Many of you might have heard the word "Yukata" before, but do you actually know what it is, and have you ever tried wearing one? Yukata is a type of kimono worn in summer, which is more casual and lighter than other kimonos. It has initially been relaxing clothes worn after a bath in medieval Japan and then became summer clothes both inside and outside the home.
Yukatas are made up of multiple articles of clothing! We've put together a list of Yukatas that come as a set, as well as the items sold separately, so you can mix and match your Yukatas if you choose to!
Today, Japanese people wear Yukata for the summer festivals, firework festivals, or when they go out to eat, visit temples, or shrines. Especially in historical sightseeing cities, such as Kyoto, Kamakura, Kanazawa, Kurashiki, or Tokyo, we can see many Japanese and visitors from foreign countries wearing Yukata. Even outside of Japan, you may be able to wear Yukata for various things, for example, anime events, cosplay events, your home, casual parties, or intercultural events. Or just for relaxing after a bath!
Compared with other types of kimono, Yukata is much easier to wear. Although it is prevalent for professional dressers to help people wear kimonos, Yukata is an exception.
Most Japanese people put on Yukata without dressers and enjoy the summer with traditional Japanese clothes. Because of the more casual role Yukatas play in Japan, it is often more affordable compared to kimonos. For someone interested in traditional Japanese clothing, Yukata is a great starting point.
Yukata 3-Sets
Most Yukata sets come in a 3-set and, at times, a 4-set. These are both available for Yukatas for women and men. Here is a shortlist of options for Yukata sets!
Women's Yukata 3-Item Sets on Amazon.
Women's Yukata 3-Item Sets on Rakuten
Men's Yukata 3-Item Sets on Amazon.
Men's Yukata 3-Item Sets on Rakuten.
Most sets come with getas! So no need to find getas when buying a Yukata set! If you aren't sure if your set comes with geta or you're worried about sizes, don't worry. We have a large selection of getas as well!
There are just two steps for both women and men: putting on the Yukata and the Obi (belt). To wear a Yukata by yourself, you need a bit of practice. You can do it yourself with a mirror or help each other with someone else.
How to Wear a Yukata
To wear Yukata, you need a minimum of two items: Yukata and Obi. In addition to these two, waist cords (腰ひも; 腰紐) are very helpful for both women and men to wear Yukata beautifully. But you can use any cords or belts you have as substitutes.
A simple WikiHow on How to Wear Yukatas is available online.
Yukatas and Kimonos are excellent for every body style, so wearing them how you feel the most comfortable is important!
A big tip for wearing Yukatas and Kimonos is never to have the right side of the fabric over the left. This is how people dress the deceased in Kimonos and Yukatas.
Two Main Types of Obis
Your Yukata set will come with an Obi. Obi's are divided into two major types: the ones you don't need to tie and the ones you need to tie. The ones you don't need to tie are called Tsuke Obi, Tsukuri Obi, or Kantan Obi. These do not require much work, and the result is very similar to a regular obi.
Men's Yukata does not require highly intricate bows tied by Obi's, so a tsukuri obi is unnecessary. Getting a regular Obi and tying it to your liking is the way to go.
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Yukata is very easy but also very profound. You can coordinate Yukata with different Obi, sandals, or bags if you want. Or, you can arrange your hairstyle or tie Obi differently.
(Personally, the first type of kimono I learned to wear was Yukata. I learned how to wear a Yukata when I was around 12 years old. My sister and I helped each other and wore Yukatas together for the summer festival. Now, I can wear several kimonos by myself, including Yukata, basic kimono, and hakama.)
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