WIW: Periwinkle Silk Pouf Blouse (**WITH NEW PAIRINGS ADDED**)) - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: Periwinkle Silk Pouf Blouse (WITH NEW PAIRINGS ADDED))

Vix

Veteran

On one of her workwear threads, Una and I were talking about the (even worse!) shots I showed of this mega-voluminous, split-tie-neckline, wear-it-multiple-ways silk blouse I bought last month.

I don't think it's my most flattering look, and it's 180 from my usual preferences -- sleeker and generally belt-avoiding due to my H/Rectangle shape. But my Persnickety Bohemian side loooved it and it seemed like a great piece to bridge from cold/rainy spring to summer.

I feel as if I'm never going to get good shots of this, but...

since I wore it over a deep blue sweater with an emerald pencil skirt today I thought I'd grab some shots before the light totally went.

[I've also worn it under a purple velvet blazer with dark wash jeans (casual Friday); over a black sweater with dark wash jeans; and with black bootcut trousers.]

Photo 1: Using flash..worn with keyhole neckline at back
Photo 2: Worn with keyhole at front
(* terrible angles of fronts and color distortion with flash, sorry; both things better in later pics*)

ETA #1
Photo 3: Close-up of the split-sleeve variation in natural lighting
Photo 4: Split-sleeve variation with jeans shown front + back (V can go higher or lower depending on how one adjusts the gathered neckline)

I readily admit this is sooooo much -- too much? -- volume on me...will be interested to see if the sleeveless dress variation that's underway (with a narrower silhouette and higher armholes) will feel more "controllable" but this creature is fun to wear.

ETA #2

Photo 5-6: With espresso dress pants +/- espresso cardigan

Frustrated by having only a tiny spot in the stairwell with enough light to try for pics....

ETA #3

Dragged out tripod, which helped a bit...wish I could shoot this puppy with flash but as you can tell from Photos 1-2 it goes super-bridesmaid

Photo 7: My primary way of wearing it the last month...over dark jeans + black sweater (keyhole worn in back)

Photo 8: Worn with 2 different necklines under blazers
Photo 9: Keyhole at front, tied straight across

ETA 4

Photo 10 The sun came out/we hit a rare spring 85 degrees on a weekend!
Photo 11 Paired with earlier grey pencil skirt

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37 replies

Latest reply was from Vix

catgirl

Veteran

Periwinkle blue!

Love this color and I would wear it no matter what the garment. Everything you wear turns into a work of art, Vix. Are you a goddess in disguise?

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Wow Vix - what a gorgeous piece! I LOVE the colour, shine, and drape of this blouse. SO different than what I would see from day to day. Very memorable - and a little mysterious.

Vix

Veteran

Ha ha o yes, Una, absolutely!

Glad you like it. Can you believe it gets no love at home due to the volume and the shiny? Hrrrumph.

Despite that, I'm having a sleeveless, knee-length version made out of printed silk (though it will be a bit less full/shiny). In my head I will look a bit Grecian Goddess-y.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Helen --

Thank you! I think I need to talk to Canada about swapping Mr Vix for you.

Let me tell you, the material feels so good on/against the skin. It was a splurge and it + the dress variation will be the bulk of my spring/summer updates but I couldn't resist.

[Especially because I can wear it so the neckline splits at the shoulder in a way that accommodates a regular ole undergarment vs a specialty bra. /bad explanation]

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Ah, I'll bet eventually Mr. Vix will grow to love you in it!

How glorious to wear silk! I only have one silk piece - a camisole. This one is a stunner - you'll be turning heads for sure. It's perfect to keep you cool and beautiful as the weather heats up. Amazing and quite arty. Actually, what an interesting description you gave for one aspect of your style: "Persnickety bohemian". Love that! Take great care of it and enjoy!

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

I really like it! Look at that rich colour and sheen

Kiwichik

Veteran

My boho radar went off when I saw this top - love it and I think it will look really spectacular as the weather warms up over there and you can wear it on it's own.

ManidipaM

Veteran

That is absolutely stunning!! Good gorgeousness, Vix! Where did you find it? Love the tonal blues and green --- so beautifully soothing, versus the edginess of the blouse itself. I think I have a bit of a crush on this...!

