A kimono is a traditional Japanese robe with long, wide sleeves and a wrap-around design that gets secured with a wide belt called an obi. The word literally means “thing to wear” in Japanese.

Kimonos are made from beautiful fabric, often silk, and decorated with intricate patterns like cherry blossoms, cranes, or geometric designs. While Japanese people historically wore kimonos as everyday clothing, today they're usually reserved for special occasions like weddings, tea ceremonies, or festivals. You might see someone wearing a kimono at a New Year's celebration in Japan or when practicing traditional arts like calligraphy.

The way a kimono wraps matters: the left side always crosses over the right when you're wearing it. Putting on a formal kimono properly is quite complex and can take years to master, which is why some people hire specialists to help them dress for important events.

In English, people sometimes use “kimono” loosely to describe any robe-like garment, but a true kimono is specifically Japanese and follows particular construction and wearing traditions. A simpler, casual version worn after bathing or at summer festivals is called a yukata.