We get dressed in the morning...So did they!

In ancient japan they didn't necessarily wear komonos. They wore a dress that resembled something of the Chinese culture. Women used to wear a dress type thing called a Hakema. They soon went to an ankle length robe. During this time the woman also experimented with wearing things on their heads...ie a viel or a hat.
Most of the clothes in Ancient clothes were robe type things with patterns. These patterns would often symbolize religion.
Heavier clothing (robes) were often worn only by the emporer. THey would be embroidered with dragons.
Another common outfit for the woman was the cheongsam. The cheongsam was a tight fitting dress that had a high neck. It had slits all the way up the sides and a closed collar.