Honey bunnies, thank you for stopping in for the Ageless Style 05.2021: Double Duty. This series is hosted by my friend Carrie from A Simple Lovely Life and 7 of her blogging buddies. As more of an after-retirement lifestyle blogger, I am honored to be joining this stylish group of fashion bloggers.
AGELESS STYLE LINK UP
The Ageless Style Link Up is a monthly series. Each month one of the gals in the group will select a theme and all of us will put together a look or looks reflecting it. Last month’s theme ‘earth tones’ was selected by Cami at My Happy Place. I had fun playing dress up around my back yard in a Dress Barn maxi that I have yet to wear out in the real world yet. You can check out that post, here.
The theme for May – double duty – was selected by Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks. She is a former soldier and something about this theme made me think ‘Army’ or military. Maybe I am thinking double time. As in marching. Yeah, that’s probably it. Nevermind. Just glad I didn’t go with my original interpretation…camo!!
What I did decide to feature was a favorite go-to for me practically all year-round…
THE KIMONO
Not Just Any Kimono
In particular my YouAreNotAlone lace and crocheted kimono with fringed sleeves (similar, similar). I think I bought mine several years ago on Amazon. Really put it through the wringer this week when I wore it to help with Lucia and Cami. The Velcro on their tennies and the fringe on my kimono did not play nicely together. By the time I got the girls to school, a lot of my fringe had unraveled and wrapped itself around both girls and me and everything in the car!!
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AGELESS STYLE 05.2021: Double Duty
About 5 or 6 years ago, my best friend Sharon in Oklahoma emailed to ask me if I had tried the new kimono trend. I replied with an emphatic no, and reminded my BFF that I live in El Paso – the very last place for a fashion trend to take off. My only notion about kimonos was the lovely traditional robes worn in Japan.
Sharon described the contemporary kimonos – chiffon, flowy, available in all prints and colors – and then in true Sharon fashion sent me one to try. It was love at first sight.
I now have about a dozen different kimonos in my closet. They are the perfect almost year-round wrap for our climate. They can be worn with everything. Which is why I chose the kimono for this edition of Ageless Style 05.2021: Double Duty. They are so versatile that I decided why stop at styling them 2 ways. I let my Type A personality run wild and am going to share 4 ways to wear a kimono. Quadruple Duty!!
Let’s get to it.
Kimono with a Dressier Dress
A few years ago I first wore this combination for Brennyn’s wedding rehearsal dinner. The one I wore that night was a slightly different style than my YouAreNotAlone kimono. Kid-friendlier with no fringe!
Paired my kimono with a Banana Republic midi-length dress (similar, similar). My dress was sleeveless and I was not terribly excited about baring my then 60 year-old arms. The kimono was perfect for giving me a little coverage without feeling like I was hiding under a bulky wrap. One glass of wine in, I forgot all about my arms, and shed the kimono for the remainder of the night.
For this post, I recreated the look with my fringed kimono and added peep toe heels.
Kimono with a Casual Dress
As I said above, I wore this combo to help with getting my munchkins to school then breakfast out with my friend Lorena. Old Navy tee shirt dress (similar, similar) and d’Orsay snakeskin flats (exact, similar).
Kimono with Overalls
One of the trends among the outfit formulas for the GYPO spring capsule wardrobe was denim overalls. I really hesitated before buying this slouchy straight pair of overalls on sale at Old Navy (similar, similar). Paired them with a MaxStudio cap-sleeve gingham top from TJMaxx (similar, similar) and my trusty Converse. Looking back at these photos, I am not crazy about the way the overalls look. But I think some of it is the photographer (me) and the dirty mirror. The first time I wore them, had lots of compliments. They are fun to wear.
Kimono with Shorts
This might be my favorite look of all. I was reminded of it when I was scrolling back through my photos from a year or so ago. My kimono paired with Loft Outlet distressed denim shorts (similar, similar) and a baseball graphic tee from Etsy that reads “Dirt & Diamonds.” I prefer shorts with 5″ or 7″ inseams. But see so many cute pairs of 3 inch-ers in all the stores. Don’t think the world is ready for these legs in 3″ shorts, though. Added some very old silver thong sandals for a little bling.
YOUR TURN
You’ve seen my double quadruple duty kimono…hardest working piece in my wardrobe. What piece of clothing in your closet gets the most love? Do you wear kimonos? If not, I beg you to make this the summer you do!! I ordered this one in various colors on Amazon for my sister and daughters a few years ago. You can’t beat the price with a stick!!
And if nothing else, you can use it as a swim suit cover up. Hey, there’s another way kimonos can be worn. I could have made this post Quintuple Duty!! But would hate to inflict pictures of me in a bathing suit on my dear readers.
Amigas Mia
Hope you will take a few minutes to visit the Ageless Style 05.2021 posts of my comadres. Like you, I am anxious to see what they styled for the Double Duty prompt. We can go together….
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Cammi ~ My Happy Place
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Carrie ~ A Stylish Fit
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Daenel ~ Living Outside the Stacks
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |Twitter |
Jamie ~ No Delusions of Grandeur
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest |
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Thank you for stopping spending a few minutes of your day here with me. And if you have a fashion post to share, please link up with us! I will be by to visit, I promise.
If you have a few free minutes tomorrow or over the weekend, hope you’ll stop back by to check out my spring bucket list update. Thank you!!
Hugs and kisses,
It seems kimonos were really popular with this challenge, as several of the ladies chose to style a kimono. They definitely are versatile pieces.
I like kimonos though I rarely wear them!
I love mine as they are really a great topper for anything. I do like this shorter one which can be less anyone while going down the stairs and such as my longest trips me sometimes.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I don’t have a kimono! Not even for holidays! You’ve certainly found lots of great ways to wear yours. My favourite look is the first one!
I really like your kimono . I’ve got a pink floral one that I wear with dresses or jeans. You have inspire me because I also have a lacy topper that I could dress down. Maybe I need some denim shorts. Lots of different ways to combine clothing.
Such a pretty piece! I really like it with denim because it adds a step up. Love your new blog design. Glad it all came together. xoxo
The first time I wore a kimono I was so self conscious – it was about 6 years ago and the trend was just starting. I wore it to an end of the year work party with denim shorts. I still can’t believe I was nervous, my confidence has certainly soared since blogging!
I love how you have embraced the kimono and worn it so many fun ways – you rock my friend!
xo,
Kellyann
I just got some overalls this year and I have never thought to pair them with a kimono! Oooh! Now you have me wanting to try that. Your overalls look very similar to mine!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
LOL I was like you when the kimono trend first started. Now I own several and have yet to wear them. I keep seeing them paired with shorts and jeans and I love the look, but I have a hard time with pattern pairing – so not me. LOL But I am going to wear them soon.
Kimonos are my favorite summer topper! Your lace kimono is so pretty! Love all of these outfits, especially with the overalls!
Jill – Doused in Pink