I’m a big blouse fan so I’m constantly looking out for fun and flattering blouses both for myself and my clients. With a nod to 70’s fashion this year, the pussy bow blouse has been especially strong. The blouses below caught my eye because they are “bowed” in a more unusual way.

1. Gianetta Drape Front Sheer Print Blouse (Petite): The effect of the front draping is like a bow but more simple. I adore the scribble print, but the purple print is nice too.
2. Diane von Furstenburg “Whitman” Blouse: A blouse with a tie that you leave un-tied.
3. ASOS Pleat Blouse With Tie Neck: Deliciously Chanel-esque with super front box pleats.
4. Aime Tonal Wide Sleeve Blouse: I like the way the front knotted tie drapes and softens the leather pants in this outfit.
5. ASOS Pussy Bow Denim Blouse: This is the first time I’ve seen a rigid denim shirt with a stiff bow. Fabulous.
6. Vivienne Westwood S26DL0106 S39465 010: Asymmetrical both in bow and button fastening.
7. ASOS Dogstooth Bowtie: This is how to add a cute canine touch to a button down shirt. I am ALL over it.
8. Mango Pussy Bow Knit Top: This one is fun for those who prefer knits. It’s like a built in scarf on top of a tank. Beautifully soft and retro.

Clearly, there is more than one way to bow a blouse!

Forum member Taylor used the word “Jingly” as one of the five adjectives that describe her style. Each day, Taylor wears bracelets that “jingle”, which are very much part of her signature style, both visually and audibly.

This got me thinking about the sound of our styles. I very seldom wear bracelets but when I do, they aren’t the type that jingle and clatter when they move. I don’t often wear the style of heel that makes a delightful clicking sound as you stride. I don’t regularly wear dresses and skirts that make a swooshing noise, only for formal occasions.

But my style does have sound. I am a very fast walker and my long strides are hard, heavy and deliberate. I am NOT light on my feet, and I wear comfortable shoes that allow me to rush around and get things done. Greg says that he can always hear me stomping around and that I am incapable of walking quietly. Stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp! And when the floors are wooden, the sound of my style is even louder. It’s a good thing I remove my shoes at home and wear soft slippers.

The sound of my style isn’t charming like the jingle of Taylor’s bracelets, but it’s a sound all the same. Over to you. What is the sound of your style?

As an observant YLF reader who has checked out the new Karen Kane online store, you probably noticed that the featured item on the front page was chosen by… you!

The Palm Print Dress was the item that most people chose as their favourite in the competition we ran a couple of weeks ago, and Karen Kane were kind enough to mention it on their front page.

Congratulations to the winner of the $200 gift voucher, who was contacted separately by Michael.

I’m not sure whether “grinning” in this context is a universal term, but it is one that I learned years ago when I was a fashion buyer. A garment “grins” when the background behind a garment of sheer fabrication creates a noticeable high colour contrast.

In the photo below, the model wears a low contrast blush coloured camisole under a blush coloured blouse. The garment does not grin on the areas where the camisole layers under the blouse. But the trousers are high contrast to the camisole, so on the areas where the blouse layers over the trousers, the garment grins.

If the model wore a black camisole under this blouse, which is low contrast to the trousers, the garment would not grin. It would be the same colour from top to bottom, excluding the parts where we see the skin of the model through the sheerness of the blouse.

In the photos below, the models wear camisoles that are low contrast to the bottoms, preventing the grinning effect. (Again excluding the areas where skin grins through the sheerness of the fabric).

You can also prevent garment grinning by using a layering piece that is of similar length to the top over it. This can be achieved by wearing an un-tucked camisole of sufficient length. The models below illustrate this perfectly.

I love it when sheer fabric drapes over the skin of arms, necks, shoulders, backs and décolletage, exposing the contrast between the garment underneath and my skin. But generally, I like garments to grin as little as possible between my top and bottom because it eliminates an additional, unflattering horizontal line across the middle of the body.

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