HK Thrift Finds 1 (Pussybow Blouses) - YouLookFab Forum

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HK Thrift Finds 1 (Pussybow Blouses)

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I'm having luck finding clothing that fits my size & needs in charity shops here:
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-hong-kong

One of my goals is to acquire more clothing in breathable fabrics (like cotton or silk), since HK requires more warm weather clothing than my native UK:
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ts-induced

I've settled on pussybow blouses as a good compromise between not looking too masculine on my softer frame (like pointy collared shirts) but not too feminine either (like ruffles). @Katerina noted it's difficult to find modern instances of people wearing them though, so I thought I'd try my hand at thrifting them instead:
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-like-them

Here are the blouses I found:
Photos #1-#2: Red pussybow blouse, 100% silk - I like the subtle diagonal sheen 'print', & feel it fits well?
Photos #3-#6: Orange pussybow blouse, 100% silk - a much lighter orange than anticipated once I got it home. Does it work on me? What do you think of how the vertical 'pleats' on the sleeves & bodice hang on me?
Photos #7-#8: '3D' animal print blouse, 100% silk - I like the unique pattern, that consists of both the patterns & the animals themselves. I also like how the waist is fitted, that the black 'stripes' aren't rigidly horizontal & that the buttons don't gape - but I feel like it 'looks' too tight on me. Thoughts?

Your comments on fit etc are greatly appreciated! Also, any tips on how to style these blouses - e.g. colour pairings & accessories that would work best with them? I've mentioned my style persona & goals in the linked Style Priorities thread above (e.g. I usually tuck such tops into high-waisted maxi skirts - see photo #3) but Coloured Comfy Covered Chic is my 'style moniker'. Thank you, everyone!

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

Star (Lise)

Veteran

I love the 3D animal print, so unique and does not look too small at all - no gaping (as you said), fits shoulder and arm length perfectly. Great find! Love the first silk pussy bow too. I thrifted a red with white polka dot pussy bow in winter and will wear it soon. Maybe I will post it too. No sure about # 2 because my style preference for me is a more narrow bow. Looks really smart if that is the look you going for.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Re-reading your post #2 is Covered Chic!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The pussybow style is brilliant for you! Love the way you look in #3. That is elegant and so pretty! I'm sure the fuchsia is gorgeous on you also. What a fab idea. Katerina is a great model for these! Her posts will show a wealth of ways to wear, I'll bet. You can also achieve a similar effect with a round necked (or other) blouse (vs. a shirt) and adding a scarf in weather that permits it!

The animal print is really interesting and fun! It does look to me as if the fit is a tiny bit off...shoulder looks a bit wide whereas the torso area looks a bit narrow side to side -- yet as you say, no gaping on the front is a sign of a very good fit in that direction, so I am wondering if it is not just the photo, because you have to hold your arm in a certain way to get the selfie. Also, what if you tucked the top? It's a bit short for wearing "out." If you tuck or semi-tuck, it might feel overall a better fit.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Thanks @Star! Yes I think the fullness of the bow my be throwing me off a little - I might try folding it in half lengthwise & seeing if a thinner 'scarf' looks better.

@Suz Yes something looks off but I can't quite put my finger on it... I twisted a bit because I wanted to get that back shot to show how the shirt goes 'in' at the waist (this is often a problem area for me when it comes to fit - something that accommodates the width of my hips usually bags out at the waist & vice versa). I'll try it tucked into a skirt to see if that solves it (& will take photos if I remember!)

Anonymous

The fuchsia blouse is fantastic on you - perfect colour . I'm not sure the melon colour is great for you .....I think you are better in clearer, brighter shades. And I have to say I'm not fond of the fit of the striped blouse. I hear you with regards to the fitted waist, but I'm not convinced it's done properly here.

Anonymous

I like all three on you, although I want the orange one. All would go with neutral bottoms like taupe or beige, especially in silk or linen. The bow takes the place of a necklace and the long sleeves do not need bracelets. You can wear any earrings you wish or a sun hat or hair ornament. Your bag and footwear can be neutral.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Lisa & @Suz interesting how you both refer to the first blouse as fuschia! I think it's a very difficult colour to place - somewhere between true red & a deep pink. As an 'Autumn', dark berry pinks are supposed to be unflattering on me, but maybe this looks ok? Ugh seems to be a Universal Truth that charity shops have poor lighting compared to how a garment looks at home, no matter where in the world you're shopping

@Lisa you mention 'bright & clear' colours - care to elaborate? I guess you mean the 'melon' shade looks a little faded, right? One of the pitfalls of vintage, I suppose!

I see what both you & @Suz mean about the last shirt - I think I may need to do a further fit lab for it. Otherwise maybe wear it open like a topper? Or just accept that stripes aren't my best pattern, lol

Thanks for the accessory suggestions @Joy - I'm worried that even adding earrings may look a little too 'maximal' though, with such a busy print? Any further pointers? Beige silk pants sound like the perfect resortwear - if only I had the lifestyle to match!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The watermelon is KILLER. Wow! Perfect colour and fit! Score

I like the melon too! Not as good a colour as the watermelon, but not bad. Nice fit.

