Kimono vs. Ruana — What's the Difference?

The kimono (きもの/着物, lit., "thing to wear" – from the verb "to wear (on the shoulders)" (着, ki), and the noun "thing" (物, mono)) is a traditional Japanese garment and the national dress of Japan. The kimono is a T-shaped, wrapped-front garment with square sleeves and a rectangular body, and is worn left side wrapped over right, unless the wearer is deceased.

A ruana (possibly from Spanish ruana "ragged" or Quechua ruana "textile") is a poncho-style outer garment native to the Colombian Andes. In Colombia, the ruana is the characteristic and traditional garment of the department of Boyacá, initially made by indigenous and mestizo people, although it is also made in the departments of Cundinamarca, Antioquia, Nariño, Bogotá, Santander (Colombia), Norte de Santander and Caldas.

A long, wide-sleeved Japanese robe worn with an obi and often elaborately decorated.

A poncholike garment, open in front, often worn as a wrap.

A loose, light robe worn chiefly by women.

A poncho.

A traditional Japanese T-shaped, wrapped-front garment with square sleeves and a rectangular body, now generally worn only on formal occasions.

An outer garment typical of the Andes region of Venezuela and Colombia, and resembling a poncho.

(loosely) A yukata.

A long robe-like garment in Western fashion, which may be open at the front, loosely inspired by the Japanese garment.

(regional) A bathrobe or dressing gown.

A kind of loose robe or gown tied with a sash, worn as a traditional outer garment by Japanese women and men. Women may wear it with a broad sash called an obi, having a large bow in the back. At present (1998), most Japanese wear it only at home or on ceremonial occasions, western-style clothing being more common in the workplace.

A similar gown worn as a dressing gown by women of Western nations.

A loose robe; imitated from robes originally worn by Japanese