Nothing is more beautiful in the spring and summer months than a kimono. Yet, while searching for styling inspiration beyond an Anthropologie ad, I found myself hitting a wall of nothing, over and over again. This is when I reached out to a few of my favorite ladies on instagram for ideas on how to wear this favorite bohemian piece with style.
Did you know that beyond the kimono/tee/jean idea, there are endless ways to wear a kimono? I reached out to the experts; 5 women who inspire me on Instagram and know how to maximize their kimono collections – wearing them with elegance and style for everyday. SO much style goodness, I had to break this post into 2 parts! Today I’d like you to meet Elizabeth AKA La Contessa of www.TheVintageContessa.net. I know you will enjoy her musings, style tips, garden and furry friends (can you spot the pot belly pig?) in today’s post. Then, I invite you to pop back next Tuesday for more style inspiration from Valerie Lee of @ChateauBelage, Kimberly Frick of www.TheRealGoldenGirl.com, Tamera Beardsley of www.TameraBeardsley.com and Diana Amato of www.AMothersInsight.com…
It’s my pleasure to introduce you all to Elizabeth, AKA La Contessa of www.TheVintageContessa.net
ALL it takes is a long dress, sleeveless might even be best, and add a KIMONO! Load on the JEWELS and YOU ARE PRONTO for a night of FUN!In summer time I like to use a KIMONO as a ROBE………..just in case there is a KNOCK at the DOOR!Which brings me to another point! They are THE BEST for TRAVELING! Light weight and all……..can go from robe to swimsuit cover up to sight seeing to evening attire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!There are many ways to wear a KIMONO…………..and it just ADDS something to your ensemble!
A LONG KIMONO is great for covering up the exercise pant when you are dashing around town to run errands after your workout! ADD a few neck bits and YOU are READY TO GO! I see the pockets on this one are hanging OUT! That is another way to TIE the KIMONO under your chest so you get an even shorter version!
Here is the back of the kimono which adds MORE than a BLACK pant which tends to show MORE than WE the people behind YOU want to SEE!
ADD A BASKET for SPRING time as your GO TO BAG and I promise the compliments will come pouring in!
It only takes minutes to Tie and add a few accessories……….YOU will elevate your LOOK by 100%.
Now if the Contessa hasn’t gotten you dreaming of owning a gorgeous kimono of your own, I’ve got 4 more chic women to show you just how versatile and chic this warm weather piece can be! Too much fabulousness for one post you’ll have to pop back to AskSuzanneBell.com on Tuesday for How Real Women Style a Kimono, Part 2 , along with Valerie Lee’s YouTube Video where she shows us just how many ways we can tie our kimono’s!
Coming up on this Tuesday’s Post!
Valerie Lee of @ChateauBelage
Diana Amato of www.AMothersInsight.com
Kimberly Frick of www.TheRealGoldenGirl.com
Tamera Beardsley of www.TameraBeardsley.com
Have you ever worn a kimono? How do you style yours? Do you keep yours poolside or style it up for on the town?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this boho-chic piece down below!
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SLEEVELESS is what I meant TO SAY!!!!!!!!UNder the kimono as they are warm as light weight as they are!
I hope you will all watch the VIDEO that VALERIE DID to SHOW YOU ALL how to wear a KIMONO!
Remember now, while watching VALERIE on the video she is only 5 foot 2 inches tall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Compared to ME who was 5 foot 11 inches in her PRIME!!!!
ALL MY KIMONO’s and I have a few come from VALERIES SHOP in San Diego!
I shop by phone with her.
She snaps a photo of colors and prints and I pick or I spy it on her INstagram accounts!!!!!!!
It’s a FUN way to do BUSINESS………TRUST ME!
XX
SLeeveless it is!! I for one, do not need to add more warmth to my body, LOL! I LOVE Valeries shop, so many goodies I need to own in my closet!!! 🙂 Thank you for sending me her direction! xx Suzanne
PS. The PIGGY is a TEA CUP.he was NOT to exceed 35 pounds!At 130 pounds we stopped weighing HIM as the SON could not pick him up anymore as he didnot LIKE THAT ONE LITTLE BIT!My guess is he is about 160 TODAY!!!!!!
The CLEANEST most LOVING HOUSE PET I HAVE EVER HAD!
He loves to pull the dish towels off the oven…….it’s OUR GAME!
I call him the DISH TOWEL BANDIT!!!!!!!
He just turns around and says WHO ME?!!
OK, how does that even happen 🙂 Teacup to 130, wow! I loved the photos you shared of piggy getting a pedicure! I love that he has such a fun loving personality! What a perfect pet for you!
