Close the Kimono
It may seem a bit premature to discuss fall transition outfits when it is barely August, but the cloudy NYC skies have me thinking ahead to cooler days. I am in the midst of a major closet clean out (save me!) and I am really trying to purge anything that I can live without for the rest of the summer and won’t want to wear again next year. This is Manhattan and if you don’t absolutely love or need an item, it doesn’t deserve to take up real estate in your closet. I am a maximalist who has a hard time reigning in my more-is-more instincts, but as I get older I am much more turned on by items of clothing that offer versatility. Which brings me to the kimono.
I became a kimono collector when I was pregnant because it is a light layering piece that emphasizes the bump, hides any body parts you want hidden, and creates a lengthening effect when paired with a slim bottom. I held on to my kimonos after giving birth and used them as cover-ups over bikinis and cut-offs in the summer. They offer an easy way to tone-down a look that may be too revealing or too youthful for certain situations. I also love the way the bohemian elegance enhances my casual staples.
An effortless way to take the kimono into fall is by adding one of the of-the-moment waist belts and layering over jeans and a T-shirt. Cinching the garment adds polish and it also offers an opportunity to express personal style with your choice of belt. You can even snag your husband’s or father’s belt and tie it around your waist, ignoring the holes. I chose the double-buckle western belt to pay homage to my Texas roots, and finished the look off with more “grown up” accessories to contrast the free spirited kimono. Though I was unsurprisingly tempted to throw on my floppy hat and fringed bag, sleek add ons can be the difference between cheesy and chic with this ensemble, so it’s important to avoid going overboard with the bohemian additions. The belted kimono is a trend that defies age, body type, budget, season, and occasion. Just imagine how fabulous a cinched velvet kimono would look for a cocktail party! But let’s not open the kimono to all of the outfit ideas just yet...
Wearing: MakeMeChic Kimono, B-Low the Belt Belt, ASOS Jeans, American Apparel Tank, Amare Jewels Bracelets, Earrings, and Necklace, Melissa Lovy Necklace, Marc Jacobs Sunglasses, Jeffrey Campbell Heels
Photography by: Edelle Kenny