Haramaki

[taimatsu]

A while back Eve found an article about haramaki. This is a type of old-fashioned underwear worn in Japan - the name means 'belly warmer'. They have been languishing in obscurity because they have the same coolness factor as granny pants do here - but now they are experiencing a renaissance, and are being made in funky patterns and colours. They look quite fun - people are shown wearing them over jeans, like a little mini-skirt but higher, or under long tops, like another layer. I could see myself wearing one.

Here is the original article, and here is a tutorial written by someone else (though I think the result looks a bit skimpier than I'd like).

I have camouflage-pattern stretch fleece. I think I know what I'm doing with it.

Comments

[sea-of-flame.livejournal.com]

Hrm, looks like the 'belly bands' laumiere sometimes used to wear when she was pregnant, except that she used to wear them under a layer of clothes rather than over the top, so they only used to be visible if her top didn't fully covering the Bumpling ;)

[medland.livejournal.com]

Lucy Cole has one of those given to her by a cousin in Australia. I always envied it. I am very tall and very long of body, thought that one of these might be a good way to stop that horrible Britney bit between the end of my too short tops and my too low trousers. I could rock them.

[medland.livejournal.com]

I've read about people wearing them while breastfeeding so they don't expose their stomach and side when pulling up their shirts.

[juliet]

I quite like the look of that as an underneath thing for work - my office gets v chilly in the winter! I may investigate the Fabric Stash!

[ewtikins.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I like this idea muchly, especially as being tall I often end up with gaps between shirt and trousers and those get VERY cold indeed...

[angeoverhere.livejournal.com]

Coo, there's nothing new under the sun, is there? Have recently discovered the maternity version and have been going on about how they're a 'fantastic invention'. Turns out that, lycra aside, they've been around for *ages*.

They are dead comfy, and I tend to wear mine most of the time. If I were more that way inclined, I'd definitely look into making some brightly coloured ones..

[v15u4l-3rr0r.livejournal.com]

I so want to make one of these. They will turn out to be useful I think.

[purpleheather.livejournal.com]

Oooh - thanks for the link - I've got some gorgeous stretch tshirt in a lovely floral pattern that needs to be made into one :)

[ewx.livejournal.com]

Ever since the advent of low-rise jeans, women have been stuck with a little cold gap between the bottom of our shirts and the top of our jeans.

I think everyone I know in fact manages to find clothes that meet in the middle one way or another...

[goodqueenmolly.livejournal.com]

ooh that camo fabric will be excellent for making one of these with. I still need to go and investigate buying some fleece off cuts. I may see if I can get my sewing machine working

[taimatsu]

Do you make this sort of thing, or would you like one making for you? :)

[taimatsu]

Oh, yes, they do, but even if one wears normal/high-waisted jeans and long tops, still when one bends over or stretches up or something one can end up with cold draughty gaps.

[medland.livejournal.com]

Ooohhh I would love one making for me. I am very wide of bottom though lol.

[taimatsu]

It's okay, it is easy to fit a tube to the waist. You just have a little less leeway as to where on your body to wear it than columnar people would :)

Maybe when I see you we could mess about with this :) I will plan my London visit as soon as I am moved house.

[medland.livejournal.com]

Sounds very good. :)
I like the word columnar. I am uncolumnar.

[midnightmelody.livejournal.com]

Hello,

I thought I'd let you know that we're looking for markers from 27th November - 7th December, at the usual rate of £10/hour. If you're looking for Christmas work and your term has finished, then please contact Jill (the project administrator) for further details on 01753 637222 or email j.ware@nfer.ac.uk, or see my LJ post today.

Katherine

[taimatsu]

Darn, term isn't over till the week after that. Thanks for letting me know, though.

[midnightmelody.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. :) I'll let you know if anything else appears.