Victorian high-necked: will that work?

I used to have this really great lace blouse that I wore to pieces, and I've lately been feeling drawn to the romance-y feel of those to offset the harder edges of my wardrobe. I'm also really feeling the high-neck Victorian/ Edwardian kinda vibe. Some others I've found that I like on Etsy.

I'm afraid that it has the potential to become an orphan, as
* I've not historically really been a button-shirt kinda gal,
* I'm not sure how the silhouette will work with my mildly broad shoulders/ sorta busty self
* I'm not super femme in my presentation as a whole (I don't think?)

But...
* I feel like it work well with the variety of denim in my closet (and leather, but the jackets haven't come out yet, as it's still in the 90s here), as a bit of a counterpoint to feminise
* I have a few classic sheath dresses that I think this would make a nice alternative to my usual ribbed turtlenecks
* I've spent the last several years in turtlenecks, and I'm a bit burnt on them overall, but I still prefer the coverage.

Thoughts?

12 years ago

rute

Veteran

I know you are not super femme but this kind of blouse will work well with leather black skinnies and moto booties!
I think it will work well with broad shoulders, but it's not busty girls friendly. You can always try!

Firecracker (Sharan)

I like the idea of the high-necked blouse for the purposes you're describing. I'm more hesitant about the lace and especially the ruffles on the Etsy one. What about a high-collar blouse that doesn't have the frilly details? Maybe more of a tuxedo style? Something like this, maybe:

http://www.outblush.com/women/.....ck-blouse/

rachylou

I think this kind of top could be really cool. BUT, if you really won't wear it because of the buttons, I'd pass. Because I'm that way and I have lots of button shirts that gather dust and I feel a whole lot better having stuff I actually wear.

AnnieMouse

Firecracker, while that's a lovely blouse, I never wear satins - they're too hot in the summer and far too cold in the winter. And texturally, the slip factor on them gives me the heebie jeebies. The lace/ ruffles are what actually draw me to the etsy versions, because they're such a departure for me.

BUT, to Rachylou's point... I'm wearing a button front shirt today, and have gotten a little more open to them, if the construction is just right. I don't like startchy shirts, but I think the womanly styling avoids that, somewhat?

I'm currently trying to work out how many places one could fit into my wardrobe, and whether it would be too repetitive.

I think I could wear it with
1) my leopard, coloured, and BF jeans pretty easily
2) with an assortment of booties/ loafers/ brogues
3) POSSIBLY with my tartan + leather pencil skirt (if I pair it with my tall boots and leather, but maybe too costumey?)
4) with some of my office-y-ier trousers (tweed, gabardine, and a wool blend)(possibly with a super saturated blazer/ jacket?)
5) as an undershirt to my sheath dresses I wear in winter, as an alternative to my turtlenecks

I would probably avoid wearing with maxis, because then it can go too prairie girl, I think, unless I wear with a trim-cut tweed vest (...hmmm).

RoseandJoan

Yes the strict, repressed look of the shirt is the perfect counterpoint to your hair and punk roots. I can also see this being re-dyed a vibrant shade in the future for a second life.

ETA rebel (steam)funk so to speak

Sounds like it could work really well for you! I can imagine it looking dynamite the ways you've described wanting to wear it.

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