When most people think of kimonos, they think of the beautiful silk robes worn by geisha in the movies. These gorgeous robes are indeed kimonos, but they are not typical.
Kimono means “clothing” in Japanese, and the style and wear of the garment have changed a great deal in the past century. As late as the 1890s, most Japanese women wore fairly formal kimonos every day. After the turn of the century, many women began working outside the home and had to simplify their kimonos to be able to do their jobs.
By the end of World War II, most Japanese women were wearing Western-style clothes, with kimonos reserved for special occasions such as weddings. The same tradition still holds, with women usually owning a single kimono – the one they receive at their coming-of-age ceremony at age 19. Men wear kimonos as well, but usually in more subdued colors and patterns. They too, usually wear the robes only during special occasions.
The most elaborate formal kimono is the one most people think of as the “typical” kimono. These robes are usually worn with a decorated obi, or wide belt. Kimonos are not hemmed to fit – they are mostly all the same length, so the extra material has to go somewhere. In this case, it is gathered at the waist, folded and secured underneath the obi. The formal kimono is often made of a silk and cotton blend fabric.
The yukata, or summer kimono, is usually seen at festivals, or at Japanese inns and baths. For festival wear, an obi may be worn with the yukata, but a sash is used at home or at the baths. The yukata is a very lightweight cotton, comfortable for warm, humid summers. These are the most popular kimonos still routinely worn in Japan.
Japanese people also wear tabi and zori or geta with their kimonos. Tabi are socks with a divided big toe, worn with a thong shoe. Zori are thong sandals with flat soles, and geta are thong sandals with elevated or separate heels. Most people wear zori, since they are easier to walk in.
Kimonos are available online or in shops selling Japanese items. Their price will depend on the fabric, amount of embroidery and intricacy of the fabric design.