KIMONO WEATHER

If you've visited my blog before you'll know I like to champion ultimate versatility in clothes. And right now we're getting into transitional dressing, depressing I know as its still August, but if you shop right you can easily pick up pieces to see you through the seasons. 

So lets talk about the kimono. It's really just an extra layer, a very pretty layer of course, but you can throw on over anything and everything. Whether you're at the beach, on a night out, mid- week casual or in the office, a kimono will soon become your new best friend. An easy way to add a bit of style to an otherwise basic outfit. 

 

Kimono (old) New Look

Basic T-Shirt  Zara  £4.99

Blue Ripped Fray Hem Tori Jeans  New Look  £10.00 (was £25.99)

Red Heels  Primark  £10.00 in-store only

For an everyday look try ripped demin, white tees and sandals. As the weather changes, swap your sandals for coloured pumps or boots. And don't be afraid to add an extra layer in too. If you want to wear a shorter piece like a leather biker jacket/denim jacket, pop it on under the kimono. If you want to wear a longer layer like a trench coat add it on over the kimono. 

Penny Floral Print Oversized Kimono  Boohoo  £15.00

Pink Floral Jacquard Kimono  New  Look  £22.99

These summer tones are perfect for print clashing with ginghams and florals. Keep the rest of your outfit and accessories simple and let the prints do all the work.

Floral Print Kimono  Zara  £59.99

To smarten things up throw on some black under your kimono. Keep lines simple and add heels for ultimate glamour. 

Magic Dance Border Print Kimono  Free People  £48.00 (5 colours available)

Kimono with Fringe  Zara  £49.99 

Floral Print Kimono  Pull and Bear  £19.99

Floral Print Kimono  Warehouse  £18.00 (was £32.00)

Floral Print Kimono  Bershka  £39.99

Black Floral Print Frill Sleeve Trim Kimono  New Look  £9.99

Flower Print Maxi Kimono Jacket  Topshop  £69.00

These darker shades are perfect for transitioning into Autumn. The Free People Kimono is my top pick, not only does it come in 5 colour options, the price is amazing and the cut is gorgeous on it. 

Printed Kimono  Zara  £59.99

Ella Premium Floral Print Kimono  Boohoo  £30.00

Kimono Floral Belted Duster Coat  Zaful  £16.21 

If you missed out on the Zara jacket of dreams last season fear not, these versions are just as amazing but only a fraction of the price. 

Yellow Satin Longline Kimono  New Look  £29.99

Floral Print Maxi Kimono Jacket  Topshop  £69.00

Another one of my top picks is this yellow kimono jacket from topshop. Perfect colour for the last bit of summer. Come Autumn style it with darker tones and mix in some Burgundy accessories. 

So the kimono, not only can you wear it on the beach over your bikini. You can bring it home, wear it office to bar, daytime casual; ultimate versatility at its best. If that didn't tempt you enough though check out how the streets are styling them.....

Street Style

(images pinterest)

Kelly Lou

xx

PINK TO MAKE THE BOYS WINK

Pink's not just for Barbie girls!! Dress it up, down and mix and match colours to add some fun back in to your wardrobe. I wanted a bright dress I could wear out, chuck on with trainers and take away on my holidays. So I decided on a bright pink - with ruffles and wrap detail of course, what more could you want? If this ones not for you though, I've included some alternatives and some outfit ideas for all occasions. 

Cold Shoulder Ruffle Mini Dress  Boohoo @ ASOS  £18.00

Leather Jacket  Zara  (similar here)

Sunglasses  Primark  £2.00  (similar here)

Personalised Name Bar Necklace  Anna Lou of London  £55.00

Earrings  H&M  £8.99  (in store only)

Cold Shoulder Ruffle Mini Dress  Boohoo @ ASOS  £18.00

Chanel Bag (old)

Mid Heel Mule Sandal  Primark  £10.00  (similar here)

I'm not going to lie I was slightly shy of the brightness to begin with. But when I tried it on , I decided to follow my own advice and have fun with fashion! That's what fashion is there for after all; to express yourself and stand out from the crowd. Don't be shy ladies...

Pink Frill Layered Bardot Dress  New Look  £17.99

Lace Trim Tea Dress  Miss Selfridge @ ASOS  £32.00

Maxi Dress with Double Split  Outrageous Fortune @ ASOS  £35.00

Knit Dress with Criss-Cross Back  Zara  £29.99

No matter what the occasion; think pink. I've styled a couple of outfit ideas here for everything from holidays in the sun and that beach to bar outfit to wedding guest glam. 

