Since emerging from the Stone Age, men and women have been divided by their social status. There are usually three types: high-class, middle-class, and poor. Clothes are some of the basic needs of men and women; even when Adam and Eve were sent to Earth, they were provided with leaves to cover their bodies.
After some time, when society modernized a little bit, new clothing designs were introduced through which every culture emerged at its peak and offered its traditional clothes to the rest of the world. The clothing industry is one of the highest-grossing industries in the world.
The benefit of a country having its traditional clothes is that when tourists from other countries visit your homeland, they are more likely to be impressed by the country’s traditional clothes and might take them home with them and show them to others, and the cycle will start moving, and the industry will make more revenue, which is its ultimate goal in the modern world.
Kimono and yukata are the two traditional dresses very common in Japan. Yukata is considered the summer outfit, whereas the kimono is a traditional dress that was drenched in history yet it has the same importance till now.
The main difference between both of these outfits is that the kimono is mostly made up of silk material, while the yukata is made of cotton or linen.
Let’s get an insight into this article to learn more about kimono and yukata.
Traditional Japanese Clothing and Their Ratings
Japan has been an extremely prosperous country in various aspects from the start. Even after the massive heartbreaking incident, they still managed to be among the world’s top countries.
Japan has shown progress in traditional clothing, which is famous throughout the world and has a separate status. Among the dresses in Japan, kimono and yukata are some of the most popular ones and are the favorites of Japanese people.
Yukata and kimono are both unique dresses; they are both long T-shaped dresses with long and wide sleeves with a beautiful rope around them, used and admired by both men and women.
The difference is slightly noticeable as they look very similar to one another, but a Japanese fashion enthusiast knows the difference.
Differences Between Kimono and Yukata
| Characteristics | Kimono | Yukata |
|---|---|---|
| Collar | Kimono is known for its soft and comfortable collar design which makes its user happy. | Yukata is hyped for the stiffness and hardness of its collar because of the material by which it is made, and yukata users think that it can keep them focused and affect their sleep. |
| Juban | Kimono has an exceptional quality in that it has two collars; one is the prominent collar which is close to the neck, and the other is just below the main collar. | Yukata, on the other hand, comes with only one yoke, which is the main collar around the neck, and does not have a second collar. |
| Sleeves | Sleeves on kimonos vary depending on the age of the user. The unmarried women wear very long sleeves that sometimes touch the ground, which makes men eligible to identify which women are available for marriage. There are regular-sized sleeved kimonos in the market available for sale as well. | Yukata does not vary the length of its sleeves according to its customers’ status. Yukata comes standard with the size of sleeves which is 50 cm. There is no chance of the yukata sleeve touching the ground. |
| Material | Kimono is known as a luxurious outfit as it is made of silk or brocade. It is worn with two collars. It is the symbol of luxury for the Japanese because silk is considered one of the most luxurious materials and is accepted worldwide. | Yukata was the design for Japanese nobles to wear after the bath to cool down. As their function was primary and it was used for a period of time it is made from cotton or polyester. |
| Season | Kimono is made from a heavy and thick material that is likely to be seen on the streets of Japan when it’s wintertime as it keeps them warm. | Yukata is likely to be seen in summer and sometimes in winter. It is more suitable for summer as it is made from light and air passing material |
| Occasions | The kimono is a formal dress and is usually worn at weddings, graduation, or formal meetings. It is seen in the winter season as it is a heavy and traditional dress. People wear it in restaurants. | Yukata is a less formal summer dress that is full of colors and is seen typically anywhere in the summer months. People wear them when watching fireworks displays or at summer festivals. |
Kimono Meaning
The word kimono is the combination of two words “ki” meaning “to wear” and “mono” meaning “thing.” So the word kimono simply means something that you can wear.
The kimono was first invented by the Chinese and named “hanfu.” But when it was introduced in Japan, its name was changed to kimono; and when the world modernized, the variations in kimono production also started hitting the sky limit.
Different types of kimonos are available in the present world. Some are made from silk or brocade, and nowadays, they are also available in cotton and polyester.
In this modern world, polyester kimonos are still in full swing. Japanese women like to wear polyester kimonos as they are versatile, warm, and elegant.
Yukata Definition
A yukata also looks like a kimono, but there is a big difference between them. A yukata is a type of dress that is worn in mid-summer or late summer. It is also very special to Japanese people.
The word yukata translates the meaning of “bathing cloth” as the culture grew from the west into Japan. The yukata is made from very light material using pure cotton or synthetic fiber.
It was originally designed for the bathers who like to jump into hot tubs from one another.
Fashion Style in Japan
Shopping for clothing is an immensely fun and effortless activity. It has proved to be one of the most stress- and tension-relieving activities; it has a significant psychological and physical impact, which can affect mental health as well.
- Japan is one of the most high-tech countries with stabilized economies, providing its citizens with good quality clothing and peace of mind.
- Japanese people prefer their traditional clothes over other countries’ clothing styles, which is the reason that they are so ahead of the rest of the world.
- Kimono and yukata have proved themselves to be some of the best sellers in Japan and are among the favorite clothes of the Japanese people.
- Japan is an all-seasons country and enjoys four seasons at their peaks, and so does the clothing industry.
- Regardless of what the weather conditions are, the Japanese may choose the kimono or yukata as it is easy and convenient.
- However, Japanese people nowadays rarely wear traditional clothing in everyday life and often reserve them for occasions.
Conclusion
- Kimono and yukata are two traditional Japanese clothing items. Each of these has its unique characteristics and significance.
- While both garments share similarities in appearance, they differ in terms of material, collar stiffness, sleeves, and occasions for wear.
- Kimonos are typically made of silk and worn on formal occasions during colder seasons. While yukatas are made of cotton or linen and are more casual, often worn in summer.
- The collar of a kimono is soft and comfortable, whereas a yukata’s collar is stiff and firm.
- Kimonos may have two collars, while yukatas have only one.
- Sleeve lengths on kimonos vary based on the wearer’s status and occasion. Whereas yukata sleeves are a standard size.
- Kimonos are associated with formal events like weddings. Whereas yukatas are worn for casual outings and summer festivals.
- Despite their differences, both garments hold significant cultural value in Japan. And they continue to be cherished by the Japanese people.