The fit of the striped blouse is a little off in the pic. Not sure if it's how you are standing. Perhaps try tuckering it into a skirt or your black pants to be sure?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I don't see how I can improve upon your outfit in #3! Great finds!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the kind words, @Angie & @Shevia

I will try the striped 'animal print' blouse with some different trouser & skirt combinations next week - any suggestions? Am thinking of tucking it into a pleated skirt or wearing it open over black trousers to see if it hangs any differently - remind me to report back!

Carla

Veteran

You are a good thrifter, Z! #1 is a slam dunk - score! The ‘peach’ (#2) looks to be well made with some Interesting tailoring. I think it would look more ‘finished’ if you tied a bow like #1. It is a quieter look than your other choices. I DO like #3 very much - maybe more than #1!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think I only like the first one much- although like is the wrong word, I actually LOVE the colour on you. I’m not keen on the second colour, looks dull on you. And think the third one doesn’t fit correctly.
So basically...what Lisap said.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Thanks @runcarla but I think I may be letting my affinity for breathable fabrics (eg spotting '100% silk' on a label) get in the way of my discernment for the usual other factors (fit & colour for example, like @Jenni NZ mentioned).

It's frustrating when you can't try something on beforehand (or don't feel comfortable doing so without washing it first) - looking back at these pictures, shirt #3 may have actually shrunk a little bit in the wash (I didn't feel comfortable trying it on over my clothes without washing because of the smell lol).

I'm also really struggling with finding the right colours for summer when shopping in typically very dim secondhand shops. I tend to look ok in bright colours, but saturated jewel tones moreso than neon shades. I'm at a bit of a loss when dressing for summer to be honest, because the rich colours that typically suit me (think burgundy, teal or chocolate) often look a little out of place in the summertime, plus it's difficult to find something like a burgundy silk top that isn't eveningwear. Hence the light orange situation (melon/ peach/ whatever you want to call it lol). I wonder if @Jenni is onto something with it looking 'dull' on me - can I get away with 'dusky' or 'murky' colours, or do I need more 'clear' shades? Interestingly enough, the first blouse is not clearly a red or pink shade either way...

Anyway, sorry for the tangent lol. Trying to troubleshoot all factors so I can (hopefully) have more success in future thrifts!

Anonymous

Back in the 90’s or 80’s there was a lot of washable silk around, it was
kind of crinkly. I wore it all the time, especially in summer as it as light and airy but not see through and washed it on delicate in the washing machine. I probably even dried it on low heat. There may be some at thrift stores. Look for white or natural linen drawstring pants, even in the men’s section. I have thrifted several silk summer tops and wash them and hang to dry trying to pull out wrinkles, but they usually take a little bit of ironing with a medium hot or low heat iron.
If you can’t find beige, try grey. Or even denim blue. It seems to go with everything.

Anonymous

I like the first blouse most too. The melon one doesn't seem deep enough, really almost a "pastel to DA", but may be different in person. The third looks algo and the stripes make the fit look boxier. Good for a high contrast straight figured lady (I've shopped for that lady too).
Big yes to washable silk!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Joy I know exactly the material you're talking about - I love the concept of washable silk but find the crinkled texture feels weird on my skin (the woes of sensitive skin - even seams that don't lie flat irritate me!) Buying washable silk cheaply (i.e. secondhand) makes me feel a bit better about experimenting with it in the wash though (I wash all of my clothes on a lower setting by default, but put my silks in a mesh bag or pillowcase on top of that). May not be as relevant for you @Joy (I'm sure you know all of this already) but I'm going to leave this link to an old YLF thread about machine washing delicate fabrics (as a reference for anyone else who's interested in taking a gamble with thrifted clothes): https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....only-items

Grey is unfortunately the one colour that doesn't suit me well (unless it's a really warm & dark charcoal grey, almost black). I can look for dark wash denim colours though, thanks!

@suntiger What does DA mean, sorry? It's so frustrating not being able to find light coloured clothes that don't wash me out (I wonder if wearing the melon blouse with a darker bottom & earrings could offset the feeling a bit?) #FirstWorldProblems I know, since there are a lot of people who would *love* to look good in head-to-toe black - maybe this is my cue to embrace a gothic alter ego instead, haha

The third blouse I agree isn't my best look, despite being rich & black - I've been been looking to dip my toe into animal prints (despite hating them growing up) & thought this would be a unique iteration of it. Will try a fit lab this weekend before deciding whether to donate it or cut it up into a scarf perhaps!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think DA will be Dark Autumn.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Ahh that makes sense - thanks Jenni!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Thread Update: For anyone who's interested, I tried on the third blouse (animal print shirt) open & also tucked into some bottoms, as suggested. See what you think: https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....int-blouse