Men's White Yukata, Fine Stripe Cotton

This white yukata is a men's cotton yukata in natural white, woven with a fine stripe and cut ankle length with wide sleeves. A yukata is the cotton summer kimono worn in Japan to fireworks, festivals and hot spring towns. Wear it to a street fair, on holiday or on a warm evening at home. It sits with our other men's yukata.

White and natural shades are the classic summer colours for a men's yukata. They stay cool in the sun. They also look crisp against a dark belt. The stripe is fine enough to read as plain white from across a room, yet up close it gives the cloth a little texture and keeps it from looking like a bathrobe.

Fit and sizing

The cut is straight and long. The sleeves are wide. Sizes XS and S are the maker's Asian M and L, relabelled to US sizing because Asian sizes run about one size small. The maker publishes no measurement chart. We can't give you cm or inch figures for this one. If you sit between the two, take S. The yukata wraps, so the waist is set by how you tie it.

Fabric and care

The label reads 100% cotton. Cotton breathes well in summer heat and grows softer as you wash it.

• Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, or hand wash.
• Hang to dry.
• Do not tumble dry.
• Wash it with whites so it stays bright.

How to wear it

Wrap left over right. Tie the belt low on the hips.

• Festival night: a dark kaku obi belt, tabi socks and wooden geta sandals.
• At home or after a hot bath: a soft heko obi tied in a loose bow, and bare feet on cool floorboards.
• In town: worn open with the belt left off, over a white T-shirt and wide black trousers, as a long summer coat with a quiet stripe.

For the shorter two-piece summer set, see our guide on what a jinbei is.