black box

dress, Old Navy

kimono, DIY

      This is one of those outfits that looked better in my head than it did in real life. I take outfit photos after work, so while I felt good in this outfit, I was surprised to see how boxy it looks. The fit of the dress is problematic - a small was a bit too snug on the bottom, so I sized up to a medium, which means it's big on top.

    I did add a belt, just to see how it looked. The belt really helps. But I'm still considering adding this dress to the donation pile.  
   How was your three-day weekend? I did some serious Labor Day sale shopping (let's just say, I already spent September's budget), a good deal of lazing around and a little prepping for work. I'm looking forward to doing some hands-on science with my students this week and adding a short "energizer" period in the morning that will get them moving. I hope that getting their blood pumping will help them focus and learn better.

Try-it-out Tuesday: kimono with dress

dress, Old Navy

kimono, DIY

necklace, Haitian Beads

    So far, I've stuck to styling this kimono top pretty simply, usually knotted in front with a plain tee and jeans. Last week, I decided to see how it would look worn full length and with a dress. I think I might prefer it with a solid black dress, but I did feel pretty in it - I enjoyed feeling the chiffon fluttering around me when I walked. I also got a few compliments from co-workers.

      I like this dress, but I've realized that from now on, I will probably avoid dresses constructed with a seam running across my midsection. I find the seam itchy and irritating, not to mention that it makes me feel a little self-conscious about my middle.
      What clothing features are deal-breakers for you? 
    What clothing features are deal-breakers for you?

Girls' Day

tank, Gap

kimono, made by me

Calvin Klein jeans, Ross

    So far, I've stuck to pairing this kimono top with black or white. But some days just call for pink!
    March 3 was Girls' Day, and I shared a little with my students about this holiday celebrated in both Japan and in Hawaii. Some of my students are new to the islands, so it's fun to share a bit of local culture with them. I wanted to get mochi, but when I stopped by Costco the afternoon before, there wasn't a single mochi platter to be had. I settled for senbei (crispy rice crackers) instead, and my students didn't seem to mind. 
    This would have been an appropriate outfit for March 3, but in reality, I wore this outfit a while back. For the first time in a long while, I have a backlog of outfit photos. It's a nice problem to have, for once ... 

 

double floral

kimono, DIY

Merona tee, Target

jade pendant, New Zealand souvenir

Calvin Klein straight leg jeans, Ross

      It was my birthday yesterday, so I decided to wear something pretty to work. I suspected that I was going to be given a lei or two, so I figured, what goes better with flowers than more flowers?

  
    It was also one of my students' birthdays, so I held off on bringing a treat to share with the class. I'll probably bring in something on Friday for us to enjoy.
    These phone photos don't do this outfit justice ... it's one of my favorites so far. I'll have to wear it again soon and take better photos. 

summer sewing: black floral chiffon kimono

        Style & Co. petite V-neck tee, Macy's

distressed denim mini, Old Navy

        Summer = sewing time around here, and this is the first thing I whipped up. I've been wanting to buy a kimono top for a while, but saw many (albeit with pretty embroidery) going for $50 in stores. That's my entire monthly clothing budget, so I needed an alternative.
       I headed to the fabric store and picked up 2 yards of this rather florid print for $12. A bright print on a black background just says summer nights to me ... although I will admit that most of my summer nights are happily spent sitting on the couch with a book vs. going out. I liked the big print, but going for a straightforward floral was a stretch for me. I tend to lean toward abstract/graphic florals, so I'm still undecided on whether I like the print, although the colors are beautiful.
        This is basically 3 rectangles sewn together - no separate sleeve - which I think accounts for the voluminous fit. I've never sewn with chiffon before, so it was an interesting project - I used French seams for the first time (to enclose the madly fraying raw edges) and hemming the neckline, bottom, and sleeves took up the  bulk of sewing time. This came out a bit longer than expected, and it almost has a cocoon shape - notice how the side seams hang a bit lower than the rest of the hem in the side view below. I think it also has to do with the slouch of a generously cut arm opening.

    Nonetheless, I think this came out OK for my first time working with chiffon, and a longer hem has an unexpected benefit - more styling options! I figured out that I can alter the silhouette by tying the ends in front:

Or tying the ends in the back gives you just a peek of print in the front ...

 

... and an interesting draped effect in the back.

   Now I just need to figure out different ways to wear my kimono ... for its inaugural wearing, I went with the classic white V-neck tee and denim bottoms option, which is what you'll often find when you Google "styling a kimono top." Some other styling options:

• dark skinnies
• white jeans
• tucked into a pencil skirt as a kind of wrap top
•  And since Suzanne just blogged the versatility of a little black dress, I'm wishing I owned a simple black dress that I could pair up with this kimono ... I don't see many people wearing kimono tops with a dress, maybe because of hemline/proportion issues, but it sounds intriguing.

Do you own a kimono top? If so, how do you style yours (I'm looking for ideas!)