Halloween 2015
After two years collecting dust in my closet, I finally found an occasion to wear the yukata Hiroshi bought me: Halloween Party. Well, the party was also for my cousin’s son’s birthday but guests were encouraged to dress up.
Originally I was planning to go as Kuchisake-Onna but I didn’t want to scare the kids especially my nephew so I opted for a regular Japanese girl. First thing I did was asked Hiroshi if he’d be offended and when he said no (he was actually happy about it), I asked him to help me put it on. Oh man, it got so toasty the minute I wore it on that Hiroshi turned on the AC for me. There were some missing pieces so I had to improvise such as borrowing Hiroshi’s belt to replace the koshi-himo. For shoes, instead of geta I substituted it with my brown flip-flops. The finishing touch was tying my hair to the side and complimenting it with a flower.
Man, I never felt so feminine. The yukata limited my walks to smaller steps while I had to watch my arms so the sleeves don’t hit anything. Also I had to sit up straight since I didn’t want to crush the obi ribbon on my back. Yup, its high maintenance was the perfect training on how to be a lady. Hiroshi had to assist me in my car and I asked him how the heck do girls drive in this. He simply said they don’t because they just walk. *Sigh* more reason for him to come with me to the party aside from meeting my dad’s side.
Surprisingly I was one of the early people at the party. They really like my costume and I got a lot of compliments from it. Well, technically it wasn’t a costume but I just left it as is. The birthday boy thought it was cool too (yay!). Speaking of which, he’s so tall I’m having a hard time believing he just turned 12. Seriously kids these days grow so fast. I don’t know him well since I hardly see them (doesn’t help I don’t have Facebook) so I ended up giving him cash for his birthday. All I know is that he’s smart and into sports... Yep, birthday cash is the way to go.
My sisters eventually showed up; Sofia being the first with her Star Trek costume in her car just in case no one dressed up, Sarah followed with Cayson who just woke up dressed as Dracula, and finally Pauline arrived last as her evil version with her boyfriend who dressed up as a cowboy. For the most part I talked to Pauline and her boyfriend while Sofia and Sarah mingled with our relatives. Overall the party was small, intimate, and fun. It was great seeing my dad’s side of the family and meeting new people.
When I got home from the party, Hiroshi and I had to purchase a shower curtain rod at Bed, Bath, & Beyond so I can hang my yukata after washing it. It wasn’t hard to wash (fold it back and rinse it on the bathtub) but hanging in the shower was a little difficult because it was long and heavy from the water. At least I didn’t have to use detergent.
Wearing a yukata was such a unique experience. I thought I was going to rent one when Hiroshi and I were in Japan but we didn’t have time and it was expensive. I’m glad I finally had a chance and I felt very pretty and feminine in it. Now I know why it’s used on special occasions.
Originally I was planning to go as Kuchisake-Onna but I didn’t want to scare the kids especially my nephew so I opted for a regular Japanese girl. First thing I did was asked Hiroshi if he’d be offended and when he said no (he was actually happy about it), I asked him to help me put it on. Oh man, it got so toasty the minute I wore it on that Hiroshi turned on the AC for me. There were some missing pieces so I had to improvise such as borrowing Hiroshi’s belt to replace the koshi-himo. For shoes, instead of geta I substituted it with my brown flip-flops. The finishing touch was tying my hair to the side and complimenting it with a flower.
Man, I never felt so feminine. The yukata limited my walks to smaller steps while I had to watch my arms so the sleeves don’t hit anything. Also I had to sit up straight since I didn’t want to crush the obi ribbon on my back. Yup, its high maintenance was the perfect training on how to be a lady. Hiroshi had to assist me in my car and I asked him how the heck do girls drive in this. He simply said they don’t because they just walk. *Sigh* more reason for him to come with me to the party aside from meeting my dad’s side.
Surprisingly I was one of the early people at the party. They really like my costume and I got a lot of compliments from it. Well, technically it wasn’t a costume but I just left it as is. The birthday boy thought it was cool too (yay!). Speaking of which, he’s so tall I’m having a hard time believing he just turned 12. Seriously kids these days grow so fast. I don’t know him well since I hardly see them (doesn’t help I don’t have Facebook) so I ended up giving him cash for his birthday. All I know is that he’s smart and into sports... Yep, birthday cash is the way to go.
My sisters eventually showed up; Sofia being the first with her Star Trek costume in her car just in case no one dressed up, Sarah followed with Cayson who just woke up dressed as Dracula, and finally Pauline arrived last as her evil version with her boyfriend who dressed up as a cowboy. For the most part I talked to Pauline and her boyfriend while Sofia and Sarah mingled with our relatives. Overall the party was small, intimate, and fun. It was great seeing my dad’s side of the family and meeting new people.
When I got home from the party, Hiroshi and I had to purchase a shower curtain rod at Bed, Bath, & Beyond so I can hang my yukata after washing it. It wasn’t hard to wash (fold it back and rinse it on the bathtub) but hanging in the shower was a little difficult because it was long and heavy from the water. At least I didn’t have to use detergent.
Wearing a yukata was such a unique experience. I thought I was going to rent one when Hiroshi and I were in Japan but we didn’t have time and it was expensive. I’m glad I finally had a chance and I felt very pretty and feminine in it. Now I know why it’s used on special occasions.