Yukata

Many people confuse the above and would say that is a Kimono. Actually is a Yukata. The difference between them, beside the price that for a kimono can start at $1,000 up to even $20,000 or more depending on the quality; whereas for a Yukata would start at just $100 and up.

Now a days, Real kimono are used for Weddings or special events. And most of the time they are rented and not purchased (the bride can change kimono more than once during her wedding).

The one pictured above is a Yukata. Some old women still used Yukata but is becoming rare. What is more common is see some women that work for expensive restaurants or shops that still welcome customer with a yukata.

I saw an old Picture of Kobe a while ago, and some 50 or 70 years ago, was more common see Man and Women in traditional Japanese clothes....

An interesting thing: At weddings, guests wear black suits. I was surprised, ususally back in europe we wear them for funerals... The reason is that if guests wear colorful clothes, the bride would not be very visible (wearing a white kimono) and attention would be drawn from her to other people...

This might be an old tradition as i didn't have the chance, yet, to attend a japanese wedding...