How to Wear a Yukata

First, drape it over your shoulders (1), then slip your arms through the sleeves one by one (2). Pinch the sleeve ends with your fingers and pull them taut to the sides (3), aligning the center back seam with the center of your back.

Next, bring the tips of both collars together in front (4). Spread the left front panel slightly, then position the right front panel at the level of your left hip bone (5).

Then, pull the left front panel towards your right hip bone (6). At this point, tighten and tie the thin cord around your hip bones (7). A single knot, wrapped around to both sides, will prevent bulkiness when you tie the obi.

Choosing and Tying the Obi

Next is the obi. The easiest is a heko obi; wrap it around twice over the thin cord you just tied, and finish with a bow at the back.

While synthetic fibers are available, silk is still preferable. Avoid twisting it like a rope; fold it to some extent before tying. A wider obi can look childish. If the length is insufficient (i.e., if you have a larger waist), tie it with a simple knot.

You can also tie the obi in front and then rotate it to the back. When rotating, always turn it clockwise to avoid disturbing the kimono's fit. Shift the knot slightly off-center to the left or right, rather than directly behind, for a more stylish look.

Heko obi typically have shirring only at the ends. However, for a 'all-shirred' type where the entire obi is shirred, you can simply tuck the ends in after wrapping, without tying.

You could also consider buying a kaku obi right away. While pure silk is best, a cotton kaku obi can also be a stylish choice for yukata. We'll cover how to tie it in a future installment.

This level of dressing should be manageable for anyone, as ryokans often provide yukata upon arrival.
There's just one key to wearing it well: tie the obi at the waist. Tying it at the natural waist will cause the hem to flare out like a skirt, looking rather comical. To achieve a silhouette that tapers towards the hem, pull up the corners of both lower hems slightly.

The principle is 'a suit is worn on the shoulders; a kimono is worn at the waist.' Please consider the method for wearing a yukata as the fundamental basis for wearing any other kimono.

Fireworks with Her: Perfect

And there you have it. For footwear, geta sandals would be the natural choice with bare feet. They're perfect for festivals or fireworks dates with your partner. Zori or setta sandals are also fine. Please, no sneakers or plastic flip-flops.

See? Yukata are the essence of summer, aren't they? Wear it with a cool, sophisticated air, as if to say, 'Isn't this stylish?'

If you're carrying many items like a wallet, phone, or digital camera, you'll need a small bag. If you can manage by tucking them into the inner pockets (futokoro or tamoto), that's fine too. Oh, and don't forget a fan. Usually, it's tucked into the obi, but be careful it doesn't slip out and get lost. A round fan (uchiwa) looks best tucked into the back of the obi.