If it was good enough for my First Holy Communion...
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...then it's good enough for anything. Especially as my mum absolutely LOVED it. We are talking broderie anglaise. The fabric that's survived the test of time. It has the most incredible vintage feel to it - it enhances the most simple of designs. It elevates a humble top into something really special.
And it's not just in white. Think black, navy, pink - any colour and it's just as gorgeous. A print that's not a print.
And it's everywhere this year. Which THRILLS me as I absolutely love it. I am on a broderir mission. In fact, I've found so many utterly amazing pieces, I'm going to split the post into two different blogs - one for tops and one for dresses and skirts.
Today, we're starting with the tops. These are perfect for so so many occasions and offer a versatility that you perhaps wouldn't get with a dress.
These tops will work with print skirts as well as looking incredible with jeans. Add either flat sandals or heels for a dressier look!
First up - LOVE this one from Topshop. Would look absolutely ideal with a full skirt or wide leg jeans or trousers.
White Broderie Wrap Top from Topshop was £19 now £16
And another version at Pull & Bear at ASOS.
Pull & Bear Broderie top in white £15.99
Similar at H&M (although personally I think the Topshop one looks more expensive...for me - that's the one that will give you that luxe look for a lot less than you would expect).
Broderie Anglaise Blouse £19.99
And in the yellow... again £19.99 from H&M.
The joy of broderie anglaise is that I honestly think it's so difficult to tell the price point of something. Something really reasonable can look so expensive - and this top is a prime example. This could easily be a designer top at three times the amount - I LOVE the tie waist - super flattering for sitting neatly over the waistband of skirts and trousers.
YAS broderie blouse with collar was £55 now £44 from ASOS
Puff sleeve top in black at ASOS.
JDY broderie top with balloon sleeves £22
Sleeveless now and this is the identical shape to the Goat silk top I've had for years which is always admired. LOVE this one.
Black Broderie frill shoulder top from River Island £25
Will also definitely be trying this one in both the white and the black.
White Broderie Cami from Topshop was £19 now £15.20
In the black again reduced to £15
OR they have it in the pink... was £19 now £15 at Topshop
Another vest style option at ASOS DESIGN. Now I wouldn't have enough up top to fill this and it's a tricky one as if you have enough to fill it you'll probably need to wear a bra - unless you're super perky so if you are BUY ALL OF THESE as I'm super jealous!
ASOS DESIGN broderie sun top was £20 now £16
THIS ONE THOUGH!!! Utterly perfect.
ASOS DESIGN square neck top with ruffle detail and tie side was £28 now £22.40
Yellow at Boden (limited sizes).
Hallie Broderie Top from Boden was £75 now £30
Blue now at H&M and I LOVE this and am gutted I didn't see it earlier. Only available now in a 4 and a 6 and I think the last time I fitted into those sizes, I was 4 and 6.
Blouse with broderie anglaise was £24.99 now £10
Another pale blue stunner at New Look. This over jeans would look perfect for dress down Summer days... with a pair of skinny kick flare jeans and either heeled clogs and espadrilles - the perfect BBQ outfit to get us through Summer.
Pale Blue broderie ruffle sleeve top from New Look £19.99
Bargain of the day though has to be this Isabel Marant inspired number from New Look.
Off white crochet fill trim blouse £19.99 in cotton.
Broderie Anglaise blouse with long sleeves from La Redoute was £52 now £36.40
Ecru at River Island...
Long Sleeve Broderie Frill Blouse £28
White blouse at River Island £32. We're just not going to mention the fringe trousers. Although to be fair, I can't ever unsee them. Note to self... you are not JLo, you are not JLo...
Same blouse in a pink... again £32
Ganni tie neck broderie anglaise cotton blouse was £260 now £104
And in a khaki green - again from Ganni now with 40% off at Matches to £104
If you'd like a waisted peplum style top then I've found one at New Look. These work if you're an hour glass or you don't like having things tucked in. The peplum would sit neatly over a waistband - I would also say these are worth considering if you're more petite. Rather than tucking something in, these will lengthen your torso by not cutting you off and giving the illusion of height.
Black Broderie Frill Peplum Top from New Look was £19.99 now £9.99
Another peplum style at ASOS from Pieces...
Pieces high neck blouse in broderie was £35 now £17.50
The other option if you're not looking to add extra fabric around the middle is a swing top. These are perfect for over shorts - the proportions of a swing top mean that even if you're not used to getting your legs out, with some looser shorts, this would work perfectly.
Or it's ideal for over skinny jeans in cooler days.
ASOS DESIGN high neck swing ruffle broderie blouse £28
But I have also found some that aren't so full on. Just a hint of the broderie which some might prefer (personally I'm an ALL IN sort of person).
Black Broderie Short Sleeve Blouse from Topshop £29
Or in the white - again £29 at Topshop
And a tee-shirt with just a hint of broderie detailing...
Black broderie frill flute sleeve tee from River Island £20
Same in white... again £20 at River Island
And in the pale pink £20 - personally I wouldn't put this with the very dark jeans - I think a pair of faded denim or white or a print skirt with a pink hue to it, would be much better.
But dare I say my favourite might be the navy? LOVE it with the denim. A real twist on a classic.
River Island short sleeve broderie anglaise frill sleeve tee £20
And head over to Instagram to see my new one that I bought from Mango!
It's this one and it's AWESOME.
