The kimono is a traditional Japanese costume. Both men and women wore it in their everyday lives in the past. Most kimonos had flowers, butterflies and lots of colours on them. The Japanese used silk, linen or cotton to make them. They used thick fabric to make kimonos for winter, and a lighter fabric for summer kimonos. They never threw old kimonos away. They usually turned them into bags, cases or clothes for children. Japanese people haven’t stopped wearing kimonos. Today they usually wear them on special days, like when there is a wedding or a traditional event.