Different from that of both geisha and the average woman

・

・

Appearance

The appearance of oiran was markedly different from that of both geisha and the average woman, reflecting the upper class tastes and expectations of their customers; by the height of their profession at the beginning of the Edo period, oiran wore upwards of eight large kanzashi (hair ornaments), typically made from tortoiseshell, silver, gold and gemstones, in their large, elaborate and heavily waxed hairstyles; these hairstyles, all with different names and meanings, were worn to represent different ranks, seasons and occasions.

An oiran‘s outfit consisted of a number of layered kimono; the outermost kimono would usually be a heavily decorated, satin silk or silk brocade garment known as the uchikake, which would feature a heavily padded hem. This would be worn unbelted over the top of the underkimono, which featured a patterned design only along the hem, and was belted with an obi tied at the front. During the Edo period, this obi became both wider and stiffer, adding weight and discomfort.

When parading or otherwise walking outfit, oiran wore koma geta – 20 cm (7.9 in)-tall pauwlonia wood clogs with three “teeth”. Though lightweight for their size, these would prevent an oiran from taking anything other than small, slow footsteps when walking; oiran would thus walk in koma geta with a sliding, figure of 8 (“suri-ashi”) step, with two manservants (known as “wakaimono”) assisting her. Oiran generally did not wear tabi socks, with her bare foot considered to be a point of eroticism in her outfit. In total, a formal parade outfit worn by an oiran could weigh in excess of 20 kg (44 lb), often weighing as much as 30 kg (66 lb),^[a] and would require great assistance to put on. …. description based on Wikipedia