Kimono VS Yukata

While kimono and yukata may look similar, they are actually very different.

First of all, yukata is worn close to the skin, meaning, it doesn't require any undergarments. It is meant to be light and made for hot and humid summer of Japan. Kimono on the other hand always consists of two robes: a simple one that is closer to the skin and an outer layer, usually made out of more expensive and elaborate cloth.

The other difference between these two garments is the material. Yukata is usually made out of cotton, while kimono is generally made out of silk, but could also be made out of brocade, cotton or wool.

Yukata is worn during summer and is designed to be very informal clothing. Hence, it is worn barefeet. It is also usually paired with geta sandals. Kimono on the other hand is more formal and is suited for more serious occasions, like tea ceremony. For this reason, it requires feet to be covered in tabi socks and is usually paired with zori shoes.

Kimono and yukata also have very different belts (obi), especially for women. While yukata belt consist of only one piece, kimono belt may consist of three visible layers with much more intricate design. Kimono belt can easily be the most expensive part of the clothing considering how complex the design of it can be.

Examples of obi belt designs:

Authors:

Illustrations: Vlada Morgun