Blouses and pearls (with pics)

Today we're snowed in and the kids are napping, so I wanted to take an opportunity and get your opinions on a couple of things. I am lumping it all in 1 post. Sorry about so many pictures!

First, 2 blouses I picked up recently and haven't decided whether to keep. They are cheap, so no big commitment either way. First blouse - like the pattern, not sure about the style. I think I can use it in summer with white bottoms. I am wearing a white cami underneath, because white pattern doesn't look as crisp with a black cami (at least IMO).
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_5851.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_5853.jpg

Second blouse - I think it'll be mostly for layering. It comes with a ribbon belt that I don't think looks good on me. Plus it might be too short? Including a close-up - not sure you can see that it's black and white stripe.
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_5854.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_5855.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_5857.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_5858.jpg

Now, onto pearls. I got this set from my grandmother, there are 2 long strands and a few short ones and I am not sure how I can wear them. I only took pictures of the long ones. What do you think about the scale? Should I try and combine them somehow?

http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_5859.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_5861.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_5862.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....5863-1.jpg

I would appreciate any thoughts. Sorry about the dirty mirror - my kids were playing with it this morning and it's all covered in handprints, and I didn't get to cleaning it.

Thank you!

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Marianne, the first blouse is gorgeous on you! A definite keeper in my opinion! The second one is lovely too, although it's a length that would work well for skirts, I think.

I now basically nothing about pearls, but they look really pretty. I love the way you are wearing them in the first photo.

Eva

Active Member

Marianne, I like the first blouse too, but the second one doesn't grab me.

With regard to the pearls they are very classic. They look long enough that you could either knot them or double them. Are they real? You could also have them restrung if you want a specific size.

Anonymous

Love the first blouse. So feminine. The second one looks like it fits well but is too short for pants. The pearls are wonderful. I especially like the biggest ones. You could have the smaller ones restrung in a shorter, multilayer style or bracelet or save them until you know what you want to do with them.

julijuli

Marianne, I think the first blouse is beautiful on you. I also like the second one, but not as much as that first one! I really like the larger pearls, but you could probably work with both of them.

bella

(website)

The first blouse looks great on you, definitely keep! The second blouse is pretty, too but like you said a bit on the shorter side. I like it better with the ribbon belt.
I am not much help on the pearls, I like the way you wear them in the first picture. If they are long enough you can also wear it in several layers closer to your neck.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

You have been busy, Marianne. Good job!

1. Love the first blouse. KILLER. Keep! (This is out of your box, right?)
2. The second blouse looks a little tight on the shoulder. I vote return or possibly go up a size.
3. LOOOOOOOVE the scale of the larger pearls and how you are wearing them in the picture. They are perfect for you. Do they feel too long doubled up around your neck? You could have that strand shortened to make a bracelet or shorter strand of pearls. How does that idea grab you?

Patience

I also really really like the first blouse. I really like the larger pearls on you. I couldn't wear them that long but I think it looks great on you. So how large are the larger pearls?

marianne

Wow, I didn't expect as much enthusiasm around the first blouse! Angie, you're right, I haven't worn something like this in a long time, but I would definitely wear it 15 years ago before coming to the States. Hmm now I am not sure what to think about that...

With the second blouse, you're spot on, Angie - the store didn't have my size and I was hoping I could make the smaller size work, but when I tried it at home it didn't look right.

Eva, the pearls are faux. They must be from the 50s, and I don't know how they were worn back then. My grandmother would let me play with them when I was little, but I never saw her wear them. They are indeed long, I can only wear them doubled AND with a knot. I also was wondering about restringing them, because the spacing between beads is done with some weird treatment of the thread, something like glue or lacquer, and I don't know how it would hold up. I'll probably save the smaller ones for now until I meet a creative jewelry maker.

Patience, they are about 9mm in diameter. The smaller ones are about half of that. So if I get a stamp of approval on these, then 8mm should work for you!

Thank you very much, everyone!

shiny

This may be too much bother, but what about removing the sleeves of the second blouse and making it sleeveless? Or having a tailor slit the sleeves for a slit-sleeve look? I think the blouse could be charming worn belted with a red, high-waisted pencil skirt. (I would tuck the cami inside though, so it doesn't poke out).

I love the pearls! You can definetly pull off the larger, longer strand. I wouldn't give up on the smaller pearls. I'd want to see them on you. Have you tried wearing both together for a dripping-in-pearls look? Maybe add a third necklace - something different than pearls - to break it up. I see a lot of multi-necklaces looks that I love, but that would overwhelm me. You could pull it off though!

Inge

Moderator

The first blouse looks gorgeous on you Marianne, and I really love the second blouse too (stripes, yum!-) Is there any chance you could get the larger size in another store?

I'm drooling all over those pearls! And I like Shiny's suggestion of trying the smaller ones together/with a third necklace. Can't wait to see pics!

Thank you Shiny and Inge. I love the idea of a pencil skirt with it. Right now I don't own any but I'll keep that in mind for the future. I'll probably return the blouse but it does have many elements that appeal to me. Maybe I'll find something similar.
Shiny, do you mean wearing both strands and tie them together? This might work, I'll give it a shot.

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