You can definitely put it on by yourself! A simple 10-minute yukata for men

Yukata, a summer staple, isn't just for women!
When summer comes, men also want to wear yukata. Wearing a yukata can be a different, more sexy and manly way to enjoy the summer at a higher level. In recent years, companies and universities have started having yukata days, and yukatas have become more familiar and are being incorporated into events. I think there will be more and more occasions where men will wear yukata, so for those of you who are interested, I'd like to introduce you to a simple 10-minute yukata dressing guide that you can do yourself!

What to prepare for dressing

For those who are wearing a yukata for the first time, I would like to introduce what you need to put on a yukata.
First, the yukata! Men's yukatas can be slightly shorter than women's, but it's best to choose one that fits your height. Materials include cotton, cotton-linen, and linen, but polyester is also becoming more common these days, and polyester is recommended as it's easy to store after washing.
Next, for the obi, it is better for men to wear a square obi or a heko obi. They are narrower than women's obi and come in a variety of materials, just like yukata.
Many people wear yukata directly on their bare skin, but when wearing a yukata to an event, we recommend wearing undergarments. A V-neck T-shirt and shorts are fine. However, it's best to choose white or gray to prevent see-through. Prepare one waist cord, about 3-5cm long, to secure the collar when putting on the yukata.
Finally, there are geta sandals. There are various designs for the thongs, so you can enjoy coordinating your feet with a design that matches your yukata. For men who are on the slimmer side, it is a good idea to bring an additional towel to wrap around your waist to stabilize the obi and make the finished look neater.

Easy 10-minute kimono dressing tips for men

Unlike women's yukatas, men's yukatas are worn without removing the hem, so choosing a yukata that fits your height is also important. Also, choose a short length for a crisp, refreshing look.
First, put on your underwear. Wear a V-neck T-shirt and shorts, and if you're thin, wrap a towel around your stomach on top of that. Wrapping a towel around your body will also help prevent your clothes from falling out of place, so even if you're not thin, it's a good idea to wrap a towel around your body depending on the situation.
Next, put on the yukata. Grab the cuffs on both sides and align them with the center of the yukata's back seam. From there, align the left and right kakeeri at the front, then hold both collars of the yukata with both arms outstretched. Open the front and align the tip of the lower front collar so that it touches your left collarbone, then do the same for the upper front. The key here is to make sure the hem is just long enough to reach your ankles or slightly shorter.
While holding the collar of the front part with your right hand, hold the center of the waist cord with your left hand. The waist cord will touch your hip bones and prevent the hem from spreading out. Hide the excess waist cord by wrapping it around your waist. Once you have wrapped the waist cord around it, make sure to smooth out any wrinkles. There will be a little slack in the back, but if you pull it down, the collar may come undone while you move, so be careful.

Men's Yukata Obi Tying

This time we will be tying the most common knot using a square sash, the "shell mouth" knot. It is called "shell mouth" because the knot resembles the mouth of a shell, but it is also known as the "man's knot."
First, take about 40-50cm from the end of your hand and decide on the length. Fold the section you took in half lengthwise to narrow the width and place the obi at the center of your body. Wrap the tail around your torso, taking it above the waist cord, and then wrap it once more. After wrapping the obi twice, hold the obi with your right hand at a naturally extended position, and if there is still any length left that looks like it is about to touch the floor, wrap it one more time. Fold the tail inward and hold it with your right hand and your hand with your left hand.
Place the sauce over the tips of your fingers at the center of your body and tie it, letting the sauce come out from the top. Hold the sauce vertically and fold the tips of your fingers diagonally up, then switch hands and fold the sauce down. Pass the sauce through the loop at the tip of your fingers, pull it out and tie it. Adjust the shape and bring the knot to the back. The key is to position it slightly to the left.

How was it?
Yukatas are easy to put on, so you can wear them not only to events but also for everyday outings, right? Nowadays, you can also accessorize your yukata with accessories such as boater hats and clutch bags, so why not have fun coordinating your yukata this summer and stand out from the crowd?