A Kimono Story & Link Up On the Edge #205
If you visit here frequently, you may have noticed that I am a bit obsessed with kimonos. You also probably noticed that I often wear chopsticks in my hair. I have long been fascinated by Eastern cultures and their traditional styles as well as their cuisine. Yum. You don’t become a plus size fashion blogger by being bashful about food.
I love food. And I really love to eat food not just look at pretty pictures of it. However, this post isn’t at all about food and I have no food pictures to share. Unless I go steal some from the internet. But I don’t have the time, patience, or desire to do all that. Oh my word…how far I have digressed. Sorry, I might have hit the old pipe a little earlier than normal today.
Hmm. Where was I? Oh. Eastern inspiration. Kimonos and chopsticks. Delicious traditional foods from various cultures. Shoot. I went back to the food. Perhaps I should eat something and come back to this. I am kind of hungry.
Okay. I am back with my appetite satisfied by traditional American processed cuisine of reheated frozen grocery store pizza and a handful of spicy nacho Doritos. The snack of champions. Meh. Maybe more like the snack of a premenopausal midlife woman in the throes of PMS. Yes. That definitely sounds more accurate. It sure did taste good though. I am trying not to have regrets, but, you know, processed food is freaking gross.
I should get back to kimonos. My love affair with them is lifelong. Let me tell you where it all began…
Growing up, it was never a secret that my mother had been engaged to her high school sweetheart and that he was the love of her life. He went off to Vietnam just after high school graduation and my mother was left devastated and sheltered by her parents. Sadly, he never returned from Vietnam and my mother was essentially a widow at 18.
After mourning for quite a long time, my grandparents encouraged my mother to go with them to meet up with some of their friends who had a daughter near my mom’s age. She went and it developed into a friendship. This new friend was my father’s cousin. The rest of that story leads us straight to here. But that’s not the story I wanted to tell. The story I want to tell is about kimonos. More precisely, it’s a story about one specific kimono.
While my mother’s fiance was stationed in Vietnam, he sent her an authentic silk kimono. (I am not even certain these robe style garments are called kimonos in Vietnam, but that is always what I called it in my head. So I will stick with that term for continuity’s sake.)
I was always fascinated by this garment that hung discreetly in the back of mom’s closet. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was crafted from raw silk in the most luxurious shade of ivory with intricate floral embroidery in brilliant scarlet with coordinating butterfly toggles. It had a quilted lining for cold weather seasons. I freaking loved it.
When I was in high school and really started to express myself creatively through my clothing, my mother gifted me this precious kimono. And I pretty much wore it to death! The lining fell apart. The ivory silk was spattered with teenage mishaps. The embroidery was beginning to fray. It was probably four sizes too small for me in the shoulders, but I didn’t care. I wore it anyway. Similar to Chris Farley’s fat guy in a little coat. And I kept it for years because of its sentimental value. To this day, I do not know where or when it disappeared from existence. But I have it no longer and that makes me a bit sad.
Perhaps that loss has not been properly grieved and so I continue trying to fill the void with as many pretty kimonos as I can accumulate. Or I just really like kimonos.
Do you have any sentimental garments like my mother’s beloved kimono?
Also, I have to give a quick happy birthday shout out to my mom in heaven. Her birthday was yesterday (well it’s today while I am writing this). She would have been 72 this year.
And now the featured favorites from last week.
Reader Favorite (Most Clicked)
Rebecca of Rebecca Tries Trousers share her post, Charity Shop Dress, featuring this beautiful purple floral dress. I do love all of the wonderful second hand pieces that Rebecca shares!
Favorite Fashion Post
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style shared her post, How to Make a Short Dress Work, featuring the coolest contrasting floral print dress in black and white. I love the layering trick she used to feel more comfortable in a too short dress. Well done! And I am totally crushing on this dress!
