Japan’s T-shaped unisex garment cut from a single bolt of silk isn’t a symbol or a relic. At the Met, it’s the vibrant feature of an international fashion conversation.

So this is, perhaps, an ideal time to consider the kimono. The T-shaped Japanese robe, which has inspired countless Western garments, complicates the conversation about what we’re allowed to ...

The kimono, a garment that dates back to the 5th century A.D. and worn by westerners for at least 150 years, inhabits the slippery gray area between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.

Is it 'racist' for non-Japanese to wear kimono? That question has been fiercely debated since protesters entered Boston's Museum of Fine Arts in late June to decry an exhibition encouraging ...