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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Blouses

Dani

Veteran

Inspired by Angie's Anne Fontaine blog and Ana's recent purchases, I would like to add a few feminine blouses to my wardrobe that can be layered under jackets and cardigans when the weather cools. Where should I start my search? I'll look at J Crew :), but I was also interested in a couple of print blouses with interesting collars (like Shiny has). Ana, do you think the color of the halter you posted will be good as the weather cools?

Thanks!

Shopping

24 replies

Latest reply was from Dani

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YAY!!! But I have to run. Will chime in later!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Dani, this is why I chose that color! I loved the yellow also, but the rich berry color works year round. Others in the forum made some excellent suggestions, so I found that in spring and summer I can pair it with yellow, green, white, etc. and in the fall cream and brown or charcoal grey would work nicely. Other year round options for that blouse are the ivory or navy. I love this blouse because it's endlessly versatile--alone, with cardis, under blazers, with skirts, jeans, dress pants, clamdiggers. It's easy to dress up or down in a smart casual way.

What sorts of prints are you looking for?

Dani

Veteran

Ana, I really like some of the sweet pea print styles and actually, their shirts. I just haven't found anything with a collar. I'm pretty open as far as prints are concerned. I just can't do anything with too much black as that overwhelms me. I'm pretty much a "spring" color pallet wise. I will definitely check out the halter. It's in the stores isn't it?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

The halter is in stores, but some stores are sold out of it (the one near me is--I had to order it online).

I know this blouse doesn't have a collar, but I saw it and thought of you--it's so pretty and feminine and would look really cute layered under the Jackie cardigan from J. Crew in rhubarb, sour lemon or fresh clover:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....0&P=1

http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat303174

Also, do you have an Anne Fontaine near you? All the blouses are either solid black or solid white, but they are so beautifully made, I think you'd have them for years. I went there today and they are having a sale starting Thursday! 30%-50% off select items. Not sure if I can afford anything this time around, but I'll be sure to report back when the sale starts.

Let me take a look around a little more. I'm going to check out Ralph Lauren next.

Dani

Veteran

Ana, I like that shirt but it's not practical for me...my boys would be trying to figure out how to put rocks and bugs through all the neat little openings The colors are great though! Thanks for looking.

I don't think we have an Anne Fontaine near me, the closest one was in Atlanta if I remember correctly. I did like some of the styles, but that price seems a little high for my current wardrobe function. I'll store it in my "if only..." file for future consideration!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Right, I understand (I've taught Sunday school to 4 year olds before)....okay. Hmm....so, does the blouse have to be machine washable then, or anything like that?

Dani

Veteran

It's a plus if it is, but it doesn't rule it out completely (I bought the Lana shirt from J Crew because I really liked it). I am at high risk for unforeseeable stains at the moment

Ana

(website)

Veteran

The J. Crew halter is dry clean only, but maybe a darker color like the berry or the navy would work (for unforseeable stains).

Here are some tops from Ralph Lauren that I think would layer nicely. I'm coming up empty on prints, though. I'm not so good at those.

http://www.ralphlauren.com/pro.....age=family

http://www.ralphlauren.com/pro.....age=family

http://www.ralphlauren.com/pro.....age=family

http://www.ralphlauren.com/pro.....age=family

http://www.ralphlauren.com/pro.....age=family

I'll keep looking as well.

Dani

Veteran

Are these too boring?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....0&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....0&P=2

I like this, but it's way out of my price range:
http://www.bluefly.com/pages/p.....Product+ID

Am I even on the right track?

Inge

(website)

Here are a few more ideas Dani;-)

http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=564809
http://www.tulle4us.com/shop/s.....;nPageNo=4
http://www.tulle4us.com/shop/s.....;nPageNo=5
http://www.tulle4us.com/shop/s.....;nPageNo=6
http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=564826 (in parade green)
http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat301176
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....0&P=1 (in sherbert)
http://www.bodenusa.com/col.as.....#038;gen=1
http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat303177

shiny

Veteran

Don't forget Ann Taylor - seems to me they always tend to focus on more of a Spring color pallette:

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....;showAll=Y

And Ann Taylor Loft:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....;showAll=Y

Right now you are probably going to see the focus more on sleeveless tops without collars, because we're moving into warmer months. But these can work fine under jackets and cardis (esp if you layer a cami underneath too).

