth. They share stories with us about their previous experiences. To put it bluntly, they are not pretty stories.  People ordered directly from a dealer in Japan and were told shipping is quick, usually 3-5 days.  Reality is a wait of up to 30 days in many cases. Customers are told they could return it. An issue lies with translation issues. The purchaser doesn’t speak or write Japanese and the vendor doesn’t communicate in English. To this, we say good luck and recommend taking an aspirin for their headaches.

Other resulting issues are duties and taxes.  Their package arrives and they have presented a bill for $10, $15, or even $25 more for duties, taxes, customs clearance, and import fees.  Shoppers were never told about this. But if they don’t pay the costs, the carrier keeps the package and the customer is out. Sometimes these packages are submitted to customs. They are sold for liquidated damages and other times sent back to the shipper, who doesn’t issue a refund.

Frequently we hear about requests for returns being denied by the dealer.  Customers are told, the wrong size doesn’t qualify or 3 days is too long. Worse yet, they simply ignore emails and telephone calls. If a customer is granted a return approval, they are shocked when they go to the post office. Here, they discover that shipping a 2-pound package can cost $60 by Priority Mail. This cost is born by the customer, not the Japanese dealer.  We feel dealers operate this way because they discovered most customers will keep the robe instead of investing additional money into their losing investment already. It is sad but true.

In summary, you can see how we make this an easy choice to shop with us. One of our mottos is “We take the guesswork out of Kimono shopping” and once a customer shops with us, they realize how true it is.  We welcome you to go to our online Kimono Shop and see for yourself. Whether it’s men’s or women’s kimono or yukata or perhaps an outfit for your little Samurai or Princess, we have a large selection to choose from.

It seems like 2022 just began and we have now already blown through January and are over halfway through February.

Without further delays, here is our list of Top Selling Kimono and Yukata for January 2022:

  1. Tree of Life Yukata
  2. Dragon and Bamboo Yukata
  3. Navy Kagome Yukata
  4. Dragon and Hawk Yukata
  5. Yukata – Dragon & Mt Fuji Navy 

Chopa.com currently has two orders in production with smaller shipments arriving in mid-March and April. Our largest Spring order is expected to arrive from Japan in late April. The logistics staff continues to monitor shipping and supply chain issues.  We have been and will continue to use Air Freight for our future shipments. This is necessary until the Ports along both sides of the country catch up and fix their lengthy delays. While air is more costly than a cargo ship, we would rather absorb the cost and obtain our product quicker and more efficiently. Thank you for visiting our site and reading our Blogs.  Now Get Your Kimono On!!

                     Dragon and Hawk Yukata

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Posted in cotton yukata, cute kimono, Japanese kimono, Japanese kimono for sale, Kimono for sale, Kimono for women, Tall kimono for men | 2 Comments »

Honored as Best Online Retailer – Kimono

Thursday, February 10th, 2022

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chopa – Your Kimono Source, Receives 2022 Best of Panama City Beach Award Online Retailer for Kimono and Yukata

Panama City Beach Award Program Honors the Achievement

PANAMA CITY BEACH February 3, 2022 — Chopa – Your Kimono Source has been selected for the 2022 Best of Panama City Beach Award in the Online Retailer category by the Panama City Beach Award Program.

Each year, the Panama City Beach Award Program identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These local companies enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and their community. These exceptional companies help make the Panama City Beach area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information are gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each year. The 2022 Panama City Beach Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Panama City Beach Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Panama City Beach Award Program

The Panama City Beach Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Panama City Beach area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Panama City Beach Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

Chopa – Your Kimono Source is an online retailer specializing in authentic Japanese Kimono, Yukata and Short Length Happi Coats. Established in 1994, Chopa, a 100% employee-owned Company offers great customer service, a large selection, quality robes and some of the most competitive pricing in the industry.  Chopa only offers Japanese Kimono robes, made by known family operated manufacturers that pay fair wages and offer excellent working environments. Other dealers on Etsy and Amazon often offer Chinese kimono sometimes using slave or forced labor to achieve low cost robes and larger profits.

