Style Help: Kimonos

fiore boutique, west town mall, kimono, how to style a kimono, style help, mom style, how to wear a kimono, what to wear in march, knoxville fashion blog, knoxville fashion, elizabeth ogle, old navy jeans

It’s like throwing on a sweater, but cooler.

fiore boutique, west town mall, kimono, how to style a kimono, style help, mom style, how to wear a kimono, what to wear in march, knoxville fashion blog, knoxville fashion, elizabeth ogle

fiore boutique, west town mall, kimono, how to style a kimono, style help, mom style, how to wear a kimono, what to wear in march, knoxville fashion blog, knoxville fashion, elizabeth ogle

fiore boutique, west town mall, kimono, how to style a kimono, style help, mom style, how to wear a kimono, what to wear in march, knoxville fashion blog, knoxville fashion, elizabeth ogle

fiore boutique, west town mall, kimono, how to style a kimono, style help, mom style, how to wear a kimono, what to wear in march, knoxville fashion blog, knoxville fashion, elizabeth ogle

One of the many things I love about winter is wrapping up in a giant open waterfall sweater. It’s that mindset that sold me on kimonos – you can wrap up in them even when it’s starting to get warm outside. Which is exactly what I did last week – wrapped up in this velvet cut out kimono from Fiore Boutique.

Side Note: When Fiore says they’re having a BOGO sale on their clearance wrack, drop everything and get in there. If only to beat me to deals like this kimono which I got along with a pair of jeans for TWENTY DOLLARS TOTAL. BOOM.

Look how a simple pair of jeans and a white *cough* maternity *cough cough* shirt are dressed up by the easy addition of the kimono.

Because this velvet wrap is so big and bold on my frame, I thought I’d answer the big and bold with some layered bracelets and a chunky watch. While most of the time the secret to styling things is balance, the balance in this case would be to balance out my small arms with chunky bracelets.

I first fell in love with this kimono months ago when I talked about it in one of my segments. In that segment I remember saying I would pair it with something white to get the print to stand out, but you can just as easily wear it with an all black ensemble. The texture it would add to a black t-shirt and jeans would scream effortlessly cool. Not to mention how much it would elevate a plain LBD.

I’ve got the very black dress in mind in my closet…

You want other ways to wear it? OKAY! If you’re hoping to pull out a kimono like this in the dead of winter (make sure it’s got a winter-appropriate fabric like velvet, or darker colors) you could belt it over a thin turtle neck with jeans and boots. Or wear it with a long sleeve shirt tucked into a mini skirt with tights and booties.

Have I proven my point that this thing is versatile? Hope so. :)

Here is a link to a similar one so you can get in on the kimono party (shoes are also from Fiore, jeans are from Old Navy)! And here is my spring version of a great kimono outfit.

Continue Reading

A Cheap Trendy Item for Everyone

In the marketing department I work in we have a saying about kimono’s. When we’re looking over our work, we try to determine if we’re going “open kimono” or not. It’s not a good thing if we are because it means we’re giving away too much information.

We’d rather be “showing a little leg” and leave the people wanting more.

I don’t know if it was our constant jokes with kimono’s or what, but I’ve suddenly been craving this trend.

Here’s how these can really help your summer wardrobe…

kimonos, belk, dillard's, jcp, forever21, charlotte russe, summer style, kimonos, how to wear a kimono, fashion blog, printed kimono

Belk // Forever21 // Dillard’s // Charlotte Russe // JCPenney

Because of their fluid shape and open front, kimono’s are great no matter your size/shape/age. And in all my kimono shopping I have found that there is a wide variety of patterns and colors out there.

I will say, it’s a little harder to find ones that don’t have a floral or tribal print, but it is possible. So take it from me – you can find some that fit your style.

If you’re wondering how to style a kimono, my advice is always always wear it with a crop top. Show as much as your belly as you can…then finish getting dressed and walk out the door.

Really, they can be worn with a lot of things. You can throw it over a tank top and jeans to add a great color/movement/pattern to your look, you can pair it with a simple dress, or you can (and here’s where you really get your money’s worth) use it as a bathing suit cover up.

The girl sporting the tribal print kimono from Dillard’s is wearing it with a bathing suit (she was going too open kimono in the front *ifyaknowwhatimean so I had to turn her around ;)

I love them because they translate such a relaxed vibe and add great visual interest to simple outfits. They work great with a growing baby belly because they fit no matter what, and they’re not going to make you hot. At least not in the temperature sense – A-OH! ;)

Try one out and see what you think! You can read up on my thoughts about trends (and why I’m doing this series) here, and catch last weeks featured item here.

Meanwhile, check out these figure-flattering bathing suits from Dillard’s…

Continue Reading