Image from http://www.youreupstate.com
It’s time to kiss your cardigans goodbye! There’s a new clothing item in stores and everyone seems to be sporting it. I’ve got the scoop on one of the hottest new fashion trends of this summer: the kimono. No, I’m not talking about the traditional garment that the Japanese wear; don’t get me wrong, I think those are beautiful, but they are about as practical as wearing a ball gown to the movies. The kimono that I’m talking about is in fact very wearable, as well as incredibly stylish. If you’re going for a boho chic look, then you will absolutely fall head over heels for this trend
The kimono, which essentially is a lightweight jacket, has become very popular among many women. I must admit, I was slightly thrown off at the idea when I first heard about this trend. However, a couple of months ago, I saw a girl walking around my college campus who didn’t just wear a kimono, but she rocked it. There was something about it that made her look so effortlessly cool. From then on, I knew I had to jump on the bandwagon and buy myself one…or ten.
The kimono has been featured on the Spring Summer 2014 catwalks for designers like Gucci, Balmain and Cavalli. Pictures of models/girls wearing the kimono on social media, such as Instagram, helped capture the attention of other girls, which in turn, started the whole trend. Although they can run on the more expensive side, kimonos are well worth the money because you can pretty much throw it over anything. They come in various colors, designs, lengths, as well as material, such as silk and sheer. Lace, oversized, fringes…the style options are endless! Whatever the occasion may be, you can dress an outift down or up simply by just putting it on.
You can wear a kimono over shorts, dresses, pants, or even as a bathing suit coverup. However, the most popular way is to wear it over a crop top and high-waisted shorts. This outfit has become the Coachella/summer music festival fashion must wear. And one of the most popular kimono designs seen in stores are the floral prints. It’s feminine and sexy, but not in your face.
Any body type can pull off the kimono, however, there still are a few do’s and don’ts, which include:
1. Do wear solid colors underneath. The kimono is a bold statement enough that it’s best to keep the rest of the outfit simple, especially if it’s a printed style.
2. To avoid looking frumpy, don’t wear loose clothing underneath. Tighter fitting clothes look best underneath and also makes it look more feminine.
3. Don’t wear the same color shirt/top as the kimono, otherwise you run the risk of looking too matchy matchy. The only exception, of course, is when you are wearing a multi-colored kimono.
Although I’m not a fashion expert, those are my do’s and don’ts. All in all, the kimono is a very versatile piece that adds sophistication to any boring style. It’s also flowy and lightweight, which is why it is absolutely perfect for the summer. However, I have a feeling that the kimono will be sticking around for longer. In the fall, women can throw them over skinny jeans and leather pants. But let me know what you think of this new trend in the comments below!
