Keep or Return: emerald Vince Camuto blouse (Angie's pick) - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Keep or Return: emerald Vince Camuto blouse (Angie's pick)

Aida

Veteran

I haven't been able to get this blouse out of my head since Kari posted it, and then of course Angie listed it in a top picks post. It is beautiful, but I do have a couple concerns.

First off, I don't think I can wear this with pants, right? With these jeans the top sits right above the waistband. If not, then the pencil in #2/3 is the only thing in my closet that I can wear it with. While I love how it looks with the skirt, I'm worried this would be too limiting for me; I do have an open wardrobe hole for blouses, but this one was rather pricey and NAS is coming up. It could fill a hole for "actual dressy top" for an actual dressy occasion, but I have none coming up that I know of.

Secondly, the pleating in front is pulling at the bust which I tried to show in the right side of #3. If you zoom in on the Nordie's photo you can see that the pleats are supposed to lie flat. I feel like this takes away from the architectural integrity of the blouse, but sizing up would make the blouse ridiculously large.

Would love to hear your thoughts regarding my two concerns, versatility for the price and whether the pleats pulling is problematic.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

Mellllls

Veteran

I think the blouse looks amazing with the black pencil skirt. But it's a real dressy look. Do you dress up for work?

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I absolutely *love* it with the black skirt, and even though it's a slightly dressier look, the blouse looks so fab on you with the pencil skirt that I'd say it's definitely a keeper.

It's a knockout on you - this blouse - and no, it doesn't necessarily work with the pale grey jeans, but it's amazing with the black skirt. So maybe it ends up being a blouse that only works with skirts, but the thing is - it's so spectacular on you that it's worth having a top like this, imo.

I vote keep, for sure. I can see you popping on a leather jacket with the ensemble in pic #2-3 for fall.

Diana

Veteran

It's gorgeous and the pleating thing does not bother me, but it seems a bit limiting to have only one thing to pair it with. Although do you have any higher waisted black pants?

Kyle

Veteran

Skirt is a home run. 110% yes. Pants...not quite working so well for me. I think this top could work with pants, though. Might be worth experimenting, Aida -- you are very adept in that regard. If memory serves, you have some fab citron accessories, do you not? Will look forward to seeing how you incorporate this into your wardrobe. I can also imagine the skirt outfit with a pop of red in shoes or bag.

Meredith1953

Veteran

Gorgeous with the skirt! Yes it IS dressy. Do you have any high waisted dressy trousers? Sometimes it is enough to have an outfit THAT spectacular for occasions when a LBD might seem a little too conservative. Looks beautiful on you.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I think it looks off the charts with the black skirt! I cannot see the pleating issue, though. I think most eyes would focus on the print, anyway, but it depends how much it bothers you.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

The bust thing doesn't bother me in the least and the blouse looks stunning on you. Obviously, it works best with the black pencil skirt. If this is the only way to wear it in your wardrobe, then I guess you need to decide if it's worth it or not. It does look gorgeous on you though Aida! Meredith makes a good point that it does give you that ONE outfit for when needed.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I can't see any issue with the pleating. The skirt combo is a no brainer, it's so fab.

What about dark jeans? Black jeans? Black trousers? I don't see why it wouldn't work with those.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Right along with everyone else - this looks so good with the skirt that it is worth experimenting with some other bottoms. Pleating does not bother me.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'm going to be a massive outlier and say to return it. It is a gorgeous piece, but it doesn't seem like you.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

It is breathtaking with the skirt! I don't like it with the skinnies as much BUT it may be smashing with your wide leg jeans and trousers - just try on!

catgirl

Veteran

It's gorgeous with the skirt. It seems a bit of a new direction for you, and I know you like your clothes to have more than one way of wearing, especially since this way is so dressy. So I think you should play with it a little more and see if you can make it work with pants. Grey, green, black?

Joy

Veteran

It would probably work well with black trousers and looks gorgeous with the black skirt, but the pleats pulling like that would drive me batty. I think you may be wise to hold out for the perfect blouse.

catgirl

Veteran

Okay, forgot about the pleats - that would drive me mad. (Mad with Joy?)

Kari

Veteran

Aida, I love the blouse and I love it on you. Oh, what a lovely piece! I am of course biased towards it.

But do you see yourself getting enough wear out of it? I LOVE it with the black pencil skirt, but I know you love and wear pants much more than I do. Are all of your pants this low in the rise, or do you have others that are higher (black skinnies/straight legs/shorts) that you could try it with too? I really, really hope that you keep it but I don't want you to end up with a very fab orphan that doesn't mesh with your style.

The issue with the pleating doesn't bother me. You and I have a bustline, and the model on the Nordstrom's site doesn't appear to have much chest definition. This top is NOT tight on me, but my particular body shape creates a different texture in the blouse than what the model on the website is displaying. http://pencilskirtlife.lookfab.....nd-at-play

jayne

Veteran

keep!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW!

