Cats in kimonos is the new cute kawaii craze to hit the internet

2 Jul 2015

Cats in kimonos are taking over the internet. Photo via Shiroineko Vol.2

A fashionable fad involving cats in costume is the stuff internet dreams are made of, so no surprise that ‘kitmonos’ are catching on quickly.

The pet accessories industry has reached its pinnacle with these cat-sized kimonos on Amazon, and Japanese bloggers are posting pics of their kitties kitted out in these ornate traditional garments.

Cute animals in elaborate costumes is all par for course in the kawaii culture of Japan, home of Hello Kitty. But there’s something about these cats in kimonos that elevates this trend beyond mere cuteness to a more regal state of adorable. Even their poses allude to an air of indisputable elegance, not the typical ‘get me out of this costume’ face we usually see on pampered pets.

An album on Imgur prompted a bit of a pun-off to name the trend and, while ‘kimeowmeow’ and ‘catmono’ are good efforts, ‘kitmonos’ takes the cake.

Cats in kimonos

Photo via Kawai sugite tsurai

Cats in kimonos

Photo via The cats of long hair and days to spend

Cats in kimonos

Photo via The cats of long hair and days to spend

Cats in kimonos

Photo via The cats of long hair and days to spend

Cats in kimonos

Photo via The cats of long hair and days to spend

Cats in kimonos

Photo via Yuria

Cats in kimonos

Photo via The cats of long hair and the days which live Vol.2

Cats in kimonos

Photo via Kawai sugite tsurai

Cats in kimonos

Photo via Pet’s Eye

Cats in kimonos

Photo via Yuria

Cats in kimonos

Photo via carolinei.exblog.jp

And it’s not just cats getting in on the action, as dogs can do kimonos too!

Dogs in kimonos

Photo via Yuria

Main image via Shiroineko Vol.2

Gigglebit is Siliconrepublic’s daily dose of the funny and fantastic in science and tech, to help start your day on a lighter note – because sometimes the lighter side of STEM should be taken seriously, too.

Elaine Burke is the host of For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network. She was previously the editor of Silicon Republic.

editorial@siliconrepublic.com