Welcome to the monthly edition of Match made in Seven! We are an international group of fashion bloggers who meet once a month. One of us chooses a theme in turn, and that can be anything. A book, music, a color, a movie. Then we each style an outfit based on that theme. The theme for this month is Ode to Iris Apfel. Our stylish friend from the Netherlands, Sonja from Beauty Some, picked this theme. Sonja has a great sense of style and knows how to have fun with fashion, and this pick of theme reflects that.
The Bloggers of Match Made in Seven
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Today’s post is all about this style and fashion icon, Iris Apfel. Iris is that outlandish style setter who wears oversized glasses and huge necklaces and more bracelets than you can count. When asked how many bracelets were too many, she replied, how long is your arm?
Fashion is just another accessory for someone with great style.
This year, at age 97, she signed with a modeling agency! She’s designed spaces in the White House for nine presidents, all the way up to Clinton. Iris became super famous following a 2005 exhibit at The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was named Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Apfel Collection and it made her even more famous!
Besides her outrageous sense of style is her outspoken personality. You get a sense of her just by reading what she says, so I’ve sprinkled her quotes throughout this post just to make you smile. The lady has wisdom!
Last year, she released her first book, an autobiography published by HarperCollins, titled Iris Apfel: Accidental icon. This was followed by the release of her own Barbie doll made in partnership with Mattel.
“I dress for myself…I’m not pretty, and I’ll never be pretty, I’m not trying to be pretty, but it doesn’t matter.
I have something much better. I have style.”
A Tribute to Apfel’s Style
Ok, this month’s challenge is a big one! You’ve got to admire Ms. Apfel and her sense of style, but really, is it for me? Well, you certainly can’t channel her look without the iconic glasses, right? So, I picked these oversized eyeglasses up, just for fun. If you really love them :), you, too, can have a pair! Lol! They do make you feel like an original!
While Iris is big on bold colors and rich fabrics, she does wear quite a bit of black. So, to suit my style, I started with a black background and built on that to come up with a mild and meek version of this fashion queen!
The bright print of this kimono reminds me of her colorful style. While it lacks the rich texture found in many of her pieces, it does mimic her style due to the bright floral pattern and the dramatic scale of the kimono. As for accessories, like necklaces and bracelets, the more the better!
And for shoes? She was all about wearing flats. Mine are from BP and here is a very similar pair of red flats on sale.
My Take on Her Style
Now back to reality. This is how I would style this kimono. With jeans, a knit tank top, and casual shoes or sneakers. You can find the kimono here as it’s been restocked.
I’m really excited to see what my blogging friends come up with and I’m sure you are, too. Take a look to see their interpretations:
Debbie of https://www.debbiestyleslife.
Darlene of https://aquamarinastyle.com/
Sonja of https://www.yustsome.nl/
Bettye of https://fashionschlub.com/
Anna of https://www.muttonstyle.com/
Emma of http://www.style-splash.com/
Nancy of https://www.
I had lots of fun learning more about this interesting lady and I hope you did, too. Even though we can’t fully imitate her style, there is something to be said for dressing any way that makes you feel confident. Without a doubt, accessories do make the look, right?
If you are intrigued about this style-maker and enjoyed reading this ode to Iris Apfel, be sure to check out Iris Apfel on Instagram where her bio reads:
“More is more, and less is a bore.”
A lovely tribute! You totally nailed it!
And I love your orange kimono.
That’s so sweet of you to say! The ladies in our group come up with some great challenges and every time I think I won’t be able to figure something out. Somehow, it all comes together. I was just lucky to have picked up the kimono.
Have a great week,
xx Darlene
I love your bright kimono and your glasses are soooo fabulous!! What a great take on an icon!
