Event Announcement: UNIQLO yukata

They've already been up for sale for at least a week, but UNIQLO has started selling this year's yukata already! Or, at least, they're selling the women's yukata already :)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO SITE

Usually, I'd be drooling over everything, but for the moment, only one or two sets actually appeal to my taste. *determined* I will keep checking for updates!! Maybe they'll have some nicer ones later on in the season :D

They usually sell men's and kid's yukata sets too. I'll post something when they start selling them :)

For those who want to start wearing kimono, these are actually really great. Yukata are the easiest form of kimono you can wear, excluding jinbei, and are the best for beginners. The sets from UNIQLO contain almost everything you'll need for wearing yukata, including an instruction booklet on how to put them on! Plus, they're really cheap ;)

For women's sets, they come with two himo (the ribbons you use to secure the yukata in place), the yukata, a matching obi, and a matching bag. All you need are shoes (you can use nice sandals) and undies, which can just be a spaghetti strap top and a thin knee-length skirt slip. I think the instructions booklet is easy enough to understand, but then again, that may be because I already know how to wear a yukata haha!

I can't wait till they start selling men's yukata sets again. I really really want to buy a nice set for my brother, and UNIQLO sets are always so comfortable and they look good. Here are a few pictures of me and my friends and family wearing UNIQLO yukata:

Liss and I at home, on Christmas hols '07. I think these two sets were from the '06 UNIQLO yukata season.




My sister is wearing a red bunny UNIQLO yukata. The set it came in had a different obi, but this obi is the same one I'm wearing above. I bought this set second hand, so I don't know which season it's from.




Mel (on the right) is wearing my black bunny yukata set from the '08 UNIQLO yukata season.




I bought this one second hand, too, so I don't know which season it's from either. But isn't it soooo cute???? :D




Some of my most comfortable and most loved yukata too :D I have a second-hand hanabi (fireworks) motif yukata that I bought second hand, but it wasn't in a set. I've got a few outfits for it, and I'm planning to wear it to Bon Odori this year! But I'm not sure if I should keep "saving" it for then. There are soooo many beautiful outfits Hong and I have created out of that one yukata, and it'd be nice to wear it out to London one day....

Anyway, this post turned kinda long, even though I just wanted to let people know that UNIQLO is selling yukata again ^^;;;;;; I hope more non-Japanese people will buy them and post lovely pictures for us to see! (*hint hint hint....*)

I want this furisode set!

Hey, if anyone wants to give me a gift and had $500USD lying around, this would be perfect! XD

(Click HERE for the page)

I've actually been eyeing this set for months. The patterns and colours really appeal to me, plus it's a really great fit, if a little too long for me! I love that the sleeves are so long (113cm - that touches the floor when I put it on!) because the longer the sleeves, the more elegant it looks.

*sighs sadly* But that is really waaaaay too much to spend. Maybe if it hasn't already been bought by the time I start working..? :P

Coordination Comments: Two yukata coordinates!

I was feeling rather restless tonight, as I'd had a very heavy dinner, and when I'm too full, I can't sleep. I didn't want to shop online, and I was afraid to do my coursework, in case I made some major mistake in my calculations through my sleepiness.

So what did I do? Put together some yukata ensembles, of course! (^____^)V

I've been dying to wear an outfit that was more "otona" (adult/mature-woman/etc) with an otaiko bow. I'd even set my one ro juban aside for it, but the juban turned out to be much to small in the shoulders for the yukata, so I had to forgo having a juban collar. (Note: "Ro" is a type of weave of the cloth that makes it semi-transparent. Very good for the summer, as it is very cool to wear. Most of the better-quality yukata are made of cotton ro material.)

Unfortunately, I only have one obiage and obijime set here in Malaysia, and it isn't a ro set. It isn't even an informal set! Noooo, it's a formal pink shibori obiage and a wide (more formal) pink obijime. Nevertheless, I highly doubt anyone here in Malaysia would really be able to point out the difference (except for the residents of the Japanese flats near my house maybe), so I think I'll wear it out anyway.

Here is the first set:

The yukata is one of the first yukata I've ever bought online, and is from UNIQLO. It came as a set with a white hanhaba obi (which I love to bits!). I'd bought this odori (dance) obi ages ago, and hadn't any idea what to wear it with till I thought it would match this yukata. I was thinking that the pink of the obiage and obijime might be a little random and startling in this ensemble, and I'd actually love to wear a green or maroon set with this, but navy and pink seem to be worn together often enough that this is possibly forgiveable.

And up next is the second set!