Don't be afraid to go with bold prints! Once you throw on a cardi or jacket, the print gets toned down quite a bit:

This blouse was from BR - it is sleeveless. I have seen quite a few blouses with this particular collar lately:
http://teamsugar.com/look/1548530

This one was from AT - no collar but an interesting neckline:
http://teamsugar.com/look/1557169
.... in fact, I just bought a simple, plain white knit blouse with same neckline idea from H&M, so you might try there.

This one was from ATL:
http://teamsugar.com/look/1526098

I've had quite a bit of use out of this blouse, from AT. The pattern is very understated - has tiny cream polka dots. What makes it special, which you can't see in this photo, is that the neckline has ruching/ruffle detail:
http://teamsugar.com/look/1114880

Actually you can probably see the neckline detail better here:
http://teamsugar.com/look/1064951

If it were me, I'd start with the sales racks at AT, ATL, and BR... and then also head over to H&M!!

Can't wait to see what you come up with....

Dani

Veteran

Thanks, Inge & Shiny. I had forgotten about AT & ATL. Sadly, no H&M close to me.

Inge, I really liked a couple of those shirts from tulle. I've never ordered from them, can I trust their size chart? Also, do you have that Boden shirt? I considered it at the beginning of spring, but after reading the reviews, I decided it might not work for me as I'm a D cup and am worried about coverage and fit.

Inge

(website)

Sorry, I can't help you with the Tulle question Dani since they don't ship outside of the US. Maybe someone else can shed some light on this? (I actually found them after clicking on a link provided here in another forum thread a while ago).

I don't have the Boden shirt, but if you click on 'garment measures' you'll get more detailed info, and I found that pretty accurate (at least for the skirt I ordered). Maybe you can compare it then with a top you already have and you know provides enough coverage (or you could always wear a cami underneath).

Julia

Dani I have ordered the Boden top but had to return it. I'm 34C and I wear 4P in AT/ATL. By looking at their garment measurements I thought 8 would be OK so I ordered it. It turned out to be too tight. I'm sure that a size up would make it better, however the neckline is too low and I don't want to wear a cami under it, it would be too hot to wear two layers in Summer. It is a beautiful top though. I ordered the polka dot in purple, I really liked the print.

Edit: I must have written this the same time as Inge. If you can wear it with a cami I'd say go for it.

Julie

I have the Boden top in two of the prints - the brown polka dots and the light brown with green trim. I love it and it fits me perfectly, but I'm an A cup. I have worn it both with and without a cami. I've really enjoyed pairing them with walking shorts or my jeans plus a cardigan or jacket.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I LOVE the Robert Rodriguez blouse--it's too bad it's out of your price range! I like the other two choices as well. Can you do flutter sleeves?

Also, I like the Jessie Blouse from J. Crew in the sweet orange--that would be a fantastic color on you:

http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat303177

I think someone else mentioned it as well. Everyone has great suggestions. I will keep looking too. Any new requirements that you thought of overnight?

Dani

Veteran

Ana, I was seriously looking at the Jessie Blouse. I may look into a couple of others as well.

I haven't thought of any additional requirements. I love getting these ideas so I can have silhouettes in mind when I hit the stores. That way, if I find something in a fabric that works for me, I can grab it

Ana

(website)

Veteran

That's a great plan, Dani. I used to shop with nothing in mind, just waiting for something to pop out at me. I ended up frustrated and with lots of clothing that didn't really suit me and I never wore. Now I almost always go out with something specific in mind and I've been so happy with all my purchases since then.

Dani

Veteran

Angie, do you have anything to add that hasn't been mentioned? Thanks

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Dani, I saw the Jessie blouse today when I went to J. Crew and it's beautiful! The orange definitely would be wonderful on you!

Are you still thinking about the silk Elizabeth halter? If so, have you decided on color yet?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think you’re on the right track Dani. A blouse is very cool, so my perception is that it doubles up for hot and cold weather (either layered or on its own).

My advice would be to try a few on in stores and experiment. Keep them woven, not knitted. (Otherwise it’s a knitted top and not a blouse). I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Dani

Veteran

Ana, I've got the Jessie blouse on my list to try on when I get to J. Crew. I might do the halter instead of the Lana blouse as the fit wasn't quite right for me (it might be better in a smaller size). I would probably do the azalea or the lemon. I'd have to see which looks better. I'll let you know!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Dani, I was just at the mall and popped into The Limited. They have some very nice things in right now, very ruffly and cute prints, mostly cotton, machine washable from what I could tell. Their prices aren't too bad. I thought I'd let you know in case you want to check it out. I thought about you while I was in there.

Dani

Veteran

Thanks, Ana. You're sweet I'll put it on my list of places to hit when I escape for a few hours, hopefully Monday!