billowy blouse help - YouLookFab Forum

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billowy blouse help

Scarlet

Veteran

I fell in love with this blouse and snapped it up when it went on sale, but I know it sort of breaks the rules to put a lot of volume on a smaller person. Can you help me figure out how to pull it off? I tried out a few combinations to get some direction. I have also worn this blouse with faded bootcuts. I thought it looked good in the mirror, but in the photos (not shown) not as much. Also what do you think about this necklace with this blouse? Do any of these work to your eye or can you think what I could tweak? Honest responses appreciated.

(1) white pants, light boots
(2) white pants, black boots
(3) skirt--oh, the grinning, it's terrible! Maybe a dark cami underneath would look better.
(4) all black all the time.

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Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from sunnycloud78

Louise

Veteran

Keep the bottom half skinny and you're in business. I'm not so keen on the denim skirt not sure why though x

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

If you can keep the sleeves up, Scarlet - it's a win. As soon as the sleeves cover your forearms you are drowning in the style. Does that make sense?

Scarlet

Veteran

Mmm, I am seeing secret cuff snaps in my future...

Queen Mum

Veteran

I love this on you! What Angie said makes sense..
I like it best with the white pants .

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Have you ever tried a belt?

geetha

not with the skirt. it's billowy so you need to balance out the bottom by wearing something fitted. the skinny pants look good. not fond of the boots in the first two pictures. the black skinny pants and black boots looked best to me.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I like it with skinnies a lot, it does not work as well with the skirt - I think it may be too long for the skirt and proportions are off. It should also work with clams or short shorts if you wear those.
Good tip from Angie about the sleeves - I would not think about this myself...

sarah

Veteran

Yep, I'm seeing what Angie's seeing. I was even wondering if you could have the sleeves altered to be 3/4 length, or have a tab added or something of that sort. Otherwise, it's great on you - you can totally "do billowy".

carrie

(website)

2 and 4 are definitely my favorites. Nice long lean leg lines to balance the volume.

bj1111

Veteran

love #1 and #4. black boots in #2 are a bit contrasty.

have you tried tucking in #3?

Anonymous

There's something about the way the boots work in #1 that I'm not crazy about, but I LOVE outfits 2-4. Even the grinning in #3 doesn't bother me, though I think a darker cami would be worth trying.

What a stunning blouse!

krishnidoux

Veteran

I agree with Sveta.

Freckles

Veteran

Divine blouse and lots of great advice.

Jonesy

Veteran

This is a cool blouse! I totally agree with Angie about the sleeves :). I really love it with the white jeans and the lighter boots (#1) and the last look. I think I'd really like it with the denim skirt, as long as you could deal with the grinning situation!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Super with white bottoms! Sometimes I roll my sleeves with rubber bands inside to keep them in place. Maybe this would work here.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Scarlet --

Such a great print on you, and so summery with the white bottoms.

I find that for me to wear this high-volume style even a bit well it has to be sheer (which you've got), show some skin (love the neckline, think I'd chop the sleeves to just above/below the elbow or 3/4 length), and reign-in-able (you belt, I rarely do).

If the many comments about the sleeves above have you considering a tailor, you could also think about having a gathered/elastic waist added.

[Which you could belt over if you wanted to wear low to get more length, or "blouson" enough that the gathers aren't seen -- and shorten the length to potentially be better with skirts.]

In case it helps, example below. Same shirt, different lighting.

[And yes, I keep meaning to take my own advice and get those sleeves narrowed a bit!]

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taylor

Veteran

I also like Angie's advice!! it makes perfect sense .
Such a pretty,pretty blouse...LOVE it on you!

Scarlet

Veteran

Lyn, I wasn’t sure if you meant a belt with this top, or a belt, like, ever J I am belt-challenged, but do manage it from time to time.

Sveta, good call with the clams. Now if I could only find my darn black ones… I am wondering if I left them in the U.S. now.

Modgrl—that is a very clever idea. I can try it this way until I get around to modifying the sleeves.

Vix, thanks for the thoughtful advice and great visuals! Very helpful. I love those blouses on you, by the way. I think your advice about adding elastic to the waist is very wise, honestly, but I have to say that for some reason I really like wearing tents. I probably need my head examined.

Thank you so much, ladies. I knew you would be able to help me. I tried this blouse on at full price and passed it up because I feared it overwhelmed me, but at half off, I loved it too much to pass on. I think Angie is very clever to zoom in on the sleeves. They were also what put me off at full price—beautiful bell sleeves, but just an awful lot on me. Somehow I couldn’t see this was something I could change. I think I will tack up the sleeves and then investigate if I might need to shorten the length a bit as well.

AJ

Veteran

I like the styling in 1 and 4.

I like billowy shirts too...I'll have to remember the tip about the sleeves. Thanks Angie!

sunnycloud78

I like 4!!