Deborah

Veteran

Vix this is stunning! And I really like how you have styled it here. The color is amazing and the blouse itself is such a statement piece.

Vix

Veteran

Hi again Helen --

Maybe you need to add a bit more silk to your life...I have lots of the washable stuff (knits, jersey, drapey wovens) and it wears pretty well.

I think he and I were both surprised by the extent of each other's love/hate, but a little harmless "really?!" keeps things fresh.

And like you I do consider it a statement piece -- especially as the majority of my closet is modern classic stuff -- and those do have a way of being polarizing. Hard to build up enough passion to hate a solid color V-neck sweater or top, right?

The dress version has more of a shot at household love-love, which is funny because the print is kind of wild. Glad the Persnickety Bohemian label made you laugh. My delight in "boho luxe" gets stronger as I age!

Vix

Veteran

Hi Kirti --

Thank you! Living in a pretty much Vitamin D-free place I am such a sucker for anything remotely "California Blue Sky Blue."

And I have to say seeing so many YLFers in bold colors over the last several years has helped me build a closet that's not *just* black and grey!

Hi Kiwichik --

Sounds like you and I have the same radar.

I'm glad we boho lovers are a small but passionate part of the forum! I'll be interested to see if you like the fabric I found for the dress variation of it...it's a Haute Hippie silk. [Thank you 40% off fabric store coupons!]

"Warm" here is about July but I am looking forward to pairing with with lights and whites when the risk of mud splatters abates a bit because I agree with you...and because the gathered/split tie neck lets me wear it very low in back or with a split shoulder look it will be *fun* to wear sans merino wool (current underlayers!).

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Well I don't do boho and I totally LOVE this! The colour and draping is sublime.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Manidipa --

Thanks! I am a big blue + green fan and the skirt and long-sleeve wool jersey are two of my custom pieces from Fall 2010. Kind of fun to shake them out of their tailored rut a bit!

Story of how I built 2 color capsules (blue/green + purple/rose) then and links to more pics of each earlier piece here if you are bored:

http://buildingacolorfullife.w.....-capsules/

Also: Not sure if you can tell, but this is the same blouse I shared on your "blouson-y gathered neckline" post. [These aren't great pics but those were a lot worse!] So now it's clear(er) why I liked your sash belt versions of things better than worn hanging free, ha.

I found it locally, but it's literally just a big boxy peasant-style cut found in many a pattern book. [see attached] Add your figure and a belt and lots of looks appear.

Hi Deborah --

Thank you so much for the kind words!

IMO you are a woman who knows how to let a statement piece do the talking perfectly so the compliment means a lot.

I have been in a real "neutrals with neutrals" place lately but have gotten much more into color-color over the last several years. You routinely bold dressers remind me to take the vivid stuff out for a spin or two; thanks!

ETA Hi Shannon--

Thank you so much, I'm glad you like it! We boho lovers recruit, you know...better watch out.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Vix, you really are a goddess. Almost wrote "goodess." That, too.

I don't do boho, either, but I wish I could; it's sort of my shadow style...what I would LIKE to wear but never ends up looking or feeling right on me, always ends up feeling like a costume. You make it real and beautiful, and yes, glorious.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Very dramatic and fab. Wear and enjoy!

catgirl

Veteran

"Shadow style" - I love that term! It must be added to the YLF lexicon!

Vix

Veteran

Hi Suz and Beth Ann--

Sorry for the delayed response -- thank you both!

Suz, I probably have more goddess than goodness in me -- remember how the Greek gods were extremely impulsive and wayward?

Your shadow style comment is very interrrrresting. [Agree with Una that it should get some use around here!]

That was actually how I felt about boho for a long time as well. I just had to find a tiny little niche in the large spectrum of it and voila: my Persnickety Bohemian side, love child of my Minimalist Magpie and Contrarian Classicist preferences, was born. And is wanting more and more attention these days....

I could see you finding a variation -- maybe Gamine Boho or Romantic Boho -- that works well for you in a certain dose. But as I said above, we boho lovers recruit!

Meredith1953

Veteran

Wow! This top is stunning on you and also has an old style Hollywood glamour about it that is just amazing! Goddess indeed!

Vix

Veteran

Hi Meredith --

Thank you for the wildly generous compliments!