This is another yukata from my first online purchase, also a yukata from UNIQLO. It was featured in one of the fashion magazines the year after! I was soooo excited to see that I had a yukata that actually appeared in a magazine *laughs*

Anyway, this yukata came with a black hanhaba obi. For coordinating this set, I'd stuck to the same general colour scheme because I wasn't quite sure what else to put with this. I like that it's all black and pink, but I have one tiny (okay, MAJOR) problem with this outfit - the obi is MOFUKU!!!! (Note: "Mofuku" is funeral-wear for those in mourning. It refers to any item that is all black. Obi have a black-on-black motif, and kimono will be all black with 5 family crests. Even the accessories like the obi ita and obi makura are black!)

I actually hadn't realised that it was mofuku when I bought it, because all the pictures indicated that it was a black obi with a gray pattern on it. I was understandably shocked when I received this in the mail, but it wasn't the seller's fault that I'd misunderstood his description (read: hadn't read the description thoroughly).

Although I like this outfit better than the navy one (in terms of obiage-obijime-matching), I'm still very hesitant to wear such a glaringly obvious mofuku item out. On the Immortal Geisha forums, there are whole threads dedicated to arguments for and against wearing mofuku items out. Some forumers say that different people tell them different things: it's a big faux pas to wear any mofuku item out, one should use little mofuku items in everyday kitsuke to get more use out of it, it's alright to wear a mofuku obi as long as the accessories are colourful. It all makes me dizzy!!

I think I wouldn't mind wearing it out (after all, I've seen pictures of people doing it in Japan), but I'm horribly afraid I'd offend someone with it.

What think you? Wear it out, or keep it in the closet?

I want this set!!

Okay, I haven't really been posting much about kimono these days x_x"" It's not so much because I've been losing interest, but rather, I haven't been buying anything new lately ^^;;

Anyway, I thought I'd post about this set from Yamatoku Classics that I've been eyeing for years now. I really really like it, but it costs $320! Then again, the sizing is really good, plus it's a 7-piece set. It has the kimono, the obi, a juban, the obiage, the obijime, the zori and a matching bag! It's so very much worth it - but I just balk at the idea of spending so much in one go.

Here are pictures of the set. Enjoy!

Front view of the whole set:

Upclose view of the front:
Side view:
Back view:
Upclose view of the back:

*sighs* Isn't it just gorgeous?? I know that this sort of pattern doesn't really appeal to many people, but it just strikes me as the kind of kimono I'd wear often. It's so casual and so "town-wear" that I can't help but want it!! *hint hint* Birthday present, anyone? :P

UNIQLO yukata sets!

UNIQLO has once again started selling yukata sets. The link to the site is here. ^___^ The prices have gone up since they first started selling them.. They used to go at ￥3990, but this summer they're being sold for ￥4990! *sighs* Inflation, inflation.

Anywayz, I thought I'd post a few pictures of the ones I like! I couldn't get close-up pictures (it was a flash player thingy that controlled the zooming in and out), but I assure you they're really pretty!

The first has retro-ish spots on a navy yukata. O_O OMG even though I hate spots in any yofuku (Western clothing), I've adored spots in kimono for a long time! *sighs dreamily*
Second is a black yukata (again) with a rose pattern. It doesn't look like much here, but it looks gorgeous up-close!!
Last of all is my absolute favourite set that I feel I MUST have! It's white, with a more autumn-y pattern in maroon. I want it so badly!! It has everything I love in kimono! White based yukata - check. Vertical stripes on yukata - check. Darker, more mature colours for pattern, - check. Said colours are a variation of red/maroon/purple - CHECK!! *sighs* I want it so badly!
Can I get it....? *puppy eyes* Please?

Closet Feature: Hee! Red bunnies UNIQLO Yukata!

I promised I'd post a picture of the JPY1000 Uniqlo yukata set that I got and here it is!
You can't see if very clearly, but it's a very bright red colour, with bunnies and flowers on it. Here are the details:
The obi is double-sided, with a bright yellow background and dark yellow flowers on one side and the same pattern, but with inversed colours on the other side.

Isn't it pretty? In fact, today's weather was so good, I decided to wear it! Of course, I'd forgotten it was longer than most of my kimono so I ended up having a longer-than-appropriate ohashori, but that's alright! It isn't that much longer :P

Okay, I gotta go and do housework now. Bye!

Ling> I forgot to mention in my last post, but the BUNNIES ARE SOOOOO CUTE!!! I especially love that site with Oscar the Bunny :P I even told Patty to have a look and he said we should get a fluffy white bunny too hehehe... Of course, while we're dreaming about pets, we can always dream of getting a chincilla or ten, and maybe a tiger/cheetah/leopard cub too. Nyehehehehehe...