If you are seeking a USA based company with 28 years experience that ships quickly anywhere in the USA, then Chopa is for you.  Visit their online Kimono Shop at www.chopa.com

                       Japanese Kimonos

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Posted in Japanese kimono, Japanese kimono for sale, Kimono for women, Men's kimono robe, Plus size kimono robe, short kimono | 1 Comment »

The Japanese Kimono and Symbolism of Colors

Sunday, February 6th, 2022

In Japan, tradition is key. It’s a country that has been influenced by many cultures, including Western ones. The beautiful language of colors found throughout their culture has deep meaning and validation. Traditional colors still hold some significance today for those living in Japan and visiting alike, especially when it comes to art or dress designs. To this day, when it comes to kimono or yukata worn for special occasions like weddings or ceremonies, beliefs about certain colors and hues are taken very seriously.

There are specific hues which carry special meaning from this culture as they believe these particular shades will result in obtaining wishes and goals. For example, some believe there may not be just one color that will bring good fortune, but rather an entire spectrum from blue-green representing water ways, all the way through reds signifying fire.

Kimono colors can be interpreted in many ways. The most important color, according to Japanese culture is green which represents new beginnings and good fortune. The secondary colors are white for growth, blue for peace and red which symbolize love. These have ancient meanings along with other cultures around the world who share similar beliefs. Colors are considered being relevant for determining future events like marriage prospects among others things.

The colors red and white are prominent in Japan. Both represent happiness, joyfulness as well an occasion for celebration such like weddings or birthdays. Events that bring people together to celebrate life events with family members who love them unconditionally.

The color red is important in Japanese culture. It’s often used to represent passion and joy. The first thing people think about when they see the vivid shade are cherries since those fruits have an association with love-related stories. In general, the color red carries with it many different meanings, but generally speaking this it represents strength through passion generated through self-sacrifice.

White also has multiple meanings and associations. White signifies surrender or peace and stands for purity, truth and honesty. It symbolizes beginnings from nothing, like a blank page yet also represents death and mourning.

The color green is a popular choice for clothes in Japan and it’s because the country loves plants, foliage and nature. The country celebrates greenery day because they love the land for its lush green vegetation. Whether it is trees or grass; this includes all things natural in life including green tea. In addition, it is holds significance for prosperity, wealth and luck or good fortune.

The color blue has many meanings in Japan. It is often associated with coolness, passivity and loyalty which are all seen as positive traits. Blue is also considered a color associated with luck.

No color is as auspicious for wealth and value than gold and silver. The color of wealth and power, gold has been a popular choice for centuries. These two elements are used to connotate great significance and prestige. It provides an elegant touch that can be found in many different patterns and works of art. Gold and silver are often used to create a rich symphony of color.

Black is a prized choice in Japan.  The blackness of the Kimono is often used to represent elegance or darkness. For example, it can be seen as a symbol for widowed women who have lost their spouse by death. The coloration also carries other connotations such classy garments reserved only for special occasions. The black color is often used in Japanese Kimono to represent power and elegance.

The black fabric of a kimono is often used to represent femininity and beauty in Japan. The color’s deep shade was originally created as an alternative for cherry blossom flowers, which were not available during winter months. Today, people wear them with pride even if there are no longer seasons where you can indulge your senses at their fullest extent.

Yellow is a popular color in Japan. It’s the Greece of colors, sunny and smiling. Japanese people have a special relationship with the color yellow. In Japan, this bright and cheerful tone can be seen in flowers as well as clothes for both children and adults alike. It is also associated with gardening. The color of sunshine and nature in Japan, yellow is associated with happiness.

Pink is a hue widely used in kimono for hundreds of years. It’s not just any old color, but rather it symbolizes femininity and elegance which are two things associated with women in Japanese culture. Pink is the color of romance and femininity. It’s also a symbol of healing to comfort women.