Suzanne
So beautiful! tHANK YOU FOR FEATURING THIS CHARMING AND STYLISH CONTESSA!
It was my pleasure, the COntessa has been such an inspiration to me, I wanted to share here ASAP with all of you! Tuesday’s post will be loads of fun with a round-up of 4 more chic women I can’t wait to share…hope you pop on back next week! Have a wonderful weekend!
xx
Suzanne
This is true style inspiration! Thank you . Better rush right out and get myself a closetfUll!
Hi Nancy! After meeting the Contessa, I tell you, I came home and saw my closet with an all new perspective. The contessa puts the most creative looks together, it’s truely an inspiration. I’ve go my eye on a few kimonos that I would love to add to my spring summer wardrobe! Thank you for stopping by Nancy!
xx
Suzanne
I LOVE THIS! Contessa style! Elizabeth has inspired me with her idea of wearing a kimono over a workout pant- great idea! I have an old kimono I bought when working at Bullocks (I know that is aging me) circa 1983. It was in the lingerie department and is black with embroidered dragons on the back. I wear it summer nights, but you all have inspired me to drag it out for a public wearing! I love seeing ELizabeth’s home. She really does live like that!
looking forward to your next posts! xx Kim
Hi Kim! Yes! The kimono could be our answer to our post workout style woes! Much cuter than the faded tunic I grab before heading to Yoga class, LOL! I think we can now rock those nighttime pieces all day long, why save them if we love them. How cute would your dragon one be with a white tank or tee and a pair of your favorite jeans? add mules or sandals and off you go..even flip flops! Yes, pop back Tuesday, I was inspired just putting the post together…so fun! Love all these ladies! Have a great weekend!
xx
Suzanne
such a fabulous look! I bought my first kimono and a matching one for my daughter this past summer. I would love to find more!
Yes, the Contessa knows how to pull off this look with such elegance and grace. I too am on the lookout for another special one. I know the Contessa loves kimonos by Jennafer Grace. They are sold at Valerie Lee’s boutique, @ChateauBelage. I will be featuring Valerie as well as a video by Valerie on Tuesday so I hope you pop on back! Love that you and your daughter have matching pieces, how fun is that?
Enjoy the weekend!
xx
Suzanne
Oh, how fabulous. La Contessa really knows how to style herself, friend,, family and her house. She’s our Auntie Mame. Love that you’re featuring her. I can’t wait until next week for some more fabulous women. Good for you. So glad I found your web site. I started with this blog but can’t wait to read more!
Hi Sandra! I have yet to be to her home, bu I can imagine from seeing photos that it’s something special, just like she is! I met her in person a few weeks ago and was so inspired by her beauty, inside and out, that I couldn’t wait to write a feature on her and her gorgeous style! I’m thrilled to see you here on my little space on the web, thank you for stopping by…and yes, more beautiful style coming up next Tuesday! I post every Tuesday and Friday, usually in the late afternoon. I have a newsletter that goes out Wednesday and Saturday to notify you when I post if you are interested in signing up…you will find the box on my homepage! Have a wonderful weekend!
xx
Suzanne
Gorgeous kimono styling, elizabeth!!! I love your pieces and hoWyou embellish them with pearls the size of moons and turbans and Long dripping necklaces that shimmer and sparkle! You are always an INSPIRATION!!! Love this INTERVIEW with yoU!
Hi Lisa! Ah yes, the accessories…that may need to be a whole other post! 🙂 Elizabeth’s styling is such an inspiration to me, I am happy my readers love it too! Thank you for stopping by to take a look and leave a comment. Great to see you here this Saturday Morning!
xx
Suzanne
Great SUzanne and Elizabeth. I do have a short kimono, an antique silkone no less, and indeed I wear it on jeans or black trousers. I Am and will enjoy these series. Love To get new ideas. I am still pining over a genuine silk, handmade long kimono in the loviest colour blue. I boughtit at a jumble sale market for the price of a cup of coffee, took it to the dry cleaners and it was heaven! Took it to the dry cleaners every time, u til I had the miSguided thoughtof wasHing it myself. Colours faded, totally ruined. ?. Have to find myself another long one.
Greetje
Hi Greetje! Wonderful to see your smiling face here this Saturday morning! Isn’t her styling just the best, and beautiful inside and out! After meeting Elizabeth, I was inspired to go home and look at my entire closet in a whole new light…I have 3 kimonos that I could not really figure out how to style so this post series was as much for you all as me! I love my pieces and just needed a little nudge on where to go with them…so sad about your piece, I too have done that on accident, why does it always happen with the pieces we love? My daughter loves when I ACCIDENTALLY shrink something as she gets it sent her way, LOL! I too have my eye on a long handmade piece from Jennafer Grace that I know I just NEED!!! in my life 🙂
your short one sounds gorgeous. you’ll have to tag me when you style it, I would love to see it!
Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for dropping me a line!
xx
Suzanne
Love the Contessa and her kimonos!
Ah yes LInda…such an inspiration! She really knows how to pull of the turban, accessory, kimono and so much more. I am trilled to share her with my readers today, she is one of a kind and gorgeous inside and out. Thank you for letting me know you stopped by, it made my morning to see all the wonderful comments about Elizabeth!
xx
Suzanne
I couldn’t agree more! The COntessa has inspired me to look at my kimono style in a whole new light! I adore her and her style! Thank you for stopping by and dropping a comment! xx Suzanne
I am a kimono lover …from waaaay back and now they are everywhere and easy to find…easy to make as well….
Thanks for the fun ideas.
Ah yes you are! I love mine, but was in need of some fresh new ideas. The contessa herself is beyond inspiring…and I have 4 more ladies to share in tomorrows post so hope you can pop on back! xx Suzanne
ELIZABETH is a STAR!!! And a delight!
She ALWAYS Looks fab!! One Of my FAVORITE chic people was Toni Webb, widow Of Del webb! She said “i’ve never Met a CAFTAN i didn’t love”!!
Hi Penelope! A STAR she is! I adore her style – home, Garden and Fashion…What a wonderful quote, I am so happy you shared it with me. And so true, what’s not to love about a gorgeous caftan???
Thank you for dropping me a line!
xx
Suzanne
Im a kimono lover, its true! I think i may just own one of the original JennAferGrace kimonos from Valerie’s Chateau bel Age! And i am going to admit that I have a Collection of them that eXceeds 8! I guess that is one for everyday and a choice on Sundays! Kimonos are a most versatile clothing option. I caN Say that no matter how they are styled, they always create a conversation and a huge sTatement.
Hi Diana! Oh who lucky you are…8 plus kimonos, I’m a bit jealous! I have my eye on the Jennafer Grace signature dress and a kimono…maybe even a headband, its all so fabulous! you are so right, a statement and what could possibly be more VERSATILE and easy to pack on a trip? Looking forward to sharing a few of your beautiful looks tomorrow here on the blog!
xx
Suzanne
This is such a fun post and I can’t wait to read part two! I love kimonos!
Cheryl
http://www.northwestmountainliving.com
Hi cheryl my fellow kimono lover! Isn’t Elizabeth just the best? I am so happy to be able to feature her here. Yes, pop back tomorrow evening as I will have 4 more ladies to share, each with different looks for different occassions!
xx
Suzanne
What a great feature suzanne!! Elizabeth is an AUTHENTIC inspiration to all us women!! I love how she is The contessa of her life. Dogs chickens piggy too ,,,,, gardens in a Kimono..i dont think it could get anY better!!
I’m new to your blog and loving it !!! ( sorry FOR ALL CAPS… IPAD GRINCHY)
Hi Shawnee! What joy to see you here. I am happy to hear you enjoyed my feature of THe fabulous COntessa! I couldn’t agree more, Elizabeth is such an inspiration, we are all lucky she shares a piece of her life with all of us! I’ll have more ladies to share tomorrow evening, along with another appearance from our dear Elizabeth…I hope you can pop back.
xx
Suzanne
Wonderful style inspiration, Suzanne – and the Contessa is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it all with Vis Monday, xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
THank you Patti for the visit! The Contessa is an inspiration to me, I am happy she is to so many other women as well. She styles a kimono up like no other…it’s just all so fun!
xx
Suzanne
Stunning!!! Thanks so much for featuring my handmade kimonos! I love the way that elizabeth puts them together, SUCH A LOVELY AND CREATIVE WOMAN!
Hi Jennafer! Such an honor to see you here, I ADORE your designs and gorgeous pieces! I have my eye on a few of your gorgeous pieces, truely unique, one of a kind and so special. You are such a talented designer, keep creating beautiful things…you have an eye for beauty! I think a few of tomorrow’s featured women are wearing your designs as well!
xx
Suzanne
Kimonos are so stylish, they really pull an outfit together. I think I need to buy a few for summer! The first kimono Elizabeth is wearing is stunning, especially with the headband. Love the pig! I really want a pig 🙂
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Hi Emma! I couldn’t agree more. The kimono is such an easy piece to throw on and go, and who knew there were so many ways to wear this piece? I’m swooning over these gorgeous kimonos and I would love a new headband…the pig is the icing on the cake! Thank you for stopping by!
xx
Suzanne