Kimonos are definitely having a bit of a moment right now! I am loving how comfortable, easy to style and versatile they are, plus you just instantly feel feminine in them. I've been wearing mine as a top, under dungarees and dungaree dresses, with denim shorts, skirts, skinny jeans, heels, open as a lightweight summer jacket and I'm hoping in August I can wear it over my bikini as a cover up on the beach on holiday. It's a really good investment piece for your mama style and a bit of a classic wardrobe staple. Plus as it's a wrap shape you can wear it pre, during and post pregnancy with plenty of room for a changing shape. Also it would be really easy to breastfeed in - by opening the top flap, lifting up or pulling it down.
The word "kimono" actually means a "thing to wear" and to me conjures up images of Japan, cherry blossom, Geishas and tradition. The high street is currently flooded with them in all shapes, colours and prints and it's now something that is seen as really easy to wear, feminine and modern. Bloggers everywhere are endorsing them and Instagram is flooded with them...do your research and find one that works for you!
Olive Loves Alfie have been expanding their own brand recently and also growing their 'mama' offer. Alongside their Smock Tops (which I lived in on holiday back in March) they have just launched their limited edition printed Kimonos (as worn thought this blog post) which sit nicely alongside the kids ones they released back in Feb. They were inspired by owner Ashlyn's trips to Japan and are in a more useful shorter length than a lot of the longer 'fashion' shape 'jacket kimonos' around.
I've been living in my Kate Sheridan dungarees and the kimono works so well with them - both under and over the top (as above). I hope you can see here how useful this top is and the multiple ways you can wear and style it. I love wearing mine back with a bright red lip too.
The Olive Loves Alfie Kimono comes in 3 different prints (with more to come) and I got to try them all on as I recently modelled them for their website. The tops are ethically hand made in England in block printed fabric from Jaipur. They have a real artisan feel to them in original prints, softest cotton and I can't recommend them enough.
