"Yukata" and "Kimono" seem similar, but what exactly is the difference? Have you ever heard of the term "summer kimono"? Let's take a look at the difference between "Yukata" and "summer kimono."
What is a yukata?
Yukata is a type of unlined kimono worn in the summer. In the past, yukata were used as loungewear, mainly as sleepwear, and unlike other summer kimonos, they usually have a collar called a "bachi-eri" (bachi collar), which has no fold. Yukata worn as loungewear or sleepwear were mostly white or navy blue. Nowadays, there are colorful yukatas with cute patterns, and yukata have become a standard summer outfit for going out to see fireworks or festivals. While cotton is the most common material for yukata, some are made from a blend of linen and silk. Recently, polyester yukatas have become more common, as they dry quickly and are wrinkle-resistant, making them easy to care for at home.What is a summer kimono?
Summer kimonos are unlined kimonos worn especially in July and August. Unlike yukata, they have wide, folded collars like regular kimonos. Summer kimonos are made of linen, silk, and other fabrics woven in a special way to keep you cool and comfortable against the skin during the hot summer months. Kimono fabrics called ro are a type of mojiri weave, which creates gaps in a plain weave. The many gaps allow for good breathability, and ro is thin and lightweight, making it ideal for summer kimonos. A popular summer fabric, suitable for formal occasions like weddings, is sha, which has a mesh-like texture and is also a type of mojiri weave. There are varieties such as monsha, which has a woven ground pattern, and futsusha, which is a double-woven fabric, and they can be worn for a wide range of occasions, from casual to semi-formal. Pairing a summer kimono with a pongee nagajuban and a sheer summer obi woven from pongee, gauze, ramie, or other linen materials will make the kimono look and feel cooler, creating a more summery look.Here's a little kimono trivia
Kimono are either lined or unlined. Lined kimonos are worn from October to May. Unlined kimonos are worn during the other months, from June to September. Kimono are made from a variety of materials, including cotton, silk, wool, and synthetic fibers. Kimono can be broadly divided into "kimonos with dyed patterns" and "kimonos with woven patterns." Kimono that are dyed first and then woven, known as "pre-dyed kimonos," are called "woven kimonos." Kimono that are dyed after the woven white fabric is finished, known as "post-dyed kimonos," are called "dyed kimonos." Generally, "dyed kimonos" are considered to be of a higher rank than "woven kimonos," and gorgeous, long-sleeved furisode kimonos and formal tomesode kimonos are examples of "dyed kimonos."What is the difference between a yukata and a kimono?
As mentioned at the beginning, yukata are a type of kimono, but there are some differences in how they are worn. Yukata are the only kimono that are allowed to be worn directly on the skin; other kimonos require an undershirt (undergarment worn directly on the skin) and a nagajuban (another layer of undergarment worn between the undershirt and the kimono), so this can be considered one of the major differences between yukata and other kimonos. However, this special rule exists precisely because yukata were originally worn as loungewear or sleepwear! Nowadays, when yukata are worn as outing wear, an undershirt is always worn underneath. Also, while kimonos are usually worn with tabi socks and then zori sandals, yukata are worn with bare feet in geta sandals. While traditional obi (sash) such as fukuro obi or Nagoya obi are commonly worn, yukata obi are worn with a "hanhaba obi," a sash that is half the width of a regular obi.You can wear a yukata as a kimono!
Yukata are a type of kimono and are almost identical in shape, so they can also be worn as kimonos. High-quality yukata, such as silk kobai and cotton kobai, can be worn as yukata on their own, but they are also often worn as kimonos with a nagajuban undergarment underneath. There are occasions when it is more appropriate to wear it as a kimono, right? When considering the occasion and wearing it as a kimono, pairing it with a summer Nagoya obi instead of a half-width obi will give it a more kimono-like look. Also, if you have a yukata with a more sheer weave, wearing it elegantly as a kimono is worth trying, as it can be worn for outings in the daytime sun or as a way to enjoy different styles, expanding the range of occasions you can wear it for. 
