When summer comes, you'll want to go out wearing your favorite yukata!
There are lots of fun events in the summer, such as fireworks displays and festivals.
When you buy a yukata, what do you look for?
What color or design do you like? What size? What price?
There are probably various points to consider depending on the person, but since it is something to wear during the hot summer months, I think the material is an important point.
Since it touches your skin, comfort is important!
Even though they are all called yukata, there are many different types, even just in terms of materials.
Each yukata has its own unique characteristics, so choose the one you like best and you'll be able to wear it comfortably!
This time, we will introduce some of the materials used in yukata.
[cotton red plum]
This is one of the weaving methods often used for yukata.
As you can tell from the first character of the name, the material is woven from cotton.
When it comes to summer kimonos, there are some that are called "silk red plum" and some that have the same "red plum" weave but are made out of silk.
Now, let me explain how "Koume" is woven.
The weaving technique in which a grid pattern is created using thick cotton threads on thin, smooth cotton fabric is called "Cotton Beniume Weave."
The thin cotton fabric and thick threads create an uneven texture in the fabric, so it doesn't cling to the skin as much as flat fabrics, making it cool and refreshing to wear.
It's also breathable, so it won't get stuffy even if you sweat in the summer.
By the way, the name "Koume" is said to come from the uneven texture (gradient) of the fabric.
It's a very stylish Japanese name!
[Cotton]
This is a weaving method that is commonly seen in summer materials, and the material itself is, as the name suggests, cotton.
To put it simply, the fabric is woven in a way that creates tiny dot-shaped holes, giving it a sheer appearance and a very refreshing look.
It might be easier to understand if you think of it as lace in clothing.
It is made using a coarse weave technique called "karamiori."
It feels smooth to the touch and is very light, so it's very comfortable to wear.
However, since the material is somewhat sheer, we recommend wearing yukata underwear when wearing it to prevent it from being see-through.
[Cotton/Linen]
As the name suggests, this material is a blend of cotton and linen.
Linen is breathable and quick-drying, making it the perfect material for the sweaty summer months.
However, linen has the weakness of being prone to wrinkling.
"Cotton linen" reduces this by weaving cotton into the fabric.
Linen is yellow to brown in color, so when woven with white cotton, the overall color becomes off-white, creating a mature look.
If you're tired of the same old yukatas, try a cotton-linen one.
It may give you a different impression than before.
The ratio of cotton to linen varies depending on the yukata.
If there is a lot of cotton, the fabric will feel soft to the touch, and if there is a lot of linen, the fabric will be crisp and the color will be a darker off-white color.
The label on the yukata or roll of fabric will show the ratio, so check it to see what ratio suits you best.
[cotton shrinkage]
Finally, we will introduce cotton shrinkage.
Cotton shrinkage is a fabric woven using threads that have been twisted tightly.
Because the threads are spun during weaving, they tend to return to their original shape when the fabric is finished, creating a crumpled, uneven texture known as "shibori."
It does not cling to the skin and is breathable, making it an ideal fabric for the hot, sweaty summer season.
Even though it is the same "shikkiori" fabric, its characteristics vary slightly depending on the region where it is woven.
Some famous ones include Echigo (Ojiya) Sukiyaki and Akashi Sukiyaki.
What did you think?
We tend to choose a yukata based solely on color and design, but it might be more interesting to also pay attention to the material and weaving method.
When purchasing a yukata at a store, be sure to not only look at it, but also touch the fabric to check the material.
If you can't actually touch the product on an online store like ours, please check the material label.
Go out in a refreshing yukata during the hot summer!
