Posts Tagged ‘Yukata vs Kimono’

How to Buy a Kimono or Yukata: A Simple Guide for Enthusiasts

Saturday, January 11th, 2025

Whether you’re a kimono lover, an admirer of Asian art, or simply looking to elevate your wardrobe with luxurious loungewear, buying an authentic kimono or yukata is essential. Luckily, it’s not a complicated process—especially when you know the right place to shop.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying a kimono or yukata. Where to find authentic Japanese robes, what to look for, and why Chopa is the best retailer for your needs.

What is the Difference Between a Kimono and a Yukata?

Before we get deeper, it’s good to know the distinction between kimonos and yukatas.

  • Kimono is a traditional Japanese garment typically made of silk or cotton and worn on formal occasions.
  • Yukata is the lighter, more casual version, commonly crafted from cotton. It’s perfect for lounging, festivals, or even as stylish at-home attire. Think loungewear.

Why Shop at Chopa for Kimono and Yukata?

If you’re in search of authentic Japanese robes but feel overwhelmed by choices, Chopa is the ideal online destination. Here’s why Chopa takes the guesswork out of kimono shopping:

Wide Selection of Authentic Robes

Chopa offers a vast array of kimonos, yukatas, and even short-length happi coats. Their inventory caters to diverse tastes and needs, ranging from traditional kimono styles to modern yukatas for men and women.

Superior Quality

Every robe at Chopa is made in Japan by expert artisans and crafted from quality 100% easy-care cotton. These robes combine timeless Japanese style with unbeatable comfort, making them ideal for everything from lounging at home to showcasing your love of Asian art.

Sizes for Everyone

Shopping for the perfect size has never been this easy. Chopa provides multiple size options, from petite and small to Large/Tall, Plus-Size, and Big and Tall. Finding your fit is straightforward, whether you’re shopping for yourself or as a gift.

Quick and Convenient Shipping in the USA

Waiting weeks for your order to arrive? Not with Chopa. Based in the USA, they ensure that your kimono or yukata is delivered to your doorstep in just a matter of days. Most orders are shipped the same or next business day, so you can start enjoying your new robe sooner than you think!

Exceptional Customer Service

Chopa’s customer service is top-notch. Operating as an employee-owned company means members of their team are deeply invested in providing the best shopping experience possible. Their passion and commitment ensure that your questions are answered and your orders are handled with care.

Hassle-Free Online Shopping Experience

With their user-friendly online catalog, shopping becomes quick and stress-free. You can browse their extensive selection, choose your favorite robe, and pay for your order—all in just minutes.

Tips for Buying a Kimono or Yukata

When you’re ready to shop, keep these tips in mind to make the best choice for your lifestyle and personal style.

  1. Decide Between Kimono or Yukata: Consider whether you need a formal garment or a more casual robe for loungewear or summer festivals. With their cotton Kimono, many customers wear them daily.
  2. Choose the Right Size: Pay attention to the sizing guide and pick the option that fits your body type.
  3. Pick Your Favorite Design: From intricate traditional prints to modern patterns, choose a style that aligns with your aesthetic.
  4. Don’t Skip the Details: Look for robes made from high-quality materials, like Chopa’s 100% cotton fabric, to ensure comfort and durability.
  5. Shop from a Reputable Seller: Stick with trusted retailers like Chopa to guarantee authenticity and excellent customer service. Chopa has been selling fine robes for over 30 years.

Wrapping It Up

Shopping for a kimono or yukata can be an exciting experience when you know where to look. Chopa offers everything you need—authentic Japanese robes, quick shipping, exceptional customer service, and an easy online shopping platform. Whether you’re building your loungewear collection or connecting with Japanese culture, Chopa has you covered.

Start exploring your perfect kimono or yukata today at Chopa. From expert curation to effortless style, they make it easy for you to dress in comfort and elegance.

Chopa makes online kimono shopping easy!

Kimono Shopping Online

The Spirit of Giving: Why Giving Back is Part of Our Business

Saturday, December 21st, 2024

When people talk about the “spirit of giving,” they often associate it with the holiday season—a time of reflection, gratitude, and generosity. But at Chopa, we believe that giving back isn’t something that should be confined to just one part of the year. Supporting our community and contributing to meaningful causes is at the very heart of who we are every single day.

Why We Give Back

We are deeply grateful for the trust our customers place in us. Your ongoing support allows us to grow, thrive, and do what we love. To us, showing gratitude isn’t about words alone—it’s about action. This sense of responsibility drives our commitment to making charitable donations and supporting initiatives that align with our values.

Giving back isn’t just good for the community; it’s essential for creating a business that truly cares. We understand that companies that give back to the community become stronger, more connected, and more meaningful to their customers and employees alike.

Causes We Support

At Chopa, we channel our charitable donations into causes that matter and make a difference. Some of the areas we’re most passionate about include:

  • Education

We champion access to learning by supporting organizations like Wikipedia, which empowers people everywhere with free knowledge. The  Educational Enhancement Trust Fund is another recipient providing up-to-date technology for classrooms throughout Florida.

  • Animal Welfare

Our love for animals drives us to contribute to charities that protect and care for our furry friends who can’t speak for themselves.

  • Neighborhood Support

Healthy, sustainable communities are the backbone of society. We invest in initiatives that enhance local neighborhoods, ensuring that everyone has a safe and welcoming place to call home. Contributions have helped establish community gardens and beautify neighborhoods with landscapes that inspire.

