What is the difference between a Kimono and a Yukata in traditional Japanese clothing?
A Kimono has a stiff collar that stands up and a Obi belt to hold the garment in place. The Obi is tied with one’s back towards the right, while a Yukata’s belt is tied with your back facing to the left. A Yukata also has a shorter sleeve length and collar compared to that of Kimono.
When wearing an outdoor kimono or yukatta it is important to wear footwear so as not to walk around in public on dirtier floors. For Japanese people this footwear would be traditional socks called tabi, however for westerners these might typically be slippers (or sometimes socks) worn indoors with added rubber soles for additional traction when walking outside or moving across uneven surfaces such as tatami mats.
