I feel like my world has shrunk drastically in the last few weeks. It seems to consist of a garage and a house with occasional trips outside to take care of Jack’s toilet needs! So, when I received a phone call from Suzie at J Jill inviting me to the launch of their new Pure Jill Elements collection, I told asked Nigel if we could go shopping! While I didn’t find anything in that new collection, I did pick up this new pink kimono. It was in the clearance section so I can’t find a link to it. I’m wearing it with a plain white v-necked tee from Old Navy and my trusty jeans from Talbots.
A poncho…
My first inclination was to call it a poncho. But, when I googled that, I discovered ponchos are single pieces of fabric with a slit in the middle for the head. Obviously, this is not that.
A kimono…
So, next I thought, “It must be a kimono.” At first glance, that seems to be the answer. But, a kimono is meant to be wrapped around the front and has square sleeves. Again, this is not that.
A wrap…
Hmmm…that seems a little closer as it appears to be “a loose outer garment or piece of material.” This is definitely loose and a piece of material. But, that still seems a little ambiguous.
A ruana…
Now, J Jill frequently calls this type of garment/accessory a ruana. A ruana is closely related to a poncho, but it has a slit down the front so the fabric can be wrapped around you. But, ruanas are usually made from wool. And, this is not that!
Does it matter…
At first glance, I don’t think it matters. But, with the exception of calling this accessory a wrap, all of the other terms refer to specific garments in specific cultures. Is that cultural appropriation? I don’t believe it is as I am not wearing a true kimono, poncho, or ruana. Now, here is when my Libra nature comes out because I now kind of believe it is because I have appropriated the use of the words!
Short life update…
We have almost all of the boxes unpacked!! Yay, us! But, there are still pictures to be hung, and Nigel is balking at doing that. He doesn’t want to pound any nails into these new walls! I’m all for it. Just give me a nail and a hammer! I have already done some decorating in my closet using those nifty little 3M velcro strips. Those, however, won’t hold the pictures waiting to be hung up! We did get grass seed and straw down this week. Now, a certain someone has been yammering on and on about how much work it is to water it (I’ll give you a hint…it isn’t me)! We had a quaking aspen planted in the backyard. I can’t really call it a tree…it looks more like a twig with a few branches. Hopefully, it will grow fast! Jack’s ear infection has cleared up quite well, and he is adapting well to the new house and routines. I am ready for a vacation, though!
The Lewk!
I wanted to go a little boho with my accessories to match the vibe of the kimono. But, I didn’t have any pink bead bracelets so I honestly just threw on a bunch of different bracelets that didn’t clash with the look! I chose smoky topaz earrings (an eBay purchase years ago) to bring out the brown in the poncho. I’m wearing my L’Artiste block heel sandals. My friends, I have to admit they are not easy to walk in! I’m not sure what it is about them, but I really struggle keeping them on my feet! Maybe, I need some of Nigel’s double sided tape! I bought these during my girls’ weekend (read more here).
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I’m not sure it’s important what we call our clothes. Yet, there is a part of me that wonders how someone from a different culture feels about these things. If I were from a culture where kimono, ponchos, or ruanas were the norm, would I be bothered by an older, white woman wearing something and calling it that? I don’t know, and I will never know. So, can we talk? What do you think? Does the name matter if it’s not the genuine article? Is there a boundary we shouldn’t cross when it comes to clothing? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise I will respond as soon as I can!
Affiliate links and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. I recently became a Brand Ambassador for Sarah Flint shoes. You can use SARAHFLINT-BAMARSHA for $50 off your first pair. As of right now, I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
Thank you!
Thank you so very much to all of you who read my blog regularly. I appreciate each comment and email so much! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, Being a Wordsmith, and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also host Final Friday Print Mixing on the last Friday of the month. I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
That is such a beautiful colour. And I love how versatile it is. You can dress up any outfit and instantly look put together. Thanks for sharing this great outfit.
https://www.bauchlefashion.com
Thanks, Heather! Would you believe, at this time last year, I had exactly zero ponchos/kimono/wrap/ruana? I just never found anything I really liked!
I’d probably go with kimono even though it doesn’t quite fit the description. Nevertheless, it’s a lovely color and makes for a great topper/completer piece.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Thanks so much, Rena! Completer piece! That’s what I should call it and be done with it, right?
Whatever it is, it’s gorgeous on you! What a great find. I adore the color and texture. So glad the settling in is coming along!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I was lucky to find it as I’d seen it online but never bit! Yes, a little bit more settled every day. Now, if I could just paint some walls. I knew Antique White was a mistake!
About blue eye-shadow, it was definitely a 60s thing. We all wore blue eye-shadow and very pale pink lipstick topped with black mascara that was in block that you had to moisten. I’m almost certain that in the 70s and 80s it was more about smoky eyes.
That’s a very pretty colour, the kimono or…. whatever it’s called! It’s very versatile. Love your accessories 🙂
Thanks, Penny! I remember wearing blue eyeshadow when I was in high school in the 70s, too. I had a good friend who had huge blue eyes and she always wore blue eyeshadow. I have seen that kind of mascara (though I’m not sure it was around when I started buying it) on videos and such. I would have made such a mess of that…black streaks down my face, I’m sure!
I guess this is a case of “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” right? Such a pretty color on you and it looks great with that shade of denim. Great Boho vibes!
