Tag: burgundy

Birthstone Ensembles – January – Garnet

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It’s July, which means… time for January’s birthstone?

Don’t worry, July’s ruby ensemble will be coming soon, but I mistakenly grabbed the wrong things while getting ready and decided I may as well get January (and February eventually) done, since I started this series last March and am still a little behind.

January’s stone is garnet, a beautiful wine-red gem. I knew these pieces would be absolutely perfect, even though I used this obiage in the last coord. Thematically, the kiku motif works decently for January, since it’s a winter flower, as are the ume on the haneri. The obi, however… does anyone know what season shrimp are? Honestly, if it were up to me weird sea creature motifs would always be appropriate. Oh, wait, this is my blog so it is up to me! I mean come on, look at the goofy little things!

I forgot how long this kimono is — I had to adjust the mannequin and the proportions still seem a little off, but it’s such a pleasure to work with. I need to bring it out more often. It’s so simple, but so elegant. Also… shrimp. Can you tell I really love this obi?

Items used in this coordination

The Fruit of the Sea

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I can’t look at this obi and not think about Bubba from Forrest Gump.

Anyway, like I was sayin’, shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. There’s uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried…

You probably know I love goofy crustacean motifs, and when I saw this obi listed online (and on sale!) I jumped on it. I’ve actually had it for over a month now. 😳 Every time I find myself time to coordinate an outfit, something else grabs my attention. But yesterday I was determined to let this adorable obi shine. I waffled for quite a while looking for the perfect kimono and then it hit me; this tsukesage with a woven net-like design was it! Nets for catching shrimp, and the purple colour is just the right desaturated shade to go nicely with the burgundy of the obi itself.

Green accessories add a pinch of contrast, but since I used a similarly desaturated olive colour they’re still harmonious and balanced. This outfit is technically too casual for a date-eri to work, but I wanted just a pinch more of the warm/burgundy tones without adding more colour or pattern. I really wanted the shrimp on the obi to be the star here, with everything else almost fading away into the background. Do you think I succeeded? I do!

Also I’m sorry if these pictures seem dim or off slightly; my flash unit died yesterday and the replacement just arrived and I’m still getting the hang of it.

Items used in this coordination