Of course there are more colors available and you can find a kimono or yukata in about any shade you desire.  Consider the Kimono palette the rainbow. Each color is special and the mixing or blending and pairing of colors provide additional significance in the Kimono culture. Wear your kimono proudly and if seeking a kimono gift, consider what traits the individual has and try pairing those with corresponding colors.  While it isn’t necessary to follow this guide, it deepens the meaning and cultural significance. Get Your Kimono On!! You can search over 100 different styles, colors and patterns of authentic Japanese Kimono and Yukata for men, women and kids at Your Kimono Source, www.chopa.com

 

Color palette of kimonos

Kimono Colors

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Posted in cotton yukata, Japanese kimono, Japanese kimono for sale, Kimono for women, Men's kimono robe | 3 Comments »

The Joy of the Kimono and Yukata

Sunday, January 9th, 2022

Have you ever worn a kimono or yukata? If not, then you are missing out on one of life’s special experiences. Wearing these traditional Japanese garments is an enjoyable and unique experience that everyone should have the chance to enjoy. There’s nothing quite like the feel of a kimono or yukata against your skin, and wearing one will make you feel like a Japanese Princess or Samurai Warrior!

The best part is that you don’t have to go to Japan to live this dream. In fact, you don’t even have to find a store in Japan to buy one. In 1994, Chopa – Your Kimono Source became one of the web’s first online stores to make these beautiful robes available to everyone and easy to obtain.  Chopa saw the need for a one stop shopping experience and took the guesswork out of buying a kimono online.

Our online kimono shop is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Browse our large selection of authentic Japanese kimono, Yukata and short length kimono called the Happi Coat. Whether you are seeking a robe for men, women or kids, we have many styles and sizes to choose from. You can find yukatas and kimonos in a variety of colors and patterns. Chopa is based in the USA and ships from the Panhandle of Florida. Orders are processed quickly and most orders ship within one business day with many shipping the same day.

Yukata and kimono can be worn as loungewear, coverups at the beach, pool or spa and for parties and special ceremonies.  The yukata is often worn to outdoor festivals, especially in the summer. They’re comfortable and stylish, making them perfect for many occasions. Yukata and kimonos are perfect for lazy days around the house or while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee on the patio.

While Kimono are normally produced with a heavier fabric, a yukata is made of lighter weight cotton to keep you cool and comfortable. We offer kimono and yukata in both 100% cotton and a few styles in silk. Both are perfect to wear year-round for style and comfort.  Cotton robes are easy to care for and soft on the skin. Most styles we offer are machine-washable and tumble dried on low. For best results, we advise using cold water wash cycles and a short dry cycle or drip dry. This extends the lifespan of your robe.

With the ease of shopping online from Chopa, you don’t have to wait many weeks or months for a delivery from the far east. You won’t be surprised by a customs and duties bill and returns are simple. As mentioned before, we take the guesswork out of buying a kimono or yukata.

As a large buyer of Japanese kimono and yukata, Chopa is able to secure very favorable pricing which allows them to sell these fine robes at competitive and economical prices. Chopa also uses financial arbitrage and market strategies to hedge against rising or falling values of the Japanese Yen. This helps to assure reasonable pricing no matter what is taking place in the volatile currency markets. Our kimono is often less than half of what trendy retail stores offer them for. Since they are reasonably priced, many customers opt to purchase several to match their different moods and outfits.

Kimonos and yukatas make great gifts for friends and family members. We have many corporate customers who purchase dozens as corporate gifts and rewards for employees or to thank a customer when presented as a gift.  These robes make wonderful gift ideas throughout the year. Whether Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter, Graduation, birthdays, anniversaries or Christmas and Hanukkah holidays, Kimono and Yukata make gifts that people will enjoy and appreciate. Shop online now at www.chopa.com.

kimono-robes

                            Japanese Kimono

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Posted in Japanese kimono, Japanese kimono for sale, Kimono for women, Men's kimono robe, Plus size kimono, Plus size kimono robe | Comments Off on The Joy of the Kimono and Yukata

Why Are Kimono So Popular?

