Posts Tagged ‘Japanese robes’

The History and Popularity of Cotton Kimonos and Yukatas

Sunday, April 30th, 2023

Japanese kimonos and yukatas are traditional garments that have been worn for centuries. While the styles and cuts of these garments have changed over time, one thing has remained constant – the use of cotton for both kimonos and yukatas. In this blog post, we’ll explore why cotton is popular with these garments and how it has become an integral part of their history.

The origin of Kimonos dates back to the 8th century when they were used as everyday clothing by the nobility. By the 16th century, kimonos had become more ornate due to the rise in silk production in Japan. Silk was favored for its luxurious feel and sheen, but it was also expensive to produce. As a result, commoners began looking for alternative fabrics that would be less costly but still maintain a high level of quality. That’s where the cotton came in!

Cotton had long been a popular fiber in Japan due to its breathability and comfort. However, it was not widely available until the late 19th century when trading opened between Japan and other countries. This influx of foreign cotton allowed Japanese dressmakers to create garments that were both fashionable and affordable. As a result, cotton quickly became the fabric of choice for both kimonos and yukatas.

Cotton is also popular because it is easy to dye in rich colors such as indigo blue or vibrant red. These are popular and symbolic colors that are often associated with traditional Japanese attire (e.g., red for celebrations). Additionally, unlike silk or wool, cotton does not require any special care or maintenance. It can be worn day after day without worry about damage or staining. Finally, cotton is lightweight yet durable so it can be folded up easily for storage or transport without fear of tearing or fraying.

Japanese kimonos and yukatas have been around for centuries but their popularity has never waned thanks in large part to their traditional use of cotton fabric. Not only is this fabric affordable but it is also comfortable, easy-care, lightweight yet durable. This makes it perfect for creating beautiful garments that can be enjoyed by men and women alike. So if you’re looking to add a bit of traditional flair to your wardrobe then consider investing in some timeless Japanese apparel made from high-quality cotton.

Chopa.com is your Kimono Source. They have been a leading online provider of Japanese attire since 1994. Having served over 33,000 customers, their reputation is established and customer service is highly rated. You can shop their online Kimono Shop 24 hours a day. Besides reasonable prices and quality garments, Chopa offers fast shipping.

kimono shopping

Photo courtesy of
Victoriano Izquierdo.

And the WINNERS are…..Top Five Sellers for April, 2021

Thursday, May 6th, 2021

Top selling kimono

Each month we like to celebrate and wrap up the month with our Best Selling Kimono and Yukata list. This idea came as a result of our customers who write us and asked for ideas about which Kimono or Yukata would be the right one for a gift, a spouse, a kid, significant other or even themselves. While we always point out that selecting a kimono is simply a personal choice, we are happy to provide feedback if they have certain questions or need comparison information. We have been selling kimono and yukata for over 27 years and have learned at least a thing or two.

This has become a fun and enjoyable task each month and also helps us with inventory, ordering needs and knowing what’s the most popular choice during the past 30 days. Check back each month if you have an interest in what the current trend is for the most popular Japanese robes. We received an email  from a repeat customer the other day, who had been sitting on the fence deciding on a choice for his next yukata.  He has purchased several from us over the past year and wanted to add to his collection.  He mentioned that he sometimes has a hard time deciding because of the many styles we offer, but began to look at this list we publish monthly and said it really helped him. His newest yukata was shipped last month and he wrote us to say he couldn’t be more happy with his choice.  He wanted us to give a shout out to our customers for helping him decide. This customer thinks he is getting older and has a harder time making decisions to which we say, you are not getting older, just becoming more “retro”. Last month was his birthday and we included a nice little gift with his purchase. It’s the little things like this that make us love what we do.  We love hearing from customers, so if you have thoughts, questions, comments or concerns, please let us know.  You can use the email address listed on our order confirmation or our Contact Us form located on the web.

So, without further delay, here are the TOP FIVE SELLERS in April:

  1. Yukata – Pink Cherry Blossom
  2. Happi Coat – Blue Koi
  3. Yukata – Great Wave – Purple
  4. Yukata – Dragon & Mt. Fuji – Black
  5. Yukata – Dragon and Hawk

We have been very busy shipping Mother’s Day gifts over the past few weeks, so it wasn’t a surprise to see the Pink Cherry Blossom yukata hit the number one spot.  The balance of the list were men’s robes, so it would appear that customers are shopping early for Father’s Day, June 20th, and perhaps picking up yukatas for the warmer summer months. Of course we usually see a brisk shift in business for graduations and weddings from now through the end of July.

Whatever the event you have throughout the year, if you need a unique gift, visit us online at www.chopa.com. We offer a large selection of Japanese robes for men, women and kid’s. We receive dozens and dozens of notes each season telling us what a great idea these were for gifting. Of course, don’t forget Christmas which is our biggest selling season of all. It’s never to early to start a gift list and we offer an extended return window for Christmas purchases which is announced later in the year. For now, let’s just enjoy the warmer weather rolling in and the bright sunny days ahead.  Here in Florida it has already warmed up and the roads and beaches are becoming more crowded each week. Our short length Happi Coats are popular and very stylish as cover ups at the beach or pool. Lounging on the patio with a cool cocktail isn’t a bad idea either.

TOP FIVE SELLERS IN FEBRUARY

Tuesday, March 16th, 2021

Best selling yukata.

The best sellers in February were:

1)  Dragon & Mt. Fuji Yukata – Blue
2)  Navy Kagome Yukata
3)  Wave Yukata
4)  Dragon Yukata
5)  Great Wave – Purple

Thank you to all of our wonderful customers. We hope you enjoy your Japanese Yukata.