Here is a hypothetical outfit puzzle for the fabbers:

If I start with oxfords and pencil skirt, and the oxfords sometimes are not the most girly versions, what type of top is feminine enough to give the needed juxtaposition, but is work-appropriate, and not dated? And ideally, would like some styles that can be worn untucked—depends on waistband of skirt.

Silky blouses with round neckline and gathers at shoulders? Very drapey knit tops? Lace, but in simple styles (lace “T”) ? I’ve actually gone as far as thinking ruffles—l had a V-neck knit top with ruffles in the V; or a ruffle-necked shell under a sweater. Not too big on bows except maybe the untied, drapey ties look, or low, loose bow. And of course, tucking is often needed with a typical “blouse” because of the lengths. Something slightly waist-fitted, in contrast to usual de-BS approach? Or, just boxy tops but in flowy fabrics?

The puzzle is to kind of reverse the de- bombshell, because the shoes already do that so much, that you would go more feminine with the top instead of a chunky sweater, but you want to avoid tight/fitted look or an evening or sheer look.

Other options that are still very possible are always looking for more ladylike but comfortable footwear—some ordered and still looking-- and finding a dress or more swishy skirt for oxfords. Or something else altogether. That's not today’s puzzler, but there are no penalities for coloring outside the lines!

I imagine some of these types of tops are still around, but I don’t know what would be the “modern” iteration, or what to avoid. In some ways I think I’d “know it when I see it”, if the proportions were right and so on, based on my own poison-sugar eye.

Any puzzler-players? Thanks for comments!