Often these blogs start from me seeing someone whilst I’m out and about and I thinking that they (whoever ‘they’ may be) look tres chic, and I try to figure out how I could get me a little bit of that oh so casually (yet crafted) put together look.
I like ‘nods to’ current moods etc – but I do not want something that I can only wear this summer and then by next summer it would look ‘oh so last year’… (as I type I know how ridiculous that sounds; my fashion police officer is my 11 year old daughter, not an actual Officer brandishing a rolled up copy of Vogue as arms to protect the eyes of others from my out of season garments)… so what if I’m wearing something from last year, the year before that, or 10 years ago?
Does what I’m wearing make me feel good, does it look good? Boom. Job done, I’m wearing it.
I love a multi-tasking item – to me this makes utter sense… something that does the old dress up/dress down thing… let alone cross seasonal; a kimono style jacket can do this. (That said I do love the re-finding of previously put away garments that I’d forgotten about.) Perfect.
So, a few days ago I was out and about in town and saw two women who were just a bit cool, in that effortless way – both wearing Kimono/duster wafty stylie coats. Both wearing them over trousers, one was wearing a black and white striped number that was long and finished at a similar length to her black cropped trousers, the other wore her colour blocked (long again) number over jeans with a white tee. They both looked great.
So straight in to see what is out there… starting with this fabulous print clash/scale.
H&M Linen blend kimono, £69.99
In closer detail. I probably wouldn’t wear this belted as below, as it does then take on a bit of a dressing gown feel, free and easy would be my preferred look.
Another paler toned one, Zara embroidered kimono £79.99. I love the contrasting black and white (ecru) bordered neckline… this with smarter black trousers. Boom.
As above, though this short kimono below is styled in a super casual way with denim, I think that this could easily be made smarter with a tailored trouser.
From New Look, this Kimono is a little longer with sleeve only detail, £24.99.
I love that this kimono is velvet, love it in the summer and to have a typically wintery fabric bang in the springish/summer. (I’m completely going to ignore the fact that it might just be that it’s left over from last season. No. Not going to engage with that notion).
The elegance of this whole outfit makes it super easy to wear. And absolutely take you from summer to winter (I’m not going to say the words black polo neck underneath as that is WRONG on every level….)
A more structured kimono and as part of a two piece set, modern suiting if you will…
Mango £59.99
Super easy, I love the shirting fabric… and embroidery design.
Mango £89.99
Back to floaty/wafty… Monsoon £59
Longer with contrast border from Gap here… this is super pretty, almost slipping into bedroom/home wear… but styled correctly.
Gap £64.95 (But you know of course to never pay full price at Gap, there is always an online, possibly store, deal to be had, just sign up for the newsletter.)
Printed kimono from Zara £69.99
LOVE the petrol tone of this, and length, and print…
Next £46
Super simple, single colour… I love this.
Mango £25.99
I did start this blog about a week ago, then the weather changed, for the worse and I wanted jumpers, not waft. But since returning – both the fine weather and to the blog… I have now found, possibly the black and white stripe kimono of part of my original inspiration; hurrah! I love this… so stylish.
I love it when a plan comes together, at ease now… xx
evolve-edit 
Love this post! Made me think of a red kimono style garment i have had for years, which i love but never wear … may have to dig it out … but i also love the selection you featured, especially the black velvet and the embroidered choices .. thank you xx
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