Beach to Bar

Tie Sleeve Wrap Dress  Topshop  £46.00

Wrap Handle Grab Clutch  ASOS  £35.00

Jelly Flat Sandals  ASOS  £10.00

Girls Night Out

Two Tone Metal Clutch  &Other Stories  £55.00

Ruffle Wrap Front Mini Dress  Bershka @ ASOS  £29.99

Suede Pumps  &Other Stories  £79.00

Casual Days

Basic Backpack  Zara  £19.99

Button Through Puff Sleeve Shirt Dress  Nobody's Child @ Topshop  £13.20 (was £22.00)

Ray-Ban Round Metal Sunglasses  Urban Outfitters  £125.00

Sk8-Hi Black and White Trainers  Vans @ ASOS  £60.00

Black Patterned Bandana  Reclaimed Vintage Inspired @ ASOS  £6.00

Wedding Fever

Cotton Dress  H&M  £24.99

Face Earrings  Mango  £9.99

Pom-Poms & Beads Clutch  &Other Stories  £39.00

Sandals  H&M  £19.99 

Hopefully I've tempted you over to bright side, if not though here's a little more style inspo to tip you over the edge. 

(photos pinterest)

Kelly Lou

xx

POLKA-DOT IT

With the sales coming to an end and new season pieces filling the shops, it's beginning to look a little bit like autumn. And to be fair the weather is not really helping either, is it?! But fear not, you can shop the new season and still be summer ready. It's all about buying the right pieces that you can mix and match throughout the seasons. 

So lets talk prints, for me the print that is about to take over in a big way is the not so new; polka-dot print. Its an old faithful along with the good old stripe but with new shapes and fresh ideas on styling it's so right now!

Playsuit  H&M  (in store only)  

White Leather Look Cross Body Bag  New Look  similar here

Gold Sandals  H&M  (in store only)  similar here

White Smoke Lens Cat Eye Sunglasses  River Island  £14.00

Bodysuit  Zara  £9.99

Rolled Up Denim shorts  Bershka  £15.99

Hat (old)  Marks & Spencer  similar here

Top (old)  Zara 

Jeans (old)  H&M  similar here

Sandals  H&M  similar here

Bag  Zara  similar here

I've been earning my spots recently with some old pieces found in my wardrobe. It's always a good idea before you hit the shops to have a little look at what you already have. Especially with such a classic print as polka-dots. For a new season twist add some fresh accessories, dress down the smart and dress up the casual. 

If you do want to inject some brand new spots into your wardrobe then I've done the hard work for you and edited my pick of the high street.....

Flowing Polka Dot Jumpsuit  Zara  £49.99

Polka Dot Drape Playsuit  Miss Selfridge  £39.00

Black Polka Dot Print Bardot Playsuit  River Island  £30.00

Dot Print Bardot Playsuit  Topshop  £42.00

A playsuit/jumpsuit is a perfect day to night piece that can be styled to fit any occasion. Wear with sandals and a basket bag for summer, then when the seasons change swap for boots and a smart leather handbag. 

Polka Dot Textured Dress  Mango  £25.99

Spot Peplum Cut Out Midi Dress  Topshop  £65.00 (currently out of stock)

Polka Dot Dress  Zara  £25.99

*STYLE TIP* If the weathers not on your side but you still want to get out the summer dresses; layer with a simple white tee, add a denim jacket, trainers and voila a casual everyday go-to look whatever the weather.

Cold Shoulder Blouse  H&M  £29.99

Polka Dot Ruffle Sun Top  Topshop  £24.00

Cami with Ruffle & Tie Front Spot  ASOS  £22.00

Flounced Strappy Top  H&M  £24.99

Oversized Polka Dots Shirt  &Other Stories  £59.00

Polka Dot Bermuda Shorts  Zara  £19.99

Dot Print Side Split Culottes  Lola May  £26.00

Polka Dot High Heel Court Shoes  Zara  £49.99

Black and white spots are in my opinion the most versatile. For summer add a bright green/yellow to the look with a red lip for ultimate glamour. When the seasons change; style with a rich burgundy (FYI* this colour will be huge for A/W).

Frill Sleeve Top  &Other Stories  £35.00

Dress  H&M  £24.99

V-Neck Strappy Top  H&M  £8.99

Top  H&M  £24.99

Plunge 40s Top in Spot Print  ASOS  £32.00

I have this H&M blouse currently at the top of my wishlist. I would style it with blue denim by day and for after dark add some bright pink or red to glam it up. 

Spot Print Plisse Wrap Dress  Topshop  £39.00

For a more girly take on polka-dots try a colour. Blue is a blogger favourite at the moment but pink is my favourite and will stay in fashion for years to come.

Polka Dot Ruched Front Top  Topshop  £29.00

Bow Polka-Dot Blouse  Mango  £17.99 (was £25.99)

Pink Polka Dot Frill Wrap Dress  PrettyLittleThing  £25.00

If you have an occasion to go to but want something you can wear again this jumpsuit from Mango is perfect. Dress up with gold accessories and heels for night time. 

Charlotte Spot Ruffle Tea Dress  Boohoo  £20.00

Printed Jumpsuit  Mango  £59.99

Remember to always think versatility when shopping for clothes, especially at this time of year with transitional dressing just around the corner. Polka-dots will see you through from summer to autumn with just a few changes to the colour palette and accessories.

Style Inspo

(images pinterest)

Kelly Lou

xx