  • Environmental Enhancement

We are committed to the well-being of our planet. Supporting projects that aim to reduce pollution, preserve ecosystems, and combat climate change helps secure a greener future for us all. Planting trees to provide shade and enhancing existing areas of blight

Whether it’s through financial contributions, volunteering, or advocacy, we proudly stand with organizations that share our vision for a better world.

“Giving back” is a Year-Round Practice

We often get asked why we make giving back such an integral part of our business operations. The answer is simple—it feels right. Businesses that give back have a unique opportunity to lead by example. By committing to year-round giving, we aim to create a ripple effect, where our actions inspire others to join in, whether they are customers, employees, or even other companies.

The spirit of giving, for us, is an ongoing responsibility to support the world and the people who support us—because every day is a chance to make a difference. Our business is more than just selling Japanese Kimono and Yukata.

How You Help Us Pay It Forward

When you choose to work with Chopa, you’re not just supporting a business—you’re contributing to a larger mission. Every purchase you make helps us continue our efforts to donate to charities, fund projects, and impact lives positively. None of this would be possible without you, and for that, we thank you.

Join Us in the Spirit of Giving

The act of giving is one of life’s most fulfilling experiences. Together, we can create meaningful change and strengthen the communities that unite us.

If you’re inspired to take your own steps toward giving back, we encourage you to explore causes that align with your passions. Whether it’s supporting education, protecting animals, or fighting for environmental change, every effort counts.

At Chopa, giving is woven into the fabric of who we are—not just during the holidays, but every single day of the year. Because the spirit of giving is a gift that never goes out of season.

Top Selling Kimono for January 2022

Friday, February 18th, 2022

Chopa is one of the leading online shops offering fine Japanese Kimono and Yukata robes. We like to provide our customers a list each month of what is popular right now.  There are many options available when choosing a kimono shop. Since we have been operating since 1994, we are confident that we offer some of the best choices out there.

Our goal has always been to enlighten and educate customers about the beauty and symbolism of Japanese Kimonos.  Whether you admire the cultural significance, the bright, vivid colors, the symbolic patterns, or the luxury and comfort these robes provide, we take the guesswork out of online kimono shopping.  Our fast shipping is just one component that sets us apart from the crowd.  Chopa is your Kimono Source and as such, we ship most orders within one business day. Many orders ship the same day if your order is placed early in the day. Most orders are delivered within 2-3 business days, weather permitting.

Chopa ships your order safely and securely from a warehouse in the Northwest Panhandle of Florida.  We do the importing for you and carry over 100 styles, colors, and patterns that are in stock and ready to ship. Orders of $75 or more ship Free anywhere in the USA, including Hawaii and Alaska. You avoid duties, taxes, and import fees when shopping with us.

Every week, we hear from customers expressing how happy they are to have found us.  Many come from referrals and word of mouth. They share stories with us about their previous experiences. To put it bluntly, they are not pretty stories.  People ordered directly from a dealer in Japan and were told shipping is quick, usually 3-5 days.  Reality is a wait of up to 30 days in many cases. Customers are told they could return it. An issue lies with translation issues. The purchaser doesn’t speak or write Japanese and the vendor doesn’t communicate in English. To this, we say good luck and recommend taking an aspirin for their headaches.

Other resulting issues are duties and taxes.  Their package arrives and they have presented a bill for $10, $15, or even $25 more for duties, taxes, customs clearance, and import fees.  Shoppers were never told about this. But if they don’t pay the costs, the carrier keeps the package and the customer is out. Sometimes these packages are submitted to customs. They are sold for liquidated damages and other times sent back to the shipper, who doesn’t issue a refund.

Frequently we hear about requests for returns being denied by the dealer.  Customers are told, the wrong size doesn’t qualify or 3 days is too long. Worse yet, they simply ignore emails and telephone calls. If a customer is granted a return approval, they are shocked when they go to the post office. Here, they discover that shipping a 2-pound package can cost $60 by Priority Mail. This cost is born by the customer, not the Japanese dealer.  We feel dealers operate this way because they discovered most customers will keep the robe instead of investing additional money into their losing investment already. It is sad but true.

In summary, you can see how we make this an easy choice to shop with us. One of our mottos is “We take the guesswork out of Kimono shopping” and once a customer shops with us, they realize how true it is.  We welcome you to go to our online Kimono Shop and see for yourself. Whether it’s men’s or women’s kimono or yukata or perhaps an outfit for your little Samurai or Princess, we have a large selection to choose from.

It seems like 2022 just began and we have now already blown through January and are over halfway through February.

Without further delays, here is our list of Top Selling Kimono and Yukata for January 2022:

  1. Tree of Life Yukata
  2. Dragon and Bamboo Yukata
  3. Navy Kagome Yukata
  4. Dragon and Hawk Yukata
  5. Yukata – Dragon & Mt Fuji Navy 

Chopa.com currently has two orders in production with smaller shipments arriving in mid-March and April. Our largest Spring order is expected to arrive from Japan in late April. The logistics staff continues to monitor shipping and supply chain issues.  We have been and will continue to use Air Freight for our future shipments. This is necessary until the Ports along both sides of the country catch up and fix their lengthy delays. While air is more costly than a cargo ship, we would rather absorb the cost and obtain our product quicker and more efficiently. Thank you for visiting our site and reading our Blogs.  Now Get Your Kimono On!!

                     Dragon and Hawk Yukata