This may be a new look for you Aida, but *my word* you are rocking it! No pleating issue in my book.

It's an 11 out of 10. KILLER

Deborah

Veteran

Aida this looks gorgeous on you. Obviously it looks fab with the skirt. It would work I think with black wide leg trousers, dark skinny jeans (higher waist) and I wonder how it might work with a fitted and flared midi?

Scarlet

Veteran

This looks SO AMAZING with the skirt. I agree it is different from your usual style, but that doesn't have to be bad. I wish you could keep it. I don't think the pleating is an issue.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I think it looks great on you--the emerald and citron is so striking against your curly dark hair. I love it with the pencil skirt! I agree it could be tricky to style with pants. How about trying it with black trousers or black or dark blue jeans? The pleating doesn't bother me at all. The only thing that potentially bugs me (I have the same blouse but haven't posted my K/R yet) is that with the way the print is on the blouse, there's a grey splotch near the shoulder that kind of looks like a water stain. Mine looks the same (and so does Kari's). I haven't decided if that bugs me enough to return it just on that basis--I'm just a little picky about print placement issues, but it's probably not enough to be a dealbreaker. Anyways, if you think you would wear it enough, I would keep--it's a winning look on you!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like it on you. I would want to size up, to get longer sleeves and a longer body and a slouchier fit. As well as to potentially mitigate the pleating issue. But it sounds like you already tried the bigger size, so maybe just live with the pleat issue?

harmonica

Veteran

Keep! Stunning with the black pencil

ManidipaM

Veteran

The pleat 'issue' would be a non-issue for me; like Kari said, it just flows differently on different bodies, and I do see this as a flow and not a distortion, IYKWIM.

I'm not so happy with the jeans with it. I don't think the issue is fit or silhouette so much as the dressiness of the blouse being *too* far out of sync with the casualness of the pants. A darker denim or black pants, or even bright green should do beautifully. Or white, or cream... Just nothing too faded or rugged. What about trying a little volume on volume with your slouchy pants?

Heather

Veteran

Super Sassy, Aida! LOVE!!!! <3

I think you are going to be able to go super elegant AND BA chic with this blouse! Cannot wait to see all the combos you come up with for this blouse.

Anonymous

Aida, do you have the Gap Really Skinny black trousers? I think they would be a good match, the fabric on them is dressier and would go better with the blouse I think. That would give you a non-skirt bottom to go with it. Or yellow skinnies?

I like it! I think it is a new direction for you.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

It does look really nice with that black pencil skirt. I have a hard time with some black patterned tops too, in that I'm not sure I have enough things to pair them with. One top has been sitting in my closet with the tag still on for that very reason. It looks great with one pair of black pants I have - but doesn't seem to quite go with anything else. This top has similar colors - citron and turquoise together make it hard to add a third color aside from black. Maybe magenta?

Aida

Veteran

Thanks so much for all the wonderful feedback on this blouse!! I am actually a bit surprised so many of you commented that it doesn't seem my style or that it's a different direction; combo boho+luxe+architecture+abstract print, and the colors are all in my palette. I don't see this as a departure for me at all, maybe because it's just so much dressier than what I normally wear?

Re high-waisted pants: I wear my pants low rise, with just a handful at mid rise. These jeans are about as high as they go, although I do have high waisted WIDE leg jeans (might be too much volume). I will experiment with my darker pairs to see if they work, but my hunch is that the shirt will sit above the waistband like it does here. It might look like a faux-tuck if I wore a black camisole, would that be OK? I may have another skirt that will work after looking through my closet some more, will also test that out. I hope to experiment this weekend, and will report back on Monday!

Natalie, I saw that splotch and debated about it as well. I've decided it's clear enough that it's part of the print for me

Denise, I didn't try the size up but that usually only adds an inch of length and there is already SO MUCH fabric that I think I'd feel uncomfortable. It's so hard to find small sizes with enough length for my long torso

Manidipa, both of my slouchy pants are low rise BUT I was thinking perhaps I could use an obi belt and do something like this? http://youlookfab.com/2012/03/.....tructured/

Ceit, I do have the GAP Really Skinny black trousers but they are rather low rised on me No yellow skinnies, but my emerald skinnies could work!

Anonymous

Oh, I see now it has a bubble hem, I thought you had just tucked it! Yes, lower rise will be a bit problematic. I think a black cami could work, and the bubble hem is imitating a midriff-tied shirt pouffed out. The obi belt would give you more length too.

I look forward to seeing your new outfits!

Kari

Veteran

Aida, if you wore dark pants and a black camisole tucked into the pants, I'll bet it would work as a faux-tuck. You are so clever!