https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:42:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-774154 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 06:52:32 +0000 Charmian 774154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aww, you ladies are the best! After letting myself cool off for a day and then re-reading your thoughtful comments, I've realized that I should have known this wasn't "the one" simply because my heart doesn't sing when I put this blouse on. I adore it <em>on the rack</em>, but not on me. Thanks for the help!</p> <p><strong>@bj1111</strong>: oh my goodness, that Theory blouse is amazing. You totally have my aesthetic nailed! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-773389 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:44:11 +0000 krishnidoux 773389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is a beautiful blouse for you and you have such good taste. However I find them both too transparent and the RZ, which is the better made one, is too big as bj states. I would keep looking. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-773386 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:40:32 +0000 Anonymous 773386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have the Rachel Zoe in black, and yes, the arm is not for an average size person. I am 5.8 and they are a smidget - very tiny one - too long. I do like the BR though. I am ok with the sheerness, I am actually on a sheer binge at the moment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-773368 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:20:20 +0000 cinnamon fern 773368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I concur with bj - return them both. From the back, neither fits well at all. It is too bad because they look great from the front, but if you are trying to be PPP that's not enough. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-773366 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:18:57 +0000 bj1111 773366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>charm...how about this one...different, but echoes the black white treatment. on sale.</p> <p><a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306418048&#038;PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446506559&#038;R=883591755104&#038;P_name=Theory&#038;N=4294912273+306418048&#038;bmUID=jHVC.pp" rel="nofollow">http://www.saksfifthavenue.com.....ID=jHVC.pp</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-773281 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:04:48 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 773281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I liked the BR better in the first set and still do in the last set. I think it is the lack of shoulder detail and the fit. The BR seems to be an almost perfect fit (except the sleeves). I also think the added shoulder detail on the RZ is distracting from the simplicity of the style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-773278 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:58:26 +0000 bj1111 773278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>charmian, i changed my mind. i wuld get neither. the br looks too see through and a bit too cheaply made. the rz is lovely but does not fit you. there's too much fabric on the back view ...across your back and especially in the sleeves. the sleeves can be narrowed around your upper arm, but the oodles of material across the back is problematic. </p> <p>you coukd go with the drapey oversized look, but it seems more fitted in the front. this garment confuses me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-773183 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 06:08:37 +0000 Charmian 773183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, ladies! I really appreciate how you keep me honest. Even though I chafe at it, I can usually stick to PPP ... until those sale goggles come on :)</p> <p>As requested, here's the two blouses with a nude camisole underneath. I might take the Rachel Zoe to a tailor and get their opinion on the feasibility of altering the sleeves, too. No point in getting my hopes up when the alteration is too risky!</p> <p>Pics 1-2: Banana Republic "Laura"<br /> Pics 3-4: Rachel Zoe "Lara" (these names crack me up!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-773162 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 04:44:41 +0000 Kiwichik 773162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the details of the Zoe apart from the too long sleeves it seems a better fit through the shoulders and body. Keep &amp; alter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-773083 Tue, 13 Nov 2012 01:14:42 +0000 Thistle 773083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So, I will be the voice of minor dissent.</p> <p>I would like to see the top on you with the plain cami before I am convinced. It is beautiful, but I do not know the price of the alterations. And it is not the minimalist style you like.</p> <p>Also, not sure the difference in price, but the difference in quality makes me lean toward the RZ. How can you pass up lucious silk? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-773016 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 23:54:09 +0000 catgirl 773016@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These are both gorgeous and almost identical (like one of those "spot the differences!" photos). I like the little details on the RZ (the epaulettes!) but the sleeves and price would matter to me if all else were the same. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-773015 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 23:51:17 +0000 rachylou 773015@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh no, I really really like this style blouse on you. It's fresh and sharp. With a no-lace camisole, you'll have a clean, minimalist look. I think you should go for it.</p> <p>Are you going to do the sewing yourself? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-772969 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 22:49:26 +0000 JR 772969@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I love the blouses. And I love them on you. With a non-lacy, nude cami on underneath, they would be winners. (Do they come in petite sizes? That would solve your sleeve problem.)