Because the shape is outside my usual go-tos, having several comments that validate my crazy love for this top certainly help offset some of my doubts.

[Mr V's point (loathing) re its voluminous nature is not lost on me, ha, which is why I'm reigning it in a bit for the printed dress version.]

I have to say the split-sleeve way-to-wear variation I just added sold me on the top/tunic. Now THAT really said Old Hollywood to me.

Claudia

Veteran

Vix, wasn't too crazy about this blouse in photos #1&2. Just okay.

CRAZY LOVE IT on you in photos #3&4.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

What an ingenious piece of clothing and I can see your attraction. It is so unusual (in the best sense) that the piece has a timeless quality.

Haven't read the responses yet, but I love the way this looks in 3/4! That way seems to rein in the volume best while retaining the lush silky abstract nature of the blouse. I think #2 also works. #1 would work better IMO if there were less going on, so -- no top underneath showing, and a very simple bottom e.g. tapered pants in a low contrast shade.

Scarlet

Veteran

Mega thumbs up on versions 3 and 4. Stunning on you!

Vix

Veteran

Hi Claudia, Coco, and Scarlet --

Many thanks for the collective compliments, honest feedback, and wisdom! I would like this puppy to look as good as possible.

It's funny because while 3/4 sold me on the style, I've ended up really liking it worn back to front as in pic 1 (heavily pleated and higher neckline) and thinking *in person* it looks flattering.

However, I admittedly wore it that way with different combos and this piece is a bit of a devil so while the blue/green got some appreciated love it may be pushing it.

[And hey: posing with 2 yards of periwinkle silk is kind of like posing with a cute baby or animal...I'm gonna have some ahhhh-by-association. ]

The sun came out the second I put the camera down to do chores, but maybe I'll keep trying/replicating some combos and see if anyone wants to weigh in further.

Big Thanks to all upthread!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am with Claudia:I was not impressed with the style that much with a long sleeve top layered under (pic. 1 & 2) but it is smashing in new pictures! I would definitely wear it like that and the color is sublime and so rich.
The only thing which could drive me crazy is that thin strap around the neck.Is it always there or this is one of the styling available with this top?

Other than that love it - what a find!

Kristin L

Veteran

That's absolutely gorgeous! It's a great color and it looks great several different ways.

Kiwichik

Veteran

Vix check out my romantic rubric post. I read your post and inspired by you dragged out a cobalt blue top I haven't worn in ages. I've just had a look at your post again and seen that you've styled your top in a similar way to what I did. I'm going to start stalikng you now to get great ideas for my wardrobe. Thanks.

harmonica

Veteran

That colour is stunning and I like the boho vibe of the blouse. I don't think it is too much volume for you, especially when you pair the blouse with a slimmer bottum. #3 + #4 are stunning!

Vix

Veteran

Sveta, Kristin, Kiwichik, and Harmonica --

Many thanks to you all! Good to know 3/4 seems to be seen by many as a good match between volume and me.

[That thin halter strap is always there when styled like that...it's the ends of the ties that are on the split/keyhole neckline.]

I am going to continue to play with closet items and proportions. I did buy for warmer months, but want to be able to layer over or under -- else it will get worn about 3/"summer!"

Kiwichik -- on a gardening break but will hop over to your thread asap. Love seeing others in their boho wear since I am obviously still learning how to indulge this strong but minor preference.

My blog covers random territory so a shortcut to anything vaguely Persnickety Bohemian is below. I may get more from stalking you than vice versa.
http://buildingacolorfullife.w.....-bohemian/

Vix

Veteran

You may be sick of this top by now, but I have a few more photos...dragged out the gorilla tripod this weekend, which helped a bit re "proportions as seen in real life."

[blame/thank friend who's seen me in the top IRL, as she was all "hello shooting up at your bust isn't doing you or the top any favors -- get out the tripod and hook it to a lamp or something!]

You'll see several shots over dark jeans + slim black sweater -- my default of "column of color under or over" -- and those have been my go-to pairings since I purchased the top in March.

[Know the underlayer wasn't a universally popular look when done with the green and blue!]

A few other shots with jackets as it will be rare I can wear this puppy on its own in the spring. Too cold and rainy!

Thanks again for the input!

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