My recent trip to Kyoto yielded many great and gorgeous finds – the perfect mochi balls, washi paper by the kilo and naturally a few (dozen) kimonos. However, as some of you may have experienced in the past, sometimes items of clothing you pick up on your holidays seem perfect at the time but once home aren’t translatable into your everyday wardrobe. That lace butterfly top that looked the shiz on you in Bali suddenly seems out of place when you get home to Adelaide (or Connecticut, or Luton). That’s not to say I didn’t love my kimonos when I got home, but they started to seem more like artwork than something I would actually wear. In the spirit of wearability once I got home I altered this kimono that I bought for $10 at the Kyoto Flea Market (more on that soon!) slightly so that it could integrate into my wardrobe and be worn with other things that I own. And yes, some of you might feel it’s sacrilege (my mum thought so) to cut up a vintage kimono like this, however I can’t help but feel that it would much prefer to be out and about at New York Fashion Week (stomping the streets of Soho!) with me than languishing at the bottom of my cupboard. Thoughts?
Wearing: Kimono from Kyoto, One teaspoon denim shorts (like these, theseĀ and these), Club Monaco Silk cami (like this and this), Dylan Kain Bag, OrotonĀ mid heelĀ pumps, Daniel Wellington watch.
Making the changes to this vintage kimono was super easy and took under ten minutes. I did two things, I changed them hemline so it went from floor dragging to thigh skimming – which made it perfect for integrating with more modern pieces like denim shorts and pumps. I also altered the arms of the kimono, taking out the excess fabric which is part of a normal kimono design as this tended to bulk and bunch up when I was wearing it. The update made for a much more streamlined silhouette making it wayyy more wearable. I’m also super excited because there’s a huge piece of fabric left over from this that will make the perfect….. something. Stay tuned!
Love the kimono look? Make your own here!
Your kimono is simply perfect and you look adorable <3
xx from Germany/Bavaria, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Love this!
Emma| With A City Dream
Beautiful kimono, well done! xx
http://www.creativityandchocolate.com
This is amazing! You look beautiful! x
http://www.bohochiccafe.com
This looks awesome, the colours are gorgeous!
I did a similar thing on my blog by making a vintage kimono into a dress.. http://bethebteam.blogspot.co.uk/ xx
I love the kimono, beautiful colors!
x
I absolutely love that kimono! I wanted to get one this past season but I didn’t š
http://lifebetweenhats.blogspot.com
Perfect length change and love the fabric.
This is so wonderful! I love seeing the old become new.
I absolutely can’t wait for your other Kyoto post, as I’m going at the end of the month, and know that you will point me to the most beautiful spots!
http://www.elizabeth-j-pisani.blogspot.co.uk
That kimono is absolutely gorgeous!
Sophia | sophiebysophia.blogspot.com
Love the kimono <3 <3
Ah so cute! I love that you made a simple alteration to this piece in order to make it more wearable for your life, so smart! And kimonos are so on trend right now, I’m sure you will find yourself wearing it all the time, and getting countless compliments! š
xx Jilli
http://www.justjilli.com
This is so beautiful <3
Life of Niss
I have to admit that I would leave the sleeves as they were, but I’m totally on board with changing length. Shorter is way more practical.
That’s so cute!
xo
http://www.iolablog.com/
This looks incredible!
Fabulous kimono!!
Lots of love, xx
http://www.marysreturn.com/
http://www.marysreturn.com/
I love the pattern !
And I love to make little bags or pencilcases out of the rest š
theeighthforest.blogspot.de
Absolutely love it! x
http://mividabonitaa.blogspot.nl/
I think altering the kimono was a great idea, originally it could have been difficult to wear and not look too bohemian but now it’s versatile. Here it looks perfect, everything else is very simple yet chic and it makes them colorfull and youthfull! You are very very beautiful with this color!
I love it! You are so creative…
xx,
E.
http://www.theslowpace.com
Love what you’ve done with the kimono, Geneva! Don’t think it’s a sacrilege as much of an update to better fit the every day. Absolutely adore it!
The Sorted Hats
Love this DIY. I have a vintage kimono that I bought on eBay as a steal because it was listed as damaged. It was actually only half constructed so I finished it an it’s now my incredibly decadent winter dressing gown. I feel so glamorous in it; at least until I drag the sleeves through my breakfast so totally understand the need to shorten them!
It still looks fab and I bet you’ll be able to make something fab from what you cut off
Lauren
livinginaboxx
What an amazing kimono! I love it in its shorter version much more!
XX
Miri
http://currentlywearing.com
Love the kimono! You can also throw a sweater under it when it gets cold outside.
http://www.bluelabelsboutique.com
Love the kimono! You can throw a sweater under it when it’s cold outside!
http://www.bluelabelsboutique.com
Perfect! You did a great job.
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
I absolutely love what you did to that kimono!
O.R.R.
[…] are big in fashion right now. Here’s a short one from Anthropologie like the one converted by a pair & a spare below, and here’s a long version from Anthropologie as […]
I love your new version of the kimono.
So wearable and great for everyday.
It now looks rather like a cool printed jacket.
xx Julia
http://www.followthefashionrookie.blogspot.de/
Nice bag š
Great Kimono the colors are so pretty. Love how you hemmed it, I like the short style better. Gorgeous!
xo
Tiffy
CuteLA.com
Absolutely love this kimono! Looks So bright on you
Lots of love
princechic.blogspot.com
Very clever use of a kimono! Love it.
COOL KIMONO
http://thepocketstyle.blogspot.com/
Geneva,
Isn’t that the truth about the purchases made while traveling. I am so guilty of that! During my most recent trip to India, I came back with tons of wrap skirts made from old saris. There, they were divine; here in Hong Kong….well they just look a little to bohemian. I’m trying to figure out how I could modernize/urbanize them. We’ll see.
I just loved that comment though–it’s so true. I did get a killer kimono this summer though that’s perfect for Hong Kong festivals. I wore it for Mid Autumn Festival. You can see it here.
I love reading your blog Geneva. Keep up the great posts!
Ann of Kremb de la Kremb
Lovely Kimono…. pretty colors.
http://www.myclayexperience.com/
Hello,
I’m a huge fan of your blog, but I have to agree with your mum on this one. The kimono had a beautiful drape; now it just looks like an oversized shirt.
Nice diy, and very nice you!!!!
I love diy, come on my blog, i recycle pallet , i made them sofĆ !!!! š
I just love kimonos, I lived in them the whole summer š
http://www.purelysandy.com
[…] can’t have a link-love post without a link to A Pair & A Spare – check out this AMAZING kimono transformation! I want one for myself Might have to add a trip to Japan in the next couple of […]
I absolutely LOVE this kimono, it is so so gorgeous. Well done on the amendments š x
http://dasherlife.com
Love that Kimono. Beautiful
http://nillaforever.com