Impress Japanese People with Fresh Style and Figure
・For women, it is stylish to wear your hair up to show your neck, especially the nape of the neck. Sexy expression for Japanese is to close the chest area tightly up to the collar, exposing the back of the neck instead. With kimono or yukata, your style should not be "curvy"; straight is more beautiful.
・Drawing out a small sensu fan tucked between the yukata and the obi belt, or a small purse from the lapels at the torso, is true Japanese style.
・Kimono and Yukata exhibit an elegance and refined style, so it is important to move properly. With good manners. Sitting cross legged or resting your chin on your hands, for example do not match with yukata elegance.
・Showing a little leg is also fine, but be careful that your yukata doesn't open above the knees, as it is very poor yukata manners.
・Caution: If you are not used to wearing yukata or geta sandals, do not run as it is very easy to injure yourself! Until you get used to them, please take it slow.
Kimono is the traditional Japanese clothing that is famous abroad, but perhaps many people do not know about yukata. Kimono are formal traditional wear, so yukata are the lighter, more casual version. Perfect for summer festivals and events, when you visit Japan you are much more likely to enjoy a night on the town in yukata than kimono, and also since they are lighter and casual they also cost a lot less, making them great for gifts and souvenirs!
Yukata season is from June to September. They are sold commonly within the season at kimono specialty stores in local shopping areas or shops in station buildings. In the off-season you can browse selections online. A standard set with the yukata robe and obi belt for men or women is usually under 10,000 yen (about $100 U.S.) and sometimes geta wooden sandals are also included. If not, any type of sandal is OK to wear with yukata. Trying different combinations shows fashion sense! Good coordination of the yukata and belt lets the wearer’s fashion sense shine.
If you want to put on your yukata yourself, unfortunately tying the obi belt is quite difficult, but a version for adults called a SANJAKU-OBI (三尺帯) is easier.
The best places for wearing yukata and taking your photo are at shrines and temples, summer festivals, and you can also find unique residential areas and alleyways with a Japanese folk atmosphere.
[updated August 2022]
Illustration by Fili Mauai
Text: K. Tezuka
Translation: Greg
