The Nine Days begin on the evening of Rosh Chodesh Av, Sunday, August 4th, at Shekiya. The restrictions of the Three Weeks remain in effect in addition to the following rules:
Eating meat or chicken is prohibited. Wine is forbidden, but alcoholic beverages not from grapes are permitted. There are no restrictions on Shabbos or at a Seudas Mitzvah. There is room for leniency for health reasons. Children above the age of 3 should preferably only be fed meat if the child refuses other foods. One who customarily uses wine for Havdalah may drink the wine. However, many have the minhag to give it to a junior. Some use beer instead.
Purchasing Clothing and Expensive Items is prohibited. This includes all types of clothing. There is room for leniency for newborns and young children, unusual items, items that will be unavailable after Tishah B'Av, and footwear for Tishah B'Av.
Fashioning & Alterations of New Garments is prohibited.
Laundering and Dry Cleaning are prohibited. However, there is room for leniency regarding young children, spot cleaning, laundering to prevent permanent stains, laundry needed for a mitzvah, picking up previously cleaned clothes from dry cleaners, and ironing Shabbos clothes and tablecloths.
Wearing New or Freshly Laundered Clothes is forbidden. One should briefly wear freshly laundered clothing and use any fresh towels or linen before the Nine Days to remove its freshness.
Home Decorating and Moving are forbidden.
Swimming and Showering are not allowed. Washing hands, face, and feet with cool water is permissible. The purpose of the prohibition is to feel some level of discomfort, which should not be regarded lightly. Nevertheless, if one feels very uncomfortable or sensitive, one may take a quick cool shower. Soap should be used only if necessary. There is a dispute among the Poskim about whether one may take a regular shower on Erev Shabbos.
Wearing Shabbos Clothing on a Weekday is prohibited. There may be room for leniency for select baalei simchah for a Bris, Pidyon Haben, or Bar Mitzvah, as well as for a date or an engagement party. Brand-new clothes, however, may not be worn.
Dangerous Activities should be avoided. It is inauspicious to engage in hazardous activities during this period.
Many Sefardim observe these restrictions only during the week of Tisha B'av Falls.