I’m thrilled to see Spring 2015 open with a larger assortment of blouse silhouettes. For a few seasons now, blouses have looked a tad basic and straight, with little variety in shape, fabric or colour. That’s changing now, with some thanks to the boho chic trend.
Note that blouses are NOT the same as shirts. Blouses are floppy, soft, drapey, and available in all sorts of styles. Shirts are stiffer and straighter button-through styles that resemble a man’s shirt. Browse through all the colour options.
- Zara Kimono Sleeve Top: A crisp boho chic style with eye-catching kimono flutter sleeves. The shorter length of the body and sleeves provides ample structure for what could have been an overly voluminous top. Striking in motion. Please do not ruin the lines by layering over it.
- Club Monaco Suzanne Top: A soft pleated and straight peplum. Excellent on an inverted triangle body type.
- Club Monaco Benita Shirt: A great Asian-inspired pattern. The back is vented so you'll need to wear a camisole for insulation.
- H&M Asymmetric Cotton Blouse: I haven't seen this style in person yet, but it looks arty and dramatic. It's fussy and A LOT of blouse, so consider yourself warned. It poufs out at the hip, which is good for both a curvy and straight body type.
- Loft Polka Dot Utility Blouse: An easy modern classic.
- AllSaints Abi Sleeve Top: A wrap front blouse with a unique asymmetrical hem both in the front and back. Nice side zipper detail and stunning front drape.
- Bellflower Petite Kimono Blouse: A delicate kimono blouse with gathered sleeves and lots of Retro attitude. The structured hem adds a finished touch.
- Draped Camille Top: A happy drape front blouse to wear with jeans, a pencil skirt, flared jeans or bootcut trousers.
- Piperlime Collection Roll Neck Blouse: Neat, versatile and on trend. The narrowed waist and tapered sleeves provide a good amount of structure.
- Loft Sketched Floral Blouse: Partially tuck the front into a skirt or pair of trousers.
- Brooke Silk Blouse: Frilly looks fresh, especially in a fluid fit and cropped length. Wear this over a pencil skirt or bootcut trousers.
- Zara Draped Shirt: Drape front blouse with an interesting extra front knot detail at the hem.
- Zara Printed Shirt With Tab Sleeves: Cropped high-low dragonflies are fun.
- Anna Sui Lace Blouse: A beautifully made piece. I love how a black bra top peeks through the front and back without looking overly exposed. Alluring, delicate and interesting. Frilly looks fresh.
- Tree Swing Top: An easy throw-on-and-go tunic in unusual colours. Fab with skinnies.
- Casual Studio Pleated Print Blouse: Boho chic with a touch of mint. Great with a white and grey support act.
- H&M Long Chiffon Blouse: An inexpensive high-low tunic blouse that's useful for creating layered avant-garde outfits.
- H&M Patterned Blouse: An unusual pattern in a boxy trapeze silhouette complete with back box pleat. Retro Modern.
- Rebecca Taylor Botanical Print Silk Top: A refined drape front blouse in a photographic botanical print. Floral-Lite.
- Vince Windowpane Silk Blouse: Graphic and strong. Diagonal sleeves are flattering. Great on an apple shape with a shorter neck and full bust. Partial tuck is a great idea.
- Helmut Lang 'Entity' Jersey Tank: A MEGA drapey drape front blouse. It's very voluminous and dramatic, especially from the back. You might fly away. Fun look.
- Reiss Turner Gardenia Printed Textured Blouse: A tailored blouse in a fresh pattern that's best tucked into bottoms. A good neckline for a large bust.
- Reiss Dotty Multi Black Silk Painterly Bloom Blouse: A dark neutral pattern with pops of colour is an appropriate nod to Spring in the dead of Winter. A well-made piece that's good worn out, tucked, or partially tucked. Fab neckline for a larger bust.
- Ella Moss Top - Stella: Pleated swingy volume in both the back and front is delightfully girly and feminine.
- Calvin Klein S/L Kimono Print Blouse: Tunic kaftan fabness over white jeans.
- Banana Republic Banded Popover Blouse: A simple pop-over blouse in purple or lilac to wear to the office with trousers or a skirt. Diagonal sleeves are great on an apple body type and larger bust. Partially tuck for added structure.
It’s nice to see blouses with a little more sleeve interest, neck detailing, and hem treatment. The integrity is more conventionally feminine and romantic, which makes quite the refreshing change alongside the ongoing upscale sweatshirt trend. I’m enjoying the emergence of delicate patterns in drapey styles with just enough structure. Looks like another great retail season is on its way.
See the items alongside my descriptions on the collection page.