Closet Feature: Men's Yukata Set o_O

I think I've lost weight. Really, I'm not sure, and the only thing I have to prove it is that my hip measurements have gone down 1/2 an inch since a month ago. That doesn't say very much does it? =_="" But still! I'm on my way back to hourglass figure :P My bust either needs to grow 1 1/2 inches or my hips need to reduce that amount. I'd rather it be my hips, really :P

It's getting loads warmer! I don't need my winter coats anymore (despite the fact that they're still hanging up behind my door) and when the weather is good (like today) I don't even need a coat to go out! *yay* Joy, for the time to wear yukata is coming! Heehehhehe.

After reading my past few posts, I realise I haven't posted about kimono for a month! *bad me* Anyway, about two months ago, I bought a men's yukata set for my brother. It finally arrived sometime last week! It looks good, and quite different from the other yukata I bought for him a year ago. Here's a picture or two:


The little sharp (okay, hash, I'm told it's called, but I prefer to call the symbol "sharp" like in piano notes) you see in the center of the second photo is the pattern on the yukata. It looks really nice! I must say, it was a good idea for me to buy one that was white, because all of Patty's others are dark blue. I'm not sure if it'll actually fit Patty, but if it doesn't, I guess I'll have to sew it up so that it does. Or maybe loan it out to someone else when they need it.

One really good thing that I love about this set is that the obi is pre-tied! I never knew that men's obi could be pretied as well, but I guess that was a stupid thought, because practically anything in kitsuke can be pretied! Here's a picture:


The little line you see on the obi in the picture of the man is actually a velcro strip. Convenient, eh?

I just had a thought. Now that we have 2 men's yukata sets and countless women's yukata sets, it would be reaaaally nice to have a family yukata outing, wouldn't it? Oh no wait, I just remembered, we need one for Pot too.... *makes a face* How often would the guys wear yukata anyway? Should I buy more or not? *sighs* But I guess that'll depend on the prices of the yukata sets. This one in particular was ￥2980, which really isn't bad for a whole outfit!

It isn't as cheap as my new Uniqlo yukata set though. Someone was trying to get rid of one, even though it's never been worn before (you can tell by the cloth texture and everything) but sold it for only ￥1000!! If you bought it in-store in Japan, it would cost ￥3500 without tax! *gleeful* THAT was what I call a bargain! I'll post up pics of my Uniqlo set later today or tomorrow. It's so cute!! Hehehehe...

Okay, I've rambled enough already. Toodles, people!

Closet Feature: It arrived!!

Hey guys! Remember this yukata set I posted a while back?

I finally received it today and it's really gorgeous!! Not to mention that apart from what's in the pics, they threw in 3 other free stuff too! Okay, sure, it's a fan, a koshihimo and a pair of socks, but hey! At least we got free stuff! :P The socks were completely unexpected - quite a pretty pair too! It's black, with silver spots and gray sparrows. Oh, and peonies too. Cute xD

The geta are slightly big, but I think they'll be alright. *mwee*

New layout!

Hi all!!

As you can tell, I've changed the layout of the blog ^_^ Like it? It wasn't my first choice, actually, but for the one I wanted, I couldn't figure out how to get the pictures to be solid rather than see-through!! So yeah, I got this instead. But it IS pretty, isn't it? ^_^

Anywayz, just thought I'd post a new yukata set I bought from Yahoo Japan Auctions!


The yukata is in various shades of purple and the flower featured is the peony. It is made of cotton. The obi is a heko obi and 38cm wide. I absolutely love the contrast between the black and the purple!! I really love black and purple together on kimono. I also adore the spider web pattern!! *hearts*

That's all for now, folks! ^_^

Ling> I bought a bottle of truffle olive oil from Borough Market when Patrick was last here. When you guys come to London, you absolutely HAVE to try it!!!

Closet Feature: (=^_^=) 2 lots of 5 yukata

I bought the 5pc yukata set in the end!
I also bid for this one: x_x
I still don't know if I should bid for the other set. Should I? Should I? Should I?

On the other hand, I decided not to bid on a nice, modern kimono set, where the obi has a pattern of gambling cards. It would've cost JPY8000 if no one contested me for them, but I thought yukata would be better since I'll only be in cold weather for another year and 1/4 or so. besides, yukata are so much easier to wear and take care of XP

I can't wait to receive it! Along with the other yukata and furisode I got from YJA. I also got an obidome converter (it turns brooches into obidome. Useful thing to have, especially if I'm looking to recreate Kimono Hime or Mamechiyo looks!) ^____^

Which one to get..?

Hello~~

Yeah, I've been shopping on Yahoo Japan Auctions lately, and I've come across these two sets and I can't decide which I'd rather get.

First is a full yukata set, which I really want because of its unusual patterns and very nice colour. It costs ￥4900. It sounds abit expensive, but really, the whole set is only US$49! Plus, it has the same look as the ones from Kamoya that I like, only it's waaaaaay cheaper, and comes with geta too!

Next up is a set of 5 yukata, which costs ￥4980 for ALL FIVE OF THEM! The seller has other sets of 5 as well, but I like this one since it has 4 colours I don't (i.e. sky blue, green, yellow and bright red). In fact, I'm not sure I have one that has that much black in it either.... Anyway, it's a pack of 5 yukata. Worth it, doesn't it sound??

I'm very tempted to just order both. Should I?

Something I want!

While this is not something I've bought (even if I do dearly wish to own it), I just absolutely HAVE to post pictures of this hakama set that was posted on Mamechiyo's blog!!

Don't you just adore that combination of brown and pink? With hints of orange to harmonize the whole set.. And that cute bow for your hair!! The tulips on the han-eri (the patterned juban collar.. han eri is the name of the patterned cloth you sew onto your juban's collar so that it's colourful rather than plain white) completes the look.

I really like how they added that decoration thingy (there's a name for this, but I just can't put my finger on it at the moment) to the obi at the top of the hakama. I don't think I ever would have thought of that! It might make it look really busy at that area, but the retro look IS meant to be busy, after all.

*sighs dreamily* Someday, I WILL recreate this look! *gets fired up in determination and runs off screaming about the 'springtime of youth'* :P If you didn't get my reference, go watch Naruto the anime.

Yukata set!

Hi again!

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, but it's been a busy week. First, Mel and I went to Concord for Reunion weekend. The trip back was horrid, although not the worst I'd ever heard about.

Then I had coursework to finish - just handed it in today. I really really dislike this module - heck the lecturer himself said that we were trying to compress a 2 year module into one term (i.e. 10 weeks)! Crazy. If that weren't enough, our textbook is actually a textbook for MBA students. Go figure.

Anyway, sometime in the course of the past two weeks, I bought this yukata set:

Detail of yukata:

Pretty isn't it??? Plus, I get a free uchiwa fan to go with it!! I haven't got a picture with me at the moment, but when I get it, I'll take pics to show!

I got it all for US$60 - about US$15 more expensive than my previous UNIQLO sets, but this one comes with geta (the slippers)! And a free uchiwa... AND a nicer bag! *squees* I can't waaaaait ^______^ Ooooh, I wish summer would hurry up and arrive just so I can wear it out! *giggles evilly*

Just to point out - you see the obi? How it's all tied up already and with that weird white hook? That's a tsuke obi. Very easy to use. Just wrap the long piece around your torso, and tie it in place (with attached strings that will be hidden), then hook the metal bit into the back of the strip and secure the bow in place by tying it with strings attached. A little difficult to explain, so I'll post a demonstration of how to use it when I get it and can take pictures.

I'm still contemplating buying the yukata sets from Kamoya. If I do, I'll have it sent to Malaysia - after all, that's where I'm gonna wear them. Plus, my sis likes them too, so there will be more people wearing yukata! *yay to spreading the love of kitsuke around!*

I've been having this really really odd craving for blueberry muffins lately, so I baked some just now. I just happened to have a box of Bisquick in my cupboard and a bag of blueberries sitting in the fridge, so I whipped these up:

Not very sweet, but bursting with blueberries! Yumminess. I think I'll go have another one, with a glass of milk. Bye people!

Closet Feature: Kimono Item of the Week~~

Alright, this time it's a little different, cos I thought I'd post one of my yukata sets instead. Now, I'm only posting this as a set because this was the way the seller posted the picture :P Yes, I bought it 2 n a half years ago as a set, and it came like that as well as with 3 koshi himo. The whole set is actually in Malaysia at the moment cos I wear it the most often there. I just noticed I typed the word 'set' once in every sentence in this paragraph. LoL.

This may be one of my favourite yukata of all those that I have. I really like the colour of the dark blue and white together, and since I rarely wear dark colours on my actual clothes, this makes for a nice and refreshing change. Also the cloth is good quality and feels lovely against my skin, plus it's so breathable! To come to think of it, I've worn this yukata more often than any of my sets altogether! o_O

I will also admit that I really love the obi, mainly for the fact that it's plain white and will look good with any of my coloured komon! The joy ^______^ Maybe I really should've brought it back to London, just so I can wear kimono more easily.. (otaiko obi is much harder to tie compared to hanhaba obi!) Just as a small note, hanhaba obi = obi where the width of the whole obi is around 6" or 15cm.

I have pictures of me wearing it (in fact, I'd just worn it less than a month ago!) but those are in my brother's laptop and I forgot to take the pics from him! Oh well... Next time then! ^^ Turrah!