Is it a Kimono or a Ruana? Week 1

There are numerous over layers that we can wear including sweaters, blazers and jackets, but what about kimonos, and ruanas? I'll admit, I had to look up ruana, because I wasn't sure exactly what that was. I am familiar with kimonos and have been seeing lots of bloggers showing off these stylish pieces over their summer tanks and shorts. I bought a few pieces from Christopher and Banks recently and realized that one was more like a kimono and one was more like a ruana. Needless to say, I now have acquired a number of these and thought it would be fun to do another series, before we have to start thinking about the reality that fall is coming. 

This first pretty piece is a short kimono I recently found at Meijer on the clearance rack. For each of these posts I'm going to show you a picture of the outfit before I added the kimono. For this week I chose my Sonoma (Kohl's) Bermuda shorts, a Sonoma tank (Kohl's) and my light blue Keds (thrifted). 

For some reason, tank tops seem to be the perfect under piece for a kimono. I think what I like about it, is that the kimono really takes center stage and there is no bulk or extra fabric to deal with when wearing a tank top. I won't normally wear just a tank top, unless it is really hot and I am doing yard work. However, a tank top under a kimono, shawl, ruana or other light weight piece is perfect. 

Here are a few other pics of the kimono. I love the color, the pretty blue flowers and the lace edging. I kept my accessories simple with a teal fringe pendant necklace. 

I'm carrying my navy Simply Vera Wang bag (thrifted), as I thought it went well with the colors in the kimono. 

Of course, the footwear had to be ultra casual as well, thus my bright blue Keds (thrifted).

Do you have any kimonos? How do you like to wear them? I have become more fond of them over the last couple of years and seeing how other bloggers style them really helps. They are a great piece to add pizzazz to any outfit whether dressy or casual like this one.

I love to hear your feedback. Did you like this outfit? Do you like this kimono? I usually think of kimonos as being longer, but I think this short one works and I'll be looking at more ways to style this in the future. 

I've included a few shopping links for shorter kimonos, Bermuda denim shorts and Keds, just for fun. These are affiliate links which means I get a few cents if you click on a shopping link. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I get a small commission. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Color Crash Course - Denim with Denim

Since I have been doing a series on denim, I thought it would be appropriate to start my Color Crash Course column with a post on styling denim with denim. These days denim comes in a variety of colors so we don't have to be concerned about being too matchy or not matchy enough, but I am sure there are still a few souls out there who think that styling blue denim with blue denim is taboo. 

See what you think after looking at how I paired different washes of denim together.

You know, doing a full day photo shoot can get tedious, especially as I am running in and out, up and down, changing my clothes, so you have to expect I get a little silly once in a while. I'm amazed that I can still stand on one foot and not fall over. That and I can rub my tummy and pat my head at the same time. I am just a woman of amazing talents. Ha, ha.

You can see I wore the same bermuda shorts that I styled in my Denim Daze series (see that post  here). This time I wore a white tee then threw on an infinity scarf and a button up in a darker wash. You can see another way I style this darker chambray shirt here, here and here.

Here is a better look at the scarf. I thought it really pulled the two washes of denim together. I completed the look with a navy bangle, my black espadrille flats and a canvas bag with a similar look to the shoes.

For a different look try styling a solid denim piece with a printed denim piece. Again, in this outfit the denim have different washes.

I used a white top, this time a light weight short sleeve sweater and layered the chambray shirt over it (here is another post where I styled this chambray shirt differently). I think another way this outfit could have been done is to skip the tee and tuck the shirt into the pants then add a blingy belt and some sparkly wedges to dress it up. Add a bright colored bag for a pop of color. 

Here you can see my jewelry a little better. The necklace was from Kohl's and the bracelet was from Chico's. My bright blue Keds are another thrift store find. 

I chose to style both of these outfits casually, but I could see combinations involving bright colored heels and bags, or different colored jewelry or scarves. Denim really is a type of neutral and it goes with anything, even itself.

Here are the outfits side by side.

Let me know in the comments section below or by posting a comment on Facebook whether you think denim with denim works and would you wear it. I appreciate your support and input.

Denim Daze - Bermuda Shorts

I don't wear shorts much anymore due to bad varicose veins, an unfortunate genetic problem passed down from both of my parents. But for the sake of versatility I decided to don a pair of denim bermudas to show how they could be styled for a casual day at the park or for a dressed up evening with the hubby. I am wearing support hose, just to make my legs look smoother and less black and blue. Ha, ha.

Not sure what I was looking at in this photo, but you know me...silly most of the time. I really like these shorts as they do not have belt loops or a zipper. They simply slip on with little tugging and twisting and they stay in place. What a wonderful day it was when manufacturers decided to add other fabrics to cotton denim, like spandex and polyester. It allowed more movement with denim pieces and made denim a go to choice for all sorts of occasions. 

Graphic tees are in and always will be. What I like these days is that there are so many choices. I am really not one to advertise a product, like Diet Coke, although I am a die hard addict; or bands though I am going to see Alice Cooper with my younger daughter in October; but just a simple white crew neck with pictures that reminded me of my trip to England, I could do. I still may end up with a Diet Coke shirt or tee from the concert, but you don't have to settle for those types of tees when there are so many options available. 

I just wore a simple black and gold bangle and carried my boho drawstring bag. Perfect accessories for this laid back, casual look. For shoes I kept it simple and comfy with my black espadrille flats.

To dress the outfit up, I changed my tee shirt for a dressy feminine sleeveless top. This top has an asymmetrical hem, front ruffle and little bits of bling throughout.

I added a two layer black bead necklace, two bracelets with black and silver and an envelope clutch made with a sparkly gray material. The final piece to dress this outfit up was to swap out the black espadrilles for a pair of strappy black sandals.

I found these sandals at a thrift store and must say I love them. The black straps are elastic and are pieced together with strips of patent leather. The back of the heel is also patent leather and has a zipper for easy in and out. You can also see the hemline of the shirt a little better. Notice the sheer black strip around the bottom for added length, dimension and detail. 

Here are the two outfits side by side.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping a Similar Look:

Denim shorts - Macy's - $24.99

Graphic Tee - Kohl's - $26.40

Espadrilles - Zappos - $42.00

Boho woven bag - Rebecca Minkoff - $78.00

Feminine ruffle top - JC Penney - $15.99

Envelope clutch - Nordstrom - $49.00

Black sandals - DSW - $34.95

Hope you enjoyed this weeks' post. You can see how I styled a denim chambray shirt last week by clicking here. Let me know your ideas for styling a pair of denim shorts in the comments section below and be sure to like and share my page on Facebook. 

Check back on Thursday for ways to wear an awesome accessory.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with JoLynne Shane for Fashion Friday and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots.