Sunday, October 27, 2013

The Sunday Snag – Kimono's Day Out

My Mid-Century Evening Out #1950s #fashion #1960s #vintage #style #kimono

Can I just tell you once again how terribly in love I am with this kimono? Last week, I showed you a peek into my home and a peek at me in my underpinnings (see here), part of which was this beautiful mid-century kimono robe. Note: Today is the last day that the The Slipperie, where I purchased my kimono, is offering my readers 15% off with the code BLOSSOM15! Get on over there and snag something sexy for yourself!

It was, quite literally, a rather cheeky outfit post for me to share with you last week, but it gives me the chance to show the versatility of that piece today. There are many examples of classic "lingerie" being used as parts of outfits meant for the public now. We see fancy bra straps and lace accenting dresses, bras themselves through sheer tops (I've done that here), slips worn as dresses, and bustiers and corsets worn as tops. Some of these are more risqué than others, but I'm the sort that doesn't mind a bit. Especially when these garments are worn in an elegant and subtly sexy manner. If you've wanted to take the plunge, but are a bit shy, a vintage kimono can be a great transitional piece of classic lingerie that can easily be worn out in the open. It will actually provide more coverage, not less!

Victorian Swallow Brooch #Victorian #jewelry #swallow #brooch #1900s

Vintage Kimono #vintage #fashion #kimono #1950s #style

My vintage little black dress longed for a companion and found it with this kimono. They go together so well! The kimono, with its beautiful floral woven silk, provides a relaxed and exotic elegance to the sophisticated and clean cut of my 1950s linen/silk dress. That dress! My brain just says "POW" when I take off the kimono to reveal that dress! This is the first in person vintage anything I ever bought (I had only bought one dress online before (see here)). I thought it was these shorts (see here) that were my first, but I had forgotten I had bought this just a couple weeks before them.

Victorian Swallow Brooch #victorian #fashion #vintage #style #antique

Me and a few of my swing dancing friends had stopped into a vintage shop in Richmond, VA called Bygones Vintage Clothing last year during a dance event. I remember the place was packed with pretty things, but I had never bought vintage before, so I can't quite remember much in the way of specifics (I really need to go back now!). I just remember thumbing through the black dress rack and this unassuming little dress was hanging there. I saw the shape and the tailoring (I've worked in bridal stores for years and know excellent tailoring when I see it) and knew this was special. No frills, no flash, just a fantastically shaped silhouette. I snuck into a dressing room, slipped this on, zipped up, walked out and...Whoa. Yowzas. I remember the one male dancing friend that had bravely come into that store with us walked by the dressing room and just said, "Wow". I was sold. I had to call my hubs though because the dress was more expensive that any usual purchases I might make. I made the call while in the dress and explained that there was no way I could take that baby off and leave it all alone in that shop. I gave all the usual justifications: it's beautiful, it's black so it will go with everything, it fits perfectly, etc. He, without a second's hesitation, said yes because he is the best. As luck would have it, when I got to the front register, the clerk said that my dress was on sale for 20% off! Saweeeet!!

By the way, they don't call them wiggle dresses for nothin' folks!! I can't even step up into a higher elevated automobile. We went out with my sister and her husband over New Year's and they drive a small SUV. My husband literally had to pick me up and put me in the car!! Hahaha Worth it!

Mid-Century Chic #vintage #fashion #1950s #dress #kimono

My Vintage Little Black Dress #vintage #LBD #fashion #1950s #1960s

My Vintage Kimono Love Affair #vintage #kimono #midcentury #fashion #lingerie

Vintage Kimono Sleeve Detail #vintage #fashion #kimonoVintage Kimono Detail #vintage #kimono #1960s #fashion

Now, with the kimono, I just have one more way of styling a classic piece of beautiful vintage. I brought along my hair scarf (seen here in this tutorial) to use as a belt and I slipped on the only pair of 1950s pumps I own. These are cute black suede like pumps with tiny leaf accents at the top from Blue Butterfly Vintage (they were my first vintage shoe purchase too!).

I have a few very pretty accessories on too! First, my brooch! I was beyond thrilled to snag this up on Ebay. It is a Victorian swallow brooch, circa 1900, in a beautiful purple pink tint. This is perfect for the incredibly romantic (me!) because swallows mate for life and always return home to nest. I love it! These brooches can be incredibly expensive so I was thrilled to find one at such a ridiculous price ($5). Speaking of an amazing find, my earrings are a modern handmade leaded glass creation that I found at a church rummage sale for...50 cents! My hair accessory is just sprigs of vintage velvet millinery flowers and the ring, "Eyes Like Moonlight", is soon to be in my shop. It is a beautiful vintage button with a tiny owl perched upon a crescent moon.