And for the record – I think blue eyeshadow was more of a 70’s – 80’s thing. I remember wearing loads of eye shadow in the late 80’s!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you, Kellyann! I really thought blue eyeshadow was more then, too! In the 80s, it seems like we did lots of heavy liners, right? Anyway, thanks for the compliments!
I would have called that a wrap but I honestly think it seems like all fashion bloggers and designers are starting to blur the lines of these definitions…. that is such a good question about cultural appropriation though. I would never have though of that! My husband was the same way about our walls when we moved in…. so I hung most things up myself when he wasn’t home. I don’t really recommend that though as a few pictures have/had a few extra holes behind them as I often eyeballed it instead of measuring and doing it properly. Luckily I have gotten really good at spackling and each time we tackle a room to redecorate I’m the one spackling and painting anyway so he really doesn’t seem to care what I do with the walls anymore.
Thanks, Joanne. It just came to me as I was writing…is it ok to call these things by those terms? I honestly don’t know. As for hanging pictures, I am almost OCD about pictures hanging just right. I can walk into a room and instantly tell if a picture is off by centimeters! It’s my superpower, I guess! The pictures I want to hang are heavy so they’ll require those special thingamabobs! Anchors!! That’s what they’re called. And, I hate using power screwdivers because I inevitably miss and ram it into the wall!
I call it a kimono and am never too worried if I am using the right name especially for a wrap! But I am glad you picked it up: love the color and those gorgeous L’artiste sandals
Thanks, Mireille! I had seen it before online but never in person. I was lucky to find it in store and on clearance!
It’s a gorgeous shade of pink by any name. Glad Jack is doing better!
Thanks, Sally! I have to be careful with pinks, but this had that blue undertone I need! Jack is doing very well…thanks!
I’m with you on the point that the name of our clothing items just doesn’t matter. Besides they change depending on which time the style comes out, right?? It’s kinda like color. SOmeone will call it apricot while someone else calls it light salmon. Does it matter?? I say no!!
That’s a bummer about the sandals because it was the second great element I noticed (after that beautiful wrap/kimono). I’d definitely try some kind of insert or something because those are amazing,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie! I’m not giving up on the sandals! I’ll figure it out one way or another! As for naming items, I think, sometimes, you need to know so you can get your point across to someone. I would have called it a shawl years ago, but that seems to mean something different now. But, I get your point…as long as we have photos we don’t have to explain too much!!
Ha ha, the things you can be busy with. I couldn’t be bothered by the name of a garment. But I do like it, the colours are beautiful. I how you show us your new home! I’m very curious.
Thanks, Nancy! I just wasn’t sure what to call this thing. There was a time when I would have just called it a shawl! Maybe once the house is finally put together!!!
Whatever it is, it’s gorgeous! And that’s what matters, right?! lol
And that photo of Jack…..OMG he’s so cute!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Aww, thanks, Suzy! Jack is a bit of a weird dog…he doesn’t behave like any dog I’ve ever had! Since we don’t have a yard, I have to take him on bathroom strolls. Most dogs will pee on everything they come across. But, not Jack! He’s on prednisone which makes him thirsty which makes him drink which makes him pee. We’ve had a couple of accidents in the house so I’ve been really vigilant. But, taking him on a pee stroll when I’m in a hurry? I swear he knows it every time! That face, though? Love the goofball!
I guess call it what you want but you look fabulous in it! I worked retail in fashion for years and we referred what you are wearing as simply an open front poncho. I have seen you in a lot of different colors, but my Libra friend (my birthday is the 6th) you own this color! It looks so good on you. Have a great weekend.
Thanks so much, Meagan! You are too sweet! I have to be very careful with pinks because they can be so close to my skin tone. But, this one is so vibrant that it works! My birthday is the following week (14th)! We will have to think of each other as we celebrate!
I do have a cosy knitted ruana, it’s so cosy and comfy! I call it my winter kimono, haha 🙂 I haven’t heard any issues from people who have traditional kimonos as part of their culture so I think I’m okay to call the light colourful cover ups I wear kimonos, but maybe I should think of other names for my collection of kimonos! They are such a style staple for me, I should really refer to them with the correct name!
Thanks for the link up. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend 🙂
You’re very welcome, Mica! I’ve had a good weekend watching my grands! I think you’re ok with the word kimono…everyone uses it. And, it’s not like we’re wearing the actual Japanese kimono…I could never afford one of those!
Thanks for stopping by, Mica!
What ever it is, I love it! Just beautiful, Marsha. Sally of A World of My Own, uses the term “topper.” And I Lucy of Montreal Styling Diva calls it an outer layer. I’m so Jack is doing better, and that you’re getting settled in.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thanks, Michelle! I guess this thing has lots of different names, right? Jack is definitely better, and the boxes are almost all gone!
Well, whatever this garment is called, we can maybe agree to just call it FABULOUS! I wrote a whole post about these different styles of coverups or topper pieces a few years back and I think I settled on the all-inclusive word “topper” because you would never wear such a gorgeous piece underneath something else. It will always be showcased ON TOP of the rest of your outfit! Gorgeous, my friend. And those shoes are near perfection…only near perfection because you said they weren’t that easy for walking. You need comfort and ease in a shoe for it to be perfect! Bu goodness, they are something spectacular!
Shelbee
Thanks, Shelbee! I shall try to remember that…a topper! I’m hoping I can come up with something to make them work…I’m sure Amazon has something, but I try not to shop there if possible!