Q&A about individual items, ensembles, and wardrobe

My pirate blouse-how do I wear it?

In reading Angie's blog post about bending the rules, my thoughts went to the pirate blouse I have stored away for cooler weather. I like this blouse. I like the color and the fabric and the flowy quality of it. I feel the sleeves are a bit over the top with so much volume at the wrists, but that I can maybe work around that. After reading the post where Angie comments on making sure she has a fitted shoulder line with her volumness dresses, I realized that this blouse lacks a fitted shoulder line and that sloppy shoulder may be it's downfall.
What would you reccommend I put over this blouse to give it the fitted shoulder line? Would you use a boyfriend blazer, or possibly a boyfriend vest over the blouse to give the fitted shoulder?
I think the bottoms should be sleek as in skinny jeans or a pencil skirt. I am afraid the ponte knit pants I am wearing in the picture gives the impression that I am wearing PJ's. I will wear them with something else.
I like the AT denim pencil skirt that Sarah showed us. Would this work with a belt of some kind to reel in the volumn of the blouse?
Any thoughts on this, or do you think it is so far from my normal that I should wait to branch out until I have more experience at manipulating my style. Maybe I am not there yet. My style words as others might say are, evolving, interesting, modern classic. My style goal words are, elegant, edgey, modern classic.
http://i477.photobucket.com/al.....0_0553.jpg
http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses
Thanks very much. San

The latest reply was from Joy . You can follow further contributions to the conversation through the RSS 2.0 feed.


12 Replies

Posted 2 months ago

The fabric of that blouse is so luscious! It would be a shame to always cover the sleeves. A waistcoat of some sort seems the best solution, maybe black with the jean skirt? Have you tried just belting the blouse to see if that provides enough structure...maybe a wider belt or obi belt?

Posted 2 months ago

Great ideas Joy. I have not experimented with it yet. The autumn sun is beginning to give me the urge to play with my autumn wardrobe. I like both ideas you have.
I happen to have a long skinny silk scar that I've had for ages. It is one of my favorite things and might make a good belt for the blouse as an obi style.
Thanks

Posted 2 months ago

I was going to say waistcoat too. Or belt. Or as is! I’m wearing a billowing blouse like that today. It seems to fit your shoulder just fine, Sandy.

Posted 2 months ago

Not sure if this would work with the neckline of the blouse, but what about a sheath dress, hose, and boots?

Posted 2 months ago

Another vote for a waistcoat, or a little knitted vest. I thought it fits you well around the shoulders San.

Posted 2 months ago

The blouse has more of a raglan sleeve than a set in sleeve. That is why I thought the shoulder area would not be considered fitted. Would you consider it fitted even though it is not set in?

Posted 2 months ago

I would. It looks wonderful.

Posted 2 months ago

Great. Thanks very much.

Posted 2 months ago

Ana, your thought of using the blouse under a sheath is good food for thought, thanks. I love this way of getting so many points of view.
Tanya, same to you for your suggestion of a little knit vest. What an intriging thought, thankyou.

Posted 2 months ago

I just though I would echo the other suggestions on here, I think you are definitely on the right track with a skinny jean/ trouser and a waistcoat.

The sleeves are the feature of this blouse so it would be a shame to cover them.

I think you will look fantastic.

Posted 2 months ago

Thankyou R and J, I am getting very excited to find a waistcoat to go with the blouse.

Posted 2 months ago

San, play with the blouse and your jackets too, even though the sleeves would be covered. Angie's photos from yesterday's blog and her jackets of different lengths over long tops with volume are inspiration.

Posted 2 months ago