Favorite Non-Fashion Post
Joanne of Slices of Life shared her recipe, Easy and Delicious Lime Pie, and I am sold! I haven’t tried the recipe yet, but key lime pie is one of my all time favorite desserts and this recipe really looks simple enough for me to handle. Wish me luck!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: Kimono Robe-Poshmark / Slip Dress-Charlotte Russe / Shoes-Mix No. 6 (DSW) / Chopsticks-Local Gift Shop / Earrings-Gift from a friend / Necklace-Old
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
75 Comments
Nancy
Ha, just like my grandmother and her kimono! This is a very pretty one and I love the chopsticks! However….I do like them more wit some sushi on it! Lol. Thank you for the feature! You made my day!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Nancy, thanks so much! I do like sushi on the end of my chopsticks, too! But they serve a dual purpose for holding my hair! It was my pleasure to feature you. I love that fun dress! Have a fantastic weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Laurie
Red looks great on you shelbee. Beautiful. Have a lovely weekend xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Laurie! It is one of my favorite colors to wear. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Pamela Graham
That is staggeringly GORGEOUS! Sharing your Mom’s passion for the beloved kimono will always bring back treasured memories and keep the smile on your face even through the anniversaries.
Pamela x
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Pamela, thanks so much! We do need to hold those memories tight because that is all we have left after a person leaves us. Kimonos will always remind me of my mother. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
Thank you for sharing your wonderful kimono story. I’m sure your mom is in heaven is looking down with delight on you. You look gorgeous in it and I adore the metallic heels too. Thanks for the link up my friend!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kathrine, thanks so much! I think my mom would really love this outfit, too. My crazy sense of style was always something that she really got a kick out of!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
What a gorgeous kimono and story behind it!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
You look stunning Shelbee!!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jill
I loved hearing about your moms kimono and the story behind why you love them so much! This kimono is so beautiful on you! Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for the linkup!
Jill – Doused in Pink
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jill, thanks so much! The kimono love runs deep! I hope you have an amazing weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
This kimono is particularly pretty! And loving the chopsticks in your hair! I do not think I ever had any sentimental attachments to family clothes but I do have a few pieces of jewelry from my grandmother that I cherish.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! This kimono I believe is actually just a bathrobe! But I couldn’t resist the bold red color and the fun floral print. Heirloom jewelry is such a great thing to have! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lucy Bertoldi
Oh Shelbee what a beautiful post-no wonder you love kimonos so much:) I could just picture what your mom went through (I’m married to my high school sweetheart…). So touching- but how special that at least you got to wear that beautiful kimono and loved it so much. You write the best posts- honestly. Plus…you always make me hungry too lol!!!
Have a great weekend, Sunshine xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lucy! I am smiling so big after reading your comment! I am so glad that you enjoy my posts. I can get a little goofy sometimes when I just start writing from a stream of consciousness perspective! I love that you are married to your high school sweetheart! I am merely Facebook friends with my high school sweetheart, which is good progress considering the horrible, dramatic breakup at 17 years old! Haha. I hope you have a lovely weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ellibelle
Such a beautiful look! Loving this shade of red on you! The chopsticks in the hair are so fun! And loved reading the story of your mom’s Kimono, I’m sorry you can no longer find it!
I may sound like a hoarder, but I kept favorites of my kids clothes from when they were little, and I’m pretty sure I have a couple things still in the basement from my late teen years. I’ve also kept a midi dress of my mom’s but it’s still overseas with some of my items that never made it to the States and I need to bring it here next time I visit.
Thanks for hosting the linkup, Shelbee!
Ellibelle’s Corner
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ellie, thank you so very much! You may sound like a hoarder but I will fully admit that I am absolutely a hoarder when it comes to clothing and sentimental things (especially sentimental clothing)! I have saved a few of my kids’ outfits as well. A little funny story…my sister is very into vintage collections and stuff like that. She belongs to many thrifting and collector groups on social media. Recently, she sent me an image of these awful crocheted vests that were popular in the 70’s and asked if I remembered the ones my mother had made for us. She almost died in a fit of laughter when I pulled three of these teeny tiny 1970’s crocheted vests out of a bin that was stashed under my son’s bed. That was the only thing inside the bin! Haha. I sent them to my sis and she promptly put them on her 2 year old grandson and took a million photos! Haha. I hope you bring your mom’s midi dress back and wear it for us!
xoxo
Shelbee
Cheryl Tucker
Love your snack options! My favorites! Love your look today and love the setting. Did you know I used to play with my friends in our local cemetery? I also had a friend whose grandfather owned the local funeral home and we used to play there too. I was one weird kid!