Thanks for linking up with Styling Monday!
xx
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com
Oh, those glasses!! While they look adorable on Iris Apfel, I felt a bit like a little old lady in them! Haha! Thanks for the comment, Suzanne.
xx Darlene
What a great challenge – and a challenge it is! You’ve done very well channelling Iris. I love the kooky glasses! And it was great to learn more about it. I have pinned one of your outfits to my Fab Bloggers Outfits board. Thanks for joining #WowOnWednesday!
Thanks, Gail. The ladies of Match Made in Seven are such a creative group and this one was another great challenge. And yes, kooky is definitely the word for those glasses!! Lol!
Happy weekend,
xx Darlene
You really nailed her look!
Thanks, Nicole! It was definitely a challenge and I was so glad I’d picked up the kimono!
xx Darlene
Love the kimono for its bright colour and prints, Iris would love it, I am sure. Your sneakers are super cool
https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much, Anna. I just couldn’t find enough bracelets to match her style!! Haha! But the kimono worked out pretty well. Aren’t these sneakers fun? I picked them up in Napa but can’t find a source to link them to for you! Apparently, they are made in Russia. Interesting, huh? I also bought some lime green ones for fun!
Have a great weekend!
xx Darlene
Love your interpretation, just a little light-touch bling and a punch of print to make this a wearable outfit that can look good pretty much anywhere. Well done!good
Hugs, Mary x.
thepoutingpensioner.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for your kind words, Mary. That is the perfect description–light-touch bling! Lol! Even that bit felt a bit much. But it was super fun to go a little ways to imitate Iris Apfel’s amazing style!
xx Darlene
Fabulous Darlene! And those glasses look fantastic! The bright kimono is a gem. How versatile! It would look good on anything!
Thanks, dear friend! I just felt lucky that I’d bought it when I was searching for something to wear for our Ode to Iris Apfel!! Haha! The glasses were just a whim–they are so funky!
xx Darlene
I love your kimono, such a gorgeous colour! The round glasses look great on you!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
After I put the glasses on, I took one look and thought they make me look like an old lady!! Haha! Thanks, Emma. Another fun challenge, right?!
xx Darlene
Yeah, this is ABFAB! I love how you styled it and that kimono i need that too!
Hi Sonja,
Well, you definitely gave us all a challenge, my friend! You channeled Iris beautifully and it was lots of fun. Who knows what next month will bring?!
xx Darlene
I think you nailed it with the bright kimono! I love the orange shade and the gorgeous print!
http://www.ruthyanie.com
Thanks, Ruthyannie! (I love your name, by the way!) The Ode to Iris Apfel was definitely a challenge and I was glad to have picked up this kimono!
xx Darlene
That’s a great tribute and I love that kimono. So pretty.
Thanks so much, Julie! The bright print turned out to be just right for this Iris Apfel challenge! Haha!
xx Darlene
You look fabulous! I love that bright red kimono and your red flats! Such a fun outfit!
Thanks so much, Laura! It wasn’t as hard as I thought to channel Iris Apfel for our Match Made in Seven Challenge! Lol!
xx Darlene
That kimono is absolutely fabulous Darlene!! And I know sometimes I’m a bit out there like Iris, because I just adore it with the those necklaces!!
XOXO
Jodie
Hi, Jodie,
I’m glad to hear you liked the necklaces. That was a piece I struggled with. Lol! I love your colorful style so I really appreciate your kind comments.
Have a great day!
xx Darlene
Mild and meek?! I think not! You look amazing! That kimono is gorgeous! And I think “your take” on her style is totally her style! As you pointed out, as much as she dressed “outside the box,” her base layers and footwear look simple and comfort-driven.
I just don’t know how she wore all those necklaces without hurting her neck!!!
Bettye
https://fashionschlub.com
You’re so right! Her base layers do like comfortable. She said she never wore heels–I say YES! And about those necklaces–how DID she wear those heavy things? I couldn’t wait to take mine off and I only had two! Lol!
Thanks, Bettye, for the sweet and supportive comments. Heading to Fashion Schlub!
xx Darlene