History of the Kimono

There were many exciting and intricate outfits at the Culture Fair, each resembling that person’s culture and lifestyles.  But, one traditional outfit in particular stood out to me, the kimono.

Originally “kimono” was the Japanese word for clothing.  Over time, the kimono has developed into a new style and fashion sense for the people of Japan.

Kimonos have many advantages: they were easy to fold; they were suitable for all weather, and they could be worn in layers.  These advantages helped kimonos become a part of Japanese people’s everyday lives.

Japanese people began paying attention to the different colors of the kimonos and how they looked together.

Typically, the color combinations seen on these garments represented either seasonal colors or the political class to which they belonged.

Today, the Japanese rarely wear kimonos in everyday life.  They normally reserve them for special occasions such as weddings, funerals, tea ceremonies, or summer festivals.