Peace!l
Cheryl
northwestmountainliving.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Cheryl, thanks so much! My husband chose this location and I was super hesitant to have a cemetery in the background. I feel like it can be perceived as disrespectful to use a cemetery for a photoshoot but I have always wanted to do a photoshoot in a cemetery! Is that weird? I guess this was the closest I could do without feeling like I would offend someone. And I actually don’t think it is weird at all that you played in the local cemetery. There is a certain appeal for children! My ex-husband’s family’s law firm was housed in an old funeral home and the lay out of the building was so interesting when not being used as a funeral home. They always claimed that there were many spirits that lingered there! So maybe you were weird in the eyes of others, but certainly not weird in the eyes of this weird girl!
xoxo
Shelbee
Di
Lovely story about your mom and your love of kimonos, Shelbee. This red and gold one looks beautiful on you! Thanks for hosting the link up and commenting on my blog. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Di! I really appreciate that! I hope you have an amazing weekend as well.
xoxo
Shelbee
Nailil
I love kimonos, they’re classic and always on trend. 🙂
Xx, Nailil
https://thirtyminusone.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nailil! I have worn them forever and will continue to wear them! Have a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Meghan
Kimono is a Japanese term and dress. Here in HK the traditional dresses are called Cheongsam. In Vietnam it’s an Ao Dai, similar to a Cheongsam up top but in the shape of a long tunic dress, with pants underneath. Very pretty.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Meghan, thank you so very much for your kind compliment and for introducing me to the proper terms for these various garments. I suppose the things we call kimonos in the U.S. probably are not at all kimonos but more just simple flowing robes. I need to do some research and get it all straight in my head! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nanchi
You look gorgeous as always! The red color kimono is so pretty and suits you. Take care. Have a fantastic weekend.
https://nanchi.blog/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Nanchi, thank you so very much! Red is one of my favorite colors to wear. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
That is a lovely story about your mom’s kimono. (And what a devastating loss.) Personally, I think it’s awesome that you wore it to death. You enjoyed it’s beauty. That’s what it was made for. And maybe I’m projecting here, but I’ve always been disappointed when I’ve made a quilt for someone and they choose to “save” it rather than use it. I had a cousin that did this with baby quilts I made for her children. So the saved item gets hidden safely away where no one ever sees it. That’s not what beautiful kimonos or quilts are for. The maker wanted that kimono to be worn. (I totally get why your mom didn’t wear it, btw.)
And that kimono you’re wearing? Beautiful!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Michelle, you are so right! And that just made me feel really, really special that I was the one who was able to give mom’s kimono new life and get it out of the dark corner of her closet. It was meant to be worn and seen and if I still had it today, I would find some creative way to proudly display it (It would definitely never fit me now…I think it was probably a size 4 or 6!) I have been gifted handmade quilts before and I used them until they fell apart as well! I am glad to know that is what the maker wanted! I found this fun red floral kimono robe on Poshmark. And it is really a robe based on the way it ties. It almost has to be worn as a dress or else there are ties flying everywhere in the most random way. Have a great weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Melody Jacob
The kimono is so nice and your hairdo look great.
https://www.melodyjacob.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Melody! I really appreciate that! Have a great weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
There is a lot of Eastern food cooked in my house because of my son. Most of his friends are Asian or Pacific Islander and his girlfriend is Hmong. I can’t really eat a lot of Eastern food because I am a allergic to any type of fish or shellfish. But the culture is big with him.
Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend. Looking very nice.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Patrick, I bet your house smells wonderful with all the rich and savory spices! What a bummer that you are not able to eat most of it. That might drive me crazy! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have an amazing weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Darlene
OK, I had to to pin both your photo and the key lime pie images! Both kimonos and key lime are favorites of mine, too! Shelbee, you look gorgeous in that red kimono!! I love it styled as a dress. What a lovely story about your mom and dad–and the treasured kimono. I, too, had an authentic one from a wonderful Japanese lady that once worked for me. I don’t know what happened to it either!! Sob. But it was truly beautiful! And I, too, love food and fashion!! Lol!
xx Darlene
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Darlene, thank you so much! I smiled all the way through this comment! I wonder why our lovely authentic garments have all gone missing! Boo. I am trying that key lime recipe when my husband gets home in a few weeks. If you try it before then, please let me know! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Cheryl Shops
From one fellow kimono lover to another, I am totally feeling this look and I especially love your gold heels! Red is a fab color on you!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Cheryl, thank you so very much! These shoes are one of the few things I own that I paid full price for! I couldn’t resist them. They tap into my inner Carrie Bradshaw!
xoxo
Shelbee
joanne
What a lovely story and how wonderful of your mother to share something that must have been quite precious to her with you. Thanks so much for featuring my lime pie recipe!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Joanne, thank you so much! As I was writing the story, I had thought that it must have been difficult for her to pass on to me, but I think I may have loved that kimono probably more than she did!
