Traditional yukata now a trendy item

Young Japanese girls conscious of modern fashion have recently taken to wearing traditional yukata. These summer robes have always been simple airy garments, often worn after bathing. Recently, famous Japanese brands have produced yukata in a myriad of colourful designs and various types including men's styles, and have become available in department stores, by mail order and on ebay.

Like a kimono, the obi (sash) on a yukata is difficult to tie and is one of the reasons why the younger generation had tended to avoid them. However, simple, detachable obi are now available which make wearing a yukata easier. Bare feet and geta (Japanese clogs) are typically paired with a yukata, but people also choose to wear thongs or sandals these days.

A few years ago, the fashionable yukata used cute, and somewhat unconventional colours and styles such as the short "miniskirt" hems, which made wearing one a lot freer and easier. Today however, the yukata of choice by young women are the more traditional designs and shapes that have often been associated with the older female population. These yukata use classic shades of blue and print designs adopted from kimono. On average, a yukata costs between 10,000-30,000 yen (A$100 to $300).

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