Basic kimono outfit

The Japanese kimono robe is wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (it is only wrapped with the right side over the left when dressing the deceased for burial) and secured by a wide belt (obi) tied in the back. Kimonos are generally worn with traditional footwear (especially geta, thonged wood-platform footwear; and zori, a type of thong-like footwear) and split-toe socks (tabi).

Kimono
There are two types of Japanese kimono fabric, woven and dyed. In either case, a kimono is made out of a single sheet of cloth, about 12 m long and 38 cm wide. In order to allow kimonos to be retailored, all seams are cut straight.

Obi
A Japanese kimono sash is called an obi, and it is wrapped around the waist to fix the kimono in the proper position. There are many ways to tie an obi, depending on purpose, occasion and taste.

Tabi
Tabi are traditional Japanese socks. Ankle high and with a separation between the big toe and other toes, they are worn with zori and other traditional thonged footwear. Tabi are also essential with traditional clothing - Japanese kimono and other wafuku. The most common colour is white, and white tabi are worn in formal situations such as at tea ceremonies.

Zori
Japanese kimono reaches all the way down to the feet. In order to avoid dragging the kimono on the ground and getting it dirty, elevated clogs clled zori were invented. High-heeled shoes were invented in Europe for a similar reason.