Not sure what a haramaki is? You need one. Believe me.
Blackbird
introduced me to this wondergarment, which is basically a tube of
stretchy material you wear over your midriff as a bellywarmer. You can buy them from Japan, and they allegedly bring many health benefits. But basically I just want to hang out with the cool kids and look layered.
Oh, and solve many wardrobe issues like jeans that gape at the
waist, or skirts that sit way down low on the hips, or a wonderful
cashmere jumper that your dearest one put in the washing machine so
it's just a bit too short.
So I made a haramaki myself. There are fancier tutorials out there, but mine is simple. I chopped the bottom off a jersey top that was destined for the charity shop. And then finding it a touch baggy in the midsection, I zig-zagged the side seams in a bit.
My internal organs are now toasty warm. And as Dr Kawashima says:
The heart literally turns cold when the body temperature goes down resulting in a negative mood-swing. Simply by keeping oneself cosy and warm at all times results in a better outlook on life.
Amen to that! Now what other clothing can I cannibalise...
that is too cute and i love your skirt and sweater.
Posted by: martha | 23 February 2009 at 14:25
What a fab idea!
April xx
Posted by: April | 23 February 2009 at 14:48
yep... that's what I've been missing all these years: a simple, stylish cure for my negative mood swings! I'm off to hunt for the raw materials...
Posted by: janet clare | 23 February 2009 at 15:41
What a completely awesome idea. No more tugging down t-shirts or hoiking up jeans for me. I too shall be canibalising my wardrobe when I get home. Fabulous!
Posted by: The List Writer | 23 February 2009 at 15:58
what a great idea! I'm surprised my tummy isn't self-warming: there's enough of it. I'm looking around right now for things to chop up
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 23 February 2009 at 16:21
ooh! I do like warm things. I'm getting to that age, you know.
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 23 February 2009 at 16:24
What a brilliant idea, I will have to have a go at making one!
Helen
Posted by: Helen King | 23 February 2009 at 16:27
That is a fantastic idea! I'm sitting here with a gap around my middle (not attractive) because my jeans don't quite meet my jumper despite constantly pulling one up and the other down! A Haramaki is just what I need... off to make one!
Posted by: Gina | 23 February 2009 at 16:43
Oooh, I want, I want, I am always on the look out for long vests to wear under tops that are just too short to wear with my jeans. This could be my perfect wardrobe filler. Thank you for leading the way for those of us who are less up to date.
Posted by: Rebecca | 23 February 2009 at 17:48
it's like a bella band for pregnant ladies. i tend to always wear a tank under my clothes for the layering and the fact that I'm tall and most clothes are too short. great idea.
Posted by: Jade | 23 February 2009 at 19:13
Oh I need some of these! It's so annoying when tshirts shrink, and I love the layered look. Thanks for the fab idea!
Posted by: Rachel L | 23 February 2009 at 20:04
Cool!
An older woman that I work with was just recently telling me that she never gets a cold because she always wears a tank top underneath which keeps your core body warm and healthy.
But I just love the idea that my belly won't be showing. :D
Posted by: Anita | 23 February 2009 at 20:14
Love this! I'm always suffering from a cold back.
Posted by: lina | 23 February 2009 at 20:16
No I realise that you hadn't cracked up with the comment you left on my blog!
I also now realise why all those French women wear something over their pregnant tummies on top of their ordinary clothing as when I googled it one of the entries said it was important to keep your tummy warm when pregnant - I didn't know that.
I'm going to have to try one of these if it is going to lift the spirits and give me more energy.
Posted by: Thimbleina | 23 February 2009 at 20:36
Way cooler than my usual vest!! Will look out to see how many people I spy wearing one when I go to Japan in a few weeks!!
Posted by: Di | 23 February 2009 at 20:51
I definitely want to stay as cosy as I possibly can at all times!
Posted by: Alexis | 23 February 2009 at 21:40
Very cute...but do they hold the "midsection" in??? ;-)
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 23 February 2009 at 22:16
yesssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!
i will make one tomorrow
Posted by: hazeljoy | 23 February 2009 at 22:24
Brilliant! I've always got a cold back! Hmmm, I wonder what I could find to have a chop at...