Ruffle Crop Top from Mango £25.99
...then it's good enough for anything. Especially as my mum absolutely LOVED it. We are talking broderie anglaise. The fabric that's survived the test of time. It has the most incredible vintage feel to it - it enhances the most simple of designs. It elevates a humble top into something really special.
And it's not just in white. Think black, navy, pink - any colour and it's just as gorgeous. A print that's not a print.
And it's everywhere this year. Which THRILLS me as I absolutely love it. I am on a broderir mission. In fact, I've found so many utterly amazing pieces, I'm going to split the post into two different blogs - one for tops and one for dresses and skirts.
Today, we're starting with the tops. These are perfect for so so many occasions and offer a versatility that you perhaps wouldn't get with a dress.
These tops will work with print skirts as well as looking incredible with jeans. Add either flat sandals or heels for a dressier look!
First up - LOVE this one from Topshop. Would look absolutely ideal with a full skirt or wide leg jeans or trousers.
White Broderie Wrap Top from Topshop was £19 now £16
And another version at Pull & Bear at ASOS.
Pull & Bear Broderie top in white £15.99
Similar at H&M (although personally I think the Topshop one looks more expensive...for me - that's the one that will give you that luxe look for a lot less than you would expect).
Broderie Anglaise Blouse £19.99
And in the yellow... again £19.99 from H&M.
The joy of broderie anglaise is that I honestly think it's so difficult to tell the price point of something. Something really reasonable can look so expensive - and this top is a prime example. This could easily be a designer top at three times the amount - I LOVE the tie waist - super flattering for sitting neatly over the waistband of skirts and trousers.
YAS broderie blouse with collar was £55 now £44 from ASOS
Puff sleeve top in black at ASOS.
JDY broderie top with balloon sleeves £22
Sleeveless now and this is the identical shape to the Goat silk top I've had for years which is always admired. LOVE this one.
Black Broderie frill shoulder top from River Island £25
Will also definitely be trying this one in both the white and the black.
White Broderie Cami from Topshop was £19 now £15.20
In the black again reduced to £15
OR they have it in the pink... was £19 now £15 at Topshop
Another vest style option at ASOS DESIGN. Now I wouldn't have enough up top to fill this and it's a tricky one as if you have enough to fill it you'll probably need to wear a bra - unless you're super perky so if you are BUY ALL OF THESE as I'm super jealous!
ASOS DESIGN broderie sun top was £20 now £16
THIS ONE THOUGH!!! Utterly perfect.
ASOS DESIGN square neck top with ruffle detail and tie side was £28 now £22.40
Yellow at Boden (limited sizes).
Hallie Broderie Top from Boden was £75 now £30
Blue now at H&M and I LOVE this and am gutted I didn't see it earlier. Only available now in a 4 and a 6 and I think the last time I fitted into those sizes, I was 4 and 6.
Blouse with broderie anglaise was £24.99 now £10
Another pale blue stunner at New Look. This over jeans would look perfect for dress down Summer days... with a pair of skinny kick flare jeans and either heeled clogs and espadrilles - the perfect BBQ outfit to get us through Summer.
Pale Blue broderie ruffle sleeve top from New Look £19.99
Bargain of the day though has to be this Isabel Marant inspired number from New Look.
Off white crochet fill trim blouse £19.99 in cotton.
Broderie Anglaise blouse with long sleeves from La Redoute was £52 now £36.40
Ecru at River Island...
Long Sleeve Broderie Frill Blouse £28
White blouse at River Island £32. We're just not going to mention the fringe trousers. Although to be fair, I can't ever unsee them. Note to self... you are not JLo, you are not JLo...
Same blouse in a pink... again £32
Ganni tie neck broderie anglaise cotton blouse was £260 now £104
And in a khaki green - again from Ganni now with 40% off at Matches to £104
If you'd like a waisted peplum style top then I've found one at New Look. These work if you're an hour glass or you don't like having things tucked in. The peplum would sit neatly over a waistband - I would also say these are worth considering if you're more petite. Rather than tucking something in, these will lengthen your torso by not cutting you off and giving the illusion of height.
Black Broderie Frill Peplum Top from New Look was £19.99 now £9.99
Another peplum style at ASOS from Pieces...
Pieces high neck blouse in broderie was £35 now £17.50
The other option if you're not looking to add extra fabric around the middle is a swing top. These are perfect for over shorts - the proportions of a swing top mean that even if you're not used to getting your legs out, with some looser shorts, this would work perfectly.
Or it's ideal for over skinny jeans in cooler days.
ASOS DESIGN high neck swing ruffle broderie blouse £28
But I have also found some that aren't so full on. Just a hint of the broderie which some might prefer (personally I'm an ALL IN sort of person).
Black Broderie Short Sleeve Blouse from Topshop £29
Or in the white - again £29 at Topshop
And a tee-shirt with just a hint of broderie detailing...
Black broderie frill flute sleeve tee from River Island £20
Same in white... again £20 at River Island
And in the pale pink £20 - personally I wouldn't put this with the very dark jeans - I think a pair of faded denim or white or a print skirt with a pink hue to it, would be much better.
But dare I say my favourite might be the navy? LOVE it with the denim. A real twist on a classic.
River Island short sleeve broderie anglaise frill sleeve tee £20
And head over to Instagram to see my new one that I bought from Mango!
It's this one and it's AWESOME.
Ruffle Crop Top from Mango £25.99