Sunday, November 28th, 2021

The Japanese culture has a long history of wearing kimono. The word “kimono” is actually a translation for “thing to wear”.  Kimono are beautiful pieces of clothing originally worn by men in Japan. Following World War II they became more popular among women. Kimono  originated as a form of armor to protect warriors from arrows, but are now seen as ceremonial garments for special occasions. There are many different styles of kimono characterized by their sleeve length, colors or other details such as hemlines. The most recognizable feature of the kimono is its wide sleeves. Kimono are typically made of cotton or silk with intricate patterns and distinctive colors.

Kimonos and Work Clothes

The kimono is sometimes referred to as the oldest work clothes. The kimono has been used as a work garment for centuries in countries around Asia. They allow workers to stay clean without getting dirty. It protects against dirt and sweat by keeping them on its surface, which can be easily shaken off or washed at the end of the day.  What’s more, since kimonos were typically worn with pants underneath, they provide an extra layer of warmth during cooler seasons.

The Most Well-Known Kimono

The most well-known type of kimono is called the “Yukata”. Yukatas are casual versions which were traditionally used after bathing and before dressing in more formal clothes for celebrations at night. They provide a cover-up during the day while still being light enough to be worn indoors or outside when it’s cool.  Today there is still great interest in this garment both within Japan and abroad.

Kimonos are popular because they look great and can be worn in a variety of settings. They are known for their elegance, traditional design, comfort, versatility and easiness to slip on. Wearers can put on a kimono without any help from another person. This is very convenient for the wearer. If you want to dress like a samurai or geisha without having to pay the expensive price tag of designer brands, then kimonos are perfect for you.

These Japanese robes are available in different colors and styles, so they can match any occasion. Some people wear them as an accessory to their outfit. Others wear them for more formal occasions like weddings, tea ceremonies, parties and festivals. They go easily with other items in your wardrobe. There are many different styles to choose from, each with their own meaning. A colorful kimono is often for celebrations or ceremonial purposes. More muted colors are typically worn during the day by women who work outside the home.  A popular color found on kimonos is red which signifies happiness and good luck. The way one dresses themselves reflects their personality so it is important for people to know how they are seen by others.

Choosing a Kimono

When selecting a kimono, the first step is to consider the fabric you want your kimono made out of. Make this decision before you pick a color or pattern. Then, choose whether you’d prefer a short kimono or one that goes down past your knees for a more formal look. You’ll also need to decide if you want long or short sleeves. A kimono is traditionally worn closed with a sash, obi or belt. But did you know that they can be worn in a variety of ways? Contemporary fashion has created the style of wearing kimono or yukata open and loose or flowing. This  makes them perfect for hot summer days when you want something light and cool to wear.

Kimonos can actually be worn as tops with pants or shorts. Another popular trend is to wear it over short shorts or leggings. They can also be used in place of a blouse layered under sweaters and jackets for Fall and Winter. It’s easy to dress up kimono tops with accessories like necklaces, statement earrings, scarves, belts and hats. Many retailers call their oversized sweaters or sheer gowns, kimonos. Those in the “know” realize it is simply marketing. Nothing makes a kimono statement better than an authentic Japanese Kimono.

The kimono has been around for centuries and is still a staple in Japan. They can be seen on the streets or worn as formal attire. The kimono is a garment that can be worn in many different ways. It’s no surprise that the history of this versatile piece of clothing is varied. Chopa – Your Kimono Source, offers many styles of kimonos to fit all occasions and budgets. We’re sure we’ll have something great for your needs. Browse our large selection today at www.chopa.com.

Kimono fashion combines a kimono as an outer item over pants.

Kimono Fashion

 

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Posted in Japanese kimono, Kimono for women, Men's kimono robe, Plus size kimono, Plus size kimono robe, short kimono | 1 Comment »

It’s a story we hear over and over……

Friday, May 14th, 2021
kimono gift

The gift of a kimono.

We received a very nice message the other day from a customer that wanted to thank us for “the beautiful selection of Kimono and Yukata robes “we offer and to share an experience they had with an overseas dealer.  This client purchased a kimono from a “marketplace” in Japan  as a birthday gift for her husband.  Their website claimed they were located in Japan and extensively scoured dozens of cities for the best kimono available.  They claimed they had private connections with shops that produced the finest robes and even alluded that they had some form of a limited government license making them an exclusive provider.

She placed her order online and was looking forward to receiving her robe in 5-7 days as they advertised. She paid $20 for a shipping  upgrade to have the package insured and be trackable.  She became concerned as three weeks passed and no sign of her kimono and no information on the tracking number she received.  She emailed the company several times but didn’t receive a response.  When she checked her card statement online, she was surprised to find that she was charged in Japanese yen instead of dollars.  The amount billed was nearly $20 more than what she thought she was being charged and she was assessed foreign transaction and currency conversion fees by her credit card issuer which added even more to her final purchase price.

Another ten days and completely dismayed at this point, she was surprised when a package arrived.  She eagerly opened it but was upset when she saw the robe, because it was a different pattern than what she ordered.  While it wasn’t the print she ordered, she thought she would keep it because the birthday was getting closer.  When she felt the material, it didn’t feel like cotton, but a bit slippery.  She looked at the tag to see what material it was, but the tag wasn’t printed in English. Unable to decipher the language she was able to identify one word, China. She new she was duped and became even more frustrated.

She emailed the company again asking to return the kimono and relay some of her frustration.  She received a reply 5 days later. In their response, the company claimed the robes were made in China but produced for Japanese export.  This explanation didn’t sit well and she knew she had been taken advantage of.  They said she could return it but the cost was her responsibility, even though they sent the wrong kimono and it wasn’t as advertised.  Begrudgingly, she went to the post office to send it back, but was shocked when the postal clerk told her with shipping, insurance and tracking the cost was over $60.00. Rather than risking this much money and fearing they may not refund her anyway, she decided against it. She didn’t have any trust in this company.

Ironically, a teacher in her child’s school was fluent in Chinese and she asked her to translate the tag. She determined the fabric was viscose, which is a synthetic type of rayon fabric made from wood pulp and processed with chemicals.  The tag was completely in Chinese, there was no mention of Japanese exporting and it even included the address of the factory showing it was made in China. The story the dealer provided her was completely false.

She had just about given up the idea of giving her husband a kimono when she performed an online search and found Chopa. After checking our reviews and seeing we were based in the USA, she sent us an email with a few questions about our robes, the shipping times, our return policy and was impressed with our response time of less than 15 minutes. She decided to give us a try and we gained a new customer.

She felt compelled to send us a summary of her experience with the overseas dealer versus her shopping experience with us. In her words, “it was night and day.”  She placed her order, it shipped the same day and arrived two days later. She was even more pleased that it was what she ordered, the size was right, true to our word and it had tags that stated “Made in Japan.”  In essence, we allowed her to regain her trust in online shopping and she couldn’t be happier.  Her husband received his gift in time for his birthday and she says “he wears it everyday and absolutely loves it.”

We are sorry for anyone that goes through an experience like she did, but hope more people realize the benefits of buying local in your own country from a reputable retailer.  Chopa opened its online store in 1994 and we have been serving customers for over 27 years. It is gratifying to hear from clients that appreciate what we do and what we offer.  There is a rule of thumb in business that for every compliment you receive, there are a dozen more just like them, but go untold. We understand people get busy, intend to write, but forget and we are okay with that.  We base our success on the number of customers we have helped, including many repeat customers and the very low number of returns we receive. Of the few returns we do get, most of those are simple exchanges for a different size. We appreciate customer feedback.  If you have a story to share, send us an email, we would love to hear from you.

 

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Posted in Clothing, Japanese kimono, Kimono for women, Men's kimono robe, Plus size kimono | 2 Comments »

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