It was my pleasure to feature your recipe. I can’t wait to try it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lauren Renee Sparks
Your writing gave me a much needed giggle today. And you look gorgeous in red.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Lauren! And I am so glad that this post made you giggle! It was meant to do just that! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura Bambrick
I wish I had something like that! What an incredible story! I hope I can pass a few things of mine down to my daughters one day! The kimono you are wearing is simply beautiful on you and I just love how you are wearing it as a dress!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Laura! The way this kimono/robe ties, it doesn’t even work well left open so wearing it as a dress seemed like the only way to make it work! I am sure you will have some very special things to hand down to the girls!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lovely
What a beautiful kimono, it looks gorgeous on you!
xoxo
Lovely
http://mynameislovely.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lovely! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Shauna
This kimono is just BEAUTIFUL on you! I adore the vibrant red and of course those pretty gold accents. Happy weekend!
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Shauna! I felt so pretty in this outfit! I hope your weekend is going well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Deborah Stinedurf
You know I’m right there with you on the kimono love, I’m actually wearing one in my new post…lol! I love the story about your mom’s kimono, it’s both beautiful & sad. Speaking of beautiful, you look amazing in red! xo
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Debbie, thank you so much! I could seriously wear a kimono every single day! They make me so happy. I even wear them over my nighties and then they make me feel sexy. They are brilliant things with transformative powers and beautiful stories. I must go read your new post! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Leelo
What a beautiful story!
I love your red kimono and I think it suits you very well!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Leelo! My love for kimonos runs really deep!
xoxo
Shelbee
Grace
Haha, the beginning of this post is too funny! Love this pretty kimono look and your gold shoes are fabulous! I am also very hungry and probably need to go find something, hehe.
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Grace! I am glad that I could give you a little laugh…followed by the munchies! Haha. Have a fabulous day, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
Very stylish Shelbee, love this on you. Great colour too. Jacqui
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jacqui! I hope your week is going well.
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
How sad for your mom. It’s lovely that you got to wear and enjoy the kimono. I love this red one on you, and those gold shoes are gorgeous! I just bought my first long kimono on eBay and I’m eagerly awaiting its arrival!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Emma! It was always sad to hear my mother speak of her fiance. We remained very close with his family for our whole lives. His father was even my oldest sister’s godfather and my father was great friends with him! It was an interesting dynamic to grow up with, but there was always an abundance of love and it was never weird. I can’t wait to see how you style your first long kimono!
xoxo
Shelbee
Chrissy Rowden
Shelbee you look gorgeous in this color! And I love the kimono style on you, but you already know that. Is it kimonos that brought us together originally? lol. Anyway, I hope you’re making incredible progress with you closet and poshmark sales. I know you have a lot of good stuff!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Chrissy, thanks so much! I don’t even remember what initially caused our paths to cross. Maybe it was kimonos! I am progressing nicely with this closet project although it is still more of a basement project! I haven’t even gotten close to my actual closet yet and I have already listed about 200 new items on Poshmark! It is really just evidence of my obnoxious overindulgence in all things clothing!
xoxo
Shelbee
linda cassidy
beautiful story and so sorry you still do not have a piece of the kimono. You do however have wonderful memories and that is what matters
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Linda, thanks so much! I will cherish the memory forever even without the kimono. I guess it is the memories that keep things more alive than anything!
xoxo
Shelbee
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback:
Barbara Chapman
Great features, Shelbee! I love your kimono and your mother’s story; it mirrors my own with my first fiancé. He passed in a bicycle accident on his way to work – he was 20 and I was 21.Beyond devastation is probably how to describe it best. I am glad that your mother was sent a beautiful kimono! I have a dress my father brought back from a TDY trip for my mother but in Vietnam, he brought home what was then-known as coolie hats with silk scarves to tie around one’s neck. I loved mine!
Happy to feature your post this evening at SYS #268,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Barb, thanks so much for sharing your story with me. Wow. That is absolutely heart breaking. I am so sorry. I love that your father brought back items that you cherished though. It is the little things in life that really do carry the most meaning. Thanks so much for the feature, too! That was a lovely surprise and it totally brightened my day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback: