The name is translated literally as "bathing cloth" and yukata originally were worn as bathrobes; their modern use is much broader, and are a common sight in Japan during summer.

They are similar in appearance to the nemaki, a unisex short-sleeved kimono-like garment worn by guests at traditional inns.

Like other forms of traditional Japanese clothing, yukata are made with straight seams and wide sleeves.

[1] Traditionally, yukata were mostly made of indigo-dyed cotton; however, since an increase in popularity in the late 1990s, a wide variety of colours and designs are now available, worn by both men and women.

[1] Though historically, yukata were worn traditionally as a bathrobe all-year round, in the present day this is uncommonly seen, and is mainly confined to onsen resort towns such as Atami, Kinosaki and Kusatsu, where yukata are still worn as bathrobes, commonly given to guests as part of their stay at a specific hotel or inn.