Mixing Vintage Eras #vintage #fashion #1950s #style #dress

My Vintage Little Black Dress #1950s #fashion #50s #dress #LBD

Outfit Details
Kimono: 1960s/1970s silk from The Slipperie
Dress: 1950s silk/linen wiggle dress from Bygones Vintage
Shoes: 1950s pumps from Blue Butterfly Vintage
Belt: red silk head scarf 
Brooch: 1900s Victorian Swallow from Ebay
Hair Flowers: Vintage velvet millinery sprigs
Earrings: Modern handmade leaded glass from church rummage sale
Ring: "Eyes Like Moonlight" (coming soon) from my shop ChatterBlossom

My Mid-Century Cocktail Attire #vintage #fashion #1950s #dress #kimono


Last Week's Sunday Snag:




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35 comments:

  1. Beautiful kimono. And I applaud your courage with last week's lingerie post. Very elegant, very sophisticated.

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  2. Beautiful pictures jamie! You look lovely in that kimono. The flowers in your hair are looking really pretty :)
    xx
    www.JuneWantsItAll.com

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  3. Everything looks perfect from the flowers in your hair to the kimono to that wonderful little black dress!

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  4. Gorgeous! The kimono goes perfectly with the black dress :)

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  5. So gorgeous! Love the brooch and what a steal:) So happy you found those shoes in my shop and honored to be a tiny part of that lovely ensemble.

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  6. Beautiful! I love everything- the kimono, the dress, the brooch especially (I'm a sucker for a brooch)!

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  7. these shots are wonderful! thanks so much for featuring the shop and being a number one blogger....;)

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  8. Such gorgeous photos. You were truly meant to wear this type of clothing.

    Have you featured that wiggle dress on its own? It looks stunning.

    I'm thinking of getting a kimono too, but more the boho style.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Oooh, you'll have to send me a pic if you get one! I would love to see a boho style kimono!

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  9. You look so so beautiful, love the femininity of the kimono.

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  10. Lovely pictures. I really love your flower hair clip. It's grand! Amazing you could find a brooch from 1900 for only $5. Lovely!

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  11. That last picture of your must be framed! Timeless! XO

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  12. Like I said before, you look like a movie star! A real English Rose!

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  13. You look stunning! Last picture came out from editorial, perfection!

    Thank you for lovely comment on my blog
    http://lavenderloafers.com

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  14. I would never have thought to wear a kimono outside, but this works so well. I absolutely love your brooch and $5 is a ridiculous price! Well done you! I am so envious. Showing a bra strap was nothing short of a sin when I was a girl! I love to see a little piece of lace or a pretty strap showing now, but I’m sure my mum must be turning in her grave. Beautiful photos.

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  15. KIMONO LOVE! It's great to see someone pull of a kimono as well as you do. You have the most beautiful face as well <3

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    Replies
    1. Golly, what a lovely thing to say! Thank you love!

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  16. Hey, I'd like a dress that would require my husband to carry me into the car! :P I love the way your styled your hair and makeup for this shoot, and I like the flowers too!

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  17. Hi Jamie! Love your kimono too! You look so amazing in these photo! Kisses dear! xo

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  18. It really is gorgeous and you do look divine I love the touch of the vintage millinery flowers
    Kate

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  19. Love the kimono and elegant dress. Beautiful pictures. I think your style is in sink with the way you look. I'm guessing you can bring a tear to many a elderly gentleman .........I do mean this as the ultimate compliment!

    blue hue wonderland

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  20. This outfit and the beautiful photography has just blown me away! I love the way you have incorporated a kimono into an outfit, and such a elegant and gorgeous one too. I am in love with oriental prints and fabrics so you really have me swooning :) Your hair flowers are so lovely too!

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    Replies
    1. That is high praise coming from you my dear! Your photos are superb!

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  21. Lovely pictures. I really love your flower hair clip. This outfit and the beautiful photography has just blown me away! I love the way you have incorporated a kimono into an outfit, and such a elegant and gorgeous one too. Kisses <3

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  22. How magnificently beautiful! I love the instantly captivating elegance of this Far East inspired ensemble, as well as where you placed your bird brooch. You're a vision of loveliness!

    ♥ Jessica

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  23. Perfect in every way! Love that your husband had to put you in the car...too funny!
    -Kait

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  24. Wow! Perfect outfit, beautiful photos!! :O

    http://www.likemannequins.com/

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  25. I love the kimono worn in the open air too! That black dress - so so cute and flattering - is just a perfect fit and the flowers in your hair are a dream! Lovely Asian inspired pos, great look, great mood.
    Love
    Coco et La vie en rose
    Coco et La vie en rose on Bloglovin
    Coco et La vie en rose on Facebook

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  26. I'm not sure how I found your blog, but I'm so glad I did! This is such a fabulous look! The accessories are perfect and you look amazingly glamorous, even if it is a bit hard to get in and out of an SUV ;) And your lipstick is gorgeous! Do you happen to recall the color (I think our coloring is similar, I'd love to give it a try!)
    xo ~kim & chloe

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    1. I'm so glad you did too!! :-)
      I use zuzu luxe lipliner in cherry and their lipstick in starlet. I love love love it! Hope they work for you!

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  27. A huge thank you to all the beautiful commenters! This was one of my very favorite outfits and I'm so glad to get the chance to share it with you all!

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