</p> <p>Personally, I would keep the cheaper one. Why? Well, first, I am cheap. Second, you could wear it without alterations. The sleeves on the Zoe are unworkably long. Third, the piping detail on the shoulders, while cute, might make it a little harder to layer under some things. Fourth, this is an experiment for you and you don't seem entirely sure about it. Best not to put too much money into it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-772933 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 22:33:21 +0000 Atlantia 772933@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think they are both lovely blouses. But I keep coming back to the fact that you don't seem keen on a sheer blouse that requires a cami. That's my style, too, and it is a big one. Are you really going to be happy having to wear a cami each and every time you wear this blouse? I vote no because even though they look great, they don't fit into your lifestyle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-772918 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 22:29:00 +0000 Charmian 772918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been tempted all along to go with the RZ blouse, but the riskier alteration is holding me back; I don't want to step (slightly) out of my comfort zone in a badly-altered blouse.</p> <p>I'm hearing enthusiasm about the blouse, but not necessarily the blouse <em>on me</em>. That sounds a bit like a "no" to me. Will need to think on this a bit more ... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-772547 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:06:19 +0000 Suz 772547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First, I just love your reviews. You really give this shopping business serious thought, and it shows. </p> <p>Second, I love this top on you, in both incarnations. But if you think you will wear an item like this often, go for the special one, the Zoe. The details on it are lovely, and it will look better worn on its own. Either way the sleeves need alteration, so it seems to me it makes sense to go with the higher quality. Unless you are just testing the style and are not sure if you will really wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-772540 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:01:27 +0000 rachylou 772540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gotta tell you, the two look exactly the same (although I do think the Rachel Zoe seems better made). They're both beautiful, they're both long in the sleeve to me. I'd maybe go with the BR and have the sleeve length taken up (I'm assuming it still cost less than the RZ). </p> <p>I'd maybe also do a cami without lace underneath - ie. modern all the way.</p> <p>Really beautiful. I envy how good you look in white! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-772526 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:52:17 +0000 bj1111 772526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>keep th zoe. love the pintuck detail at the sleeves above the cuff. i can just imagine how yummy that silk must feel on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-tale-of-two-silk-blouses----are-either-worth-keeping#post-772515 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:43:00 +0000 Charmian 772515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The retail gods must have been smiling upon me, because within a one week span I picked up the <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/rachel-zoe-lara-stretch-silk-blouse/3357245">Rachel Zoe "Lara" blouse</a> I've been drooling over for months <em>and</em> its <a href="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=371773">Banana Republic knock-off, the "Laura" blouse</a> -- both at unbelievable price.</p> <p>Of course, the question is: are either of them good enough to deserve a place in my wardrobe? The hole I'm trying to fill is "blouses with a silky fabrication that can be layered under sweaters, cardigans, and jackets"; a nice-to-have feature is if it can be worn alone as weather gets warmer. ETA: Both of these blouses are sheer enough that I'd want to wear a camisole underneath, which isn't quite my style -- I have a minimalist style, and adding a semi-visible layer runs counter to that.</p> <p>Banana Republic (photos 1-3):<br /> -- Sheer! I'm wearing a white camisole underneath both pictures, and you can see all of the lace detail on it. ETA: I would wear both blouses with a nude cami; the white is just to give you a sense of how sheer both blouses are.<br /> -- No need for major alterations.<br /> -- Cheaper, so if the experiment with sheer blouses doesn't pan out, I've lost less money.<br /> -- Cheaper: the piping doesn't extend to the bottom half of the placket or collar, so it doesn't look as nice with an open collar.<br /> -- No shoulder detailing, which can be a plus (IT shoulders) or a minus (not as charming as the RZ).<br /> -- No detailing on the cuff, which is a minus.</p> <p>Rachel Zoe (photos 4-5):<br /> -- Almost-as-sheer! I'm wearing the same camisole, and you can see almost as much as the BR blouse -- though you'll have to work harder to see it.<br /> -- The sleeves are ludicrously long <em>and</em> poufy. If I were to keep this, I would have to take the sleeve up, probably at the shoulder (the cuff piping makes it hard to reattach down there). Taking up the excess sleeve length will help with the second problem (ie, poufiness) but won't alleviate the "YAAARRRR! I BE A PIRATE" sleeves altogether. In short: I have some risky and expensive alterations ahead of me.<br /> -- Better quality: both blouses are silk, but the RZ's silk is just luscious.<br /> -- Better quality: the piping detail extends through the collar, onto the bottom placket, and through the cuffs. This will look better when worn open.<br /> -- Shoulder detail: does it make my shoulders stand out too much? My thought is that I'd wear this under a cardi/jacket/etc ~60% of the time, and on its own 40% of the time. </p>