Even though the kimono originally came from China, Japanese people have been wearing kimonos for hundreds of years, and the most beautiful examples were a product of 17th and 18th century Japanese design.
Traditionally, the cloth and color combinations indicated the political and social standing of the wearer and the kimono’s color changed according to the time of year. These days, the kimono is no longer a purely traditional robe.
Traditionally, all Japanese girls had to learn to master the arts of making clothes and sewing. But sewing was simpler than in the west. The girdle, haori and kimono, and even the long hanging sleeves, used only parallel stitches. The garments were, as a matter of fact, taken apart for washing, and each piece, after being mildly starched, was stretched on a board to dry, before being sewn back together again.
There are many types of silk kimono: the long-sleeved, beautiful kinds worn by geisha or young girls, the formal kimono stamped with the wearer’s emblem and worn on formal occasions; men’s kimonos and kimono for children. A young girl wears a kimono with long sleeves and an Obi, a broad silk or brocade sash about 12 feet long and 12 inches wide. As the girl grows older, the kimonos become smaller and the colors deeper and richer while the obi is worn lower and made narrower. In addition, haori, a short knee-length kimono, is frequently worn. In modern times, a kimono is usually only worn for special occasions and is mostly worn by women, but certain men still wear this garb. Both kimono and haori can be hung from a hardwood frame as wall art.
As an indulgence or ideal gift, kimono clothing is extremely versatile, and makes a welcome addition to any wardrobe.
Possibly the most popular color for a kimono is red, derived from safflower. The yukata is similar to the kimono, only it is made of light weight cotton and is more casual.