Posted by: Dragonfly | 23 February 2009 at 23:24
Maybe a cure for February? It's worth a try!
frances
Posted by: frances | 24 February 2009 at 00:12
Ooh why didn't I think to make myself something like this before? I have that bare midriff problem frequently these days and it's chilly around here. I've looked at the ones you can buy for pregnant bellies (when I was pregnant) and everything but still not taken the next logical step.
Posted by: commonplaceiris | 24 February 2009 at 07:58
this is really worth a go as i suffer from cold kidneys. according to my shiatsu friend this area can also be improved by eating lots of root veg!
Posted by: myrtle | 24 February 2009 at 10:07
That's what my mother, grandmother and probably back ad infinitum, called 'making sure your kidneys were warm'. And without doubt it is a mood-enhancer.
Before I got married I assumed everyone did this but my husband proved me otherwise -another good one to try is to have layers UNDER the sheet on your bed - it is all about keeping the kidneys warm y'know!
Posted by: trashalou | 24 February 2009 at 10:51
genius.
AND cute.
Must do this too...
Posted by: monica | 24 February 2009 at 14:23
What a marvellous idea! Will definitely be having a go!
Posted by: Cat | 24 February 2009 at 15:05
totally like the bella band I am rocking today for the preggo belly. Only our profiles look a wee bit different. ;) Great idea. Love the refashion approach.
Posted by: misschris | 24 February 2009 at 18:03
Mine is the deep ribbed bottom of a too-small wool jumper. It is a cool looking layer but it looks very odd when you go to bed and find you are still wearing it!!!
Posted by: Rachel | 25 February 2009 at 02:09
Love this idea. I hate being cold.
Posted by: Julia | 25 February 2009 at 09:08
Hi! Thanks for the links. I suffer from back aches, I might try these out when I get the chance.
Posted by: Mary | 25 February 2009 at 12:33
What a great idea! I'm totally sold on the cosiness of wrist warmers and the thought of having a nice warm middle too ....oooh!
I'll have a rummage in my t-shirt drawer tomorrow :-)
xxx
Posted by: Lesley | 25 February 2009 at 20:27
Up cycle your boob tube.
Posted by: Jackie | 25 February 2009 at 22:20
that's a pretty cool idea!
now I must look at the link :)
Posted by: Claudia | 26 February 2009 at 02:06
What a coincidence - I was thinking about something like this the other day. There was a tutorial ages ago designed for pregnant women.
Think I'll have a go myself.
Posted by: Samantha | 26 February 2009 at 14:47
I've very supportive of a warm heart! :)
Posted by: Andrea | 26 February 2009 at 15:32
I read this post a couple of days ago and it sprang to mind again as I was in the cold garage looking for the bag of stuff to take to the charity shop. There on the top was a pretty, stripy, too small, tags still attached t- shirt I bought in the summer. Fabric shears out and I cut across it under the arms on the breakfast table and set off on the walk to school with a very warm middle and a rather trendy layered look about me. I love it and can't really envisage taking it off until April! Thanks for the tip. Bx
Posted by: Barbara | 26 February 2009 at 19:44
I read this post a couple of days ago and it sprang to mind again as I was in the cold garage looking for the bag of stuff to take to the charity shop. There on the top was a pretty, stripy, too small, tags still attached t- shirt I bought in the summer. Fabric shears out and I cut across it under the arms on the breakfast table and set off on the walk to school with a very warm middle and a rather trendy layered look about me. I love it and can't really envisage taking it off until April! Thanks for the tip. Bx
Posted by: Barbara | 26 February 2009 at 19:46
What a fantastic idea - I must have one!!!
Posted by: lazylol | 26 February 2009 at 19:51
Wow, I've never heard of this before but can certainly see the practicality in wearing one.
Posted by: Junie Moon | 27 February 2009 at 22:57
Very clever!
Posted by: rhubarb | 28 February 2009 at 03:25
Very very cool- can't believe I haven't thought of this myself- I ALWAYS have a cold tum/back. My first visit to this blog- I'll be back.....
Posted by: Esther | 28 February 2009 at 20:25
these are great. makes me want to layer up..oh wait i'm sitting here in aircon at 9.15pm!!! {Oh how I wish winter would hurry along.}
Plus I like the idea of them sucking in my pot belly! it's like a modern twist on a girdle...but way cooler!
Posted by: Tiel | 01 March 2009 at 11:18
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