Although the kimono was originally from China, Japanese people have been wearing kimonos for hundreds of years, and their great beauty is attributable to 17th and 18th century Japanese designers.

The cloth and color combinations often indicated the social or political status of the wearer and kimono colors changed with the time of year. Nowadays, the kimono is no longer a purely traditional robe.

Traditionally, all Japanese girls learned to sew and make their own clothes. But sewing was simpler than in the west. The haori, girdle and kimono, and even the long-hanging sleeves, used only parallel stitches. The garments were, actually, taken apart for cleaning, and each piece, after being mildly starched, was stretched out on a board for drying, before being sewn back together.

There are many kinds of kimono pattern: the long-sleeved, gorgeous types worn by young girls or geisha, the formal kimono stamped with the wearer’s family crest and worn on ceremonial occasions; kimono for men and kimono for children. A young girl would wear a kimono with long sleeves and an Obi, a broad silk or brocade band about 12 feet long and twelve inches wide. As she grows older, her kimono designs become smaller and the colors deeper and richer while the obi is worn lower and made narrower. Also, haori, a short knee-length kimono, is often worn. In modern times, a kimono is typically only donned for special occasions and is mostly worn by women, but certain men do still wear this garment. Both haori and kimono can be hung on a hardwood frame as wall decoration.

As an indulgent treat or ideal gift, kimono clothing is versatile, a welcome addition to any wardrobe.

Perhaps the most popular color for a kimono is red, derived from safflower. The yukata is similar to the kimono, except it is made of lightweight cotton and is more casual.

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