It means “thing to wear,” and in addition to being the national dress of Japan, the kimono is one of the world’s most elegant things to wear. A new show tracks the evolution of this garment in its own country, where it was once a go-to outfit but is now saved for formal events, and then looks at the way its sartorial and aesthetic qualities have resonated with different cultures and sectors, most notably with designers in high fashion. —J.V.