Thursday, June 19, 2014

Cropped Kimono

Since Friday's post, I've been determined to refashion this piece that I thrifted before leaving in mid-May for a few weeks in Michigan.  It's a beautiful silk robe of the one-size-fits-all variety. It has pockets, so I had to decide how I'd work around them.

As you can see in these bad photos, I decided to go above the pockets, leaving me with a cropped length. I started my cut just below the existing collar/lapel thingies, curved up slightly as I reached the side seam, dipped back down for a rounded back hem, and repeated the same curve on the other side. I finished off the raw edge with a baby/rolled hem.

I started playing around with how I'd style it and was having some difficulty...I wasn't liking it at all! Here's my first go with a me-made knit pencil skirt and a neon crop top I won in a giveaway (more on that tomorrow!!!). It's ok, and if my hair wasn't a greasy mess and my belly a bit puffy after 'cheating' on my diet this past month, maybe I'd like it better.

 So, I decided to try some different things. Here I put on a shorter (thrifted & refashioned) skirt, and made my kimono into a blouse by cinching it closed with a (thrifted) gold belt.

Then I thought, how about tying/wrapping it and tucking it...so I did that with the pencil skirt and my bathing suit top (I could have used a bustier/crop top as well). Then, I figured, hey, I'd totally throw this on at the pool if my back and shoulders were getting too much sun, so why not tuck it the same way into my high-waisted bottoms?

This last look is a bit too much, for me, though I think with a smaller polka dot it could be really cute. I'll simply switch out these high-waisted (thrifted & refashioned) pants for a pair of skinny jeans (highwaisted & etc.).

So, though I was at first skeptical, I'm loving it after all! AND I still have the whole bottom part to use up in other fun projects...I already have a few ideas from some blouses I've seen ;). But, I'd love to hear if you all have any ideas. I could even put together another kimono from what's left over to put up for sale! We shall see.

Stay tuned for an initial look at the awesome giveaway I won, and some styling of one of the pieces! Can't wait to show you :)

Peace,
Andrea

12 comments:

  1. Love it accessorized with a belt, looks super sofisticated xx

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    1. Thanks, Sarah, I'm sure to be wearing it that way on my next date night with my husband!

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  2. I love it with the polka dot pants!! I've been looking out for a robe to try this refashion on but haven't found anything that's not just a solid colour tacky satin yet!! But I'm inspired to keep looking ;) x

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    1. The more I look at the pics of that outfit, the more and more its growing on me, Huli :) I may be brave enough to try it out! Keep looking! You'd be gorgeous in something like this. And I'd love to see how you'd style one ;).

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  3. Love this! I have a beautiful kimono my sister bought me that I don't wear, might dig it out and give this a try!

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    1. Do! This is a stretch for me (I lack in confidence to be able pull off certain looks, sometimes), so you should at least try it on with some different outfits to get a feel for it...I'd love to see how you decide to style it!

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  4. You are so cute! I love how creative and resourceful you are! My favorite looks are with the polka dot pants (total statement) and with the bikini bottoms (so chic!).

    Spanish Muse

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    1. Aw, thanks for coming by! And thank you for the sweet compliments :)

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  5. I think you are the only person I know that wears a bikini to style their photo shoots. You look great and I admire your spunk. Fab REfashion. I appreciate the time it must take to do all the styling and photos. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. Trying to pump myself up for wearing it in front of real live people at the pool this summer with my son ;) So glad you stopped by!

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  6. I really like the hemline and the beautiful print. Looks good in all these combinations. I've noticed that if I want to try wearing different things from "the usual", it does help (as you said) to put it on at home a few times. My eye gets used to the new look and then I don't feel so awkward trying it out for real.

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